Housing

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 706: IDAHO BUILDING CODES – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding single stairway building exceptions.

H 706 allows Idaho local governments to permit apartment buildings (specifically residential group R-2) to have a single stairway for emergency exits, subject to strict safety requirements. These requirements include building height limits (max 6 stories without an occupiable roof), a maximum of four units per floor, mandatory fire sprinkler systems meeting NFPA 13 standards, and detailed stairway specifications like 48-inch width and 2-hour fire resistance. The bill also updates local building code adoption rules, requiring jurisdictions to implement specific versions of the International Building Code by 2027. This change primarily affects new apartment construction in Idaho, offering potential cost savings for developers while maintaining enhanced safety standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows single stairway exceptions for R-2 apartments with safety standards, enabling more flexible housing development while maintaining safety requirements, directly facilitating housing construction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1278: LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING ACT – Adds to existing law to provide for regulation of development on religious land.

S 1278 (Local Land Use Planning Act) requires Idaho cities and counties to permit multifamily (3+ dwelling units) and mixed-use (65% residential) development on religious land without special approvals like zoning changes or variances. It prohibits local governments from imposing restrictions on building height (below 40 feet), setbacks, parking requirements, or density limits beyond standard rules, while allowing supportive housing and group homes. The bill explicitly excludes homeless shelters from its provisions and applies to applications received on or after July 1, 2026. It establishes a legal process for religious organizations or housing groups to seek court enforcement if local governments violate these rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves barriers to multifamily housing development on religious land, increasing housing supply by prohibiting density restrictions and requiring permits without special approvals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 13, 2026

H 647: MANUFACTURED HOMES – Amends and adds to existing law to prohibit certain restrictive covenants against manufactured homes and to revise provisions regarding siting of manufactured homes in residential areas.

Idaho's H 647 prohibits restrictive covenants that ban or unreasonably limit manufactured homes in areas zoned for single-family homes, making such covenants void and unenforceable after July 1, 2026. The bill requires local governments to update zoning plans to allow manufactured homes in single-family residential areas and sets appearance standards (e.g., minimum square footage, siding/roofing matching neighborhood style, pitched roofs). It directly affects manufactured home owners, communities with exclusionary covenants, and local governments managing land use. The law does not apply to covenants entered before July 1, 2026, and mandates that manufactured homes meet specific aesthetic and structural standards similar to traditional homes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory covenants against manufactured homes in single-family zones, enabling affordable housing development and preventing zoning-based housing discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 707: MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS – Adds to existing law to provide for an administrative process for certain land divisions.

This Idaho bill (H 707) creates a streamlined administrative process for splitting land containing an approved or existing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or secondary structure, primarily affecting homeowners, builders, and lenders. It allows counties or cities to bypass full subdivision requirements if a lender verifies the split is needed for financing, provided the division doesn’t increase density, create new lots, or compromise access/utility. The process requires recording with the county and includes restrictions preventing further divisions or violations of zoning rules. The bill explicitly prohibits using this process for agricultural fragmentation or "subdivisions by another name," and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines ADU land divisions without increasing density, enabling more housing units through simplified processes for existing accessory structures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1280: HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding regulation of twin homes and duplexes.

Idaho's S 1280 prohibits restrictive covenants that ban duplexes or "twin homes" (two separate living units sharing a wall on single-family lots) and requires local governments to allow these housing types in areas zoned for single-family homes. The bill voids existing covenants that restrict such developments and mandates local zoning changes to permit twin homes/duplexes without unreasonable lot size, parking, or fee requirements. It also requires local approvals for these projects to be automatic (like single-family homes) without discretionary delays. The law applies statewide except in historic districts and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning barriers to duplexes/twin homes in single-family zones, increasing housing supply and affordability by mandating local governments allow these developments without unreasonable restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

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failed · Idaho · House Mar 11, 2026

H 610: TAXATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the homestead exemption.

Idaho's H 610 revises the homestead property tax exemption, setting a new limit of the first $125,000 of a home's market value or 50% of that value (whichever is lower) as exempt from taxation. This directly affects Idaho homeowners who occupy their primary residence, requiring them to apply through county assessors with documentation confirming primary occupancy and compliance with uniform appraisal standards. Key provisions include updated application forms, rules for mid-year eligibility changes (prorating taxes based on days of eligibility), and simplified documentation for military homeowners. The bill does not alter the exemption's eligibility criteria but clarifies calculation methods and administrative processes for county assessors.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces homestead exemption cap, increasing taxable value and tax burden for primary residence owners.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property tax burden for primary homeowners, increasing housing affordability through revised homestead exemption limits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 695: FORCIBLE ENTRY AND UNLAWFUL DETAINER – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding a fee for service.

This Idaho bill creates a new process for property owners to quickly remove unlawful occupants from residential properties. Property owners must submit a verified complaint to the sheriff meeting specific conditions (like prior notice to leave and no pending lawsuits), after which the sheriff serves an immediate vacate notice and restores possession. The sheriff is entitled to a standard fee for this service, revised to match the fee for serving a writ of possession. This directly affects property owners seeking to evict unauthorized occupants and the occupants themselves in residential disputes.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill streamlines landlord evictions, weakening tenant protections by enabling faster removal of occupants without requiring due process.85% confidence

signed · Idaho · House Mar 17, 2026

H 583: SHORT-TERM RENTALS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding limitations on the regulation of and limiting the tax duties of short-term rentals.

Idaho's H 583 restricts local governments from banning short-term rentals or imposing most specific regulations on them, such as owner occupation requirements, professional management mandates, or rental day limits. It allows only basic safety measures (like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers) and requires counties/cities to treat short-term rentals equally with standard residential properties under zoning and building codes. The bill also prohibits local taxes on rental marketplaces (like Airbnb), instead requiring these platforms to collect and remit state and local lodging taxes to the state tax commission for distribution to local governments. This directly affects short-term rental owners, property managers, and online platforms operating in Idaho.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local taxes on rental marketplaces, opposing additional tax burdens on short-term rentals per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts local bans on short-term rentals, limiting regulations that could protect affordable housing and tenant rights by reducing long-term rental supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

passed · Idaho · House Feb 6, 2026

H 557: COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS – Adds to existing law to provide for uniformity in local government antidiscrimination ordinances.

H 557 prevents Idaho cities and counties from creating local anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than state law. It specifically blocks local ordinances covering employment, housing, education, or public accommodations from expanding on state protections. Businesses or property owners can sue local governments that violate this rule, seeking court orders to stop enforcement and recover damages. The bill aims to create statewide consistency in anti-discrimination rules, arguing that varying local laws hinder economic growth and create legal conflicts for businesses. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBlocks local housing anti-discrimination ordinances from being stricter than state law, weakening local tenant protections and preventing stronger housing discrimination safeguards.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBlocks local anti-discrimination ordinances in employment, preventing stricter worker protections than state law. Restricts additional labor protections at local level.90% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Jan 26, 2026

S 1228: CIVIL RIGHTS – Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right.

This bill would amend Idaho's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, public accommodations, housing, and education. It adds these protections to existing prohibitions against discrimination based on race, sex, disability, and other characteristics covered under Idaho Code sections 67-5901 and 67-5909. The bill defines "gender identity" and updates relevant legal language to include these new protections. It directly affects all Idaho residents and businesses operating within the state, making these forms of discrimination unlawful in specified contexts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds explicit anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation/gender identity in employment, strengthening workers' rights under civil rights law.95% confidence

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