City Building Permits
St. Maries, ID - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in St. Maries, Idaho. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of St. Maries, the county seat of Benewah County.
- Department
- City of St. Maries Building Department
- Address
- 602 College Avenue, St. Maries, ID 83861
- Phone
- 208-245-2577
- kwise@cityofstmaries.org
Application Process
- Contact Building Permit Coordinator K. Wise to discuss project requirements before submittal.
- Prepare completed building permit application with all supporting construction drawings.
- Submit application materials in person at 602 College Avenue, St. Maries, ID 83861, or via email to kwise@cityofstmaries.org.
- City Building Official and plan check professionals review construction drawings for code compliance.
- Pay permit fees upon approval and prior to permit issuance.
- Approved plans must be on-site during construction.
- Schedule required inspections at major construction milestones.
- Complete final inspection and receive approval upon satisfactory completion of work.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact Building Permit Coordinator for specifics.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, and demolition of structures within the City of St. Maries.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Construction drawings with engineering/architectural details
- Site plans
- Evidence of contractor registration (if project value exceeds $2,000)
- Permit validity
- Contact Building Department for permit validity period.
- Building code
- International Building Code (IBC) 2018, International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2018, International Residential Code (IRC) 2018, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2018, and Uniform Building Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings (1997), all with Idaho amendments (Ordinance 2025-784, effective March 24, 2025)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with contractor registration requirements if project value exceeds $2,000.
- Contractor requirements
- For projects valued at $2,000 or more, contractors must be registered with Idaho Department of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades.
Fees
- Payment note
- Fees based on project valuation (determined by ICC Building Valuation Calculator), type of construction, and scope/complexity. Contact Building Permit Coordinator kwise@cityofstmaries.org or 208-245-2577 for specific fee information.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of St. Maries Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 208-245-2577 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections: foundation inspection, framing inspection, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) inspection, and final inspection. Approved plans must be on-site during all inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Code (IBC) 2018, International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2018, International Residential Code (IRC) 2018, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2018, and Uniform Building Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings (1997), all with Idaho amendments (Ordinance 2025-784, effective March 24, 2025)
- Verify contractor license: Idaho DOPL Contractor Registration Lookup
- St. Maries City Code Title 9 Building Regulations
- ICC Building Valuation Calculator
- Panhandle Health District (Septic Permits)
- Idaho DEQ IPDES Permits (Stormwater)
- 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 City of St. Maries Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Maries Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in St. Maries, ID?
- A building permit is required for all construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, and demolition of structures within the City of St. Maries.
- How do I apply for a building permit in St. Maries, ID?
- 1. Contact Building Permit Coordinator K. Wise to discuss project requirements before submittal. 2. Prepare completed building permit application with all supporting construction drawings. 3. Submit application materials in person at 602 College Avenue, St. Maries, ID 83861, or via email to kwise@cityofstmaries.org. 4. City Building Official and plan check professionals review construction drawings for code compliance. 5. Pay permit fees upon approval and prior to permit issuance. 6. Approved plans must be on-site during construction. 7. Schedule required inspections at major construction milestones. 8. Complete final inspection and receive approval upon satisfactory completion of work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in St. Maries, ID?
- Typical processing time is Processing time varies; contact Building Permit Coordinator for specifics..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Maries, ID?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 208-245-2577.
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