Animal Control
1.Does my dog need a license?
Yes, the City issues lifetime dog licenses. The cost is $40.00 for an intact dog, and $25.00 for a spayed or neutered dog. A senior discount is offered if certain conditions are met, please inquire at City Hall. A license tag will be provided by the City upon licensing at City Hall. Proof of rabies vaccination is required.
2.How many dogs can I own within City limits?
It is unlawful for any person to keep more than three (3) dogs or three (3) cats, or a total of four (4) in the City. The only exception is that a litter of pups or kittens may be kept for a period of time not exceeding five (5) months from birth.
3.Does my cat need a license?
No. The City of Priest River currently does not require that cats are licensed.
4.Can I own chickens in the City limits?
Yes. Each single-family property is allowed a maximum of six (6) hens. Roosters are not allowed. For coop information and restrictions, please contact our Code Enforcement Officer. Officer Bulling
Building Department
See the FAQ at this page.
Burning Restrictions
1.Do I need a permit to burn?
Yes, if you want to burn inside city limits you will need to purchase a burn permit from City Hall. They are $10.00 and are valid through the calendar year.
2.Can I burn in a burn barrel?
No, burn barrels are not allowed in city limits.
3.Do I need a burn permit to have a fire pit?
Yes, a permit is required to have a fire pit in city limits.
Starting a Business
1.Do I have to license my business with the City of Priest River?
The City of Priest River does not issue business licenses, however we do require that you register your business on an annual basis. The registration information provides emergency contact information for law enforcement officers and fire fighters in the event of an emergency when you or your representatives are not present. It also provides the City with valuable demographic information. The cost to register your business is $20.00 per calendar year.
2.How do I start a business in Idaho?
The State of Idaho website is a wonderful resource for starting businesses in Idaho. State of Idaho
Utilities
1.When is my utility bill due?
The utility bills are due by the 15th of every month.
2.Do you offer a senior discount?
Yes, if you are over 65 years of age and meet the income requirement, we offer a 10% discount on water and sewer charges. Contact City Hall to see if you qualify.
3.What are acceptable forms of payment?
We accept cash, money orders, checks, and credit/debit cards.
4.On my utility bill, what does WIB and SIB stand for?
WIB stands for Water Improvement Bond and SIB stands for Sewer Improvement Bond.
5.Can I turn my own water on or off to avoid the $25 fee?
No, turning your own water on or off is considered meter tampering and is prohibited by City Code. Meter tampering is a misdemeanor per City Code 8-4-3.
6.What do I do if I have a utility emergency after hours?
If you experience a utility emergency after 5:00 pm or on the weekend, call Bonner County Dispatch at 208-265-5525. They will contact the City employee that is on-call.
7.My sewer is backing up, do I call a plumber or the City?
Always call the City first in the event of a sewer back-up. If it is after hours or on the weekend, call Bonner County Dispatch at 208-265-5525. They will contact the City employee that is on-call. The City employee will determine if the problem is in the City main sewer line, or on private property. If you call a plumber first and the problem ends up being in the City main sewer line, you will not be reimbursed for any costs paid to the plumber.
