What you can build without a permit in Idaho

By Mario Bailey Last checked 23 Oct 2026 · 13 official sources

Quick answer

Across the 2 Idaho jurisdictions we have verified, 0 of 26 project rules need no permit at all, 13 turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes, and 13 require a permit regardless. Bathroom remodel work is where the answer most often comes with a published condition rather than a flat yes: 2 of the 2 jurisdictions that answer publish one. The numbers are not statewide: deck thresholds alone run from 12 to 30 inches depending on the jurisdiction.

How to read this page

"No permit" means the jurisdiction publishes that the work needs no building permit. "Depends" means it publishes a size, height, depth, cost or scope condition that decides the answer, quoted in its own words in the last column; the number beside it is the figure that condition turns on, and which side of the number is exempt is stated by the condition, not by us. Exempt from a building permit is not exempt from zoning, setbacks, height limits, flood rules, an HOA, or a separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit, and several of the conditions below say exactly that.

Bathroom Remodel

All 2 make the bathroom remodel answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends		Boise exempts interior finish work such as painting, floor covering, cabinets, counter tops and wall coverings.
Meridian	Depends		finish-only work versus moving or adding plumbing, wiring or walls.

Deck

All 2 make the deck answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes, and the 2 that state a number publish figures from 12 to 30 inches.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends	12 inches	deck height above grade at any point.
Meridian	Depends	30 inches	deck height above grade at any point; also must be 200 sq ft or less, detached from the dwelling and not serving the required exit door.

Patio

All 2 make the patio answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends	12 inches	concrete patio height above grade.
Meridian	Depends	200 sq ft	floor area of a detached patio cover or shade structure; attached covers always need a permit.

Pool

All 2 make the pool answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes, and the 2 that state a number all publish 4 feet.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends	4 feet	prefabricated pools only; in-ground and deeper pools need a permit.
Meridian	Depends	4 feet	water depth, prefabricated pools; other pools need a permit at any depth.

Shed

All 2 make the shed answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes, and the 2 that state a number all publish 200 sq ft.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends	200 sq ft	floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure.
Meridian	Depends	200 sq ft	floor area of a one-story detached shed or accessory structure.

Fence

1 of 2 makes the fence answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes. Meridian requires a permit for fence work regardless of size.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Boise	Depends	7 feet	fence height.
Meridian	Permit required		The City of Meridian runs its own building program.

HVAC

1 of 2 makes the HVAC answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes. Boise requires a permit for HVAC work regardless of size.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Meridian	Depends		new installation or replacement versus repair or maintenance of an existing system.
Boise	Permit required		Boise requires a mechanical permit to install or change any part of a heating or cooling system, including replacing a furnace or air conditioning unit, and for ductwork, vents, gas piping, wood stoves and fireplace inserts.

Plumbing

1 of 2 makes the plumbing answer turn on a size or scope condition the jurisdiction publishes. Boise requires a permit for plumbing work regardless of size.

Jurisdiction	Permit	Published figure	What the rule says
Meridian	Depends		clearing stoppages or repairing leaks without rearranging pipes, valves or fixtures versus all other plumbing work.
Boise	Permit required		Boise requires a plumbing permit, issued by the City, to repair, replace, relocate or add to the piping system in a home, install new fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, tubs and dishwashers, install or replace a water heater, or replumb pipes.

If the work is already built

Idaho Code 39-4111(2) makes it unlawful to do any construction, improvement, extension or alteration of a building in a city or county that enforces building codes without first getting a permit under that local government's ordinance. Under the Idaho Building Code Act's penalty section, a willful violation of the chapter or of the adopted codes is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

Idaho penalties, the after-the-fact path, and what the statute actually says

The 26 answered rules come from 13 official sources, each linked from the permit page behind every jurisdiction name. See the full picture for the state on the Idaho permit requirements page, or the national view of which projects need a permit at all on Do you need a building permit?

This page compiles what each Idaho jurisdiction publishes, with a last checked date. It is not legal advice, and a project that is exempt from a building permit can still need zoning approval or a trade permit. Confirm with the office linked from the jurisdiction's page before you build.