Bolthole Index

Latah County, Idaho

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Kendrick, Idaho

Kendrick, Idaho requires a building permit application with written septic or sewer approval and approved vehicle access to a public road.1 Start with Kendrick City Hall for building work; the city lists Latah County’s building inspection service.2 Kendrick has its own zoning map and districts, while on-site septic permits are administered by Public Health – Idaho North Central District under Idaho’s statewide wastewater rules.345

At a glance

Building permits
Written application; sewer or septic and vehicle-access approval required1
Zoning
City zoning map and districts; confirm the parcel’s district with City Hall32
Residential lot size
General minimum: 5,000 square feet and 50 feet of frontage on an improved public street; district standards may add requirements6
Septic permits
Public Health – Idaho North Central District; city sewer availability can affect septic approval47
Moving in
Certificate of occupancy and compliance required for buildings erected or altered and changes of use8
Owner-builders
State contractor-registration exemption has conditions; applicable building and trade permits still apply9

Who to call

Building permits

Kendrick City Hall

First contact for Kendrick building work, city zoning questions and coordination with the listed Latah County building inspection service.

(208) 289-5157

[email protected]

808 Railroad Street

Septic permits

Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Environmental Health

On-site septic permits, site evaluations and compliance inspections.

208-799-3100

215 10th St. Lewiston, ID 83501

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Kendrick, ID?

Kendrick’s building permit process requires a written application on the department’s form, signed by the owner, applicant or authorized agent or contractor.1 The application needs written septic or sewer approval and approved vehicle access to a public road, so settle those issues before treating a lot as ready to build.110

Kendrick’s published fee provisions make plan review a separate charge of 65% of the building permit fee when the required submittal documents trigger review.11 A Kendrick building permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days, subject to written extensions.1 Ask City Hall for the current application, fee calculation and applicable code edition before submitting plans.2

Who handles building permits and inspections in Kendrick?

Kendrick City Hall is the city’s stated first contact for building remodels or changes of any kind, and the municipal building-inspection page lists Latah County Building Inspection Service.2 Call City Hall at (208) 289-5157 to arrange the correct application route and inspection contact for an address inside Kendrick city limits.2 We could not confirm a complete Kendrick inspection schedule; ask City Hall which inspections must be booked before work is concealed.2

Idaho electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits have their own requirements, and administration varies by location.12 An Idaho owner doing construction on their own land without intending to sell within 12 months may qualify for a contractor-registration exemption, but that exemption does not waive applicable building or trade permits.9

Does Kendrick have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Kendrick has a city zoning map and zoning districts; use the parcel’s city district rather than Latah County’s unincorporated zoning standards when planning construction inside Kendrick.313 Kendrick’s general residential construction minimum is 5,000 square feet of lot area, with at least 50 feet of frontage on an improved public street.6 New construction below those minimum standards requires variance approval, and district-specific requirements may add standards.6

We could not confirm the district-specific numeric setback, height or lot-coverage schedule; ask Kendrick City Hall to identify the parcel’s district and supply the applicable standards before drawing a house footprint.2 A lot meeting the general size minimum still needs the required building application and approved road access.61

How do septic permits and water connections work inside Kendrick?

Kendrick requires written septic or sewer approval as part of its building application.1 Public Health – Idaho North Central District provides septic permitting, site evaluations and inspections for Latah County, while Idaho’s public health districts administer the statewide on-site sewage rules.45 Ask Kendrick City Hall about sewer service first: Idaho rules allow denial of a septic permit when public or central wastewater treatment is reasonably accessible.27

The health district evaluates site suitability for on-site sewage disposal; contact its Environmental Health office before designing a septic system.14 Kendrick requires applicable city fees to be paid before water or sewer connection or reconnection, and the city council may deny service for inadequate capacity or other listed conditions.15 A private well in Idaho requires an IDWR drilling permit and a licensed well driller; confirm the city’s service requirements with City Hall before choosing a well.162

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Kendrick?

We could not confirm Kendrick’s current rules for living in an RV, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or accessory dwellings on private property; ask Kendrick City Hall about the proposed use and exact parcel before relying on any of those options.2 A Kendrick building erected or altered cannot be occupied or changed in use until a certificate of occupancy and compliance is issued, so a small building still needs an occupancy decision.8

Kendrick’s manufactured-home provisions require the setbacks, placement, lot-size and other standards applicable to conventionally built single-family homes.17 Class B manufactured homes have additional requirements, including a conditional-use permit, permanent concrete foundation, removal of tongue and wheels, acceptable skirting, a building permit at least 7 days before placement and a certificate of occupancy.17 Confirm the home’s classification with City Hall before purchasing or moving it.2

What are the steps to building a home in Kendrick?

  1. Start with Kendrick City Hall: identify the city zoning district and obtain the current building application and inspection contact.32
  2. Confirm the lot meets Kendrick’s general frontage and lot-area standards, then obtain the district-specific standards or required variance approval.6
  3. Arrange written sewer or septic approval and city approval of vehicle access to a public road for the building application.110
  4. Submit the signed application and required fees; arrange the applicable electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for the work.11112
  5. Obtain Kendrick’s certificate of occupancy and compliance before occupying a building erected or altered.8

For land outside Kendrick city limits, use the Latah County guide for the county’s building and land-use administration.1819 County zoning authority applies to unincorporated land.13

Watch-outs

  • Kendrick water or sewer service can be denied for inadequate capacity, code violations or unpaid arrearages; confirm service before committing to construction.15
  • We could not confirm Kendrick’s flood-hazard development requirements; ask City Hall what flood review applies to the parcel before excavation or placement of a home.2
  • A driveway connecting to Idaho state highway right-of-way requires an ITD encroachment permit in addition to Kendrick’s building-application access approval.2010

Sources

  1. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  2. Kendrick City Hall (cityofkendrick.com)
  3. Chapter 2 Zoning Districts; Map (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Systems – Public Health – Idaho North Central District, quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic and Septage (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. 10-1-2: Definitions (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  7. IDAPA 58.01.03 Individual/Subsurface Sewage Disposal Rules (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. 10-4-8: Certificate Of Occupancy And Compliance (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  11. 10-4-3: Permits (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Idaho Code § 67-6504 — Planning and zoning commission (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Environmental Health (idahopublichealth.com)
  15. 8-1-2: Discontinue Water/Sewer Service (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  16. Wells Overview (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. 9-5-2: Requirements For Placement On Individual Lots (Kendrick), quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning, Building and GIS, quoted and re-checked
  19. Planning, Building and GIS, quoted and re-checked
  20. Types of Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits (Idaho statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Kendrick

Kendrick’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Kendrick city limits.

    • The code adopts the 2009 International Building Code, 2009 International Residential Code portions I, II, III, IV and IX, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.
    • Electrical, mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing, fire and property-maintenance codes are excluded except as specifically referenced.

    International Building Code edition: 2009 · International Residential Code edition: 2009 (parts V, VI, VII and VIII excluded as stated) · International Energy Conservation Code edition: 2009

    “The 2009 international residential code as published by the International Code Council, except for parts V, VI, VII and VIII”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Every building erected or altered inside Kendrick city limits, and changes in use or occupancy.

    • The certificate must state that the building or proposed use complies with city building requirements and Title 10.
    • A change of use requires application and approval by the building inspector and city council.
    “No building hereafter erected or altered shall be occupied, used or changed in use or occupancy, until a certificate of occupancy and compliance shall have been issued”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and map inside Kendrick city limits.

    • The opened code identifies a zoning map and zoning districts, but the district names and dimensional tables were not retrieved.
    “10-2-1 : Zoning Map 10-2-2 : Zoning Districts 10-2-3 : Boundaries”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential construction inside Kendrick city limits under the general zoning definition.

    • A lot must have at least fifty feet of frontage on an improved public street.
    • New construction below minimum standards requires approval through the variance application procedure.
    • District-specific requirements may impose additional standards.

    minimum residential lot size: >= 5000 square feet (New construction not meeting minimum standards requires variance approval) · minimum frontage: >= 50 feet (Improved public street)

    “Such lot shall have a minimum of fifty feet (50') frontage on an improved public street. Minimum residential lot size for construction shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes placed on individual lots inside Kendrick city limits.

    • Manufactured homes must meet the setback, placement, lot-size, and other requirements applicable to conventionally built single-family homes.
    • Only one manufactured home may be placed on an individual lot.
    • Class B manufactured homes require HUD inspection and approval, a conditional-use permit, permanent attachment to a concrete foundation with tongue and wheels removed and acceptable skirting, a building permit at least seven days before placement, and a certificate of occupancy.

    building permit lead time before placement for Class B manufactured home: >= 7 days

    “Class B manufactured homes shall be allowed on any individual building lot within the city only under the following circumstances:”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and sewer connections inside Kendrick city limits.

    • The city council may deny connection or reconnection for unpaid arrearages, code violations, threats to health or safety, inadequate system capacity, or injury to the sewer or treatment system.
    • All applicable city fees must be paid before connection or reconnection.
    “The city council shall not permit connection or reconnection of any premises to the sewer or water system of the city until all applicable fees have been paid to the city.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New building permit applications inside Kendrick city limits.

    • Written verification from Kendrick of approved vehicle access to a public road is required.
    • The permit application must show the present or future location of the garage and access drive.
    “Have written verification from the city of Kendrick of approved vehicle access to a public road.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permit applications inside Kendrick city limits.

    • A fee set by the state accompanies each application.
    • Plan review fees are 65 percent of the building permit fee when submittal documents are required by section 106 [R106].
    • Commercial fees are charged at the actual amount charged by the state plan review board.
    • Plan review fees are separate from and in addition to permit fees.

    plan review fee: 65 percent of building permit fee (When submittal documents are required by section 106 [R106])

    “Said plan review fee shall be 65 percent of the building permit fee.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications inside Kendrick city limits.

    • Written application must be filed on the department's form.
    • Application must be signed by the applicant/owner or authorized agent or contractor.
    • Written verification of septic/sewer approval and approved vehicle access to a public road is required.
    • Permits become invalid if work does not commence within 180 days, subject to written extensions; no more than five extensions are authorized.

    permit commencement deadline: 180 days (Written extensions may be granted; no more than five extensions) · plan review fee: 65 percent of building permit fee (When section 106 [R106] submittal documents are required)

    “Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kendrick or Latah County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing inside Kendrick city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Kendrick city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Kendrick city limits.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks inside Kendrick city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Kendrick city limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Kendrick publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Latah County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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