State-baseline fees are computed from the published IDAPA 24.39.30 Table 1-A formula; city thresholds are quoted verbatim from each city's own 2026 published handout.
Figures in the fee table below are computed in-page from the Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 24.39.30 Section 500.03, Table 1-A (Rules of Building Safety). The published rule uses a tiered valuation schedule with a "per $X or fraction thereof over $Y" round-up — implemented here with Math.ceil(over / unit). Plan review applies at the 40% minimum of the calculated building permit fee; the rule allows hourly billing up to 65% as a cap.
City-specific permit thresholds (height-above-grade triggers), building-department contacts, and jurisdictional notes come from each city's own 2026 published handouts and ordinances read during the 2026-10-06/07 compilation. See the Sources list below for the exact documents.
A $30,000 Boise deck permit = $309.58 building fee + $123.83 plan review per IDAPA 24.39.30 Table 1-A.
| Deck valuation | Building permit | Plan review (40% min) | State-baseline total | Tier applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000.00 | $126.88 | $50.75 | $177.63 | $2,001–$25,000 |
| $20,000.00 | $224.88 | $89.95 | $314.83 | $2,001–$25,000 |
| $30,000.00 | $309.58 | $123.83 | $433.41 | $25,001–$50,000 |
| $45,000.00 | $415.63 | $166.25 | $581.88 | $25,001–$50,000 |
| $60,000.00 | $499.63 | $199.85 | $699.48 | $50,001–$100,000 |
| $75,000.00 | $573.13 | $229.25 | $802.38 | $50,001–$100,000 |
| $95,000.00 | $671.13 | $268.45 | $939.58 | $50,001–$100,000 |
Deck permit fee calculator (Idaho state baseline)
Implements IDAPA 24.39.30 Table 1-A. Enter your deck valuation (materials + labor + contractor overhead). Cities that publish their own schedules may charge different amounts.
Typical Treasure Valley deck: $18,000 (small PT) to $95,000+ (large elevated composite).
Building permit
$309.58
Plan review (40% min)
$123.83
State-baseline total
$433.41
Tier applied: $25,000–$50,000, base $274.23 + $7.07 per $1,000 (or fraction) over $25,000
Plan review may be billed hourly at $100/hr up to 65% of the building permit fee; the 40% figure above is the IDAPA 24.39.30 minimum. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, gas) are separate and administered by the Idaho DOPL Division of Building Safety at (208) 334-3950.
Source: Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 24.39.30 Section 500.03, Rules of Building Safety, Table 1-A. Verbatim in the fee section above.
Within city limits, Boise and Nampa both require a permit at 12 inches above grade; other Treasure Valley cities use the 2018 IRC baseline or an Ada County amendment.
| City | County | Permit threshold (verified source) | Building dept contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | Ada | Deck > 12" above grade (Boise Homeowner's Guide); stamped engineering > 6' above grade or outside IRC prescriptive (PDS #406) | (208) 608-7070 |
| Meridian | Ada | Deck > 200 sq ft, > 30" above grade, OR attached (Residential Detached Accessory Structures handout, UDC 11-2A-3D3) | (208) 887-2211 / insp (208) 887-1155 |
| Nampa | Canyon | Deck > 12" above grade in city limits (Nampa Residential FAQ); Canyon County baseline > 30" or > 200 sq ft or attached | (208) 468-5445 / County (208) 454-7458 |
| Eagle | Ada | Attached deck requires permit; ledger-detail submittal expectation | (208) 939-6813 |
| Caldwell | Canyon | Online portal, 24-hr intake (10 a.m. cutoff after 5 p.m.); Canyon County baseline same as Nampa | (208) 455-3024 / County (208) 454-7458 |
| Star | Ada | Standard 2018 IRC R105.2 Item 10 verbatim (200 sq ft + 30" + unattached + non-exit) | (208) 286-7247 |
| Kuna | Ada | Ada County amended R105.2: > 30" or serving the required exit door | Kuna City Hall |
| Garden City | Ada | GCMC 7-2-3 F references IRC R105.2; 10–15 working day review; floodplain adds Elevation Certificate / LOMR | (208) 472-2921 |
Ada County and Canyon County both use a 24-inch frost line depth; wind speed and snow load differ at the county line.
All electrical and plumbing deck work in Idaho is permitted and inspected by the Idaho DOPL Division of Building Safety, not by the city or county.
Deck lighting circuits, outdoor outlets, hose bibs, gas lines for a built-in grill, hot-tub circuits, and outdoor-kitchen rough-ins fall under electrical / plumbing / gas trade permits. Idaho administers all of these at the state level through the DOPL Division of Building Safety at (208) 334-3950, not through any city or county building department. The building permit (deck structure, railings, footings) is separate and goes to the city or county Authority Having Jurisdiction for the project address.
Each reference below is cited for a specific claim on this page. Codes, fees and product specifications change — confirm current requirements with the authority having jurisdiction before relying on them for a project decision.
- Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 24.39.30 – Rules of Building Safety
Cited for: Table 1-A fee schedule and the 40% minimum plan review formula, verbatim; adoption of the 2018 IRC Parts I, II, III, and IX for one- and two-family dwellings.
- City of Boise — Residential Addition, Alteration & Accessory Building Submittal Checklist (PDS #406)
Cited for: The 6-foot above-grade threshold at which stamped structural calculations by an Idaho-licensed engineer become required for a Boise deck; the Deck submittal item list; Hillside overlay, WUI, floodplain submittal triggers.
- City of Boise — Homeowner's Guide
Cited for: The 12-inch above-grade permit threshold inside Boise city limits.
- City of Meridian — Residential Detached Accessory Structures handout (Rev. 3/15/2021) & Storage Sheds handout (March 2021)
Cited for: The 200 sq ft / 30" / unattached / non-exit permit exemption and the 24-inch frost depth under Meridian powered one-story structures (same figure applies to deck piers).
- City of Nampa — Residential FAQ
Cited for: The 12-inch above-grade permit threshold inside Nampa city limits (stricter than the 2018 IRC baseline).
- City of Kuna — Design Criteria and Ada County Amendments to the 2018 IRC
Cited for: Ada County Table R301.2(1) climate design values (24" frost, 115 mph wind, Pg 20 psf, SDC C, 10°F winter design, AFI 894, current FIRM 2020-06-19) and the Ada County R105.2 amendment Item 10 deck exemption.
- City of Star — Work Exempt from Permit (R105.2 2018 IRC)
Cited for: Verbatim 2018 IRC R105.2 Item 10 deck exemption as adopted by Star.
- Canyon County Building Department — A Reference Guide to Building in Canyon County
Cited for: Canyon County deck tip sheet: 24" frost depth, 50 psf deck loading (10 DL + 40 LL), Hem-Fir #2 baseline, 2,500 psi pier concrete, ledger detail, 36" guard, 4×4 post 8'-0" max with knee braces > 4', and the > 30" above grade permit baseline for unincorporated Canyon County.