You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-08-20.
Unincorporated Power County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated Power County, Idaho — as published 2026-08-20.
Verified 2026-08-02 · 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 is published | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix A (Building Valuation Data / Power County Permit Fees table) |
Solar PV Permit
VerifiedPower County has a detailed Solar Farms ordinance (Title 10, Chapter 23) governing utility-scale solar development (the county is home to the 300 MW Moon Crater Solar and Storage Project) — but Section 10-23-7(A) explicitly EXEMPTS 'residential use solar facilities' from the Conditional Use Permit that chapter otherwise requires for all other solar installations. A residential/personal-use system is separately defined in the ordinance (Section 10-23-3) as a 'solar energy array with a total nameplate capacity of 200 kilowatts or less, associated with single or two-family dwellings, or personal use.' A qualifying residential system is instead processed as the county's standard valuation-based Building Permit (the same mechanism as other residential construction), with electrical interconnection separately regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), since Power County has deleted electrical/mechanical/plumbing permitting from its own local code.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- A 'personal-use solar power facility' (nameplate capacity 200 kW or less, associated with a single or two-family dwelling, or personal use) is EXEMPT from the Conditional Use Permit required of all other solar installations under Power County Code 10-23-7(A) — this is the key threshold distinguishing an ordinary residential rooftop/accessory system from the county's heavy solar-farm review process
- A qualifying residential/personal-use system still requires the county's standard valuation-based Building Permit for the mounting/structural work, using the same fee-bracket table as other residential construction (Building Code Ordinance Appendix A)
- Electrical interconnection (arrays, inverters, point of connection) requires a separate Idaho DOPL Electrical Permit, since Power County has deleted electrical, gas, and mechanical permitting sections from its local code and directs applicants to obtain Idaho State electric permits
- Any system exceeding 200 kW nameplate capacity, or not associated with a single/two-family dwelling or personal use, is instead a 'small-scale' or 'large-scale' solar power facility under Chapter 23 and requires the full Conditional Use Permit process (siting review, decommissioning plan, surety bond, setbacks, landscaping, security fencing) — a completely different, far more involved process than a standard residential installation
- Even exempt residential systems must still comply with the electrical-interconnection and applicable-code provisions of 10-23-10(g)-(h) where relevant (interconnection compliance, no above-ground transmission lines)
Required documents
- RequiredConsolidated Building-Development Permit ApplicationThe county's standard building permit application, used for a qualifying residential/personal-use solar installation since no separate solar-specific residential form exists — select 'Power County' as the work location
- RequiredDOPL Electrical Permit (online)Separate state permit for the PV interconnection/wiring, purchased through DOPL's online portal
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (valuation-based) — qualifying personal-use system only (≤200 kW, single/two-family dwelling) | Same fee-bracket table as the general Residential Building Permit: $24 for valuation $1–$500, scaling up through $18,327 + $1 per additional $1,000 above $5,000,000 | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix A. No distinct residential-solar valuation category is published; the general Building Valuation Data table applies to the system's installed cost. |
| DOPL Electrical Permit — 'Other Installations' fee schedule (interconnection) | Wiring cost up to $10,000: $60 + 2%; $10,001-$100,000: $260 + 1% of excess; plus a $65/hr (1-hr minimum) plan review fee for grid-tied systems | Rules of the Idaho Electrical Board, IDAPA 24.39.10 — the same statewide mechanism that applies in other unincorporated Idaho counties (e.g., Gem County), applicable here since Power County has deleted electrical permitting from its local code. |
| Conditional Use Permit (NOT applicable to a qualifying residential/personal-use system — only for small-scale/large-scale solar power facilities) | Standard county CUP fee (see general Conditional Use Permit fee schedule) plus a required surety bond for decommissioning | Power County Code 10-23-7 — cited here to make clear this heavier process does NOT apply to a residential rooftop/accessory-scale installation, only to commercial/utility-scale solar. |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Power County's adopted Building Code Ordinance (Title 8) lists only the IBC, IRC, IECC, IFC, and IEBC — no county-adopted NEC edition — and the state's own Inspector List with Schedules assigns Power County electrical inspections to a State of Idaho electrical inspector (Shane Lott), confirming that electrical work in unincorporated Power County is regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL, formerly Division of Building Safety), not the county. An EV charger/EVSE installation therefore requires a State of Idaho Electrical Permit through DOPL, not a county permit. DOPL publishes no distinct EV charger/EVSE fee line; a residential EVSE circuit added to an existing home is billed under the homeowner (or contractor) electrical permit fee structure — a base fee plus a per-branch-circuit charge for existing-residence work.
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- State of Idaho Electrical Permit (DOPL) required for EV charger/EVSE circuit installation in unincorporated Power County — apply online via the DOPL permit purchasing system, or by submitting the Homeowner or Contractor Electrical Permit Application
- Homeowners may self-perform EVSE wiring on their own primary or secondary residence and related outbuildings using a Homeowner Electrical Permit; work for others, or on commercial property, requires a licensed contractor
- Installation must comply with the National Electrical Code edition adopted by the Idaho Electrical Board
- Schedule inspection through the DOPL electrical inspection request line/portal; Power County is served by a state-assigned electrical inspector, not a county inspector
- DOPL publishes no distinct EV charger/EVSE fee line, expedited timeline, or SolarAPP+-style instant-permitting platform
Required documents
- RequiredHomeowner or Contractor Electrical Permit Application (DOPL)State electrical permit application for EV charger/EVSE circuit and equipment installation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Electrical Permit — Existing Dwelling Unit | $65.00 per inspection | IDAPA 24.39.10 (Rules of the Idaho Electrical Board), Section 500.02.a.ii, effective 3-28-23: "Existing Dwelling Unit Permit: sixty-five dollars ($65) per inspection." Applies to an existing… Show full citationHideIDAPA 24.39.10 (Rules of the Idaho Electrical Board), Section 500.02.a.ii, effective 3-28-23: "Existing Dwelling Unit Permit: sixty-five dollars ($65) per inspection." Applies to an existing residence, detached shop, or modular/manufactured/mobile home. Statewide fee set by DOPL, not by the county. |
| Additional branch circuits (DOPL worksheet only — not imposed by the controlling rule) | $10.00 per additional branch circuit per DOPL's worksheet; $0 under IDAPA 24.39.10 | DOPL Homeowner Electrical Permit Worksheet (Fee Schedule), Rev. Show full citationHideDOPL Homeowner Electrical Permit Worksheet (Fee Schedule), Rev. 8/17/2022, "Existing Residence / Modular, Manufactured or Mobile Homes / Detached Shop" row. One circuit is included in the $65.00, so a single EV charger circuit adds nothing under the worksheet either. Retained rather than deleted because the worksheet is the form applicants submit, but it is NOT in IDAPA 24.39.10 — see the confidenceNote on the base fee. |
| Requested Inspection Permit | $65.00 per inspection | IDAPA 24.39.10 Section 500.03: "Requested Inspection Permit. Show full citationHideIDAPA 24.39.10 Section 500.03: "Requested Inspection Permit. A sixty-five dollar ($65) fee per inspection." Note DOPL's worksheet instead states "$65.00 per hr." for a Requested Inspection, and separately requires a $65/hour Plan Check for grid-connected renewable energy prior to purchasing the installation permit — so this is not optional for grid-tied solar or storage. |
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Additions & Tenant Improvement/Remodel)
Covers new commercial building construction, commercial additions, and commercial remodels/tenant improvements in unincorporated Power County. There is no separate 'commercial' or 'tenant improvement' permit product, application, or fee schedule — Power County processes all of this work through the same Building Permit and Consolidated Building-Development Permit Application used for residential construction, with the Building Administrator as reviewer/inspector. What actually differs from residential: the work is governed by the county's adopted 2018 International Building Code (IBC, Power County Code section 8-1-13) rather than the IRC; commercial valuation for fee purposes is established at the contract bid price rather than the sq-ft cost tables; and plan review for new commercial buildings, additions, and remodels is billed at a flat 65% of the building permit fee rather than the general hourly rate. For a tenant-space remodel/build-out that does not change the occupant load, occupancy group, or occupancy use classification, IBC section 111.1.1 (locally added by Ord. 2020-03) allows a Certificate of Completion in lieu of a full Certificate of Occupancy — this is the county's functional substitute for a distinct TI sign-off process.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Building Permit required for any new commercial building, commercial addition, structural alteration, or commercial remodel/tenant improvement in unincorporated Power County — filed on the same Consolidated Building-Development Permit Application used for residential work (select 'Power County' as the location)
- No separate commercial or tenant-improvement permit type, application form, or fee schedule exists; this work is regulated under the same Building Permit as residential but governed by the county's adopted 2018 International Building Code (IBC, Power County Code section 8-1-13, amended at section 8-1-13-1) rather than the IRC
- New commercial building valuation for permit-fee purposes is established at the contract bid price, not the sq-ft valuation tables used for typical residential work
- Blueprints for larger commercial projects must bear the original Engineer's or Architect's stamp
- Submit a complete set of blueprints/plans to the Building Administrator at least 10-14 days before construction begins
- Interior tenant-space remodels/build-outs require a permit like any other interior remodel (exempt only for painting and carpeting)
- A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a commercial building or tenant space may be used/occupied or before any change in occupancy classification; per IBC section 111.1.1 as locally amended, a Certificate of Completion may be issued instead when the scope of work does not change the occupant load, occupancy group, or occupancy use classification of a tenant space
- Obtain Idaho State electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical permits where applicable — these are NOT issued by Power County (regulated under Idaho Code IC 54-1001 and IC 54-2601; obtained through DOPL)
- Obtain a Power County Highway Permit (208-226-2661) for any new/modified road approach, and a septic permit from the State Health District (208-226-5094 or 208-478-6320) where applicable
- Site plan drawn at a scale not less than 1 inch = 20 feet meeting the same site-plan/setback standards as residential (property lines, septic/well locations, natural features, driveway/road access, north arrow, easements, subdivision/Record of Survey info)
- Engineered stormwater retention plan required for properties on 10% or greater slope
- A permit becomes invalid unless work commences within 180 days of issuance or is suspended/abandoned for 180 days; regardless of extensions, if final inspection and occupancy approval are not completed within 3 years (36 months) of issuance, the permit expires by limitation — a real planning constraint for longer commercial builds
- Appeals of Building Administrator/Building Official decisions go to the Planning and Zoning Commission, then to the Board of Power County Commissioners, per IBC section 112.1 as locally amended
Required documents
- RequiredConsolidated Building-Development Permit Application (PDF)Same shared regional application used for residential, agricultural, and commercial work; applicant checks 'Power County' as the work location. Available at powercounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/341/Consolidated-Building-Development-Permit-Application-PDF
- RequiredFull Plan Set, Engineer/Architect-Stamped (Site Plan, Foundation, Floor Plan, Framing, Elevations)Dimensioned, to-scale drawings; the Basic Requirements for Building Permits page specifically requires the original Engineer's or Architect's stamp for larger commercial projects
- OptionalCertificate of Occupancy / Certificate of CompletionIssued by the Building Administrator at project close under IBC section 111.1 (Certificate of Occupancy) or, for tenant-space work that does not change occupant load/occupancy group/occupancy classification, section 111.1.1 (Certificate of Completion, locally added by Ord. 2020-03)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (valuation-based) — commercial valuation set at contract bid price | Same Appendix A fee-bracket schedule as the Residential Building Permit entry: $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). For commercial work, valuation is established at the contract bid price rather than a sq-ft lookup. These figures come from the primary ordinance PDF, the same source as the Residential Building Permit entry — see reviewTimelineNote. |
| Plan review fee — new commercial buildings, additions, and remodels | 65% of the building permit fee (Table 108.2A), in lieu of the general hourly rate | Power County Building Code Ordinance, Appendix B (Additional Fees), as documented on the Residential Building Permit entry. |
| 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 | IBC section 109.4 as locally amended, per American Legal Publishing (Power County Code section 8-1-13-1): 'an investigative fee equal to the Power County permit fee for the work accomplished illegally.' |
| 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), as already documented in the Residential Building Permit entry. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-08-02.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
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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.