Duplex Conversion Permit in Rexburg, Idaho

Rexburg requires a duplex conversion permit for: Property must be brought up to current code; Must pass a life safety inspection; Duplexes are allowed only in LDR2 (minimum 7,260 sq ft per unit) and LDR3 (minimum 4,356 sq ft per unit) zones; no longer allowed in MDR1 or MDR2; 2 parking spaces required for each dwelling unit, located behind the front-yard setback; Each dwelling unit requires a separate entrance with a 36" x 6'8" door to the public way; 6'8" minimum stair finishing height (measured from nose of step to finished ceiling); stairs must be lit; handrails required with 4 or more continuous risers; Egress windows in sleeping rooms must provide 5.7 sq ft of openable space, with a maximum sill height of 44 inches above the floor; Minimum hallway width of 36 inches and height of 6'8"; All livable space requires a 7 ft minimum ceiling height; Separate electrical meter required for each dwelling unit; GFCI protection required in bathroom, kitchen countertop, and outside outlets; electrical wiring must be protected with covers, no cords for permanent wiring; a licensed (non-owner) electrician required for rental-property work; Separate conditioned-air ducting/furnace required for each dwelling unit (units cannot share air); gas lines may not run through one unit's building to service another; a licensed (non-owner) mechanical contractor required for rental-property work; Separate water shut-off required for each dwelling unit; a licensed (non-owner) plumber required for rental-property work; Fire separation required between units; functional smoke detectors in halls/bedrooms and CO detectors in hallways per current code; a class 2A10BC (minimum) fire extinguisher visible in the kitchen; Strongly suggested: schedule a walk-through with an inspector prior to purchasing the property, since a building permit is required after purchase to convert to a duplex; Create an account on the City's Public Portal (apply.rexburg.org/publicapp) to submit the application online. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Rexburg Building Department at (208) 372-2166 before starting work.

Rexburg does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Rexburg Building Department at (208) 372-2166 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Mobile Home/Duplex/Demolition Application. Depending on your project, Rexburg may also ask for: Duplex Conversion Pamphlet. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Rexburg requires 2 inspection(s) for a duplex conversion permit, in order: Life Safety Inspection, Building Final. Schedule each through City of Rexburg Building Department ((208) 372-2166).

Apply through City of Rexburg Building Department at 35 N 1st East, Rexburg, ID 83440. Phone: (208) 372-2166, email: building@rexburg.org. Office hours: City Hall Open Hours: M-Th 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, F 7:30 am - 12:30 pm. Main City switchboard: (208) 359-3020; Building Department direct line: (208) 372-2166.. Official information: https://www.rexburg.org/o/cor/page/building.

Rexburg, Idaho has adopted: The City of Rexburg operates its own Building Department, which handles ALL trade permitting (building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire) in-house — it is not a DOPL-administered jurisdiction for permit issuance. The Building Official 'enforces and interprets the building code,' 'supervises the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire inspectors,' and the Building Department's stated scope explicitly covers mechanical, electrical, and plumbing programs as sub-programs of the Building Department itself, each with dedicated per-discipline permit fees. Source: City of Rexburg Building page (rexburg.org/o/cor/page/building).; 2018 International Building Code (IBC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page (rexburg.org/o/cor/page/codes-standards).; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page; also referenced on the Electrical Information page.; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2017 Idaho Plumbing Code (IAPMO), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — both the Commercial and Residential chapters, adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; 2016 NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), adopted by the City of Rexburg. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; Plans submitted for commercial projects must be stamped by a licensed Idaho architect or engineer. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; The permitting process takes up to 10 business days from initial application to issuance of the permit; the process can be longer depending on backlog; the permit process is on a first-come, first-served basis. Source: City of Rexburg Codes & Standards page.; Rexburg Development Code (Title/Code 1200) governs zoning, including short-term rental registration and duplex-conversion zoning eligibility (density-based lot-size minimums by zone). Source: Rexburg Development Code online, rexburg.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=development.. Local amendments apply — see the Rexburg overview page for the full list.

This is addressed on the City's Building FAQ page, but the specific answer text is rendered as a JS-collapsed accordion not extractable as static text. Per the Duplex Conversions page, converting to a duplex requires bringing the property up to current code, passing a life safety inspection, and meeting zoning lot-size minimums (LDR2 or LDR3 only).