Skip to main content
PermitBase

Solar PV Permit in American Falls, Idaho

American Falls issues no separate solar-PV permit type; rooftop or ground-mounted photovoltaic installation is permitted through the City's general valuation-based Building Permit (structural/racking) for the City-issued portion, per the City's published Permit Fees schedule. Electrical work (including PV interconnection wiring) is not issued by the City — the Building Department page states Electrical and Plumbing/HVAC permits are obtained through the State of Idaho, consistent with the Idaho Division of Building Safety's (DOPL) role covering jurisdictions without their own certified local electrical program.

Verified 2026-07-20 · Source

When you need this permit

  • City Building Permit required for the structural/racking portion of a solar PV installation, reviewed under the 2018 International Code as adopted by the City
  • Electrical permit for PV wiring and interconnection is obtained through the State of Idaho (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses / Division of Building Safety), not the City of American Falls — the City's own Building Department page lists Electrical Permit and Plumbing/HVAC Permit as state-issued, distinct from the City-issued Building Permit
  • Fee for the City Building Permit portion is calculated from the published valuation-based fee table (no distinct solar/PV line item exists in that table)
  • Contact the Building Department (Jeff Nelson, 208-226-2569) to confirm current solar-specific submittal requirements, as none are separately published beyond the general Building Permit process

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 2 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

City Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500City of American Falls Building Permit Fee Schedule (cityofamericanfalls.com/building-fees/); no separate solar/PV line item — solar is billed under this general valuation-based table
$23.50
City Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000City of American Falls Building Permit Fee Schedule
$23.50 for the first $500.00 plus $3.05 for each additional $100.00
City Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000City of American Falls Building Permit Fee Schedule (typical residential rooftop PV valuation falls in this tier)
$69.25 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00
Outside-hours/reinspection/plan-modification feeCity of American Falls Building Permit Fee Schedule
$47.00 per hour

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Solar PV Permit permit actually take in American Falls?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    See the full American Falls inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

    Tips

    • American Falls has no dedicated solar/PV permit or fee line — the structural/racking portion is billed exactly like any other valuation-based Building Permit, using the City's standard fee table.
    • The City does not issue electrical permits at all (for solar or otherwise); PV interconnection wiring requires a separate State of Idaho electrical permit.

    Frequently asked questions

    American Falls requires a solar pv permit for: City Building Permit required for the structural/racking portion of a solar PV installation, reviewed under the 2018 International Code as adopted by the City; Electrical permit for PV wiring and interconnection is obtained through the State of Idaho (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses / Division of Building Safety), not the City of American Falls — the City's own Building Department page lists Electrical Permit and Plumbing/HVAC Permit as state-issued, distinct from the City-issued Building Permit; Fee for the City Building Permit portion is calculated from the published valuation-based fee table (no distinct solar/PV line item exists in that table); Contact the Building Department (Jeff Nelson, 208-226-2569) to confirm current solar-specific submittal requirements, as none are separately published beyond the general Building Permit process. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of American Falls Building Department at (208) 226-2569 before starting work.

    No. Solar PV installations are billed under the City's standard valuation-based Building Permit fee table (starting at $23.50 for the $1-$500 tier) — there is no distinct solar/photovoltaic line item published. Electrical/interconnection work requires a separate State of Idaho electrical permit, not a City permit.

    American Falls does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of American Falls Building Department at (208) 226-2569 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Building Permit Application (City); State of Idaho Electrical Permit. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of American Falls Building Department at 550 N Oregon Trail, American Falls, ID 83211. Phone: (208) 226-2569, email: jeff.nelson@cityofamericanfalls.com. Office hours: Monday–Thursday 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday–Sunday closed (including holidays). Official information: https://cityofamericanfalls.com/building-department/.

    American Falls, Idaho has adopted: International Code (2018) — City of American Falls adopts the 2018 edition of the International Code family (International Building Code and related I-Codes) for Building Permit (City) review; Uniform Fire Code (2018), as adopted by the City of American Falls; Idaho State Plumbing Code and mechanical/HVAC code — administered and inspected by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), not the City of American Falls; National Electrical Code (NEC) — administered and inspected by DOPL, not the City of American Falls. Local amendments apply — see the American Falls overview page for the full list.

    Sources & verification

    Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-20.

    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 American Falls building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

    Other permits in American Falls

    Consolidated Building-Development Permit (New Construction, Additions, Alterations, Repairs, Moving, Demolition, Signs, Grading)EV Charger / EVSE Permit

    Solar PV Permit in other cities

    Ammon, IdahoBlackfoot, IdahoBoise, IdahoBuhl, IdahoBurley, IdahoCaldwell, IdahoCascade, IdahoChubbuck, Idaho

    Compare solar pv permit fees across Idaho →

    Look up this fee in a different city →

    Embed this data card →

    Now live

    Build your American Falls project checklist

    Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in American Falls — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

    Get started →