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S 1354 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding prohibitions against restrictive covenants banning accessory dwelling units and to establish provisions regarding accessory dwelling units in the Local Land Use Planning Act.

This bill updates Idaho law to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family homes and restricts restrictions that would ban them. It prohibits homeowner associations from enforcing rules that strictly forbid ADUs, except when property owners agree in writing to such restrictions. For cities with populations over 10,000, the bill requires local governments to allow one internal or detached ADU per lot in single-family zones by February 2027. Local governments must also stop imposing higher fees, stricter parking rules, or smaller size limits on ADUs compared to primary homes. The law ensures ADU projects are approved automatically if they meet standard zoning requirements, while still allowing cities to adopt less restrictive rules if they choose.
Issues: ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing supply by allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family homes and restricting restrictive covenants that ban them, directly increasing affordable housing options.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Mar 2, 2026 Signed Apr 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Engrossment 1 · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to extend the deadline for cities to update their land use regulations from October 2026 to February 2027. It also expanded the definition of protected historic areas to include properties designated under a new state historic property law. Additionally, the rules for accessory dwelling units were modified to allow for more flexibility in placement and to introduce exceptions to parking bans based on local infrastructure and transit access.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include properties designated as historic properties under section 67-4614, Idaho Code, in addition to those within historic districts.
TIMELINE

The deadline for cities to amend comprehensive plans and land use regulations was extended from October 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027.

SCOPE

The exemption from mandatory ADU rules was expanded to include properties designated as historic properties pursuant to section 67-4614, Idaho Code.

REQUIREMENT

Parking restrictions for accessory dwelling units now include exceptions if the primary dwelling lacks off-street parking, the street is unpaved, or the dwelling is within 1/4 mile of transit, employment, or commercial services.

The rule allowing one internal or one detached ADU was clarified to permit detached units in the rear yard or subject to the primary dwelling's setbacks.

DEFINITION

Rules governing internal accessory dwelling units were updated to require architectural design consistent with the primary dwelling.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

26–10
Passed
Total votes 36
Mar 20, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican30
20 Yea 10 Nay
66% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 47-23-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Rubel, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Thompson, Wisniewski, Mr.
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 25-10-0AYES – Adams, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Carlson, Den Hartog, Galloway, Harris, Hart, Kohl, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Anthon, Bernt, Burtenshaw, Cook, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Keyser, Lenney, RicksAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - ToewsTitle apvd - to House
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Introduced
Amendments reported printed
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out without recommendation, as amended
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Placed in the Committee of the Whole
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Local Government & Taxation
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.