Building Department
New Ordinances Go Into Effect January 1st
Starting January 1, 2026, new ordinances will go into effect for properties located in unincorporated Valley County.
These impact short term rental permitting, placement permitting, signage, dark sky ordinances, floodplain ordinances, building permits, and waterways ordinances.
All permits can be obtained at the Valley County Cascade Annex, 700 S. Main in Cascade
Forms and additional information can be found at https://www.co.valley.id.us/departments/PlanningZoning
If you have questions, the County team is here to help as we move to these new ordinances.
📞 (208) 382-7115 or (208) 382-7116
When in doubt, reach out. These updates are new for everyone, and support is just a phone call away.
APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED AFTER 4:30 PM DUE TO PROCESSING TIME
We will not accept building permit applications after 4:30 pm due to processing times. Thank you.
NO EXCAVATION ALLOWED UNTIL BUILDING PERMIT IS PICKED UP
Starting today, June 18, 2025, excavation before obtaining your building permit for you project will no longer be allowed. Please wait to excavate until you have your building permit.
CLOSED DATES FOR 2025
Valley County Building Department will be closed and no inspections will be available on these days on the following dates:
| JUNETEENTH | JUNE 19TH; |
| INDEPENDENCE DAY | JULY 4TH; |
| LABOR DAY | SEPTMBER 1; |
| COLUMBUS DAY | OCTOBER 13; |
| VETERANS DAY | NOVEMBER 11; |
| THANKSGIVING | NOVEMBER 27; & 28 |
| CHRISTMAS DAY | DECEMBER 25; |
MEMORIAL DAY CLOSURE MONDAY 5/26 AND NO INSPECTIONS ON FRIDAY 5/30
Our office will be closed and no inspections available on Monday 5/26/2025 in observance of Memorial Day.
Also, Friday 5/30 there will be no inspections available, but the office will be open our usual hours.
Sewer and Septic Approval Required
Please plan on supporting your building permit application with a sewer or septic approval. It doesn't matter if the sewer in your subdivision is private or not, approval is still required.
PLAN CHANGES MUST BE APPROVED BY OWNER
Please note that changes to building plans MUST be approved by the owners in writing before we will review and approve them.
Development Impact Fee beginning Nov 16, 2023
Building permit applications for new residential units and new non-residential units (commercial) will be subject to added fees if they are within Valley County’s jurisdiction and one of the three fire districts: Donnelly Fire District, McCall Fire District, and Cascade Fire District.
The fees are collected by the County and sent to the Fire Districts. Any questions regarding the new impact fee, or the Capital Improvements Plans should be directed to the Fire Department’s Impact Fee Administrator.
Below is a chart of what the fee is for each district and who to contact with questions. The Valley County Building Department staff will not be able to assist with any questions or concerns. We simply collect the fee together with your building permit fee. Nonpayment of the impact fee will result in a delay in the issuance of the building permit.
Fire Department Impact Fee Administrator: Pam DeChambeau, Phone: (208) 382-3200 |
| Donnelly Rural Fire District Development Impact Fee |
New Fee |
|---|---|
| Impact Fee-New Residential (per unit) | $1,796 per unit |
| Impact Fee-New Non-Residential (per foot) | $0.72 per square foot |
|
Fire Department Impact Fee Administrator: Juan Bonilla, juanbonilla@frontiernet.net Phone: (208) 325-8619 |
| McCall Rural Fire District Development Impact Fee |
New Fee |
|---|---|
| Impact Fee-New Residential (per unit) | $1,845 per unit |
| Impact Fee-New Non-Residential (per foot) | $0.74 per square foot |
|
Fire Department Impact Fee Administrator: Amanda Keaveny, Phone: (208) 634-7070 |
Print this: Impact Fee PDF
No Email Application Submittals
Please submit your applications with paper plans in person, or by mail, only. What size? At least 18x24" and no larger than 24 x 36 inches. Please take a moment to be sure your design criteria and roof snow load on your plans and engineering are correct and match each other. Check that your plans have been stamped by a design professional (architect or engineer). Please feel welcome to contact our Building Permit Technician with any questions. Or refer to our Application Instructions checklist. Incorrect, incomplete submittals may be returned. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Owner Signature Required On Building Permit Application
Owner Signature is required on the building permit application. If you are a Contractor or an Authorized Agent preparing the application for the Owner, please also sign.