diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d23c140b..54a7a728 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -898,6 +898,12 @@ The following options are available:
     * dependency: `force_ip:`
     * example: `force_ip_exclude: ["production"]`
         * array of select environments `["dev","test","qc","production"]` to exclude from the `force_ip` option
+* `idle:`
+    * default: `false`
+    * required: no
+    * option: `idle: true`
+        * turns off all website operations in the dev and test environment, including git pulls and database refreshing
+        * used for websites that are not under active software development
 * `repo:`
     * required: yes
     * example: `repo: git@github.com:devopsgroup-io/devopsgroup-io.git`
diff --git a/VERSION.yml b/VERSION.yml
index 9da7fca3..c714e517 100644
--- a/VERSION.yml
+++ b/VERSION.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-version: 4.5.1
+version: 4.6.0
 major:
   description: "Catapult uses Semantic Versioning. During a MAJOR increment, incompatable API changes are made which require a manual upgrade path. Please follow these directions:"
   notice: "NEW MAJOR VERSION OF CATAPULT AVAILABLE"
diff --git a/catapult/catapult.rb b/catapult/catapult.rb
index 30ad98d6..67fd1e94 100644
--- a/catapult/catapult.rb
+++ b/catapult/catapult.rb
@@ -2294,6 +2294,12 @@ def Command::getSignatureKey(key, dateStamp, regionName, serviceName)
                   catapult_exception("There is an error in your secrets/configuration.yml file.\nThe force_ip_exclude for websites => #{service} => domain => #{instance["domain"]} is invalid, it must only include one, some, or all of the following [\"dev\",\"test\",\"qc\",\"production\"].")
                 end
               end
+              # validate idle
+              unless instance["idle"] == nil
+                unless ["true"].include?("#{instance["idle"]}")
+                  catapult_exception("There is an error in your secrets/configuration.yml file.\nThe idle for websites => #{service} => domain => #{instance["domain"]} is invalid, it must be true or removed.")
+                end
+              end
               # validate software
               unless instance["software"] == nil
                 # create an array of available software
diff --git a/provisioners/redhat/provision_server.sh b/provisioners/redhat/provision_server.sh
index 4f764559..43b5c2bd 100644
--- a/provisioners/redhat/provision_server.sh
+++ b/provisioners/redhat/provision_server.sh
@@ -151,9 +151,13 @@ if [ $(cat "/catapult/provisioners/provisioners.yml" | shyaml get-values-0 redha
             website_index=0
             # loop through websites and start sub-processes
             while read -r -d $'\0' website; do
-                # if there are no incoming catapult changes, website changes, and there is no need to run persistent modules for this domain
-                if ([ ! -f "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/catapult.changes" ] && [ $(cat "/catapult/provisioners/provisioners.yml" | shyaml get-value redhat.modules.${module}.multithreading_persistent) != "True" ] && [ ! -f "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/domain.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).changes" ]); then
-                    echo "> module skipped for this website when there are no catapult repository changes and no website repository changes..." > "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/${module}.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).log"
+                # determine if we need to skip modules
+                idle=$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value idle 2>/dev/null )
+                if ([ "${idle}" = "True" ]) && ([ $1 = "dev" ] || [ $1 = "test" ]); then
+                    echo "> skipping module, website is set to idle..." > "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/${module}.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).log"
+                    touch "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/${module}.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).complete"
+                elif ([ ! -f "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/catapult.changes" ] && [ $(cat "/catapult/provisioners/provisioners.yml" | shyaml get-value redhat.modules.${module}.multithreading_persistent) != "True" ] && [ ! -f "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/domain.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).changes" ]); then
+                    echo "> skipping module, there are no catapult or website repository changes..." > "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/${module}.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).log"
                     touch "/catapult/provisioners/redhat/logs/${module}.$(echo "${website}" | shyaml get-value domain).complete"
                 # if there are incoming websites changes, run the persistent module for this domain
                 else