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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Boise
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.
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
- Exempt Painting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and wall coverings (no framing exposed)
- Exempt Kitchen/bathroom updates without fixture relocation
- Exempt Low-voltage outdoor lighting
- Exempt Detached garden sheds 200 sq. ft. or less (outside floodplains)
- Exempt Driveways (Planning approval may still be required)
- Exempt Decks 12 inches or less in height
- Exempt Fences 7 feet or less
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
- Exempt Non-structural repairs/maintenance
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
- 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).
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or if work is abandoned for 180 days.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Create an account at permits.cityofboise.org.
- 02 Determine applicable permit types (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion control).
- 03 Check zoning and any design overlay requirements that may apply.
- 04 Prepare construction plans: site plan, floor plans, elevations, and structural details as applicable.
- 05 Apply online through the Accela portal, entering project address, scope, valuation, and contractor information.
- 06 Upload PDFs through the ePlanReview portal.
- 07 Pay plan review fees at submission (non-refundable).
- 08 Plans are reviewed by the Building Division; reviewers mark issues or contact you with solutions.
- 09 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.
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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective October 1, 2021
Fee type
Amount
01
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
02
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.
03
Reinspection fee
Listed in fee schedule; contact (208) 608-7070 for current amounts.
Multiple permits payable together (Building, Planning, Public Works); license and Fire Department fees paid separately. Payment via Accela portal ePay function.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective October 1, 2021) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Boise permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Boise, ID? ▸
Building permit fees in Boise, ID are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Boise, ID? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Boise, ID, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Boise, ID? ▸
Building permit processing times in Boise, ID typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Boise, ID? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Boise, ID? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Boise, ID via: Accela portal (registered permit contacts only), (208) 608-7070.
last verified April 2026
source Planning and Development Services (PDS) — Building Division ↗
entry id permits/idaho/ada/boise
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Development Services (PDS) — Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.