Building Safety Division

Building Inspections: Inspection requests must be called in or scheduled online no later than 7:00 a.m. to be scheduled for inspection that same day. Building Inspection Request Line: (208) 455-4605.

It is necessary to check with the Planning and Zoning Division in order to verify the proposed use is compatible with the current zoning of the property. It is also necessary to ensure that no other entitlements are required, and to discuss other applicable development code sections.

Applications for building permits may be submitted through the online portal. All permit and plan set requirements are dependent on the project's scope of work.

Building Permit Technicians will review the application and plans for completeness. If additional information or plans are needed, or corrections are necessary, staff we will reach out via email. This email will contain crucial information necessary for you to proceed with your application process. Plan review fees will be assessed and invoiced at the time of submittal. Incomplete application and submittals can result in delays in the permitting process.

One the submission has been deemed complete, and all plan review fees have been paid, the building permit technicians will route plans to all applicable department for concurrent review.  Staff will review the plans based on current adopted codes, ordinances and policies. Review cycles often include corrections that require the applicant’s response. Notification of corrections will be sent online via the online portal.  All resubmittals need to be submitted back through the online portal.

Once all departments have completed and passed their reviews, final fees are calculated.  Once fees are paid, approved plans will be released and accessible for download through the online portal. Approved stamped plans must be downloaded and remain on the job site for all inspections.

Revisions to an approved set of plans may require resubmission for plan review and approval.  Additional fees for the review of revised plan will apply. Depending on the scope of the changes, some projects may not need to go through the formal resubmittal for a plan modification.

The applicant or contractor is required to request inspections at each phase of construction.  This includes building inspections, trade inspections, engineering inspections, fire inspections, and planning and zoning inspections.  All permit conditions must be satisfied.

Once all required inspections from all applicable departments have been completed and passed, and all conditions have been met, you are able to request a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion certificate. A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued for residential and multi-family structures, and for commercial structures where the scope of work specified the building would be occupied. A Certificate of Completion will be issued for commercial shell buildings or commercial buildings where the scope of work specified no tenant. A building undergoing a change in occupancy OR change in tenant will require the issuance of a new Certificate of Occupancy with the new tenant's information.

For any new or existing construction, change in use, or change in ownership requiring Southwest District Health approvals, such approvals must be secured prior to a Certificate of Occupancy or conducting new business. For information, please contact Kelly Berg at 208-455-5400.

Plan review of residential applications will take approximately 5-7 business days to complete the initial (1st) review.  The submission of more than 5 residential permits in a given day by an applicant may extend the timelines by up to an additional 3-5 business days.

Plan review for multi-family, commercial, signs and fire permits will take approximately 10-12 business days to complete the initial (1st) review.

Review for resubmittals will restart the timeframes listed above.