IdahoIdaho law lets permit holders use outside inspectors after delays
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho permit holders may use qualified outside inspectors after delays and may receive inspection fee refunds in the situations set by law.
What it does
If the government does not complete a requested inspection within 48 business hours, the permit holder may use a qualified outside inspector and receive a refund of the government inspection fee.
If an inspection finds permitted work failed, the government must refund 10% of the inspection fee when the inspector or code administrator does not explain the failure within three business days.
Argument forPermit holders could keep work moving after a missed inspection deadline and recover the government inspection fee by using a qualified outside inspector.
Argument againstPermit holders could face delays if they cannot find a qualified outside inspector when the government misses the 48-business-hour deadline.
More detail
Permit holders may hire a qualified outside inspector if the government does not complete a requested inspection within 48 business hours. This applies to permit holders requesting electrical, plumbing, or heating and cooling inspections. The permit holder or inspector must notify the state division or local government, and the permit holder must provide the inspection results. The inspector must meet the applicable Idaho qualifications and substantially follow the jurisdiction's legal standards. The 48-business-hour period begins when the permit holder requests the inspection. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
The state division or local government must refund 10% of the inspection fee when the stated failure conditions are met. This applies to electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling permit inspections. The inspector or relevant code administrator must inspect the permitted work and find that it failed. The inspector or administrator must fail to give the permit holder or their agent a reason for the failure within three business days. The explanation is due within three business days after the inspection. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 232 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 27Delivered to Governor at 12:01 p.m. on March 27, 2026To Governor
- Mar 27Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 26Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 26Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 26Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 25Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Read third time in full – PASSED - 33-0-2AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – Ward-Engelking, WintrowFloor Sponsor - GallowayTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 20Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 6Introduced, read first time; referred to: Commerce & Human ResourcesMinor
- Mar 6Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 5Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 69-0-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen(Athay), Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – GreenFloor Sponsor - WheelerTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Mar 3U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Mar 2U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Feb 27Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 26Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Reported Printed and Referred to Business
- Feb 4Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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