Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Idaho, Teton County offers a truly captivating environment for building your dream home.
Determine the Possibilities
Visit Teton County's GIS Database to determine the zoning for your parcel. Zones are defined in each municipality's Land Development Code. They outline property line setbacks, maximum building height, and building types allowed. The LDCs also contain allowed uses such as backyard cottage, accessory apartments, livestock keeping, etc. Your property may also be subject to a special overlay zone, such as the Natural Resources Overlay, or the Airport Overlay, which carry additional use limitations.
Gather Your Team
Engage Professionals to locate your building site by analyzing zoning requirements, and feasibility for sewage treatment, access, slopes, wetlands, etc. Building a house is a complex undertaking, so it's essential to enlist the help of professionals who understand the local nuances. Harmony specializes in development that blends with the surrounding environment and complies with local regulations. Consult with a reputable general contractor who can oversee the construction process and ensure quality workmanship.
Permitting in Driggs, Victor, and Teton County
Whether you're building on unincorporated County land or within the city limits of Driggs or Victor, you'll need to obtain multiple permits before your house can be lived in. These generally include:
Grading Erosion Control
Septic or Sewer Permit
Building Permit
Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical Inspection
Certificate of Occupancy
This list covers the basics, but your project may require others such as Floodplain, Wetlands, Road & Bridge or ITD Access, or FAA approval. To reach the building permit information pages for each jurisdiction, follow the links below.
To apply for a building permit, you'll need engineered stamped construction drawings for your home, any structural improvements on the site, and grading. You'll also need a site plan showing setbacks, impervious surfaces and structure locations. Once approved, you must keep the building permit and inspection report onsite.
During construction, a port-a-potty and a dumpster must be provided onsite.
Infrastructure and Utilities
Coordinate with utility providers to ensure access to necessary infrastructure such as water, electricity, and sewage systems. If you are outside city limits, you'll most likely need to drill a well and install a septic system. This requires approval by Eastern Idaho Public Health. For more information on septic permitting, visit their information page.
Inspections
Over the course of constructing your house, periodic inspections are required to ensure proper building practices. Generally, these include foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and final inspection. In Driggs, Victor, and Teton County, electrical and plumbing inspections are undertaken by the State of Idaho. Foundation, framing, mechanical, and final inspection are performed by local officials.
Moving In
After your final inspection, you will be issued a Certificate of Occupancy. This licenses you to inhabit your new building. Welcome home!
Need an expert to help with you navigate your project?
Let Harmony help you explore what's possible and define how to get there.
Harmony Design & Engineering has been working locally to improve our community, focusing on the interface between the natural and built environments for almost twenty years. We have the expertise to efficiently navigate the requirements and procedures for any type of building or land project in Teton County, Idaho, and Teton County, Wyoming. We’ve seen dozens of high quality developments from pre-application conference to certificate of completion. We're constantly rewarded by seeing the impacts of sustainable, accessible, and responsible development in our physical landscape.
If you're curious about the potential of a piece of property, we can help determine what's possible, and the procedures to achieve your vision.