Welcome to Ada County Development Services!
Our Vision
Balancing growth for a sustainable future while maintaining the trust of those we serve.
Our Mission
Development Services staff helps guide growth on behalf of Ada County residents and leaders through every development (and building) activity.
Where to find us
Ada County Courthouse, Second Floor
200 W Front St. Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-287-7900, Fax: 208-287-7909
Who are “those we serve”? We serve YOU!
Whether you are a homeowner, contractor, realtor, appraiser, or developer, we serve all of the residents of Ada County by managing its growth in a responsible and sustainable way. Our department is comprised of five divisions: Building, Current Planning, Strategic Planning, Engineering/Surveying, and Permitting.
Our building division reviews plans and inspects buildings to ensure Ada County residents are safe in any building they walk into. Our community planning division processes land use applications in unincorporated Ada County and works with the Ada County Historic Preservation Council to encourage the preservation of historically and culturally significant sites and structures throughout Ada County. Our strategic planning division works to plan for Ada County’s future by creating our Comprehensive Plan and working with other agencies on various long range growth projects. Our engineering and surveying division reviews preliminary plats, drainage plans, private roads, hillside applications, floodplain permits and property boundary adjustments in unincorporated Ada County. Our permitting division assists with the submittal requirements for applications, accepts all applications submitted to Development Services, processes payments, completes Public Record Requests, reviews building permits, and completes over-the-counter processes for simple additions/shops/remodels/agricultural structures and other projects.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to working with you to maintain our quality of life and plan for a sustainable future in Ada County.
What we’re up to in 2020
In addition to our day to day processing of applications, permits, inspections, plats, etc, Development Services is involved in a variety of large projects across the county. Here are some of the project we have going on this year:
Expo Idaho Citizen’s Advisory Committee
In late 2019, the Ada County Commissioners signed a resolution allowing the creation of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee regarding Expo Idaho. This committee will discuss the potential and challenges of the property, after which they will bring recommendations to the public about the future of the property. Once the public has had the opportunity to be engaged and informed, the recommendations of the CAC and the public at large will be considered by the board.
Historic Preservation Grant
The Ada County Historic Preservation Council, which serves in an advisory role to the Board of County Commissioners with support from Development Services staff, has been awarded a CLG (Certified Local Government) Grant to conduct a reconnaissance survey to identify potential farmhouses and barns in the Kuna area that could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Capital Investment Plan
The Capital Investment Program (CIP) is an ongoing, collaborative process that receives and reviews public facility service needs from various county departments and offices for the next fiscal year. The County has established a Transformation Board, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners as they make final decisions on the CIP during the annual budget process.
Fire Impact Fees
Ada County Development Services recently worked with North Ada County Fire & Rescue, Eagle Fire District, Kuna Rural Fire District and Star Fire Protection District to implement the tools necessary for the Fire Districts to receive Impact fees on new development within their boundaries. Development Services will be collecting these new fees on their behalf upon issuance of a Building Permit.
Coordinated Growth for Ada County
Development Services, under the direction of the Commissioners, is working to understand the impacts of growth in Ada County. A fiscal impact analysis is being done and conversations are being held across jurisdictions, agencies, and homeowners to move forward toward coordinated and fiscally responsible growth.
