You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-08-26.
Preston building permits
VerifiedPreston, Idaho — as published 2026-08-26.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Solar PV Permit (State-Issued Electrical + City Building Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems within Preston city limits. Idaho does not allow cities to administer their own electrical permitting: the electrical-connection scope of a solar install is permitted directly by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL, formerly the Division of Building Safety / Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses), while the structural/roof-mounting scope requires a City of Preston Building Permit using the same process and fee structure as other construction on file for this jurisdiction.
Verified 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work on a solar PV system must be performed by an Idaho-licensed electrical contractor whose electrician holds (or is supervised by someone holding) the Solar Photovoltaic limited electrical license category, which requires proof of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) installer certification or equivalent, per IDAPA 24.39.10.153.09
- Grid-tied renewable energy systems require a mandatory electrical plan review by DOPL before the installation permit can be purchased, billed at the state's standard plan-review rate
- All PV electrical work must comply with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code as adopted by Idaho (IDAPA 24.39.10.250)
- The structural/roof-mounting scope requires a City of Preston Building Permit: Land Survey or stamped plat map, Site Plan, complete Building Plans meeting current code, and (per the City's standard Building Permit Application Instructions) a Preston City Business License for any contractor other than the property owner
- Separate permits are required for electrical work in addition to the City building permit — the City does not issue electrical permits itself
Required documents
- RequiredIdaho DOPL Electrical Permit Application (Alternative Energy / Solar PV)State of Idaho DOPL electrical permit application; covers the grid-tied or off-grid electrical connection scope of the solar installation
- RequiredCity of Preston Building Permit Application Instructions packageSame City of Preston application package used for other construction (Land Survey, Site Plan, Building Plans) for the structural/roof-mounting scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho DOPL Electrical Permit — 'Other Installation' fee schedule (applies to solar/renewable energy since no dedicated PV fee line is published) | Wiring cost up to $10,000: $60 plus 2% of total wiring cost; $10,000-$100,000: $260 plus 1% of the amount over $10,000; over $100,000: $1,160 plus 0.5% of the amount over $100,000 | Idaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections), current administrative rule text (adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/243910.pdf). Show full citationHideIdaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections), current administrative rule text (adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/243910.pdf). Statewide fee schedule — Idaho does not permit local jurisdictions to set their own electrical permit fees; Preston has no local electrical-permitting program. |
| DOPL Electrical Plan Review (required for grid-tied renewable energy systems before permit purchase) | $65 minimum for one hour or less, plus $65 per additional hour | IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 plan review fee; grid-tied solar/renewable systems require a passing plan review before the installation permit itself may be purchased |
| City of Preston Building Permit Application Fee (structural/roof-mounting scope, using the closest published category — Additions) | $50.00 | City of Preston Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01); Show full citationHideCity of Preston Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01); the Building Permit itself is 'set by city inspector, based on valuation' — the City's fee schedule does not list a solar-specific line item, so the flat Building Permit Application Fee for the closest published category (Additions) is cited; confirm the applicable category with the Building Inspector for a given project. |
Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Accessory Buildings)
VerifiedRequired for new construction, additions, and accessory buildings within Preston city limits, per the City of Preston's Building Permit Application Instructions. The Building Permit itself is set by the city inspector based on valuation; a separate flat Building Permit Application Fee also applies per Resolution #178. Preston does not publish a distinct commercial-building-permit or tenant-improvement-permit application, fee schedule, or review process. The City's Building Permit Application Instructions document (city letterhead PDF) describes one generic application/document checklist (Land Survey, Deed, Site Plan, Building Plans, Cut Permit) with no separate commercial track, and Resolution #178's 'BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT' fee section prices the underlying 'Building Permits' line generically ('set by city inspector, based on valuation') with no residential/commercial distinction — this SAME Building Permit, application process, and CloudPermit online system is what a commercial new-construction or tenant-improvement project in Preston uses. The one gap: Resolution #178's separate flat 'Building Permit Application Fee' sub-categories (Single/Multi Family Dwelling $150.00, Additions $50.00, Accessory Building $25.00) do not include an explicit 'Commercial' line item — see the fees list and tipsAndGotchas for sourcing and the note on confirming the applicable category directly with the Building Inspector. Separately, the Idaho Building Code Act (Idaho Code 39-4117, added 2025) gives Preston 20 business days (versus 10 for residential) to determine whether a submitted commercial building permit application is complete — a statewide completeness-review clock, not a distinct city permit product or a guarantee of full plan approval within that window.
Verified 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Land Survey of the lot prepared by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor (a stamped plat map for a platted subdivision is acceptable if the lot is clearly identified)
- Copy of deed, tracing back to 06/06/1974 for new home construction
- Detailed Site Plan showing dimensions, setbacks, easements, contours/drainage, floor elevation, utility locations, building uses, and a North arrow
- Complete Building Plans meeting current building code specifications, to be reviewed by the city Building Inspector
- Cut Permit (Encroachment/Cut Permit) if the project requires cutting any city street, including a licensed contractor to dig and locate city services
- Current Preston City Business License for any contractor or non-owner service provider working on the project
- All homes, including modular homes, must include a garage as part of the installation
- Commercial new construction and commercial tenant-improvement/remodel projects use this SAME Building Permit application, document checklist, and fee structure — Preston has no distinct commercial-building-permit or TI-permit product (see the note above)
- Per Idaho Code 39-4117 (statewide, added 2025): for a commercial building permit application, Preston must, within 20 business days of receipt, provide written notice if the application is incomplete, and must issue a written completeness determination within 20 business days of a submission or revised submission — 20 business days for commercial versus 10 business days for residential. A completeness determination is not approval; it only authorizes the application to proceed to formal plan review.
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application InstructionsCity of Preston's own instructional document listing all required uploads. Per cms3.revize.com/revize/prestonid PDF (city letterhead, undated revision marker 'UPDATE-07232019' in the filename).
- RequiredLand Survey or stamped Plat MapPrepared/stamped by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- RequiredCopy of DeedMust trace back to 06/06/1974 for new home construction, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- RequiredSite Plan (PDF)Per the Building Permit Application Instructions' detailed content requirements.
- RequiredBuilding Plans (PDF)Complete construction plans, reviewed by the Building Inspector against current code, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
- OptionalEncroachment/Cut PermitRequired only if cutting a city street; uploaded with building plans and site plan; retained until road repair is signed off by the City's designated inspector. Application per prestonidaho.net Forms & Applications page.
- RequiredPreston City Business LicenseRequired for all contractors/service providers (not the property owner) before commencing work, per the Building Permit Application Instructions.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit (base) | Set by city inspector, based on valuation | Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01): 'Building Permits (set by city inspector, based on valuation)' — no flat percentage or table is published; this record does not invent a rate. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Single/Multi Family Dwelling | $150.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Additions | $50.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Accessory Building | $25.00 | Resolution #178, BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT section. |
| Building Permit Appeal Application Fee (Planning & Zoning) | $300.00 | Resolution #178. |
| Building Permit Appeal Application Fee (City Council) | $300.00 | Resolution #178. |
| Encroachment/Cut Permit | $200.00 | Resolution #178, plus a bond 'based on square footage of trench' (amount not published as a flat figure). |
| Preston City Business License (per contractor) | $50.00 | Resolution #178, BUSINESS LICENSES section. Required per the Building Permit Application Instructions for anyone but the property owner performing work under the permit. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Commercial | Not separately published | Resolution #178's 'BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT' Building Permit Application Fee sub-categories list only Single/Multi Family Dwelling ($150.00), Additions ($50.00), and Accessory Building ($25.00) — no… Show full citationHideResolution #178's 'BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT' Building Permit Application Fee sub-categories list only Single/Multi Family Dwelling ($150.00), Additions ($50.00), and Accessory Building ($25.00) — no 'Commercial' line item exists anywhere in the document. The underlying Building Permit fee itself ('set by city inspector, based on valuation') is stated generically with no residential/commercial distinction, so that valuation-based fee construct applies the same way to a commercial project; no dollar figure is stated here for the flat Application Fee sub-category a commercial project would fall under. The prior fee resolution, #174 (passed April 14, 2025, effective May 1, 2025), lists the identical three sub-categories with no Commercial line either, so the omission predates #178 and is not a one-time drafting gap. No resolution between #178 and the current numbering (#182, an Employee Salary resolution, appears on the August 24, 2026 council agenda) touches the license/fee schedule; the city's own Forms & Applications page still links Resolution #178 as its current fee schedule. Ordinance 2026-3 (adopted January 26, 2026) repealed and replaced Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) but only to remove obsolete building-code-edition references and align with Idaho State codes — it does not touch fees. Confirm the applicable Application Fee category directly with Building Inspector Curt Fuller (curtf@prestonid.us, 208-540-0417) for a specific commercial project. |
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels & Tenant Improvements)
VerifiedRequired for new commercial construction, commercial additions, and commercial remodels or tenant improvements within Preston city limits. Preston publishes no distinct commercial-building-permit or tenant-improvement application, fee schedule, or review process: the City's Building Permit Application Instructions describe one generic document checklist, and Resolution #178 prices the underlying Building Permit itself ('set by city inspector, based on valuation') the same way regardless of occupancy. Applications go through the same CloudPermit online system used for residential work. The one confirmed gap: Resolution #178's flat Building Permit Application Fee lists only Single/Multi Family Dwelling ($150.00), Additions ($50.00), and Accessory Building ($25.00) — no Commercial line item exists, so an applicant should contact the Building Department for a quote on that flat fee rather than assume one of the residential figures applies. Separate from the Building Permit itself, Resolution #178's utility connection-fee schedule does distinguish commercial from residential: a sewer or water tap larger than a standard 1-inch residential service, and a fire-suppression water line for a sprinkler system, are priced on their own commercial-labeled tiers. Idaho Code 39-4117 also gives Preston a longer statutory clock to determine a commercial application complete — 20 business days versus 10 for residential — a statewide rule, not a city policy.
Verified 2026-08-25 · Source
Requirements
- Land Survey of the lot prepared by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor (a stamped plat map for a platted subdivision is acceptable if the lot is clearly identified) — the same document checklist used for residential projects, per the Building Permit Application Instructions
- Copy of deed showing ownership and legal description
- Detailed Site Plan showing lot dimensions, proposed and existing structures, setbacks, easements, finish contours/drainage, floor elevation, street/sewer elevations, utility line locations, use of each building, and a North arrow
- Complete Building Plans meeting current building code specifications, reviewed by the city Building Inspector; no specific adopted code edition (such as a numbered IBC year) is named anywhere in the Building Permit Application Instructions, the Building Department's webpages, or Idaho DOPL's Building Code page — Idaho's statewide code-adoption framework governs absent a city-specific figure
- Cut Permit (Encroachment/Cut Permit) if the project requires cutting a city street, including a licensed contractor to dig and locate city services
- Current Preston City Business License for any contractor or other non-owner service provider working on the project
- Preston has no distinct commercial-building-permit or tenant-improvement/TI permit product: commercial new construction, additions, and remodels use this same Building Permit application, document checklist, and CloudPermit portal used for residential work
- Resolution #178's flat Building Permit Application Fee sub-categories (Single/Multi Family Dwelling, Additions, Accessory Building) do not include a Commercial line item; contact the Building Department for the applicable fee before budgeting a commercial project
- A sewer or water connection larger than a standard 1-inch service, or a fire-suppression water line for a sprinkler system, is billed on Resolution #178's separate utility connection-fee schedule in addition to the Building Permit fee itself
- Per Idaho Code 39-4117 (statewide, added 2025): for a commercial building permit application, Preston must, within 20 business days of receipt, provide written notice if the application is incomplete, and must issue a written completeness determination within 20 business days of a submission or revised submission — 20 business days for commercial versus 10 business days for residential. A completeness determination is not approval; it only authorizes the application to proceed to plan review.
- No fire-district or state fire marshal plan-review requirement for privately owned commercial construction was found: the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Plan Reviews program is scoped to state-owned and state-leased buildings, and the Franklin County Fire District's own published materials cover burn permits and emergency response rather than a building-plan-review process — confirm directly with the Building Department and the Franklin County Fire District whether either applies to a given project
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application InstructionsCity of Preston's own instructional document listing all required uploads; describes one generic checklist used for both residential and commercial projects, per the cms3.revize.com/revize/prestonid PDF (city letterhead, undated revision marker 'UPDATE-07232019' in the filename)
- RequiredLand Survey or stamped Plat MapPrepared/stamped by an Idaho licensed engineer or land surveyor, per the Building Permit Application Instructions
- RequiredCopy of DeedShows ownership and legal description, per the Building Permit Application Instructions
- RequiredSite Plan (PDF)Per the Building Permit Application Instructions' detailed content requirements
- RequiredBuilding Plans (PDF)Complete construction plans, reviewed by the Building Inspector against current code, per the Building Permit Application Instructions
- OptionalEncroachment/Cut PermitRequired only if cutting a city street; uploaded with building plans and site plan; retained until road repair is signed off by the City's designated inspector
- RequiredPreston City Business LicenseRequired for all contractors/service providers (not the property owner) before commencing work, per the Building Permit Application Instructions
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit (base) | Set by city inspector, based on valuation | Resolution #178 (effective 2026-02-01): 'Building Permits (set by city inspector, based on valuation)' — the same generic line used for residential and commercial projects; no separate percentage or table is published for either. |
| Building Permit Application Fee — Commercial | Not separately published | Resolution #178's 'BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT' Building Permit Application Fee sub-categories list only Single/Multi Family Dwelling ($150.00), Additions ($50.00), and Accessory Building ($25.00) — no… Show full citationHideResolution #178's 'BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT' Building Permit Application Fee sub-categories list only Single/Multi Family Dwelling ($150.00), Additions ($50.00), and Accessory Building ($25.00) — no 'Commercial' line item exists anywhere in the document. The prior fee resolution, #174 (passed April 14, 2025, effective May 1, 2025), lists the identical three sub-categories with no Commercial line either, so the omission predates #178 and is not a one-time drafting gap. No resolution between #178 and the current numbering (#182, an Employee Salary resolution, appears on the August 24, 2026 council agenda) touches the license/fee schedule; the city's own Forms & Applications page still links Resolution #178 as its current fee schedule. Ordinance 2026-3 (adopted January 26, 2026) repealed and replaced Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) but only to remove obsolete building-code-edition references and align with Idaho State codes — it does not touch fees. Contact Building Inspector Curt Fuller (curtf@prestonid.us, 208-540-0417) for the applicable Application Fee amount for a specific commercial project. |
| Sewer Connection Fee — Commercial (4-inch) | $9,000.00 | Resolution #178, SEWER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category. |
| Sewer Connection Fee — Commercial (6-inch) | $9,000.00 | Resolution #178, SEWER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category. |
| Water Connection Fee — Commercial (1-inch) | $9,000.00 | Resolution #178, WATER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category. |
| Water Connection Fee — Commercial (2-inch) | $9,000.00 | Resolution #178, WATER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category. |
| Water Connection Fee — Commercial (4-inch) | $36,000.00 | Resolution #178, WATER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category. |
| Water Connection Fee — Fire Suppression Line / Non-Consumptive Use | $28,000.00 | Resolution #178, WATER CONNECTION FEES section, Commercial category — the fee for a dedicated water line serving a fire-suppression (sprinkler) system rather than domestic/process use. |
| Hot Tap Inspection Fee (sewer or water) | $1,000.00, plus $200.00 per lot | Resolution #178, SEWER CONNECTION FEES and WATER CONNECTION FEES sections. The Inspection Fee for a Main Line Tap within a subdivision or PUD is paid by the developer directly rather than as a flat city fee, per the same sections. |
| Preston City Business License (per contractor) | $50.00 | Resolution #178, BUSINESS LICENSES section. Required per the Building Permit Application Instructions for anyone but the property owner performing work under the permit. |
| Encroachment/Cut Permit | $200.00 | Resolution #178, plus a bond 'based on square footage of trench' (amount not published as a flat figure); applies only if the project requires cutting a city street. |
EV Charging Station Permit (State-Issued Electrical Permit)
VerifiedRequired for installation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charging station/EVSE within Preston city limits. As with solar PV, Idaho does not allow the City of Preston to administer its own electrical permitting: the electrical-connection scope (new circuit, panel/service work, and the charger's hardwired or receptacle connection) is permitted directly by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the City. No separate City building permit is required for a standalone EVSE install unless it triggers a service/panel upgrade or new structure (e.g. a carport), in which case the City's standard Building Permit process applies to that scope.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work must be performed by an Idaho-licensed electrical contractor (or the homeowner on their own primary residence, per Idaho Code Section 54-1016 exemptions), permitted through Idaho DOPL rather than the City of Preston
- Installation must comply with National Electrical Code Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System) as adopted by Idaho under IDAPA 24.39.10.250
- A dedicated branch circuit sized to the EVSE manufacturer's specifications is required; GFCI protection applies per NEC 625 where the EVSE is cord-and-plug connected
- If the installation requires a panel or service upgrade to support the added electrical load, that scope is also permitted through DOPL as part of the same or a companion electrical permit
- No dedicated EV/EVSE fee line item is published by DOPL — the statewide 'Other Installation' fee schedule under IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 applies, the same category the solar-pv-permit entry uses for the electrical-connection scope of a solar installation
Required documents
- RequiredIdaho DOPL Electrical Permit Application (Contractor)State of Idaho DOPL electrical permit application for licensed-contractor installations
- OptionalIdaho DOPL Homeowner Electrical Permit ApplicationAlternative application for a homeowner self-installing EVSE wiring on their own primary residence under Idaho Code Section 54-1016
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho DOPL Electrical Permit — 'Other Installation' fee schedule (applies to EV charging station circuits since no dedicated EVSE fee line is published) | Wiring cost up to $10,000: $60 plus 2% of total wiring cost; $10,000-$100,000: $260 plus 1% of the amount over $10,000; over $100,000: $1,160 plus 0.5% of the amount over $100,000 | Idaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections). Show full citationHideIdaho Electrical Board Rules, IDAPA 24.39.10, Rule 500 (Permits and Inspections). Statewide fee schedule — Idaho does not permit local jurisdictions to set their own electrical permit fees; Preston has no local electrical-permitting program. Same fee category the solar-pv-permit entry documents for its electrical-connection scope. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Preston building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.