Permit Responsibilities and Requirements

Responsibilities

The permitting staff for the City of Twin Falls ensures that all permits are issued correctly and in a timely manner. On a daily basis, we serve as a liaison for everyone in the Building Department and direct questions, comments and concerns to the appropriate individual.

Other responsibilities include:

  • Accepting and entering inspection requests
  • Accepting and processing construction plans for departmental reviews
  • Answering general questions about permits and at what point one is required
  • Issuing certificates of occupancy on residential and commercial structures
  • Working closely with the Planning and Zoning, Fire and Engineering departments for plan review approvals, revisions and change orders

Requirements

Work requiring permits:

  • Additions to any structure, such as sunrooms, attached and detached garages, pools, etc.
  • All electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work must be permitted
  • All new single family structures; please be familiar with your property's setbacks and easements before building
  • Any residential detached accessory building over 200 square feet, or commercial accessory building over 120 square feet including a shed, pool, gazebo, or multiple story structures, etc.
  • Fences over seven feet tall
  • If you are in the historical preservation district, you must appear before the commission before your permit can be issued; please contact the Planning & Zoning Department by calling (208) 735-7267 for more information
  • Most alterations, including new roofs, new windows, etc., require permits; a permit is not required for things such as interior wall paint or replacing the carpet
  • New commercial structures, remodels or additions
  • Signs, as well as temporary event banners, must be permitted
  • Starting a business in your home

Work exempt from permits:

The City of Twin Falls will use section 105.2 of the currently adopted International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) for work that is exempt from permits.

Exemption from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the City, State or other adopted codes. 

Please view the actual code sections that list all work exempt from permits under the following links:

2018 IRC for RESIDENTIAL construction (see section 105.2 for exemptions)

2018 IBC for COMMERCIAL construction (see section 105.2 for exemptions)

Contact Information

If you are uncertain if the work you are about to begin requires a permit, please contact the Building Safety Department by calling (208) 735-7238 before construction is started.