Boise Building Plan Review Fees & Timelines
Boise, Idaho property owners, designers, and contractors seeking building plan review should use the City of Boise Planning and Development Services to start permit intake and check fee schedules. This guide explains where plan review fees are published, typical review steps, how to submit plans, and the enforcement and appeal routes used by Boise city departments to handle plan compliance and violations.
Overview of Plan Review & Fees
Plan review fees in Boise are set through the city fee schedule and may vary by project scope, building valuation, and permit type. Developers should expect separate charges for building plan review, trade plan reviews (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), and inspections. Timelines depend on application completeness, project complexity, and current permit workload. For department contact and general permit procedures, consult the City of Boise Planning and Development Services page Planning & Development Services[1].
Typical Review Timelines
- Initial intake and completeness check: commonly a few business days to 2 weeks depending on workload.
- First technical review: often 2–6 weeks for small to medium projects; larger or complex projects require more time.
- Revisions and subsequent reviews: additional 1–4 weeks per resubmittal depending on scope.
- Inspection scheduling after permit issuance: typically by appointment within a few business days to two weeks.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of building, zoning, and code compliance in Boise is managed by the City’s enforcement staff within Planning and Development Services and related departments. The municipal code contains the controlling ordinance language for violations and enforcement procedures; specific penalty amounts or per-day fines for plan review violations are not specified on the cited code overview page and must be confirmed in the applicable code sections or fee schedule Boise Code of Ordinances[2].
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal code or fee schedule for numeric amounts.
- Escalation: the code references progressive enforcement and potential daily continuing violation fines where applicable; specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited overview page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, revocation of permits, corrective orders, and referral to court are listed enforcement tools.
- Enforcer and inspections: Planning and Development Services and Building Inspection staff perform inspections and issue notices; complaints can be filed through the department contacts.
- Appeals and review: appeal routes are provided in the code and administrative rules; specific time limits for appeals should be confirmed in the applicable ordinance or decision notice (not specified on the cited overview page).
Applications & Forms
The City publishes permit application forms and instructions via its permit and planning pages; building permit and plan review submissions typically use the City’s permit application packet or online permit portal. Specific plan review fee entries should be confirmed on the city fee schedule or the permit intake page. If a form or fee table is not shown on the general pages, the city provides the current form on its permit intake or document center (see Planning & Development Services and the municipal code links above). For contact and submission instructions, use the Planning and Development Services contacts listed on the city website Planning & Development Services[1].
Action Steps
- Prepare complete plan sets and supporting documents per the City's checklist.
- Submit via the City's permit intake portal or in person as instructed by Planning and Development Services.
- Pay required fees as listed on the current fee schedule at application time.
- If you disagree with a decision, file an appeal within the time limit stated on the decision notice and follow appeal procedures in the municipal code.
FAQ
- How do I find the exact plan review fee for my project?
- Check the City of Boise fee schedule and the permit intake pages or contact Planning and Development Services for a project-specific estimate.[1]
- How long will the City take to complete a plan review?
- Timelines vary by project complexity and completeness; expect initial reviews from a few weeks to over a month for larger projects.
- What happens if I build without an approved plan review?
- Building without approved permits can result in stop-work orders, fines, and requirements to correct or remove work; enforcement details are in the municipal code.[2]
How-To
- Identify the permit type and download the application checklist from Planning and Development Services.
- Assemble complete plans, calculations, and required attachments per the checklist.
- Submit plans through the city portal or as directed and pay the listed fees at intake.
- Track review comments, respond to corrections promptly, and resubmit revised plans as needed.
- Schedule inspections after permit issuance and close the permit by passing required inspections.
Key Takeaways
- Fees and exact timelines depend on project scope and the city's published fee schedule.
- Completeness at first submission shortens review time.
- Enforcement can include stop-work orders and fines; appeal procedures are in the municipal code.
Help and Support / Resources
- Planning & Development Services - City of Boise
- Boise Code of Ordinances - Municode
- City of Boise Finance - Fee Schedules