City Building Permits
Boise, ID - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Boise, Idaho. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Idaho Ada County Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Covers all properties within Boise city limits only.
- Department
- Planning and Development Services (PDS) — Building Division
- Address
- 150 N. Capitol Blvd., Boise, ID 83702
- Phone
- (208) 608-7070 (building); (208) 608-7100 (planning)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Accela Citizen Access • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Create an account at permits.cityofboise.org.
- Determine applicable permit types (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion control).
- Check zoning and any design overlay requirements that may apply.
- Prepare construction plans: site plan, floor plans, elevations, and structural details as applicable.
- Apply online through the Accela portal, entering project address, scope, valuation, and contractor information.
- Upload PDFs through the ePlanReview portal.
- Pay plan review fees at submission (non-refundable).
- Plans are reviewed by the Building Division; reviewers mark issues or contact you with solutions.
- Respond to any plan review corrections and resubmit if needed.
- Permit is issued once plans are approved and all fees are paid.
- Post permit on site and schedule inspections at required milestones.
- Complete all required inspections and final permit closeout.
Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; residential simple permits may be same-day to a few days; larger projects several weeks. Virtual appointments available for application help.
Source: Planning and Development Services (PDS) — Building Division
General Requirements
New residential construction and additions; finishing attic, garage, or basement into living space; structural modifications (walls, windows, doors, roofing); decks exceeding 12 inches in height; retaining walls 4 feet or higher; fences over 7 feet tall; hard-wired electrical; plumbing additions/relocations; HVAC; projects disturbing 10+ cubic yards or 500+ sq. ft. of soil.
Required Documents
- Completed application (online)
- Site plan showing property lines and structure locations
- Construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, structural details)
- Energy code compliance documentation
- Contractor license information
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or if work is abandoned for 180 days.
- Building code
- 2018 IBC (with Appendices H and J; mass timber provisions from 2021 IBC effective January 1, 2022); 2018 IEBC; 2018 IRC (Parts I-IV and IX, with Appendices Q and S); 2018 IECC; 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (based on 2015 UPC, with Chapter 13); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC); 2018 International Fire Code (IFC); 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code; 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC, voluntary). Design criteria: ground snow load 20 psf, frost depth 24 inches minimum, seismic design category C. Effective January 1, 2021 (with noted exceptions).
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform work on their primary residence without registering as a contractor, but must physically perform the work themselves. Licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work if homeowner does not self-perform all trades.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must hold a current, valid State of Idaho contractor license in their applicable trade.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- See fee schedule PDF at https://www.cityofboise.org/media/8321/final-boise-city-building-code-fee-schedule-10-1-21.pdf
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based. Idaho state fee reference: $1-$500 = $23.50; $501-$2,000 = $23.50 first $500 plus $3.05 per additional $100; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 first $2,000 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 first $25,000 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000. Boise uses its own schedule — verify at fee schedule URL.
- Reinspection fee
- Listed in fee schedule; contact (208) 608-7070 for current amounts.
- Payment note
- Multiple permits payable together (Building, Planning, Public Works); license and Fire Department fees paid separately. Payment via Accela portal ePay function.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective October 1, 2021).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Painting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and wall coverings (no framing exposed)
- Kitchen/bathroom updates without fixture relocation
- Low-voltage outdoor lighting
- Detached garden sheds 200 sq. ft. or less (outside floodplains)
- Driveways (Planning approval may still be required)
- Decks 12 inches or less in height
- Fences 7 feet or less
- Retaining walls under 4 feet
- Non-structural repairs/maintenance
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Accela portal (registered permit contacts only) (online)
- (208) 608-7070 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/footing, rough framing, rough mechanical/electrical/plumbing (as applicable), insulation, drywall (if required), final inspection. Commercial projects require pre-construction inspection before footing.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 IBC (with Appendices H and J; mass timber provisions from 2021 IBC effective January 1, 2022); 2018 IEBC; 2018 IRC (Parts I-IV and IX, with Appendices Q and S); 2018 IECC; 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (based on 2015 UPC, with Chapter 13); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC); 2018 International Fire Code (IFC); 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code; 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC, voluntary). Design criteria: ground snow load 20 psf, frost depth 24 inches minimum, seismic design category C. Effective January 1, 2021 (with noted exceptions).
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- Current Building Codes
- Permit Records Search
- License lookup guide: Idaho Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Idaho Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Idaho hub: Idaho Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Planning and Development Services (PDS) — Building Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Boise, ID?
- New residential construction and additions; finishing attic, garage, or basement into living space; structural modifications (walls, windows, doors, roofing); decks exceeding 12 inches in height; retaining walls 4 feet or higher; fences over 7 feet tall; hard-wired electrical; plumbing additions/relocations; HVAC; projects disturbing 10+ cubic yards or 500+ sq. ft. of soil.
- How much does a building permit cost in Boise, ID?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Idaho state fee reference: $1-$500 = $23.50; $501-$2,000 = $23.50 first $500 plus $3.05 per additional $100; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 first $2,000 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 first $25,000 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000. Boise uses its own schedule — verify at fee schedule URL.. Plan check fee: See fee schedule PDF at https://www.cityofboise.org/media/8321/final-boise-city-building-code-fee-schedule-10-1-21.pdf.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Boise, ID?
- 1. Create an account at permits.cityofboise.org. 2. Determine applicable permit types (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion control). 3. Check zoning and any design overlay requirements that may apply. 4. Prepare construction plans: site plan, floor plans, elevations, and structural details as applicable. 5. Apply online through the Accela portal, entering project address, scope, valuation, and contractor information. 6. Upload PDFs through the ePlanReview portal. 7. Pay plan review fees at submission (non-refundable). 8. Plans are reviewed by the Building Division; reviewers mark issues or contact you with solutions. 9. Respond to any plan review corrections and resubmit if needed. 10. Permit is issued once plans are approved and all fees are paid. 11. Post permit on site and schedule inspections at required milestones. 12. Complete all required inspections and final permit closeout.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Boise, ID?
- Typical processing time is Varies by project complexity; residential simple permits may be same-day to a few days; larger projects several weeks. Virtual appointments available for application help..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Boise, ID?
- The following work is generally exempt: Painting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and wall coverings (no framing exposed); Kitchen/bathroom updates without fixture relocation; Low-voltage outdoor lighting; Detached garden sheds 200 sq. ft. or less (outside floodplains); Driveways (Planning approval may still be required); Decks 12 inches or less in height; Fences 7 feet or less; Retaining walls under 4 feet; Non-structural repairs/maintenance.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Boise, ID?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Accela portal (registered permit contacts only), (208) 608-7070.
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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