This bill amends Idaho law to regulate development on religious land owned or leased by religious organizations, requiring cities to allow multifamily and mixed-use housing without special approvals. It defines specific terms like religious land, multifamily, and mixed-use, and sets minimum standards for building height, setbacks, and parking while prohibiting cities from restricting density or unit sizes beyond certain limits. The law applies to developments received by cities on or after July 1, 2026, but excludes religious land near heavy industrial uses, airports, or military bases. Cities retain authority to enforce standard building codes, water and sewer access, and stormwater management requirements. Notably, the bill does not allow for homeless shelters and does not mandate their approval.
This bill allows cities in Idaho to permit multifamily residential housing developments in areas currently zoned for commercial use, such as office or retail districts. It requires local governments to update their land use regulations to allow these developments while maintaining existing commercial design standards and limiting parking requirements to one space per unit unless safety concerns justify more. The bill mandates that qualifying projects be approved automatically without discretionary review, provided they meet established land use requirements, and protects developers from standards that would make projects economically unfeasible. Exclusions apply to industrial zones, environmentally sensitive areas, and airport approach zones, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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.
This bill allows cities in Idaho to permit multifamily and mixed-use housing on religious land without requiring special zoning approvals or variances. It defines religious land as property owned or leased by a nonprofit religious organization for at least 40 years, while excluding areas within a quarter-mile of heavy industrial sites, airports, or military bases. Cities must approve qualifying applications as ministerial actions but retain authority to enforce standard building codes, utility requirements, and stormwater management rules. The law does not allow homeless shelters on religious land and requires such developments to pay regular property taxes without exemptions. These provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill requires cities in Idaho with populations over 10,000 to allow twin homes and duplexes in residential zones where single-family homes are permitted, unless those areas are designated as historic districts. The law mandates that local governments update their land use regulations by February 1, 2027, to permit these housing types, remove lot size restrictions that would block their construction, and limit parking and fee requirements to levels comparable to single-family homes. Cities must approve twin homes and duplexes through administrative processes similar to single-family dwellings, provided they meet standard infrastructure and safety requirements, while retaining the ability to adopt less restrictive rules or maintain protections for public health and safety.
Idaho's H 705 allows apartment buildings in areas currently zoned for commercial use (like stores or offices), requiring cities and counties to update zoning rules to permit this without extra hurdles. It mandates that such developments follow the same design and parking rules as other commercial projects - limiting parking to one space per apartment unit unless safety or infrastructure issues require more. Projects meeting local standards must be approved automatically, without discretionary review, and local governments cannot create rules that make these developments financially unviable. This bill directly affects local governments (who must amend zoning) and developers seeking to build apartment complexes near jobs and services in existing commercial zones.
This bill (S 1277) prohibits homeowner associations and restrictive covenants from banning accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units like in-law suites or backyard cottages - starting July 1, 2026. It requires local governments to allow up to two ADUs on residential lots (one for properties ≤1 acre, two for larger lots) and bans restrictions on parking, fees, size (minimum 1,000 sq ft), setbacks, and height. The law also mandates that ADU projects be approved administratively without discretionary review and allows affected parties to sue for violations. It directly affects homeowners, associations, and local zoning authorities by standardizing ADU rules statewide.
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.
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.
