Business Permits & Licenses

Where Do I Go to Get a Permit or License?

For more information regarding permit requirements, please refer to the list below or call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.

The City Clerk is the local licensing officer for specific types of business activities. Other departments also issue permits for things such as burning, construction, discharge of wastewater, encroachments, fireworks, etc.

Alcohol License/Catering Permits: Required for all establishments serving beer, wine, and hard liquor. State of Idaho and Kootenai County license required with application submittal. For new licenses, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229, as there are limits on areas of sale. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing.
Arcade License: Required for all firms with 10 or more amusement machines in operation on their premises. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Building Permit: Required when constructing, altering or repairing a building. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Burn Permit: Required to burn waste material within the city limits. For more information, please call the Fire Department at 208-769-2340.
Construction Permits (Hazardous Operations): For information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229, or the Fire Department at 208-769-2340.
Demolition Permit: Required when tearing down a building. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Designated Manufactured Home Setting Permit: Required when moving a manufactured home to a private city lot. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Discharge Permits: All commercial or industrial facilities that discharge non-domestic wastewater into the city’s sewer system must obtain a discharge permit from the utility. For more information, please call the Wastewater Department at 208-769-2281.
Drain Layer Registration: Required for any company/person laying any service pipe or doing excavation that is, or will be, connected to the waterworks or sewer system of the City. Not required if Idaho State Plumbing license held. Bond and proof of insurance required. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Detective License: Required for any person/agency performing investigations or investigative work within the City limits. Agency licenses require five years previous law enforcement experience. Criminal history background check required. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Encroachments Permits: Required when operating heavy equipment or performing work on or near a city right-of-way. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Fire Code/Alarm/Sprinkler System Plan Review: For more information, please call the Fire Department at 208-769-2340.
Fireworks Permits: Required for any persons wishing to sell or display fireworks within the Coeur d' Alene City limits. Filing deadline for sales is May 15. Approval by City Council and subject to inspections by Fire Department. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229. For special displays, please call the Fire Department at 208-769-2340. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing.
Flood Plain Permits: For construction in the Flood Plain, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Hazardous Materials/Hazardous Operations Permits: Examples include carnivals/fairs, batteries, compressed gases, cutting & welding, dry cleaning, explosives, flammable liquids, liquid petroleum gas, open burning, refrigeration equipment, storage of scrap tires, waste handling facilities, etc. For more information, please call the Fire Department at 208-769-2340.
Home Occupation: You will need to provide a site plan (PDF) with your application. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Kennel License: Required for all commercial kennels. Non-Commercial Kennel license required for all households possessing, harboring, or maintaining more than four dogs over six months of age, within the City limits. Download the Kennel Application (PDF). For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Massage License: Required for any facility other than a regularly licensed physician or hospital, who engages in treatment by application of mechanical/manual manipulation of soft tissues of human body and/or by use of sweat, or any other kind of bath. Criminal history background check required. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Mechanical Permit: Required for installation, alteration or repair of a heating, ventilating or air conditioning system. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Mobile Concession: Required for mobile food/beverage, food carts, non-mobile concession, mobile retail. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Mobile Food Court: You will need to provide a site plan (PDF) with your application. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Mobile Home Hook-Up Permit: Required when moving a mobile home to a zoned park. A state setting permit is also required. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Mobile Home Park License: Required for all Mobile Home Parks within the city limits. Fire Department inspection annually. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Moving Permit: Required when moving a building to a new location. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Outdoor Eating Permits: Encroachment permit required for all establishments extending premises by placing tables/chairs on sidewalks or other City property for outdoor eating purposes. If alcohol served, sidewalk must be cored & barriers installed. Also required for outside seating on private property. Download the Outdoor Eating application (PDF). For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Parade/Public Assembly/Block Watch/Street Fairs Permit: Required for any event with street blockages, or activity occurring whereby traffic/pedestrian travel will be impeded. Application must be submitted 21 days in advance for events and 14 days in advance for Block Watch Events. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229. Download the Special Event Application (PDF).
Plumbing Permit: Required for installation, alteration or repair of a plumbing system. For more information, call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Pretreatment Permits: All commercial or industrial facilities that discharge non-domestic wastewater into the city’s sewer system must obtain a discharge permit from the utility. For more information, please call the Wastewater Department at 208-769-2281.
Re-Roof Permit: Required when repairing or replacing a building roof. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Sign Permit: Required for any exterior signage, or attention getting device within City limits. Separate permit is required per each sign. To apply, fill out the Sign Permit Application (PDF) or the Temporary Sign Permit Application (PDF). For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Security License: Required for any agency/persons engaged in business of watching, guarding, protecting, any premises, property, or persons or who patrol streets, districts, or territories within the City limits for such purposes. Criminal history background check required. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Site Development Permit: Allows commercial dirt work to begin before the issuance of a building permit. This permit also covers work where site development is required but a building permit is not required. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Sprinkler Permit: Required when installing landscaping irrigation. For more information, please call the Building Department at 208-769-2267.
Taxi Cab Company: License required to operate taxicab for hire within City limits. Vehicles must be inspected. Requires insurance. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Tree Permit: Tree permits are required before planting, pruning or removing trees within the right-of-way. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the city's Urban Forester at 208-769-2266.
Tree Service License: Required by any person pruning, planting, topping, or removing a tree in which 51% or more of the tree trunk or shrub base at ground level is on public property or public right of way. Please download the Tree Service License application (PDF). For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.
Used Merchandise Dealer Permits (Business/Individual): Required for all persons loaning money/receiving personal property as pledge with a conditional sales contract. Includes anyone engaging in business of buying, selling, or dealing in used or secondhand personal property, rebuilt or reconditioned goods, wares or merchandise. Excludes car dealers holding dealer permits, or where merchandise consists of at least 90% objects of art, curios or household furniture. To apply for a license, visit Online Business Licensing. For more information, please call the City Clerk's Office, 208-769-2229.