Northern Idaho's counties each administer their own building departments, and requirements can vary in ways that affect project planning and cost. Here's what changes between building in Benewah County (St. Maries area) and Kootenai County (Coeur d'Alene area).
Adopted Building Codes
Both Benewah and Kootenai counties adopt the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) as the foundation for their building requirements. Idaho typically adopts codes on a cycle that's a few years behind the most current edition. The core structural requirements are substantially similar between counties.
The key practical differences come from local amendments, flood plain designations, and the relative capacity of each county's building department.
Kootenai County: Higher Volume, Faster Processing
Kootenai County processes far more building permits than Benewah County due to the Coeur d'Alene metro area's growth. This means the department has more staff, more familiarity with complex projects, and faster processing in many cases. Permit review times in Kootenai County for standard residential projects can be as fast as 1 to 2 weeks.
Kootenai County also has more detailed regulations for properties in the Lake Coeur d'Alene shoreline corridor and the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer area.
Benewah County: Rural Character, Rural Regulation
Benewah County has fewer permit applications and a smaller building department. Processing times run 2 to 4 weeks for residential projects. The county is accustomed to rural construction -- well and septic systems, larger lot sizes, and the access road issues common to rural Northern Idaho.
Setback Requirements
Both counties follow the IRC and local ordinance for structural setbacks (minimum distance from property lines). These vary by zoning designation. Always verify setback requirements for your specific parcel before finalizing site plans.
The Practical Implication
If you're building in Kootenai County, expect more developed permit review processes and potentially more specific requirements in shoreline and aquifer protection zones. If you're building in Benewah County, expect a simpler process with a rural-oriented building department.
Vandenberg Construction has built in both counties and manages the permit process in both jurisdictions. Call (208) 582-8733.