BuildingPermitCost How Ada County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $65.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 50% of the permit fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $2,000 | $65.00 |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $65.00 for the first $2,000 + $11.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $318.00 for the first $25,000 + $7.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $493.00 for the first $50,000 + $5.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $1,000,000 | $743.00 for the first $100,000 + $4.15 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $4,478.00 for the first $1,000,000 + $2.60 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Surcharges
- Accessibility plan review (IBC): 25% of the plan review fee
- Energy plan review (IBC): 25% of the plan review fee
What counts as project value
Higher of your bid or the valuation table. Fees are based on the total valuation of the construction work: square foot construction costs from the most recent Building Safety Journal Building Valuation Data (BVD), or applicant's value, whichever is higher; BVD costs may be adjusted by a Regional Cost Modifier from Assessor records.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $743.00 for the first $100,000.00 + $4.15 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,780.50
- Plan review fee: 50% of $1,780.50 = $890.25
- Total before trade permits: $2,670.75.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Credit card convenience fee: when paying by credit card; $11.45 on the standard projects.
- Grading & drainage, single-family dwelling or work on single lot/parcel: when a single-family dwelling or lot work requires grading & drainage review; $500.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| General inspections (minimum fee)When: general inspection requested | $100.00 each |
| Reinspection (after first reinspection), per inspection typeWhen: second or later reinspection | $100.00 each |
| Plan review changes/revisions (minimum)When: plan revisions | $100.00 each |
| Building Division administrative fee (location changes)When: location change | $100.00 each |
| Appeal of Building Official decisionWhen: appeal filed | $150.00 each |
| Manufactured home installation permit, per sectionWhen: manufactured home | $120.00 per section |
| Grading & drainage, disturbance of one acre or lessWhen: land disturbance one acre or less | $100.00 each |
| Grading & drainage, new residential subdivision or commercial projectWhen: subdivision or commercial project | $1,500.00 each |
| Development impact fees | separate schedule |
Trade permits are separate. Mechanical: Residential: $35 base permit fee plus $25 each furnace/AC/heat pump/boiler etc., $15 each exhaust/ventilation duct, mini-split head, fireplace, $5 per fuel gas outlet. Commercial: $35 plus 2% of total mechanical job value. Electrical: Not on the county Building Division fee schedule; issuing agency not stated in the source. Plumbing: Not on the county Building Division fee schedule; issuing agency not stated in the source.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Ada County Development Services, Building Division.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 200 W Front St, Boise, ID