Frequently Asked Questions

Usually, snow removal operations are initiated by calls from on-duty police officers. If snow starts to accumulate significantly after regular work hours, on-call street workers are notified. Drivers are aware that during the winter season, they might be required to work during the night, on weekends, and holidays.

City trucks are equipped with spring-loaded rubber-bladed plows to help drivers avoid damaging equipment, manhole covers, and storm drains. In contrast, trucks used on highways are generally equipped with steel-tipped blades that scrape right down to the pavement.

All private streets are indicated by a blue street sign, while all public streets are indicated by a green street sign. The City has jurisdiction and/or maintenance of public streets (green street signs), NOT private streets (blue street signs). Private streets are maintained by the property owner(s).

The City has jurisdiction and/or maintenance of public streets (green street signs), NOT private streets (blue street signs). Private streets are maintained by the property owner(s).

• The City of Twin Falls has provided a dumpsite at the intersection of Washington Street and 4^th Avenue West specifically designed to take RV waste.
• Can I have a waste dump on my property?
  • No. Since the City of Twin Falls is required to meet certain environmental requirements at the wastewater treatment plant, the city does not allow uncontrolled sources of wastewater discharge. An RV waste dump on a private lot is considered an uncontrolled wastewater discharge.

• Please contact the City of Twin Falls Environmental Engineer with questions regarding unusual smells in your area at (208) 735-7248.

• The city applies both chip seal and slurry seal each year to extend the life of asphalt roads. You can find details by clicking the Chip and Slurry Seal link.
• A Road Maintenance schedule map is available to view.
• For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at (208) 735-7248.

• To report a concern online, go to the SeeClickFix app on the City of Twin Falls website.
• If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Engineering Department at (208) 735-7248.

Grease traps are maintained by the property/business owner on an as needed basis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires any construction in a floodplain to be regulated by the governing agency in the area. Because of the requirement, the City of Twin Falls ensures compliance with FEMA regulations.

For questions regarding the different flood zones and building regulations for each zone, please contact the Engineering department for specific details (208) 735-7248.

Building within the flood plain is possible, all FEMA regulations need to be followed.  Please contact the Engineering department for specific details (208) 735-7248.

To request an ADA ramp on public property, go to the SeeClickFix app on the City of Twin Falls website.

• If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Engineering Department at (208) 735-7248.

Twin Falls City Code

The City has jurisdiction and/or maintenance of public streets (green street signs), NOT private streets (blue street signs). Private streets would be maintained by the property owner(s).

The Utility Services Department assists customers in setting up service for water, sewer, and garbage and recycling. Learn more on the Utility Services page.

The City of Twin Falls budget is a sustainable plan of action, detailing how the strategic planning priorities and overall goals will be achieved. By staying focused on the future, examining current budgets for efficiencies, collaborating with other jurisdictions in the area of economic development, investing in technology, judiciously weighing proposals to add or enhance programs and planning carefully, the city has been able to maintain service levels during an era of rising costs and declining revenues streams.

Find more information about the City budget.

Register for recreation activities and programs with the City of Twin Falls.

Okay, sorry to make you click one more time, but please complete this Online Business Permit Inquiry to see if you need a permit from the City of Twin Falls. Thank you for being patient.

• Utility Bill
  • Utility bills can be paid by mail, in person at Utility Services, Online, or by Level Pay.
• Code Enforcement fines
  • Code Enforcement Fines can be paid in person at Utility Services.
• Traffic violation:
  • Parking violations can be paid Online or in person at Utility Services.
  • Moving violation/citation can be paid Online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the Twin Falls County Court House. If you have further questions, please call (208) 736-4025.
• Building Permits, Planning and Zoning or Engineering fees
  • Fees can be paid in person at the Twin Falls City Hall, 203 Main Ave. East, 2^nd floor.
  • By mailing a check to:

City of Twin Falls

• (Building Safety, Planning & Zoning, or Engineering)
  • 203 Main Ave. E
  • PO Box 1907
  • Twin Falls, ID 83303-1907

• To obtain public records, a   Public Records Request   form needs to be submitted to the City’s Public Information office. 
• Some public records are exempt from disclosure, according to   Idaho Code Title 74, Chapter 1  .

The City of Twin Falls has adopted, See Click Fix, for citizens to report a concern in city limits. Concerns can be reported on the City of Twin Falls website or directly on your phone using the downloadable application.

 To report an issue or a complaint with a contractor, please contact the State of Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. Complaints may be submitted online or by requesting a Complaint form by calling (208) 334-3233

• Twin Falls   City Code Title 6 Chapter 3   addresses animal regulations in city limits.
• Please contact the Police Department, Code Enforcement Office, at (208) 735-7278 for more information. 

The City does not have any jurisdiction or authority to enforce mold issues. However, the following are some very helpful links:

• Idaho Attorney General - Landlord & Tenant Manual
• IDH&W Mold Brochure
• OSHA Mold Webpage

You can look on iCourts. If your hearing is in the next 30 days, you can find it here.

• Ramps built on private property (not in City right-of-way, i.e., sidewalk) may be subject to Idaho's Building Codes. Please contact the Building Safety Department for specific requirements.
• The City does have a Sidewalk Repair Grant program to assist with costs of repair and maintenance of sidewalks in front of your property. The grant application can be found online along with additional details and information on the grant process. For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at 208-735-7248.
• If you have questions about an ADA ramp in the City right-of-way (sidewalks or intersection corner), please contact the Engineering Department at 208-735-7248.

• To request an ADA ramp on public property, please contact the Engineering Department at 208-735-7248.

• The City will need your State of Idaho registration or license number before you can pull permits.
• The State of Idaho requires:
• General Contractors registration through the Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
• Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Public Works, Modular/Manufactured Installers registration through the Division of Building Safety.

• If you are or want to run a business out of your home, please contact the Planning & Zoning office at 208-735-7267. There may be additional regulations for Home Occupations.
• The City of Twin Falls does require some businesses to be licensed:
• Card Rooms
• Pawn Shop
• Auctions & Auctioneers
• Special Events
• Alcohol
• Taxi
• Sound Truck
• Transient Merchants, Vendors, Peddlers & Solicitors
• Private Security
• Going Out of Business
• Daycare Facilities
• Food Concessions & Commercial Displays
• Alcohol Beverage Catering Permits
• Please see the City of Twin Falls City Code Title 3 for more information on each of these licenses.
• For more information regarding the application process, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 208-735-7245.

• The first step to get an alcohol license in the City of Twin Falls is to obtain a State of Idaho Alcohol license.
• Once you have received the State of Idaho license, you will need to obtain a Twin Falls County Alcohol License.
• Once you have received both the State of Idaho & Twin Falls County licenses, you will need to apply for an alcohol license through the City of Twin Falls City Clerk.
• For more information regarding the application process, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 208-735-7245.

• The Building Safety Department handout has information on permit requirements for fences.
• If you still have questions, please contact the Building Safety Department at 208-735-7238.

• Building permits are required for most construction in the City of Twin Falls, see the list of permit requirements.
• What permit do I need? Separate permits are required for each scope of work being performed. For example, framing new or removing existing walls would require a building permit; adding or replacing HVAC duct or gas piping would require a mechanical permit, adding or replacing electrical wiring would need an electrical permit; adding or replacing plumbing piping or fixtures would require a plumbing permit.
• If you have any questions regarding whether a permit is needed and/or what type of permit is needed, please contact the Building Safety Department at 208-735-7238.
• If I am the homeowner doing the work, do I still need a permit? Homeowners doing work on their own primary residence need to follow all applicable codes including obtaining permits ( Building, Electrical, Plumbing, & Mechanical).

All inspections (including Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing {MEP}) for projects located within the City of Twin Falls actual city limits will be performed by the City's Building Safety Department.

Projects located within the City of Twin Falls' Area of Impact will have inspections performed by different agencies. The following shows the inspection jurisdiction for each scope of work:

Building inspections will be performed by the Twin Falls County Building Department.

HVAC/Mechanical inspections will be performed by the Twin Falls County Building Department.

Electrical and Plumbing inspections will be performed by Idaho's Division of Building Safety.

The Twin Falls City Council has adopted a city code that helps maintain a safe, clean environment for all citizens in our community. The Code Enforcement and Animal Control officers work to administer a fair and unbiased compliance program.

For further questions, please contact the Code Enforcement department at (208) 735-7335.

• A home-based business, also known as a home occupation, may be allowed depending on the zoning of your property and the type of business. 
• Generally, if the proposed business will generate any traffic, either vehicle or pedestrian, a Zoning Use Permit, with administrative approval and possibly a public hearing in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be required. 
• Please contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (208) 735-7267 for further information.

• Property zoning can be found on the City of Twin Falls Zoning Map. 
• If you have further questions regarding the zoning designation, please contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (208) 735-7267. 

• The setbacks of a property will largely depend upon the zoning designation. 
• Once the zoning designation has been identified, you can locate the setback requirements in the City Code under the “Property Development Standards” pertaining to the property’s zoning.

• Can I build a shed on my residential property?
• The City has a handout for building a storage shed, garage, or other outbuilding. If you have further questions, please contact Building Safety at (208) 735-7238.
• Any shed/accessory building greater than 200 sq/ft will require a Zoning Use Permit and a building permit.
• A shed/accessory building less than 200 sq/ft is generally allowed without a permit, but still needs to meet Planning and Zoning regulations. If you have any questions regarding these, please call the Planning & Zoning Department at (208) 735-7267.
• Depending on the zoning district you reside in, there is a square footage limit for sheds/accessory buildings.
• A Zoning Use Permit may be requested if your accessory building is over 200 sf. Please review City Code to determine if your shed/outbuilding requires additional administrative approval.

• If I am the homeowner doing the work, do I still need a permit? Homeowners doing work on their own primary residence need to follow all applicable codes including obtaining permits (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, & Mechanical).

Per City Code, any new development must stripe their lot if they have more than ten (10) spaces (Twin Falls City Code 10-11-4). However, there are many parking lots within the City that were developed before the adoption of City parking lot development ordinances that may be exempt from current regulations.

The City does not provide services to locate the exact location of property pins. However, the City can direct a property owner to a potential corresponding subdivision plat which could provide further insight into a property’s boundaries. For such information, contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (208) 735-7267.

For information regarding building codes please contact Building Safety Department at (208) 735-7238 or use the links below:

• List of permit requirements
• Fence & Site Obstructions
• Building a Storage Shed, Garage or other Outbuilding
• Additional Building Policies, Information & Brochures