Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Meridian, ID

Complete permit and license guide for starting a electrical contractor in Meridian, Ada County, Idaho.

Verified 2026-09-06 5 stops $400–$1,500 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Idaho

1 stop

  1. Idaho State Tax Commission — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Idaho. Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax. Some cities have local option taxes. Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via TAP)

City of Meridian / Ada County

3 stops

  1. Idaho DOPL Electrical Board — Electrical Contractor License

    Electrical contractors in Idaho must hold a State Electrical Contractor License, now administered by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) Electrical Board (formerly Division of Building Safety).

    Official government source

    $140 (initial: $15 application + $125 license fee)4–8 weeks

  2. City of Meridian — No General Business License

    Meridian does not require a general business license, and there is no annual renewal or display requirement. A new business moving into a commercial space typically needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and a Certificate of Occupancy from Community Development before opening. Only specific activities need a license or permit from the City Clerk's Office: alcohol licenses and catering permits, mobile sales units, temporary use permits, vehicle immobilization, fireworks, pawnbroker and precious metal dealer licenses, and dog licensing. Most businesses need none of these.

    Official government source

    $0 for most businesses — no general license exists; specific activity licenses have their own feesN/A — no general business license to apply for

  3. City of Meridian Electrical Permit (per project)

    Meridian's Building Services Division — not Ada County — issues electrical permits for each project inside city limits. Applications go through the city's Citizen Access portal with drawings uploaded to Project Dox, and a final inspection is required. Temporary construction power poles must be inspected before Idaho Power will set the meter. The installing contractor must hold a state electrical contractor licence from Idaho DOPL.

    Official government source

    New residential: $120 up to 200-amp service, $210 for 201–400 amps. Existing residential: $40 plus $10 per branch circuit. Commercial and industrial: $40 plus 2.5% of wiring cost up to $2,000; $100 plus 1% for $2,000–$10,000; $180 plus 0.5% of the portion above $10,000.Simple trade permits are typically issued within a few business days; permits attached to a plan review take longer.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,500 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

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