Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Paris, Idaho

Rules another office applies inside Paris

Paris does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Bear Lake County building code adoption (International Building Code) as stated by the county; the county page does not say whether it applies inside Paris city limits

  • Statement is the county's own adoption, not a City of Paris ordinance.
  • The county page states it should not be construed as having all applicable information necessary to be compliant.
  • Confirm with the county building official whether the county code is enforced inside Paris city limits.

  “the bear lake county commissioners adopted the international building code and has retained a building inspector in 2008 in order to protect its citizens and enact formal guidelines concerning the construction of residential and commercial buildings.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Buildings used solely for agricultural purposes in Bear Lake County under the county building code; the county page does not say whether this applies inside Paris city limits

  • Buildings used solely for agricultural purposes are exempt from the building code.
  • Requires an agricultural exempt building permit plus proof of ownership of the property.
  • Confirm with the county building official whether the exemption applies to land inside Paris city limits.

  “exception buildings used solely for agricultural purposes are exempt from the building code. an agricultural exempt building permit along with proof of ownership of the property is all that is needed.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Bear Lake County building permit fees for new residences and other building permits; the county page does not confirm the county collects these fees for construction inside Paris city limits, although it lists a 'paris building permit application' form

  • Cost is calculated from square footage for new residences; the page says the estimate is for estimating only and all permits are reviewed by the building official.
  • The county planning page lists a separate 'bear lake county fee schedule (pdf)' that was not opened.
  • Confirm current fees with the county building official.

  “the cost of the permit is based on the square footage of the project and will be calculated after the application is received.”

• Permit processPartial

  Bear Lake County building permit submission process; the county page does not confirm it applies to construction inside Paris city limits

  • The page states it should not be construed as having all applicable information necessary to be compliant.
  • Submission is by electronic means, mail, or drop-off at the courthouse; the page lists a permit application, a permit procedure sheet and a construction detail sheet.
  • Confirm the process with the county building official.

  “all paperwork can be submitted electronically, by mail, or dropped off at the bear lake county courthouse.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Paris or Bear Lake County directly.

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for construction inside Paris city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits inside Paris city limits
• Inspections — Whether building inspections are required for construction inside Paris city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new construction inside Paris city limits
• Local zoning — Whether Paris city (Bear Lake County, ID) adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance for land inside city limits

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.