General Contractors are not regulated at the state-level in Idaho. The only contractors who are required to obtain a license from the State of Idaho are those performing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, public works and manufactured housing work. All other private sector commercial and residential contractors are regulated on the local-level. Before a General Contractor begins work on a construction project, it is important that they check with their local city or county rules and ordinances.
Some cities in the State of Idaho require General Contractors to obtain a license and pass a qualifying examination. Others have work experience requirements. Some cities simply require contractors to submit project plans and obtain the proper building permits for their work. Below are the licensing and permit requirements for some of the larger cities in the State of Idaho.
Boise, ID
The City of Boise, Idaho requires all General Contractors to obtain the proper building permits for the type of work they intend to perform. Permits are issued by the City of Boise Planning & Development Services. Construction permits must be in the name of the contractor performing the work. The city offers many different types of residential construction permits. For a list of permit types and applications, please visit:
http://pds.cityofboise.org/home/documents/apps/400/
*It is illegal for a contractor to perform work under a permit obtained by a property owner in the City of Boise.
The cost of a building permit depends on the type of work being done and the value of the project. To view a schedule of building permit fees, please visit the link below and click the link that relates to the specific project type:
http://pds.cityofboise.org/home/documents/fees/
Contractors are also responsible for undergoing a plan review and paying a review fee. Review fees are determined at 65% of the building permit fee.
The City of Boise Planning & Development Services accepts permit applications one of two ways:
- File and submit the application online- all online submittals must follow the “Electronic Plan Review Submittal Standards” document, found online, in order to pass the pre-screen review. More information about online applications may be found at:
- Submit the application in-person- paper applications may be submitted at City Hall Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Submit the completed application at the permit counter at:
Boise City Hall
150 N. Capitol Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83701-0500
The City of Boise Planning & Development Services does not accept applications with incomplete or missing information. Be sure that all applications and required documents are in order before submitting. Follow the checklist included in the application to ensure that the contractor submits the proper documents.
Before the city will review the contractor’s building or project plans, they must pay the plan review fee. Plan reviews ensure that the contractor’s project is in compliance with various city codes. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that they attend and go through any additional plan reviews that the city requests.
For more information about obtaining a building permit in the City of Boise, Idaho, call:
208-384-3802
OR
Visit: http://pds.cityofboise.org/building/bld/residential/
Coeur d’ Alene, ID
The City of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho makes sure that all contractors follow the proper codes and ordinances if they want to participate in the construction, repair, remodeling or demolition of buildings within the limits of the city. The Building Services Team is responsible for regulating the construction industry and issuing permits to General Contractors.
The cost of a permit depends on the type of project the contractor intends to perform, as well as the value of the project. To view a schedule of fees, click the link below:
http://www.cdaid.org/files/Municipal_Services/Fee_Schedule_City_wide_061714.pdf
To obtain a building permit, visit the City Clerk office located at:
710 Mullan Avenue
Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho 83814
Permits are issued during the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
OR
Call the City Clerk at:
208-769-2229
In most cases, contractors are also required to submit plans and schedule project inspections. For more information on inspections, please visit:
OR
Call the Inspection Line at:
208-769-2391
For more information about obtaining a building permit in the City of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, please visit:
http://www.cdaid.org/71/departments/municipal/city-clerks-office/permits-and-licenses
Idaho Falls, ID
General Contractors in the City of Idaho Falls, ID are required to obtain the proper trade license and permits in order to perform work on construction projects. Licenses and permits are issued by the City Clerk.
All contractors are also required to pass a qualifying exam, administered by Pearson VUE, in order to receive their license. In some cases, education may count toward the exam requirement.
To schedule or learn more about the exam, call Pearson VUE at:
1-877-234-6082
OR
Visit:
A copy of the passing exam score must be submitted along with the contractor’s license application. For a copy of the license application, please visit:
Contractors in the City of Idaho Falls have the option of choosing the following license classifications:
- Class A License- allows contractors to perform work on building and construction projects of all kinds
- Class B License- allows contractors to perform work on commercial buildings up to 3 stories in height
- Class C License- allows contractors to perform work on one and two-family residential homes
- Class D License- for subcontractors specializing in a trade, such as masonry, drywall, framing, concrete or roofing, etc.
The cost to obtain a Class A, B or C license is $300, which includes both the license and application fee. A Class D license is $225. Submit the completed license application, along with all required documents and fees to:
308 Constitution Way
P.O. Box 50220
Idaho Fall, ID 83405
It takes approximately 2 weeks for the City Clerk Office to review the application and issue the license. Licenses are good for a period of 1 year. All licenses must be renewed each year before January 31st to avoid late fees and penalties.
General Contractors are also responsible for obtaining the proper building permits for their projects. For a copy of the building permit application and a list of building permit fees, visit the link below:
http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/city/city-departments/building-department/permit-fees-1.html
For more information about obtaining a General Contractors license or building permit in the City of Idaho Falls, please visit:
http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/wwwroot/userfiles/files/b-building_contractor_license_process.pdf
OR
Call:
208-612-8414
Pocatello, ID
The City of Pocatello Building Department is responsible for issuing licenses to General Contractors engaged in construction work within the city limits. The city offers 13 different license classifications for contractors. The fees and requirements vary depending on the classification chosen.
The major license classifications for General Contractors in the City of Pocatello include:
- Class A-1 License- allows contractors to perform work on commercial and residential projects. This license classification must be registered with the State of Idaho and the contractor must have at least 5 years of experience in commercial construction.
- Class A-2 License- allows contractors to perform work on residential projects only. This license classification must be registered with the State of Idaho and the contractor must have at least 5 years of experience working in residential construction.
- Class B License- limits contractors to specialized trade work, such as repairs, maintenance and installations. Contractors in this classification may not participate in the construction of a building or structure. They must also hold a registration from the State of Idaho.
For a list of additional license classifications, please visit:
http://www.pocatello.us/building/building_contractor.htm
To download a copy of the license application, please visit:
http://www.pocatello.us/building/documents/License%20Application%20for%20Generals.pdf
All contractors are also required to hold the appropriate insurance and bonding. All liability insurance policies must list the “City of Pocatello” as the certificate holder. Contractors must pay the license fee for the classifications they are applying for. Refer to the table below to determine the license fee, bond and insurance amounts for each license classification:
| License Classification | License Fee | Insurance Combined Single Limit Policy Amount | Permit Bond Amount |
| Class A-1 | $150 | $1,000,000 | $50,000 |
| Class A-2 | $100 | $500,000 | $25,000 |
| Class B | $50 | $300,000 | $10,000 |
Submit the completed license application along with the appropriate documents and fees to the Building Department at:
City Hall
911 North 7th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83201
Contractors are also responsible for obtaining the proper building permits for their projects. More information about building permits may be found at:
http://www.pocatello.us/Mayor/opeds/oped_33010.htm
For more information about obtaining a General Contractor license or building permit in the City of Pocatello, Idaho, please visit:
http://www.pocatello.us/fees/index.htm
Information is also available by calling:
208-234-6160
OR
208-234-6158