Bolthole Index

Benewah County, Idaho

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in St. Maries, Idaho

Building inside St. Maries city limits in Benewah County, Idaho requires a city building permit before work starts1, and the city's own Title 11 ordinance handles zoning2. Septic is different: where no public sewer reaches the lot, the city superintendent issues the private system permit3. Land outside city limits falls under Benewah County instead4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside city limits, issued by the city building department15
Zoning
City-run zoning under Title 11, with R-1 through R-4, commercial and industrial districts26
Septic
City superintendent's permit where no public sewer is available; health officer may add requirements37
Manufactured homes
Permitted use in the R-1a and R-1b zones8
Accessory dwellings
Special use in R-1a and R-1b9
Inspections
Required at each designated point; certificate of compliance before occupancy1011
Owner-builder plumbing
Idaho homeowners may take a permit to do their own residential plumbing12

Who to call

Building permits

City of St. Maries Building Department

Building permit applications, plan review and inspections inside St. Maries city limits

602 College Avenue

Zoning

City of St. Maries City Hall and Planning and Zoning Commission

Zoning questions, planning and zoning commission agendas, and the city's zoning map

208.245.2577

602 College Avenue

Septic permits

Panhandle Health District

Septic permits and records for Benewah County, and the health officer's additional requirements

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in St. Maries means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does St. Maries, Idaho have zoning, and what does it mean for homes and lot size?

Yes. St. Maries runs its own zoning under Title 11 of the city code, and the city is divided into zones shown on an official zoning district map2. The published districts include R-1 single residence (split into R-1a and R-1b), R-2 two-family and multiple dwelling, R-3 manufactured home park, R-4 agricultural residence, parks and recreation, central business, general commercial, and manufacturing and industrial6.

Rules change by district. In R-1a, the minimum lot is 7,500 square feet and 75 feet wide13. In R-1b, the minimum is 4,600 square feet and 50 feet wide14. Both zones require a 20-foot front yard, a 10-foot rear yard and 5-foot side yards, including overhang15, and cap structures at 35 feet16. Manufactured homes are a permitted use in R-1a and R-1b8. Accessory residential units there are a special use and need the special use permit process9.

We could not confirm setbacks or uses in the other districts, so ask City Hall about your parcel's district before you buy17.

Do you need a building permit in St. Maries, and who issues it?

Yes. Inside St. Maries city limits, construction, improvement, extension or alteration needs a city building permit before work begins1. The St. Maries Building Department takes the applications, and the city building official handles plan review and inspection once the application is complete5. Applications go to the building inspector with drawings, a stamped survey plat, the fee and any water or sewer hookup receipt18.

A permit is only issued if the work complies with every city ordinance, including zoning and subdivision rules1. Fees are set by the city council and based on project valuation19; we could not find the current fee schedule on the code site, so ask the Building Department for the figure.

Idaho also requires state permits for electrical, plumbing or HVAC work20.

How do septic permits work inside St. Maries?

Most city lots connect to public sewer, and septic only comes up where a public sanitary sewer is not available. In that case, a new private system needs a written permit signed by the city superintendent before construction starts3. The code also lets the health officer impose additional requirements, and we could not confirm which agency fills that role7. Panhandle Health District administers Idaho's septic rules for Benewah County, so call it to confirm whether your lot needs its own approval21.

If a public sewer later becomes available, the building sewer must connect within 60 days and the private system must be abandoned22. Soils matter too: only about 4% of soils in Benewah County rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in St. Maries?

We could not confirm whether long-term RV living is allowed on a private lot inside St. Maries, and no tiny-home rule turned up in the zoning districts we read. Ask City Hall before you park or build. Manufactured homes are a permitted use in R-1a and R-1b, so a code-compliant manufactured home is the confirmed path there8. Idaho also requires inspection of every manufactured home installation before it is occupied24.

Building a home in St. Maries: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and its setbacks with City Hall17.
  2. Find out whether public sewer reaches the lot; if not, get the superintendent's private system permit3.
  3. Submit the building permit application, drawings and survey plat to the Building Department18.
  4. Build, and stop at each designated inspection point until it is signed off10.
  5. Get the certificate of compliance before anyone uses or occupies the building11.

What stays with Benewah County, and what to check before you buy

The city's rules stop at city limits. For land outside them, see the Benewah County page: the county zones land outside its municipalities4, and wells there are permitted through Panhandle Health District25. In the county, a building permit for a home requires an approved septic permit first26.

Inside the city, we could not confirm well rules, floodplain requirements, driveway access rules or short-term rental limits, so ask the Building Department before you commit. If you are comparing parcels, ask whether a lot has city sewer, since that decides whether septic comes into play.

Watch-outs

  • Setbacks and uses are confirmed only for the R-1a and R-1b zones; other districts such as R-2, R-3, R-4 and commercial need a call to City Hall15.
  • Owner-builder rules inside city limits are unconfirmed, so ask the Building Department what a homeowner may do without a licensed contractor5.
  • The county's rules apply to unincorporated Benewah County, not to lots inside St. Maries4.

Sources

  1. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 9 Chapter 2 Building Permits (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  2. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 3 Zoning Classifications and Maps (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  3. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 8 Chapter 1 Sewer Regulations (8-1-4, 8-1-6) (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  5. City of St. Maries Building Department (cityofstmaries.org)
  6. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 3 Zoning Classifications and Maps (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  7. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 8 Chapter 1 Sewer Regulations (8-1-4, 8-1-6) (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  8. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  9. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  10. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 9 Chapter 2 Building Permits (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  11. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 9 Chapter 2 Building Permits (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  12. Homeowner Plumbing Permit Application (2026 county census)
  13. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  14. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  15. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  16. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 11 Chapter 4 Zoning Districts (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  17. City of St. Maries City Hall and Planning and Zoning Commission (cityofstmaries.org)
  18. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 9 Chapter 2 Building Permits (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  19. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 9 Chapter 2 Building Permits (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  20. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Panhandle Health District (2026 county census)
  22. City Code of St. Maries, Idaho - Title 8 Chapter 1 Sewer Regulations (8-1-4, 8-1-6) (St. Maries), quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Building Archives - Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. 9-5-3: Recreational Subdivision Required Infrastructure Improvements, quoted and re-checked
  26. 8-1-4: Septic System Approval Prior to Building Permit Issuance, quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for St. Maries

St. Maries’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, improvement, extension or alteration inside St. Maries city limits

    • Permit required before work begins; a boundary structure permit (fence, retaining wall or structure within 10 feet of a city street or alley) is also required.
    • Permits are not issued unless the work complies with all city ordinances including zoning and subdivision ordinances (9-2-1(c)).
    • Exceptions to the field-survey requirement exist under 9-2-1(a)(2); those are not building-permit exemptions.
    “it shall be unlawful for any person to do, or cause or permit to be done, whether acting as principal, agent or employee, any construction, improvement, extension, alteration, or any other action for which a building permit is required by the building codes adopted by the city”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside St. Maries city limits

    • Work may not proceed past each designated inspection point until the inspection is completed and signed on the permit.
    • Inspection points are set by the adopted building code (9-1-1).
    “the building inspector shall inspect the structure at designated points of construction as set forth in the building code adopted by the city, and no construction may proceed beyond each designated inspection point until inspection is completed and so signified on the building permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings inside St. Maries city limits; the city calls this a certificate of compliance

    • Issued upon the building inspector's satisfaction that codes and requirements are met; it is a copy of the signed and dated inspection record.
    • Must be issued before use and/or occupancy.
    “upon satisfaction of the building inspector that all codes and requirements have been complied with, a certificate of compliance shall be issued.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside St. Maries city limits; the city's own Title 11 zoning and subdivision ordinance administers zoning there.

    • Zones are shown on the official zoning district map, which is adopted by reference as part of Title 11 (11-3-1).
    • Use and dimensional limits differ by zone; see the district claims in this record.
    • Subdivision, special use, variance and appeal procedures are in Title 11 chapters 7-11 and were not opened.
    “the city is divided into zones, as shown on the official zoning district map”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside St. Maries city limits

    • The map itself (titled map of st. maries and vicinity benewah county, idaho, 1984 base) was not opened; the district list is from the code text.
    • Chapter 4 also lists R-2, R-3, R-4, P-R, CBD, GC and M-I districts, which were not all opened.
    “r-1 single residence zone r-1a low density r-1b medium density r-2 two-family and multiple dwelling residence zone r-3 manufactured home park residence zone r-4 agricultural residence zone p-r parks and recreation zone cbd central business district zone gc general commercial zone m-i manufacturing and industrial zone”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1a low density single residence zone inside St. Maries city limits

    • Lot width of at least 75 feet for each single-family dwelling; minimum lot width at the front property line is 75 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 7500 sq ft · minimum lot width: >= 75 ft

    “2. lot width: a. r-1a minimum lot width at the front property line: seventy five feet (75').”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1a and R-1b single residence zones inside St. Maries city limits (same yard standards in 11-4-1(c))

    • Side yard applies on each side of the dwelling and includes overhang.
    • Rear yard includes overhang.
    • Setbacks for R-2, R-3, R-4, CBD, GC and M-I were not verified in this run.

    front yard minimum: >= 20 ft · rear yard minimum: >= 10 ft · side yard minimum (each side): >= 5 ft

    “3. rear yard: there shall be a rear yard of not less than ten feet (10') including overhang. 4. side yard: there shall be a side yard on each side of the dwelling of not less than five feet (5') including overhang. 5. front yard: there shall be a front yard of not less than twenty feet (20') in depth.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1a and R-1b single residence zones inside St. Maries city limits

    • Structural height maximum; the code does not state exceptions in the text read.

    maximum structural height: <= 35 ft

    “6. structural height: thirty five feet (35') maximum.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed

    Manufactured homes in the R-1a and R-1b single residence zones inside St. Maries city limits

    • Listed as a permitted use in both R-1a and R-1b.
    • Other zones (R-2, R-3 manufactured home park, R-4) were not verified in this run.
    “a. permitted uses: accessory structures. manufactured homes. single-family dwellings.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory residential units in the R-1a and R-1b single residence zones inside St. Maries city limits

    • Listed as a special use, so it requires the special use permit process (Title 11 chapter 8); the accessory-unit standards in section 11-5-5 were not opened.
    “b. special uses: accessory residential units as provided in section 11-5-5 of this title.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside St. Maries city limits where no public sanitary sewer is available

    • The city superintendent issues the private system permit (8-1-4(b)).
    • The code states that additional requirements may be imposed by the health officer (8-1-4(g)); the health district or county health authority that is the health officer was not identified.
    • Applies only where a public sewer is unavailable under 8-1-3(d), which was not opened.
    “no statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New private sewage disposal systems inside St. Maries city limits where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available

    • Permit fee is set by city council resolution, plus the superintendent's application requirements.
    • Does not apply where a public sewer is available.
    “before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal inside St. Maries city limits, only where public sewer is unavailable

    • Private systems must comply with 8-1-4, must be permitted by the superintendent, and are subject to health officer requirements.
    • Private systems must be abandoned when a public sewer becomes available (8-1-4(h)).
    “where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of subsection 8-1-3 d of this chapter, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    A building inside St. Maries city limits when a public sanitary sewer is available

    • When a public sewer becomes available, the building sewer must be connected within 60 days and the private system cleaned and filled.
    • A public sewer connection permit from the superintendent is required before any connection (8-1-6(a)).
    • The city provides the connection up to the curb or lot line when the distance is not greater than 75 feet; the owner pays for pipe beyond that point (8-1-6(d)).
    • Availability distance test under 8-1-3(d) was not opened.
    • Water connection requirements were not researched; the water value is unknown here.

    connection time after sewer becomes available: 60 days · city-provided connection distance limit: <= 75 feet

    “when a public sewer becomes available, the building sewer shall be connected to said sewer within sixty (60) days”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divisions inside St. Maries city limits

    • Subdivision ordinances are part of Title 11 (chapter 7 subdivisions); lot mergers, lot line adjustments and plat vacations are in Title 9 chapters 5-7.
    • Building permits are conditioned on compliance with the subdivision ordinance (9-2-1(c)); the chapter 7 requirements were not opened.
    “no building or boundary structure permit shall be issued or authorized unless the work or project is in compliance with all ordinances of the city, including the zoning and subdivision ordinances.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permit fees inside St. Maries city limits

    • Fees are set by city council and based on valuation; the current adopted fee schedule was not located on the code site.
    • Sewer permit and inspection fees are set by council resolution (8-1-6(c)).
    • Enforcement fees are charged under 9-2-10 in addition to permit fees.
    “building permit fees shall be set by the city council and based on valuation.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit application and issuance inside St. Maries city limits

    • Application goes to the building inspector with architectural drawings, a stamped survey plat, the fee, and any water/sewer hookup receipt (9-2-2).
    • The initial application may be sent to the planning and zoning commission for Title 11 compliance (9-2-2(e)).
    • Permits are issued by the building inspector after required advertising and subject to conditions (9-2-5).
    • Special process for boundary structures (fences, walls) through the city clerk and council (9-2-1(b)).
    “the applicant shall obtain an application from the building inspector and file such application in completed form with the building inspector along with the following”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask St. Maries or Benewah County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside St. Maries city limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside St. Maries city limits
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside St. Maries city limits
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside St. Maries city limits
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside St. Maries city limits
7 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that St. Maries publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Benewah County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Benewah County: county rules, score and offices