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Assessor

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1. What is an occupancy tax?

Only property that exists on January 1st is taxed on the regular role that year. New construction is added to the occupancy role. The amount of the occupancy tax is the value of the structure(s) prorated from the month they are first put into use to the end of that year and multiplied by the levy rate.

Example

A home is built on an existing property. It's completed and use begins in July. The assessment notice that is sent out in June that year will not include the value of that home. Thus, the tax bill that is sent out in December will not include taxes for that home. A separate assessment notice that includes only the value of the home is sent out the beginning of the following year. Then a separate tax bill for just the home is sent out approximately two months later. The following year the value and taxes for that home will be included with all of the other property on that parcel.

• Full Value of the Home: $235,000.00 
• Prorated Value
  July to December (Value divided by 12 months multiplied by 5 months) = $97,916
  Multiply by the Tax Levy Rate - 0.018611084
  Equals the Occupancy Tax For the Barn = $911.16

See Idaho Code 63-317.

2. How are the taxes on my property determined?

The first thing you need to know about property taxes is that they are budget driven. This means that all property values could stay exactly the same and property taxes could still increase because of budget increases.

Property taxes are the principal source of income for cities, counties and special-purpose governments like fire, schools, library, cemetery and other districts. The county Treasurer sends and collects the tax, then distributes it to these local governments. At the assessor's office, our job is to make sure homes and businesses are valued correctly. Under Idaho Code 63-205, our assessed value must be the same as the actual market value of that property as it is on January 1^st.

Determining Levy Rates

• Each tax district determines their budgets at public hearings. See Idaho Code 63-803
• Individual properties are assessed to determine their market value
• Homeowners (and other) exemptions are subtracted from the value
• The total budget dollars requested by each district is divided by the total taxable value in the areas they serve

Taxing District Levy Example

Budget Request divided by property value equals tax rate (levy)

Example: $42,000,000 / 13.billion = $311,313

Properties are generally served by more than one tax district, so the levies of all the tax districts serving your property are added together. The geographical areas in each county having a common group of tax districts is called a Code Area. The levy for this Code Area is shown in the table below.

Type	Levy
County	0.03113130
School	0.05137568
City	0.05811937
Special Districts (highway, cemetery, etc.)	0.01004090
Total	0.014062635

The taxable value of each property is determined:

Type	Taxable Value
House Value:	$100,000
Land Value:	$40,000
Total Value:	$140,000
Minus Homeowners Exemption:	($70,000)
Total Taxable Value	$70,000

Individual Tax bills are calculated: taxable value mulitplied by levy rate equals tax amount. 

Example: $70,000 times 1.4062635% equals $984.39

The collection of unpaid balances owed to certain agencies, may be added to your property tax bill. If you have questions regarding an amount charged by an agency to your property tax bill, please contact that agency. See Idaho Code 50-1008.

3. What is the annual tax cycle?

Tax Cycle Dates

Date	Item
January 1	Tax lien date Values are appraised as of January 1 each year.
April 15	Agricultural classification applications are due.
Mid to late May	Assessment Notices must be mailed by the first Monday in June.
Third Monday in May	Preliminary budgets are due for the next fiscal year (beginning October 1).
June 20	The second half of the prior year's tax payment is due.
Fourth Monday of June	Deadline for the Board of Equalization appeals
End of June	The County Auditor sends value estimates to the taxing districts.
Second Monday of July	The Board of Equalization closes -- the Assessment Roll is forwarded to the County Auditor.
First Week of September	The State Tax Commission sends the Operating Property values to the County Auditor.
Second Monday in September	The County Auditor receives the budget requests.
Third Monday in September	The County Auditor sets the tax levy rates.
Third Week of October	The Subsequent Roll Assessment Notices are mailed.
Fourth Monday in October	The State Tax Commission reviews and approves the tax levy rates.
November 1	The County Auditor computes individual property tax charges and sends them to the Treasurer for billing.
Fourth Monday in November	The County Treasurer mails the tax bills.
December 20	The first half of the property tax payments are due (full payment may be made at this time).
December 31	Timber classification applications and timber management plans are due.

4. How does the Assessor determine the value on my property?

• Buyers and sellers in the real estate market establish value.  The Assessor's staff researches the market and collects information about properties to estimate value.
• The Assessor's Office has no control over tax rates.
• The Assessor uses standard methods, which utilize the three traditional approaches to value (cost, market, and income), to estimate the fair market value of a given property.
• It is important to note that the Assessor is simply measuring the information produced in the market to determine the estimated value.  The economic principles of supply and demand, along with the desires of the purchasers and sellers of property, determine fair value.
  
  

For more information contact the Assessor's Office.

5. Why do property values change?

• A property's value may change for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that the property changes. A bedroom, garage, or bathroom is added, or part of the property is destroyed by vandalism or fire.
• The most frequent cause of a change in value is a change in the market. If a community's major industry leaves, property values can collapse. As older neighborhoods with good quality housing are discovered by young homebuyers, prices gradually rise and then may even soar as the neighborhood becomes fashionable. A shortage of detached homes in a desirable city neighborhood can send prices to extreme levels. In a recession, larger homes may stay on the market for a long time, but more affordable homes are in demand, so their prices rise.
• In a stable neighborhood, with no extraordinary pressure from the market, inflation may increase property value.
  
  

For more information contact the Assessor's Office.

6. How do I contact the taxing districts listed on my assessment notice?

• Refer to the lower third of your Assessment Notice to the section entitled "Budget Hearing Information." The column on the left lists the Taxing Districts in which your property is located. The second column from the right lists the phone numbers for each district. The right-hand column provides the date and time for the budget hearings.
• The Assessor's Office also receives a complete list of the Taxing Districts from the Auditor's Office. We can also provide you the mailing address and name of the contact person for each district.

For more information about taxing districts, contact the Auditor's Office at:
451 Government Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208-446-1000

7. How do I find out the name of a property owner and other details about the property?

• You can search by owner, address, parcel number, or alternate identification number (AIN) on the County website. You may also obtain information at the County Information Center and office of Kootenai County Assessor. In the Assessor's Office you can search by plat name to get the subdivision designation to search lots.
• In addition to ownership name, mailing address, and possible location address, other information available on the website and at the office includes, but is not limited to, legal description, acreage of the parcel, assessed value, homeowner's exemption, timber and agricultural classifications, and property classifications.
  
  

For questions contact the Assessor's Office.

8. Can I see a map of my property? May I purchase a copy?

The Assessor's Office has plat maps covering all properties in Kootenai County. They are available for your viewing at our office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. The maps are filed by township, range, section, and quarter section (northeast quarter, northwest quarter, southwest quarter, or southeast quarter) and provide parcel numbers needed to obtain parcel information.

The maps are also on the website. "Then select the township/range combination, the section, and then quadrant (quarter section). If you do not have this specific information, you can use the large wall maps at our office to narrow your search. 

Purchasing a Copy

The full sized plat maps may be purchased at the Information Center of our building at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. The maps measure approximately 18 inches by 24 inches and cost $2 each. When requesting a map, please specify the quarter section, section, township, and range of the map. The Assessor's Office can help you identify the map you wish to purchase.

You may also purchase a black and white map of Kootenai County from the Information Center. This map measures approximately 36 inches by 45 inches and costs $5.

Other maps available for purchase from the Information Center are the following:

• Survey maps
• Recorder's plat maps (platted subdivisions)
• The above two types of maps come in two sizes:
  • 11 inches by 14 inches - These cost $1 each.
  • Large size - The sizes vary considerably and cost $4 each.
• You can request that maps be mailed to you. Postage will vary by map size and weight.

For more information about maps contact Kootenai County Information Center at 208-446-1500.

9. What do the categories or group code numbers shown on the assessment notice mean?

Please view a listing of the codes (PDF) and their meanings.

10. How do I change the name of the owner(s) on my property?

• There are a variety of situations in which the ownership of a property or name on the property might change. These include, but are not limited to, sale of property, death of one of the owners, addition of owners, removal of owners, and foreclosure on a property. Circumstances can vary so widely that we cannot describe every situation here.
• The Assessor's Office is not able to provide legal advice to owners or potential owners on how to handle a change of name/ownership. Therefore, we recommend that you contact a title company or an attorney to advise you on the procedure.
• If you think that you have all the documentation needed to effect a name change, please bring it directly to the Assessor's Office. A mapping specialist will review the material to see if it is sufficient for us to process a name change.

For questions contact the Land Records Department in the Assessor's Office.

11. How do I correct the acreage on my property?

• Each situation involving a question of acreage or change in the acres is different and must be examined individually by a mapping specialist.
• Acreage amendments need to be researched and calculated. Additional information supplied by the property owner may help in this regard. Please inform the Mapping Department of any surveys or description changes to your property that would be helpful in determining the proper acreage for any given parcel.
  
  

For more information contact the Land Records Department in the Assessor's Office.

12. How do I correct or change the boundaries of my property, such as a lot line adjustment?

• Each situation involving a change in boundaries is different and must be examined individually by a mapping specialist.
• Changing the boundaries of properties may involve deeds for lot line adjustments between neighbors. A title company or surveyor can assist in the creation of the necessary documents to complete the lot line adjustment. A survey may be needed to comply with the requirements for State mapping standards.
• The Assessor's Office cannot provide legal advice or assist you in the creation or amendment of documents or surveys.

For more information contact the Land Records Department in the Assessor's Office.

13. How do I convert my manufactured home into real property? Can I reverse a manufactured home from real property to personal property?

• Please refer to the instructions on the back of the form, "Statement of Intent to Declare Manufactured Home to Real Property." Obtain a form called a "Statement of Intent to Declare Manufactured Home to Real Property" from the Assessor's Office. A Deputy Assessor signs the form verifying that the land and home are under the same ownership.
• The owner then contacts the building department located within their jurisdiction (Kootenai County for properties in the County outside any city limits; otherwise, Coeur d'Alene City Building Department, Post Falls City Building Department, etc.) for inspection to verify the home is set according to Idaho Code 63 to 304.
• The owner then has his/her signature notarized and returns the completed "Statement of Intent" form, along with the original title to the manufactured home, to the Recorder's Office to record both documents. The Recorder's office will return the original "Statement of Intent" and original title to the owner. Taxes for the manufactured home must be prepaid if there is an existing assessment.
  
  

After recording, the owner takes the original "Statement of Intent" form and original title (no copies) to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV forwards the documents to the Idaho Department of Transportation in Boise, and this office will eliminate the title for the manufactured home.

Reversing a Manufactured Home

• Obtain a form from the Assessor's Office called a "Reversal of Declaration of Manufactured Home to Real Property."
• The owner prepays the current year's property taxes on the home in the Treasurer's Office. If necessary, obtain a permission letter from the lender on the mortgage.
• The owner then has his/her signature notarized and then recorded in the Recorder's Office.
• The owner takes the recorded "Reversal of Declaration" form (the original) to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a receipt of title. The new title is issued by the Idaho Department of Transportation in Boise.

For more information on the above procedures, contact the "Mobile Home" Department in the Assessor's Office.

14. How do I change the location of my manufactured home? How do I change ownership on my manufactured home?

• The owner must first prepay the current year's property taxes on the manufactured home. A mover will not hook onto the home for transport unless the owner provides the receipt from the Treasurer's Office showing that the taxes are prepaid.

Please notify the "Mobile Home" Department in the Assessor's Office of the change of location and/or mailing address for Assessment Notices.

Change Ownership on My Manufactured Home

• The title is the legal ownership. Obtain a form from the Assessor's Office. The current year's property taxes on the home must be prepaid. The new owner takes the Treasurer's prepaid tax receipt to the Department of Motor Vehicles to have the title changed.
• If the manufactured home is your primary residence that you are occupying, apply to the "Mobile Home" Department of the Assessor's Office for the Homeowners Exemption.
  
  

For questions or more information about the above procedures, contact the Mobile Home Department of the Assessor's Office.

15. How many taxing districts are there?

For more information on taxing districts, view our informational brochure (PDF).

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Assessor - Personal Property

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1. What is Personal Property?

Taxable personal property consists of items used commercially, such as

• Art
• Fixtures
• Furniture
• Logging and construction equipment
• Signs
• Unregistered aircraft
• Unregistered watercraft

It also includes items used commercially for convenience, decoration, service, or storage. Please contact the Assessor's Office with specific questions.

2. What Personal Property is assessed?

All personal property in Idaho, unless expressly exempt, is subject to assessment and taxation. Forms for your use in listing of personal property are available from the Assessor's Office.

3. What if someone does not report personal property?

The County Assessor is required to assess property that is not declared. The assessment is estimated based upon the best information available. For more information, contact the Assessor's office.

4. At what value is personal property assessed?

Personal property is assessed at retail market value. This value includes shipping and installation costs. Several methods are used to arrive at the value. Depreciation tables, sales information, cost guides, and other resources are used in this process. For more information, contact the Assessor's office.

5. How are my personal property taxes determined?

The Assessor does not determine tax amounts. The amount of taxes is determined by the budgets of the taxing districts in which the personal property is located. For more information, contact the Assessor's office.

6. What if I close or sell my business?

If you sell or close your business during the year, you should contact the Assessor's office as soon as possible. The Assessor will explain how the assessment will be handled.

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Assessor - Timber Exemption

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1. How do I qualify lands for the timber program, and when?

• The minimum acreage is 5 contiguous acres, fully stocked with trees, excluding any land allocated to improvements. You need to apply whenever land status or ownership changes. Don't take anything for granted, especially when dealing with timberland classifications.
• Fully stocked means the land is stocked with the optimum number of trees that can successfully grow in an area based on size of stem or diameter. The larger the tree diameter, the fewer trees per acre the ground will adequately support. We use the following rule of thumb:
  • Seedlings to saplings (0 to 3 inches in diameter), 400 to 300 trees per acre or a tree every 10 to 12 feet apart
  • Post and poles to small saw logs (4 to 10 inches in diameter), 300 to 200 trees per acre or a tree every 12 to15 feet apart
  • Saw logs (11 or more inches in diameter), 150 to 125 trees per acre or a tree every 16 to 40 plus feet apart. Most lands will have a mixture of all these sizes within 5 years after a substantial harvest, so use an average spacing of 10 to 15 feet between trees.
• Improvements are anything attributed to the land that changes the functional use of the land. Examples are clearing for a home site, public right of way, utilities easement, clearing for other uses (agriculture, recreational etc.), any buildings, etc. (The smaller the acres, the more critical these are in qualifying land.)
• In meeting the aforementioned, you need to submit an application for each individual parcel that is being applied for. Applicants will be required to prepare a detailed, viable and workable, written management plan. It needs to address present and future needs recommended for the timber stand within the ownership. One plan can cover multiple parcels as long as they are contiguous and each parcel is individually identified within the context of the plan. Plans must be updated as harvesting occurs.

For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

2. What does contiguous parcels or acres mean?

• Contiguous acres are individual acres that join or touch each other's boundaries and are under the same exact ownership. For instance, 5 one-acre parcels can qualify for timber as long as they are all touching each other, there are no improvements, they are fully stocked and managed for the production of timber as a crop, and the ownership is exactly the same.
• You can have 100 acres of 1 to 4.99-acre lots within the county, but if they do not touch other parcels of the same ownership none will qualify for the timber classification.
• Parcels divided by a road, easement, creek or rights-of-way, etc. are still considered contiguous as long as they are adjacent to one another and the ownership is the same.
• They are not considered contiguous if the only thing connecting them is a public road or easement and they are not adjacent to each other. For instance, you own a 3-acre parcel on Why Not Road and you own another 3-acre parcel a half mile down Why Not Road. Sorry neither will qualify!
• There are parcels with sufficient total acres that still won't qualify for timber. Say you have a 120- acre parcel where 115 of acres are being farmed for hay and 1 acre is designated for the home site, which leaves 4 acres that are loaded with trees. It doesn't matter that there are 120 contiguous acres total; only 4 have timber so they will not qualify for the classification. This owner could plant another acre or two of the farm ground into trees to meet the 5-acre minimum and qualify by submitting a proper application and management plan.
• If in doubt whether your ownership is contiguous, contact the Assessor's office and schedule a time to review your ownership to verify what is and isn't contiguous.

For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

3. What is entailed in the application? And how often do we need to apply?

• The application is needed to identify the acres you wish to have assessed as timber-producing land (there is no cost to file).  The application and the management plan must be received by the Assessor's Office by December 31st of the year prior to when you wish to be assessed in the program.  If you purchase a property on December 31st, you need to have your application and plan turned into us that same day or it will not be considered for the timber classification for the upcoming year.  It would be considered for the following year. If you hire a forester to prepare your plan we will give them extensions for submitting the plan as long as they confirm hire.
• Applications identify the landowner(s), addresses, parcel & bill or serial #, legal description of parcel, number of acres being applied for, and which option of timberland classification you wish to have your land assessed.  The classifications are Land Productivity or Bare Land & Yield, which are explained below.
• Applications are also considered proof of an agreement between landowner & county that any land classified for timber has a primary purpose of maintaining and managing the trees on said land as a crop for eventual harvest.  This is further evidenced by the management plan and physical activities administered on the ground.
• As long as there are no physical, ownership, or use changes to the parcel, you are only required to file once for as long as you own and manage the parcel for timber production. Management plans must be updated as harvesting occurs, as that changes the description and prescription on existing plans.
• Every 10 years (based from 1982) land owners have the opportunity to change from one timber option to the other, (productivity to bare land or visa versa).  All timberland under the same ownership within Idaho has to carry the same option, so if one is changed all need to be changed.
• Any changes, (segregation, plat, name changes, land use on all or a portion, acres, swaps,   lot line adjustments-- any change) Requires the new submission of application and plan update or the land (s) will be removed from the classification.
• As long as land owners stay active in the management of their timber crop, with proper silvicultural prescriptions and treatment when need arises, their lands will remain qualified.  A new application will not be needed barring changes mentioned above.  All properties receiving the classification will be inspected for their compliance periodically to assure they are still being maintained for timber production. If they are determined to be inactive, the owner will be notified and the parcel will be removed from timber classification. 

For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

4. What is the difference between the Land Productivity and Bare Land and Yield timber options?

• The main difference is value per acre. Land in the Land Productivity (LP) option is assessed at a higher value per acre which also means slightly more property taxes per acre. This is because the value per acre includes the value of the land, the potential tree growth per acre per year, and a 5-year average stumpage value.
• The Bare Land and Yield (BL&Y) option only values the bare land's potential to grow trees based on a 5-year average of stumpage values; it does not consider the yearly tree growth production and value until the trees are actually harvested. At the time of harvest, there is a 3% yield tax billed on the stumpage reported by the mills. This option is subject to a recapture of deferred taxes when the use of the land changes or when the ownership changes and the designation is removed. If the land has a change in use, the recapture tax is the difference in real estate taxes between the BL&Y value and full market value. When the land changes ownership, the recapture tax is calculated as the difference in taxes that was deferred between the two options. The Assessor's office can provide more detailed information that owners need to study before choosing an option.
• The BL&Y option is taxed at $1.50 to $2.50 per acre on an average, and the Productivity option is taxed at $5 to $8 per acre on an average. The difference in taxes for the number of years that the land has been in the program up to 10 years is the deferred taxes collected.

For more information contact us at 208-446-1526.

5. What is needed in a Management Plan and who can prepare it?

• A Management plan is a written document that describes your forest's current condition and its needs assessment for future timber crops.
• The plan provides an organized decision framework that demonstrates active management, provides valuable records (for tax purposes and in case of timber theft or trespass), establishes current and future goals, gives a comprehensive look at all forest management variables, helps to systematically organize any decision making, helps consider the effects of one activity to other interests (such as how a harvest may effect water quality) and establishes effective communication of your interests and concerns to loggers, foresters or others you may work with in managing your timber. With a good plan, you will be less likely to make costly mistakes with your management decisions. My favorite phrase is "Failing to plan is planning to fail."
• Bottom line-look at a plan as being the same thing as a blue print for a house; plan what you want the forest land to look like before you ever take action on the ground. Traditionally, plans are prepared by a forester. State law says it should be reviewed by a qualified individual (consulting forester, staff forester, industrial forester, or agency foresters). Private landowners may prepare their own plan if they have any forestry knowledge and the agency forester can review it for compliance. Fees paid for professionally-prepared plans may be deducted on income taxes. There are also "cost share" programs that can assist in covering some financial aide for Stewardship Plans if landowners are interested. For more information, contact the Idaho Department of Lands or the Forestry Department at the Assessor's office.  
• The minimum requirements needed in a management plan are: 
  • Property owner's name, date of plan preparation, name of plan preparer (if different then owner), legal description and parcel identification number(s) or bill number(s).
  • Legible map (signifying project areas, land characteristics and access).
  • General description of the existing forest stand(s) including species, age and size classes, stocking (dense to sparse), canopy coverage, water ways or riparian areas, topography and aspect(s) and estimated volume per acre or trees per acre.
  • Identification of any health problems (insects, disease, suppression, weather, past management or lack thereof, natural or mechanical damage, etc.). Potential fire hazards, wildlife or aquatic life must also be identified.
  • Condition of property lines (have they been located), is access adequate to stand
  • Any uses other than forestry within the property boundaries.
  • Type of equipment needed to harvest the stand(s).

After this information, lay out your blue print for what you want your property to look like and what type of crop want to be producing in 10 to 20 plus years. Next, plan out the management activities that are going to be initiated to accomplish your goals, both short-term (3 to 5 years) and long-term (10 to 20 plus years). 

• Identify whether it is a pre-commercial or commercial activity (out of pocket or for profit). 
• When it is projected to start and be completed, how and who will accomplish the work, what type of equipment will be used (hand, ground equip, cable, horse, etc.). 
• Will there be any slash created and if so how will it be treated? 
• What time of the year will work be done and why (i.e. if you have a thick stand of immature pine species you want to thin, because of potential insect problems, you will want to thin in late summer or fall and dispose of the slash in early winter or prior to the next spring melt). 
• Identify what will be done for erosion control and stream protection (if one exists). Are new roads needed? 
• What species of trees and product are you managing for (why and how)? 
• What types of commercial harvests are projected in the future. Why, when and how will they be accomplished? How much volume (%) is projected to be removed in the harvest practice and will the harvest cover all or a portion of the ownership? 

Remember one plan can cover multiple contiguous parcels or acres of the same ownership as long as their individual differences (if any) are identified within the plan and on the map. For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

6. What if I just want to let my land grow "natural"?

• That is the free choice of each individual landowner, and may be the right one if they either do not wish to cut any trees, hire a forester, have no timber management experience or do not want to spend the time, money and energy it takes to maintain and manage timber as a crop. The honesty of the decision is admirable, but the bottom line is that the parcel will not qualify or be classified as timberland if it is left "natural". It will be assessed at full market value.
• It is the county's responsibility to ensure that the intent of the law is being accomplished by land owners actively managing their land for the primary purpose of raising trees as a crop. The timber classification requires administering proper silvicultural treatments to encourage growth, health, and sustainable yields for the purpose of generating income at some point and time through eventual harvest(s).

For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

7. What if I'm not able to do any work and cannot afford to hire assistance to prepare a management plan?

• We do understand and will be willing to try to assist individuals who have severe health and financial challenges if the property has been owned for a while.  For individuals purchasing timber property, it is difficult to understand how you cannot afford to hire the proper help if needed.  If you set your lands up correctly, most everything you do to the land is a write off.  Also, the amount of savings most receive on their property taxes would offset the cost of hiring assistance.
• Timber management (depending on your stand) usually only requires major physical work every 5-10 years.  Once the initial work is completed, your time will be used for monitoring and improving the growth, health and value of the stand and researching and planning for the next harvest or treatment.  Timber management is an excellent family venture.  Make it enjoyable as it is a lifetime project. 

For more information contact us at 208-446-1526.

8. Can I build a house on my timberland without losing the timber classification?

Absolutely, as long as there are still 5 or more treed acres remaining after 1 acre is removed for the home site, and they are or can still be managed as a timber crop. The 1 acre will be valued as an improved home site and the remaining 5 or more acres will continue to be classified as timber.

9. If I do not have much knowledge about timber management, how can I learn about it?

• There are numerous agencies and programs that are available and funded for educating private landowners on timber issues. We recommend you investigate what they have to offer.
• Probably the best source for getting information is the University of Idaho Kootenai County Extension office. They actually present most of the educational programs for nominal fees. In particular, they instruct an excellent course for old and new timberland owners called "Forestry Shortcourse&Quot; which introduces individuals to forest management practices, terminology, species identification, proven silvicultural treatments, logging practices, pre and commercial treatments and assists the landowner with a needs assessment for preparing and justifying a plan of action with goals and objectives to reach future results (management plan). It is six three-hour sessions one night a week over six weeks for $30 plus. Cheap!
• Other organizations to check out will be the Idaho Forest Owners Association. They are a non-profit group that is a voice for the private timberland owners in Legislature. They also sponsor timberland management educational programs. The Tree Farm Association is a non-profit group that supplies support and reviews management needs on private forests. They will identify what work is needed and the timeframe to complete both commercial and non commercial activities to certify the property into the program. The Tree Farm Association requires a minimum ownership of 10 acres. Both of these have minor annual fees.
• There are also cost share programs to assist landowners in their management endeavors. Some have been previously mentioned. The best place to find information on these is the Idaho State Department of Lands. These are government funded programs that help private owners with defraying some of the cost involved in timber management, mainly non-commercial activities.

For more information, contact us at 208-446-1526.

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Land Records Division

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1. Can I see a map of my property?

The Assessor's Office has parcel maps covering all properties in Kootenai County. The maps are filed first by township, then by range, then by section, and lastly by quarter section. These maps are available for your viewing at our office at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

There are numerous parcel maps covering the County. They show the parcel numbers for each property. To determine which map shows your property, we would need that parcel number or a legal description to locate it on the map. To help locate and identify ownership of a parcel, our office also has a large wall map of Kootenai County and wall maps for the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Rathdrum.

The parcel maps and wall maps may also be used to help determine ownership of properties other than your own. You may also go to the web page for the Mapping Division under the Assessor Home Page. The Mapping page will direct you to the Parcel Maps. For more information, contact the Assessor at 208-446-1500.

2. May I purchase a copy?

The Assessor's Office can make photocopies of portions of the parcel maps. The cost is $1 for the first page and $0.25 for each page thereafter. The full sized parcel maps may be purchased at the Information Center of our building at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. The maps measure approximately 17 inches by 24 inches and cost $2 each. When requesting a map, please specify the Section, Township, and Range of the map you need. In many cases you will also need to specify the quarter section of the particular section map (northeast quarter, northwest quarter, southwest quarter, or southeast quarter). The Assessor's Office can help you identify the map you wish to purchase.  

• If you wish to purchase a map and have it mailed to you, the cost of shipping is $2.
• You may also purchase a black and white map of Kootenai County from the Information Center. This map measures approximately 36 inches by 45 inches and costs $5.
• Other maps available for purchase from the Information Center are the following:
• Survey maps
• Recorder's plat maps (platted subdivisions)
• The above two types of maps come in two sizes:
  • 11 inches by 14 inches - These cost $1 each.
  • Large size - The sizes vary considerably and cost $4 each.
• There is a charge of $2 to mail these maps also.

For more information about maps contact the Kootenai County Information Center at 208-446-1500.

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Vehicle Licensing

Show All Answers

1. My tags expired and I can’t get in right away what can I do?

Please renew your tags online using ITD’s Vehicle Registration Renewal service available by clicking here. This online service makes renewing your vehicle registration simple, safe and convenient. If you need to change your address you must submit this form  and have it processed by ITD prior to renewing your vehicle registration.

2. How can I see if my tabs have been renewed, I sent it off in the mail?

Please utilize the registration status checker made available through ITD’s Online Services.

3. I have an appointment because I just bought a car, what do I need?

In general, you will need:

• The Title
• Bill of Sale
• The vehicle 

If the vehicle has an out of state title please bring the vehicle with you so that we can do a vin inspection. Vin inspections can also be performed by a member of law enforcement.

4. I’ve made an appointment for Vehicle Licensing but don’t remember what date?

A confirmation text and email containing detailed information about your appointment will have been sent to you when you made the appointment. Please check your records for this communication.

5. I’m trying to renew my off highway atv/utv stickers, snowmobile registration, and/or boat registration where do I go?

All off-highway stickers and snowmobile and boat registrations are given through Idaho Parks and Recreation. You may be able to renew online, click here to visit their website.

6. I’m moving here from out of state, what do I need to register my car?

You will need to bring the title, all current owner ID’s, and the vehicle with you for a VIN inspection. 

If you have a loan on your vehicle and do not have the title, you must bring:

• Current owner(s) ID’s
• Social Security numbers
• Copy of your registration
• Vehicle Loan Account number
• Fax number for the Titles Department of your Lien Holder.

7. My tags are expired what can I do if I can’t get in and renew, will I get a ticket?

Law enforcement is aware of current service limitations. Idaho Transportation Department has put out an Extension Notification thru January 31, 2021, regarding expired credentials. All official ITD notifications of extensions are available by clicking here. It is recommended that you carry a copy of the extension notification during this time.

8. I don’t have the app, how can I make an appointment?

You can also use a regular PC or Mac to go to the Vehicle Licensing webpage (bottom of page) and make an appointment that way. Please make sure to write down your appointment time.

9. I just bought a car from a private party, how can I get registration to be legal to drive it?

If you put a copy of the bill of sale/title in the back window this suffices as a temporary registration until you can get into the a vehicle licensing office to transfer the title and get registration. This rule is normally in place for a 72 hr period, but has been extended, like with all other expiring credentials, through the end of January per this ITD Extension Notice. It is recommended that you carry your paperwork and a copy of the ITD extension notice with you in case you do get stopped.

10. I bought a car from a dealer and the temporary is about to expire?

Law enforcement is not ticketing folks for expired credentials through the end of January based on this ITD Extension Notification. It is recommended that you carry a copy of this extension and your paperwork with you in case you do get stopped.

11. Are there any other locations we can visit to get taken care of?

All Idaho vehicle licensing locations and their status are can be found on the ITD DMV Locations page. If deciding to go to another vehicle licensing location, please try and call ahead to make sure they are able to see you as they are also very busy with their counties customers..

12. I can’t make an appointment, how can I get help?

The appointments only go out for 45 days for both CDA and Post Falls vehicle licensing offices. The earlier you can log on and try to set an appointment the better as the next day’s available appointments open up at 12am. Appointments are made with the Qless app downloaded from Qless.com or through the county vehicle licensing website only.

13. Where do I go to register and title my vehicle in Idaho?

You can register vehicles in Kootenai County at either:

Coeur d’Alene Department of Motor Vehicles
451 Government Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Post Falls Motor Vehicles Office
120 E Railroad Avenue
Post Falls, ID 83854

Generally, service hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

14. What are the office hours for motor vehicle licensing?

Both motor vehicle licensing locations provide vehicle registration and titling service between 8:30am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday, except Holidays or special occasions (ITD system events, staff training, etc...). The QLESS system will automatically not accept appointments once all daily appointment slots have been filled. Title work can be time consuming and must be initiated prior to 4:30pm due to budget constraints on staff overtime past 5:00pm. Please plan accordingly so that we can effectively provide you with the service you need.

15. What vehicles must be registered and titled in Idaho?

Generally, any vehicle operated on public highways must be registered and titled. Also, various boats and watercraft are required to be titled. Any motorized boat used on Idaho waterways must be registered. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles if you need to title or register

Title 

• Ambulances
• Any trailers over 2,000 pounds
• ATVs (all terrain vehicles)
• Boats/watercraft
• Buses
• Motor homes
• Motorcycles/motorbikes
• Passenger cars and pickups
• Snowmobiles
• Taxis
• Travel trailers
• Trucks (non-commercial and commercial)
• Wreckers

Mobile homes and manufactured homes (usually need a pre-paid tax receipt from the Treasurer's Office)

Registrations  

All of the above, plus: 

• Boat trailers
• Commercial trailers
• Off-highway stickers
• Pickup mounted campers
• Rental trailers
• Snowmobile groomers
• Temporary handicap placards
• Utility trailers

  For more information, visit our Vehicle Licensing Page.

16. When must I register and title my vehicle in Idaho?

You must register and title your vehicle when you become a resident of Idaho. For the purposes of vehicle registration and titling, you become a resident of Idaho when you have had your principal home within Idaho for 90 days (this does not include your workplace, vacation home, or part-time residence). However, you may declare residency at any time earlier than that and register and title your vehicle at that time. To declare residency, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the Kootenai County Assessor's Office, state that you are an Idaho resident, and provide your address. For more information, contact either the
Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls Vehicle Licensing Office.

17. What should I bring when registering for my vehicle registration and title?

• Bring the vehicle you want to title and register.
  You will need to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) inspected. This inspection can generally be performed by a deputy of either the Department of Motor Vehicles (Assessor's Office) or by a law enforcement agency. All Idaho dealers or law enforcement agencies can do Vehicle Identification Number inspections.
• Bring the vehicle's current title and registration.
  If the vehicle has not been titled in your name, be sure the title has been signed over to you by the seller and that you have a bill of sale from the seller. If a lien holder holds the title, bring the lien holder's name and address. If your title has been lost, you will need to apply for a duplicate title from the state of issuance.
• Bring your personal identification.
  This could be a driver's license, identification card, etc.
• Bring cash or a check associated with a local bank for payment of the applicable taxes and fees.
• Late Filing Penalty
  A $20 late filing penalty can be charged if you do not have a title in your name and you have been living in Idaho for 120 days. The late filing penalty applies to any Idaho resident who does not apply for title within 30 days of the purchase of either a titled vehicle or a titled vessel.
• County Fees
  For other fees Kootenai County may charge, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.

For more information, contact the either the Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls Vehicle Licensing Office.

18. Can appointments be made at either motor vehicle office?

Yes! Utilize a smart phone, computer, or digital device to download the QLESS app which will allow you to not only make an appointment for another day, but will also allow you to see how busy each location is so that you can choose which location works best for you.

19. What if I am still making payments on my out of state vehicle?

You will need to make an appointment, or get in line through the QLESS app, so that a Lien Request Letter (only available in the motor vehicle offices) can be filled out for you to submit to your lien holder. Your lien hold must then send the original title to that motor vehicle license office location. This step can take 6-8 weeks depending on your financial institution. You must bring all of the following items for our office:

• Fax # of the lienholder’s Title Department.
• Your account # with the lienholder.
• The old registration.
• A photocopy/picture of ALL Driver’s Licenses.
• Social Security card or verification.

20. Why are the wait times so long?

We make every effort to serve you in a timely manner; however, there are particular times of the year that are significantly busy due to customers choosing to renew all the registrations of their various vehicles (boats, off highway vehicles and recreational vehicles require annual renewal) at once. Renewal notices are generally sent and received by customers 6 weeks in advance of expiration. All registrations can be renewed online or through the mail which will keep you from having to wait in line for everyone ahead of you.

21. Do you do Driver's License?

No. In Idaho the Motor Vehicle and Drivers License offices are separate operations. The County Assessor's Office operates the Motor Vehicle Division, and the County Sheriff is in charge of the Drivers License Division. These offices are located next to each other for your convenience, but they cannot perform the others job. Please pay close attention to your selection when utilizing QLESS so that you make your appointment or "join the line" for the wrong office or location.

22. Where can I get more information about vehicle titling and licensing?

Contact any of the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office Department of Motor Vehicles:

Coeur d’Alene Office

451 Government Way
P. O. Box 9000
Coeur d’Alene ID 83816-9000
Phone: 208-446-1580

Post Falls Office

120 E Railroad Avenue
Post Falls. ID 83854
Phone: 208-446-1590

The Idaho Transportation Department
Division of Motor Vehicles -  ITD DMV Website

3311 State Street
P. O. Box 7129
Boise ID 83707-1129
Phone: 208-334-8000