Idaho Dealer Lot Requirements: Building, Sign, Phone, Records

No principal place of business, no license

Idaho law: ITD shall not issue a dealer's license to any applicant who does not have a principal place of business. Moving the dealership: notify Dealer Operations before you move; the fee is $44.00 and a new ITD 3170 is completed for the new location. The new location has to meet the same requirements.

The building and zoning

ITD's dealer page asks for an enclosed commercial structure built to meet applicable building codes, in an area zoned by local authorities for the type of business you are licensed for. You submit a letter of zoning approval or a zoning official's signature on the dealer application. Zoning is also needed for off-site sales, changes of location and supplemental lots.

Form ITD 3170 adds a rule for home businesses: a home residence may not be used unless the dealership is a separate building, or a ground floor with a separate entrance and no entrance to the residence.

A wholesale dealer meets the same place-of-business requirements except for the display area and room to repair vehicles.

The sign

ITD's place-of-business rule requires an exterior sign permanently affixed to the land or building, with clearly visible letters, visible to a major avenue of traffic and meeting local building or zoning codes, with the trade name of the dealership clearly visible from fifty feet.

The phone

The same rule requires a phone with a publicly published business number in the name of the dealership, answered during your declared business hours in the name of the licensed dealer. Form ITD 3170 asks you to include verification of the phone number listed in a local or online directory.

The records

The same rule lists the books and files a dealer keeps so they can be readily inspected, physical or electronic. They include:

• Sales invoices for the current year and the two preceding years.
• Purchase orders for vehicles bought, for the current year and the two preceding years.
• Title application forms, accessible in numerical order.
• Records of vehicles carrying dealer plates and their use, searchable by date, time or plate number.
• Odometer disclosure records for non-exempt vehicles.
• Consignment agreements.

Electronic records need a back-up copy. Records stored off-site have to be made available within 3 business days of a request, and ITD gets 30 days' notice of the off-site address before records move.

The inspection

When your place of business is ready (parking for at least 5 vehicles, a lockable office, your dealer sign), the Motor Vehicle Investigator for your district contacts you to schedule the inspection. ITD's page says the investigator verifies the location, display area, office and sign, and explains how to complete documents for titling. You declare your business hours in writing at that first inspection — ITD asks for a minimum of one hour per week. After the inspection ITD mails the license. The investigator's report says whether a follow-up audit is needed.

Common questions

Can I run an Idaho dealership from my house?

Only if the dealership is a separate building, or a ground floor with a separate entrance and no entrance to the residence, and the zoning allows it. That is the rule printed on form ITD 3170.

How big does the sign have to be?

The rule sets readability, not size: the trade name has to be clearly visible from fifty feet, on an exterior sign permanently affixed to the land or building.

Can I use my cell phone as the dealership phone?

The number has to be publicly published in the name of the dealership and answered in that name during your declared hours, and ITD 3170 asks for proof it is listed in a local or online directory.

Does a wholesale dealer need a lot?

A wholesale dealer needs a principal place of business but is exempt from the display area and repair room requirements.

How long do I keep sales records?

ITD's place-of-business rule asks for sales invoices and purchase orders for the current year and the two preceding years.