Housing (Building Codes)

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.

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.