This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated Power County as of 2026-07-07. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Unincorporated Power County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated Power County, Idaho — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family dwellings, additions, structural alterations, and outbuildings over 120 sq ft in unincorporated Power County. Applications are submitted on the shared Consolidated Building-Development Permit Application (used jointly by Power County, American Falls, and Rockland — applicant selects 'Power County' as the jurisdiction). Reviewed and inspected by the Power County Building Administrator.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for any new construction, structural addition, alteration, or outbuilding over 120 sq ft in unincorporated Power County
- Interior remodels require a permit except for painting and carpeting
- Re-roofing and re-siding projects require a permit (may be issued same-day if complete information is provided)
- Window/door replacement requires a permit if the new opening size is larger than the one removed
- Placing a manufactured home in or out of a park requires a permit
- Check subdivision or land-use restrictions before applying
- Obtain a Power County Highway Permit (208-226-2661) for any new/modified road approach
- Obtain a septic permit from the State Health District (208-226-5094 or 208-478-6320) where applicable
- Obtain Idaho State electrical, plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical permits where applicable — these are NOT issued by Power County (regulated under Idaho Code IC 54-1001 and IC 54-2601)
- Submit a complete set of blueprints to the Power County Building Administrator at least 10–14 days before construction begins
- Blueprints for larger commercial/residential projects must bear the original Engineer's or Architect's stamp
- Site plan drawn at a scale not less than 1 inch = 20 feet, showing property lines/dimensions, septic system and drain field, well location, natural features (rivers, springs, streams, rock outcroppings, slopes over 20% grade), driveway connection and public road name, north arrow, easements, and subdivision/lot info or Record of Survey
- Engineered stormwater retention plan required for properties on 10% or greater slope
- Property lines must be staked for setback verification prior to inspection
- Complete building plans required for the site-built house, addition, or outbuilding
Required documents
- RequiredConsolidated Building-Development Permit Application (PDF)Shared regional application used for Power County, City of American Falls, and City of Rockland; applicant checks 'Power County' as the work location. Available at powercounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/341/Consolidated-Building-Development-Permit-Application-PDF
- RequiredAttention Builders — Requirements for Building PermitPower County site plan and construction design-criteria checklist (setbacks, frost depth, wind/snow/seismic design values)
- RequiredFull Plan Set (Site Plan, Foundation, Floor Plan, Framing, Elevations)Dimensioned, to-scale drawings per the Basic Requirements for Building Permits page; commercial/complex projects require an Engineer's or Architect's stamp
- OptionalSix Required Inspections — Reminder to ContractorsReference sheet listing the six mandatory inspection stages contractors must schedule with the Building Administrator
- OptionalMinimum SetbacksSetback-from-property-line reference, varies by structure type and road classification (arterial vs. other roads)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (valuation-based) | $24 for valuation $1–$500; $24 + $3 per additional $100 (or fraction) up to $2,000; $69 + $11 per additional $1,000 up to $40,000; $487 + $9 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000; $1,027 + $7 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $3,827 + $5 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000; $6,327 + $3 per additional $1,000 up to $5,000,000; $18,327 + $1 per additional $1,000 above $5,000,000 | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix A (Building Valuation Data / Power County Permit Fees table); Show full citationHidePower County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix A (Building Valuation Data / Power County Permit Fees table); construction cost per square foot is taken from the 1997 Uniform Building Code valuation tables referenced in the same Appendix. New commercial building valuation is established at the contract bid price. |
| Plan review fee (when required) | $47.00 per hour | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix B (Additional Fees); for new commercial buildings/additions/remodels, plan review is billed at 65% of the building permit fee per Table 108.2A in lieu of the hourly rate |
| Investigative fee (work started without a permit) | Equal to the Power County permit fee for the work performed, in addition to the standard permit fee | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Title 8, Chapter 1 (unpermitted-work provision) |
| Miscellaneous/after-hours inspections, reinspection, plan changes | $47.00 per hour (minimum charge 30 min–2 hrs depending on service) | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix B (Additional Fees) |
Agricultural Structure Permit (Zoning Permit + Ag Certification)
VerifiedAgricultural buildings in unincorporated Power County require a Zoning Permit and a notarized Agricultural Building Certification Statement, recorded with the Power County Recorder's Office. Qualifies only for structures used exclusively to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, or livestock — not for human habitation, employment where products are processed/treated/packaged, or public use.
Verified 2026-07-08 · Source
Requirements
- Structure must be an 'agricultural building': designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products
- Structure must NOT be a place of human habitation, a place of employment for processing/treating/packaging agricultural products, or a place used by the public
- Building must be in an agriculturally zoned district and located on an actual working farm
- Setback of at least 60 feet from all habitable structures (additional setback requirements may vary by roadway classification)
- Obtain the Building Permit/Zoning Permit from the Power County Building Administrator — property and structure are checked for compliance
- Sign the Agricultural Building Certification Statement when picking up the permit; the notarized statement is recorded in the Power County Recorder's Office and will appear on subsequent title searches of the property
Required documents
- RequiredAgricultural Building Certification Statement (PDF)Notarized certification that the structure is an agricultural building as defined by county code; recorded with the Power County Recorder. Available at powercounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/340
- RequiredConsolidated Building-Development Permit Application (PDF)Same shared regional application used for standard building permits; select 'Agricultural' as structure use and 'Power County' as location
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning/Building permit fee (valuation-based) | Same Power County Permit Fees valuation table as the residential building permit (Appendix A) applies; no separate agricultural-specific fee schedule was found | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix A (Building Valuation Data / Power County Permit Fees table) |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
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 Unincorporated Power County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.