Boise Development Process Guide
End-to-end development process in Boise: concept through certificate of occupancy.
This guide summarizes the Boise development process based on the City of Boise Planning & Development Services procedures. Effective date: 2026-04-22. This is not legal advice. Standards change. Verify all information at https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/planning-and-development-services/ before making any development or acquisition decision.
Process
Step by step. Agency, timeline, fee, reference.
Typical sequence for this pathway. Timelines are ranges; each parcel varies.
- 01
Pre-application meeting
Schedule and attend a pre-application meeting with City of Boise Planning & Development Services staff to review project concept, zoning compliance, required approvals, and application requirements. Bring preliminary site plan, project description, and parcel information.
Agency: City of Boise Planning & Development ServicesTimeline: 7–14 days - 02
Application preparation and submission
Prepare and submit formal development application through the City of Boise online portal or in person. Required materials typically include: completed application form, site plan (to scale, showing existing and proposed structures, setbacks, parking, utilities), legal description, title report, project narrative, and application fee. Additional materials may be required for conditional use permits, variances, or design review (e.g., elevations, landscape plan, neighborhood impact statement).
Agency: City of Boise Planning & Development ServicesTimeline: 1–7 days - 03
Completeness review
City staff reviews application for completeness within 5–10 business days. If incomplete, applicant receives a deficiency letter listing missing items. Applicant must resubmit missing materials. Clock does not start until application is deemed complete.
Agency: City of Boise Planning & Development ServicesTimeline: 5–10 days - 04
Staff review and agency coordination
Assigned planner conducts zoning compliance review and coordinates with other City departments (Public Works, Fire, Building Safety) and external agencies (ACHD for street access, utility providers). Staff may request additional information or revisions during this phase. For by-right projects (no hearings required), staff prepares approval or denial recommendation.
Agency: City of Boise Planning & Development Services (lead) + Public Works, Fire, Building Safety, ACHDTimeline: 14–45 days - 05
Public hearing (if required)
Projects requiring conditional use permits, variances, annexations, or comprehensive plan amendments go to Design Review Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, or City Council for public hearing. Applicant must provide public notice (mailed to adjacent property owners, posted on site, published in newspaper) per City code. Hearing is scheduled 4–8 weeks after staff review completion. Applicant presents project; public comments are heard; commission/council votes to approve, approve with conditions, continue, or deny.
Agency: Design Review Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission, or Boise City Council (depending on project type)Timeline: 28–60 days - 06
Approval and conditions
If approved (by staff for by-right projects, or by commission/council for hearing projects), applicant receives written approval with any conditions of approval. Conditions may include: revised site plan requirements, landscaping/screening installation, utility easement dedication, impact fee payment, construction phasing requirements, or ongoing operational restrictions. Applicant must satisfy all conditions before building permit issuance.
Agency: City of Boise Planning & Development ServicesTimeline: 7–14 days - 07
Building permit application
Submit building permit application to City of Boise Building Safety Division. Required materials: stamped construction drawings (architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing), energy code compliance documentation, site plan (matching approved development application), contractor license verification, and permit fees. Building Safety staff reviews for code compliance (IRC, IBC, energy code, accessibility). Plan review timeline varies by project complexity.
Agency: City of Boise Building Safety DivisionTimeline: 10–30 days - 08
Permit issuance and construction
Once building permit is approved and fees paid, permit is issued. Contractor can begin construction. City inspectors conduct required inspections at key stages (foundation, framing, mechanical rough-in, insulation, final). Contractor must schedule inspections 24–48 hours in advance. Failed inspections require corrections and re-inspection.
Agency: City of Boise Building Safety DivisionTimeline: 90–365 days - 09
Certificate of occupancy
After final building inspection passes and all development approval conditions are satisfied (landscaping installed, utility easements recorded, impact fees paid), request certificate of occupancy (CO) from Building Safety. Building Safety conducts final walkthrough. If approved, CO is issued. Building cannot be legally occupied or sold without CO.
Agency: City of Boise Building Safety DivisionTimeline: 3–14 days
Renew analysis
Where this pathway usually breaks. And where it actually works.
This is the single highest-ROI hour in the entire process. Staff will flag issues that would otherwise surface weeks later during formal review. Bring a site plan even if it's rough—hand-drawn is fine for this stage.
If your project triggers a hearing, budget an extra 60–90 days and $5K–$15K in soft costs (attorney, presentation materials, notice fees). Neighbor opposition is unpredictable. A duplex conversion in a single-family zone can generate 20 comment letters; an 8-unit infill project on a commercial corridor might get zero. The hearing is a political process, not just a technical review.