Coeur d'Alene building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Last verified 2026-07-03 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 710 E. Mullan Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
- Phone
- (208) 769-2267
- Office hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; new building permit applications not accepted at the counter after 4:30 p.m. Inspection line (24 hours advance notice required): (208) 769-2391. Fax: (208) 769-2237.
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Coeur d'Alene's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Coeur d'Alene — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Idaho adopts a statewide baseline building code set under the Idaho Building Code Act (Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 41) and IDAPA rules administered by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Effective January 1, 2021, the statewide baseline includes the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2020 Idaho Residential Code (based on the 2018 IRC Parts I–III and IX with Idaho amendments), 2020 Idaho Energy Conservation Code (based on the 2018 IECC with Idaho amendments), 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), and 2018 International Fire Code (IFC). The National Electrical Code is adopted separately by the Idaho Electrical Board (IDAPA 24.39.10), not bundled with the building code: Idaho enforces the 2023 NEC, effective July 1, 2024 (the state used the 2017 NEC with amendments before that and skipped the 2020 edition). Local jurisdictions must enforce the state baseline and may adopt amendments only where those amendments are at least as stringent as the state-adopted editions; local amendments may not be less restrictive. Enforcement is local — each city or county issues permits and performs inspections. Always confirm the current adopted edition and any local amendments with your specific jurisdiction before submitting plans.
- Idaho Building Code Act, Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 41: establishes a mandatory statewide building code adopted by the Idaho Building Code Board, administered locally by cities/counties per Idaho Code 39-4116. The state's currently adopted cycle (2021 International Codes family, including 2021 IBC/IRC, and the 2020 Idaho Energy Conservation Code) took effect statewide January 1, 2022. Source: Idaho Building Code Act, Idaho Code Title 39 Ch. 41, legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title39/t39ch41/
- City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department has locally adopted the 2018 International Codes, effective January 1, 2021 (the city's own currently-published adopted-codes page and PDF handout, both live as of this review, have not yet been updated to the newer statewide 2021 cycle): 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC). Source: City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services page and 'Current Adopted Codes and Design Criteria' handout (cdaid.org)
- 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code, with current City of Coeur d'Alene amendments (plumbing code has NOT been updated to the 2018 cycle locally). Source: City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services page and Adopted Codes and Design Criteria handout
- 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Source: City of Coeur d'Alene Adopted Codes and Design Criteria handout
- The City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department administers and issues Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Re-Roof, Demolition, and Moving permits directly within city limits (per the department's own published FAQ permit-type list). Electricians, plumbers, and mechanical/HVAC contractors must each hold a current State of Idaho trade license administered by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) / Division of Building Safety, (208) 334-3950, to obtain a City permit, but the City itself performs the plan review, permit issuance, and inspection for these trades within its boundaries — DOPL's direct-jurisdiction permitting/inspection role applies in areas that have NOT assumed local jurisdiction; the City of Coeur d'Alene's own FAQ and applications pages confirm the City issues its own Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits. Source: City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services FAQ (cdaid.org/government/departments/building-services/faq/); DOPL Electrical Program FAQ noting permit jurisdiction 'varies widely' by locally-assumed authority (dopl.idaho.gov/ele/ele-faqs/)
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for new single-family homes, duplexes, additions, remodels, garages, and most accessory structures in Coeur d'Alene. Reviewed against the City's locally-adopted 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC (effective January 1, 2021) plus City Design Criteria. Applications are submitted through the dedicated building.cdaid.org portal (requires a separate account from other City services) or in person at 710 E. Mullan Ave.
Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit
Required for additions, interior remodels, finished basements, decks, porches, patio covers, and structural alterations to existing one- and two-family dwellings in Coeur d'Alene. Reviewed against the locally-adopted 2018 IRC. Applications submitted through building.cdaid.org or in person at 710 E. Mullan Ave.
Electrical Permit
Required for new installations, additions, extensions, alterations, and repairs of electrical wiring and equipment in Coeur d'Alene. The City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department issues Electrical Permits directly (listed as one of the Department's own permit types on its FAQ); electricians must hold a current State of Idaho electrical license issued through DOPL to obtain a City permit.
Plumbing Permit
Required for new installation, removal, alteration, repair, or replacement of plumbing, gas piping, drainage piping, fixtures, and water heaters in Coeur d'Alene. Governed by the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code with current City amendments. The City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department issues Plumbing Permits directly using its own dedicated per-fixture fee schedule.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for new installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or removal of ductwork, heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment (HVAC) and gas piping in Coeur d'Alene. Governed by the locally-adopted 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). The City issues Mechanical Permits directly using its own itemized fee schedule.
Re-Roof Permit
Required for re-roofing residential, multi-family, industrial, and commercial buildings in Coeur d'Alene. Governed by the locally-adopted 2018 IBC/IRC roofing provisions and City Design Criteria. Billed via the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule plus a $40 non-refundable processing fee; issued through building.cdaid.org.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV systems in Coeur d'Alene are permitted under the City's standard Building and Electrical Permit process — the City does not publish a solar-specific application or fee table separate from the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule. Reviewed against the locally-adopted 2018 IRC/IBC, 2018 IECC, and City Design Criteria (including the 60 psf ground snow load / 40 psf roof snow load used for structural mounting calculations).
Demolition Permit
Required for complete or partial (interior and exterior) demolition of an existing structure within Coeur d'Alene city limits, including manufactured homes. Governed by the City's Demolition Permit Application (revised 3/13/2025), with flat fees by building type plus a stormwater fee, and historic-preservation review triggers for pre-1960 structures.
Fence and Retaining Wall Permit
Fences and retaining walls in Coeur d'Alene are regulated by height under both the Planning Department's zoning code and the locally-adopted IRC. Most residential fences up to 6 feet (rear/side) or 4 feet (front yard setback) require no building permit; taller fences and retaining walls over 4 feet (or supporting a surcharge) require a Building Permit.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE Permit
EVSE circuit installations in Coeur d'Alene are permitted under the City's standard Electrical Permit process -- the City does not publish an EV/EVSE-specific application or fee table separate from the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule, confirmed directly against the Building Services Department's own FAQ page (which lists Electrical Permits as one of the Department's standard permit types but contains no EV/EVSE-specific content), mirroring the same finding already documented for the solar-pv-permit entry in this file.
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Additions)
Required for new commercial construction and additions to commercial/non-residential structures in Coeur d'Alene. Uses a distinct Commercial Permit Application and Commercial Permit Application Sheet Index (submittal checklist) from the residential process, requires an Idaho-licensed architect/engineer stamp on plans, and is billed on the same valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule but with a 65% Commercial Plan Check fee (vs. 15% for Residential). Reviewed against the locally-adopted 2018 IBC and 2018 IECC (Commercial). Submitted in person at 710 E. Mullan Ave — Commercial permits are not one of the four permit types supported for online submittal/payment through building.cdaid.org.
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit
Tenant improvements to existing commercial/non-residential space in Coeur d'Alene are processed as a Building Permit under the SAME Commercial Permit Application and Commercial Permit Application Sheet Index used for new commercial construction and additions — the City does not publish a separate TI-specific application or fee table. TI is explicitly listed among the City's Building Permit examples ('...alterations, ...remodels, tenant improvements...') and the Commercial Applications page groups TI directly under 'Commercial Building' alongside new construction and additions ('For new construction, additions, tenant improvements'). Confirmed directly against the City's FAQ, Commercial Applications page, Commercial Permit Application, and Project Review Application.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- No data reported
- Trailing 12 months
- No data reported
- Year to date (2026 YTD)
- No data reported
- Full year 2025
- No data reported
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Idaho building activity
Tips & gotchas
- The City of Coeur d'Alene's own currently-published adopted-codes handout still cites the 2018 International Codes cycle (effective locally January 1, 2021) and the 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code, even though the Idaho statewide baseline moved to the 2021 International Codes cycle effective January 1, 2022 — the City's local code adoption has not yet caught up to the newer state cycle as of this review. Verify current status before relying on code-year specifics for complex commercial projects.
- building.cdaid.org requires its own separate account (not shared with other cdaid.org City services) — call (208) 769-2267 to have one set up before attempting to apply online.
- The City's online portal (building.cdaid.org) explicitly supports online application/payment for only four permit types: Residential Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Re-Roof. Electrical, Demolition, Moving, Commercial, and Manufactured Home Setting permits are documented as in-person/counter submittals at 710 E. Mullan Ave.
- The City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department issues its own Electrical Permits (confirmed via its FAQ's permit-type list); electricians additionally need a current State of Idaho electrical license through DOPL. No dedicated City electrical fee schedule is published separately from the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule — unlike Plumbing and Mechanical, which each have their own itemized fee schedules.
- Free ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) plan sets are available through a City-referenced partnership with Housing Solutions Partnership (housingni.org/adu-plans/); an ADU permit uses the standard Residential Application Packet plus a supplemental ADU Application form. No separate ADU fee schedule or dedicated ADU code chapter was found — ADUs are processed as standard Residential Building Permits.
- Demolition of structures built before 1960 (or listed/eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, or in a Historic District) may require Historic Preservation Commission review at its monthly informational meeting (fourth Wednesday at noon), which can delay permit issuance.
- Development impact fees increase 3.9% starting July 1, 2026 per Ordinance No. 3723 (approved January 2, 2024); see the Impact Fee Schedule 2024-2028.
- Solar PV installations have no dedicated City application or fee schedule; they are processed as a standard Building Permit (structural/mounting) plus Electrical Permit (interconnection), billed via the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule.
- A $300 street tree fee per frontage is charged at building permit issuance for new single-family/duplex construction (refundable under specified conditions).
- Most single-family, duplex, and garage plan reviews take 7-14 business days; re-roofs, water heaters, and window replacements can often be issued over the counter same-day.
- Contractor registration proof (Idaho Code 54-5209) is required for all permit types before the City will accept the application, unless an Owner-Builder / Contractor Registration Exemption Declaration is completed.