Boise, ID Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Plumbing, gas, drainage piping work
- Governing code
- Idaho State Plumbing Code, as amended
- Issuing office
- Planning and Development Services
- Permit expiration
- 180 days if work not started
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 180 days jail
Summary
Boise requires a permit before any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work, fixture, or water heater installation begins under the locally amended Idaho State Plumbing Code.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to install, remove, alter, repair, replace, or cause to be installed, removed, altered, repaired, or replaced any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work or any fixture or water heating or treating equipment regulated by this Chapter, except as permitted in Section 104.2, in any building or premises without first obtaining a permit to perform such work. A separate permit shall be obtained for each separate building or structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Boise adopts the Idaho State Plumbing Code and amends it locally as the "Plumbing Code of Boise City." Under BCC § 9-4-10, it's unlawful to install, remove, alter, repair, or replace any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work, fixture, or water heating/treating equipment without first obtaining a permit from Planning and Development Services, and a separate permit is required for each building. Work must be performed by a licensed plumber under BCC § 9-4-9, with limited exceptions. Applications go through the Building Division and, for larger jobs, may require engineer-stamped construction documents per § 9-4-12.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine and/or 180 days jail; each day of violation is a separate offense. The Building Division may instead cite a $300 infraction, and a Notice of Noncompliance can be recorded against the property with the Ada County Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Boise?
Can I do my own plumbing work without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
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