APPLY FOR A PERMIT
BUILDING CODE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
MAP GALLERY
P&D COUNCIL
View the Planning and Devlopment Council page.
Planning and Development Services
Address
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed all federal holidays.
Contact
Email: zoning@bannockcounty.us
Attention
New fee schedule adopted October 2021.
The Office of Planning & Development Services is responsible for ensuring that land development and construction in Bannock County are done in accordance with County ordinances and in a safe and orderly manner.
Bannock County Ordinances
Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Ordinance
Building Code Ordinance (Effective January 1, 2021)
Sediment and Erosion Control Ordinance
Flood Zone Ordinance
Solid Waste Ordinance
Illicit Discharge and Stormwater Sewer Connection Ordinance
Additional Bannock County ordinances can be found on Municode (a third-party website).
Bannock County Design Criteria
Current Codes:
- 2018 International Building Code
- 2018 International Residential Code
- 2018 International Existing Building Code
- 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2018 International Solar Energy Provisions
- 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
- 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY | Do |
WIND | 90 mph – 3 second gust / 115 mph – ultimate |
SOIL | Variable |
CLIMATE ZONE | 6 |
FROST DEPTH | 36 inches |
SNOW ROOF LOADS | Dependent on Elevation (below) |
Elevation | Roof Live Load | Ground Snow Load |
Below 4600 feet | 35 PSF | 44 PSF |
4600-4999 feet | 40 PSF | 50 PSF |
5000-5399 feet | 50 PSF | 63 PSF |
5400-5799 feet | 60 PSF | 75 PSF |
5800-5999 feet | 70 PSF | 88 PSF |
6000-6399 feet | 80 PSF | 100 PSF |
6400-6799 feet | 90 PSF | 113 PSF |
Above 6800 | 100 PSF | 125 PSF |
Building Permit Reports
March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
July 2021
August 2021
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
January 2022
February 2022
Inspections
Please call 208-236-7230 to request an inspection. A permit must be issued and active before an inspection can be requested. Due to time constraints, a 24 hour notice is required to be scheduled. Requests made after hours will be processed the following business day. Inspections are available during normal business hours, Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, exceptions may apply by appointment only. The office is closed during all federal holidays. Please note we no longer accept requests for specific inspection times; please consider this change when scheduling future inspections.
Plan Reviews
In order to obtain a building permit, a complete building permit application must be filled out and submitted to our office with supporting documents. The permit goes through multiple reviews to ensure the property and structure meet the minimum requirements set out in the Planning Ordinance and Building Ordinance. Once the reviews are complete the permit will be emailed to the applicant and if needed, an address plaque will be made and issued.The complete process from the time we receive the complete application and supporting documents can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks depending on the current workload. Workloads tend to be heavier during the summer and fall seasons due to an increase in construction activity so please plan for this time that may delay construction.
Thermal Envelope Requirements
Building Permit Exemptions
Other Exempt Structures:
- Flag poles
- Fences 7 feet high or less
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
- Playground equipment
- Detached decks under 200 square feet and less than 30 inches above grade
- Swimming pools under 5000 gallons and less than 48 inches deep
Always needs a building permit:
- Habitable space (space for eating, drinking, sleeping)
- Communication tower
- Photovoltaic System
Wells & Water Rights – Idaho Water Resources. (208) 525-7161
Septic Permits – Southeastern Idaho Public Health, Ken Keller. (208) 239-5276
Plumbing, Electrical, & HVAC Permits – Idaho Division of Building Safety.
Licensing, Permits, & Inspection Support – (800) 955-3044
Inspection Requests – (800) 839-9239
Fire Districts
Arimo, Derald Armstrong (208) 254-9214
Downey, Chris Sorensen (208) 705-8592 or (208) 897-5083
Jackson Creek, Johnny Ketner (208) 220-2749
Lava Rural, Kirk Valentine (208) 251-8959
North Bannock, Chief Brood (208) 317-3022
Land not within Fire District, Merlin Miller (208) 237-3212
McCammon, Richard Pierson (208) 251-2683
Pocatello Valley, Kevin Spencer (208) 244-9975 or Karen Aguilar (208) 775-3581
Interactive Maps
For the Bannock County General Viewer and Surveyor Reference map, please visit the Bannock County GIS website.
Additional Maps
Idaho Flood Hazard Map (Links to Idaho Dept. of Water Resources website)
National Flood Hazard Layer Map (Links to a map maintained by FEMA)
Bannock County Zoning Map (officially adopted, but does not include recent annexations or rezones)
Bannock County Future Land Use Plan (unofficial–see note on map)
Our Purpose:
Bannock County Code Enforcement department is here to help evaluate concerns about compliance with County ordinances and State law. We will investigate all non-compliant issues and work with the property owner to come to a reasonable solution. Select the Code Enforcement tab above for more information and to file a complaint.
Code Enforcement Ordinances & Laws
Please click on the links below to view or download ordinances and laws.
- Bannock County Construction Site Sediment & Erosion Control Ordinance (PDF)
- Bannock County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (PDF)
- Bannock County Illicit Discharge & Storm Water Sewer Connection Ordinance (PDF)
- Bannock County Solid Waste Ordinance(PDF)
- Bannock County Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
- I.D.A.P.A. Code 58.01.01 Section 603. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
- Idaho Code: 18-3906. Placing Debris on Highways
- Idaho Code: 18-3907. Obstruction of Highways
- Idaho Code: 18-3908. Flooding Highways
- Idaho Code: 22-24 – Noxious Weed Law
- Idaho Code: 31-4410. Disposal of Waste at Place Other than Waste Disposal System — Misdemeanor — Civil damages — Venue of action
- Idaho Code: 39-6502. Waste Tire Storage Sites
- Idaho Code: 39-6503. Waste Tire Disposal
- Idaho Code: 39-6505. Waste Tire Disposal – Prohibited Acts
Educational Opportunities:
Code Enforcement Professionals of Idaho (CEPI)
About Us
We are located in the Bannock County Planning & Development Complex located at 5500 S. 5th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83204.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 4:30 pm
Do I need a permit for my building/structure?
The general answer is yes — Building permits are required for constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy classification of a building or structure. If the structure meets these limitations then no building permit is required. Please note that, even if your building does not need a building permit, it may need a zoning and/or floodplain development permit. You can find more information in the Building Code, Zoning Ordinance and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
Do I need a permit for excavating and/or grading?
Yes. Please talk with County staff about applying for an Excavation and Grading permit.
How long does it take to issue a permit?
It varies, but we are usually able to issue permits within two to three weeks of receiving an application along with all necessary, supporting documentation. Some permits may take more than three weeks depending upon completeness of the application, any additional documentation needed, or if unexpected issues arise during the review process.
How is my property zoned?
We have a map available online that displays the County’s zoning districts. Make sure to turn on the “Zoning” layer on the left side of the screen.
I want to run a business from my home. Can I do that?
Home occupations are generally permitted in Bannock County but with some limitations–please see Section 424 of the Bannock County Zoning Ordinance for more information.
Is this lot “buildable?”
The term “buildable” could refer to at least two things: (1) the physical suitability of the site for the proposed project and (2) whether or not the lot has been properly subdivided to allow for the issuance of building permits. Our office does not provide analyses regarding the physical suitability of lots, but we can offer information as to whether or not the lot has been properly subdivided. If you would like to request such a determination, you can submit an application for a Parcel Determination through our online portal by clicking here. Please also note that we cannot “pre-approve” any permits; a permit application must be submitted before an official approval or denial can be made.
What can I build on my property?
That depends a lot on where your property is located and which zoning district you are in (see topic “How is my property zoned?” above). After you know your zoning district, you can look up the allowable uses for that zone in the Zoning Ordinance. Any new structure would also need to comply with the Bannock County Building Code and other County ordinances.
Can I subdivide my property and build on it?
Subdividing land for development purposes is regulated by the Bannock County Subdivision Ordinance. The Bannock County Subdivision Ordinance defines a subdivision as “(1) The division of land into parcels less than, or configured differently from, a quarter-quarter section of land, for purposes of development other than agriculture, OR (2) To make one parcel into two or more separate parcels by survey, deed, or other transference.” If you are interested in dividing your land, please contact the County Engineer, Michael Jaglowski, at 208-236-7230 or mjaglowski@bannockcounty.us.
I want to; swap property / deed property /adjust a lot line
In order to maintain the ability to develop your property, alteration(s) including lot line adjustments and property transfers must be approved by the Office of Planning and Development PRIOR to the alteration. Altering the legal description(s)/deed(s) or the recording of any document including surveys without approval may affect your ability to develop your property, please contact the County Engineer, Michael Jaglowski, at 208-236-7230 or mjaglowski@bannockcounty.us.
How do I get an address assigned to my property?
An address is typically issued at the same time that the first building permit is issued for the property. If you already have a structure on your property but you don’t have an address, please contact our office and request one. Our office will not issue an address for a property without an existing structure on it or a permit to construct one. Addresses are not assigned to Agricultural exempt buildings or any structure under 200 square feet.
Can you tell me where my property lines are?
We can’t tell you precisely where your property lines are (for that information, we suggest contacting a licensed surveyor), but you can use the County’s Parcel Viewer to see approximate property line locations. You can also use our website to search for subdivision plats and records of survey.
Is my property in a floodplain?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) creates maps related to flood risk and has made an interactive flood hazard map available to the public.
Helpful Information and Links
Location
Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00, after hours by appointment only.
5500 S. 5th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83204
Google Map with directions
Please check out our FAQs before calling with questions.
Phone: 208-236-7230
Fax: 208-232-2185
Email: zoning@bannockcounty.us
Environmental Links
Contact List

Bannock County Courthouse
624 East Center
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
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