Bonner County, ID Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Section 11-113 of the Bonner County Revised Code opens the inspection sequence. Before any construction begins, the permit holder or the permit holder's representative has four jobs. First, post the building location permit at the job site's vehicular entrance to the public right-of-way or public or private easement, at a spot clearly visible from that entrance; it stays posted until construction has ceased or the structure has been occupied. Second, establish temporary erosion control measures, if applicable. Third, contact the Bonner County Planning Department and request an initial inspection. Fourth, receive initial inspection approval from Bonner County Compliance. Nothing in the section lets construction start ahead of that approval.

The closing inspection sits in section 11-119. Before the owner or the owner's representative occupies or uses a structure for its intended purpose, the Planning Department has to receive a notice confirming completion of work and readiness to occupy. That notice carries an acknowledgment from Panhandle Health District, if applicable, that wastewater disposal requirements have been met, and a final inspection completed by Bonner County Compliance. Skipping the notice results in additional inspections and can bring fees and fines under the Code or Idaho Code. Once the county completes its site inspection and confirms compliance with the approved permit, Title 11 and Title 12, the planning department sends a copy of the final site inspection report to the assessor's office.

Floodplain and floodway sites carry heavier paperwork. Under section 11-112 the Planning Director checks that building construction plans for structures in mapped floodplains or floodways are certified by an Idaho registered engineer or Idaho licensed architect as compliant with Title 14. Before occupancy of such a structure, the landowner provides the planning department with an inspection report certified by an International Code Council (ICC) certified building inspector confirming compliance with the flood damage prevention standards of Title 14, and a final elevation certificate where applicable.

Grading and stormwater work follows its own schedule in section 12-727.1: at least two inspections for a grading and stormwater management plan, one after erosion and sedimentation controls are installed and before ground disturbance and one after completion including revegetation, with two more for sites active over winter. A grading and erosion control plan needs a minimum of one inspection.