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S 1352 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding starter home subdivisions.

This Idaho bill requires cities with more than 10,000 residents to allow starter home subdivisions by February 1, 2027, which are residential developments on at least four acres featuring smaller lots up to 1,500 square feet and compact homes. The law prohibits cities from enforcing ordinances that ban these subdivisions and sets specific limits on lot sizes, setbacks, and fees to make development more affordable while maintaining neighborhood compatibility. Cities retain the ability to deny approvals if infrastructure cannot support the development and must still comply with existing health, safety, and environmental regulations. The measure applies only to incorporated cities and does not affect historic districts or properties designated as historic landmarks.
Issues: ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates cities to allow starter home subdivisions with smaller lots and compact homes, explicitly aiming to increase affordable housing options and prevent bans on such developments.90% 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 · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to broaden the definition of 'starter home subdivisions' to include specific design features like compact homes and smaller lots, ensuring they provide attainable homeownership opportunities. The deadline for cities to update their zoning regulations was extended from October 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027. Additionally, the eligibility requirement for cities was increased from a population of over 5,000 to over 10,000, and the scope of protected exemptions was expanded to include historic properties and additional infrastructure constraints.
Scope change
The bill now applies only to cities with a population greater than 10,000, whereas it previously applied to cities with a population greater than 5,000.
DEFINITION

The definition of a 'starter home subdivision' was expanded to explicitly require compact home sizes, efficient site design, and smaller lots no greater than 1,500 square feet to ensure attainable homeownership.

TIMELINE

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

ELIGIBILITY

The requirement for a city's population to exceed 5,000 was changed to a requirement that the population exceed 10,000.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision allows cities to condition or deny approval if existing or planned infrastructure is inadequate to support the subdivision.

A new provision clarifies that cities may enact regulations that are less restrictive than the bill's requirements.

The list of exempted laws protecting public health and safety was updated to include roadway classifications, infrastructure capacity constraints, and utility services.

SCOPE

The list of exempted lands was expanded to include areas designated as historic properties under a specific state code section.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

26–10
Passed
Total votes 36
Mar 19, 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 - 36-34-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Cayler, Church, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert, Furniss, Galaviz, Garner, Green, Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Holtzclaw, Leavitt, Marmon, Mathias, Mendive, Mitchell, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Thompson, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(13), Ehardt, E
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 25-10-0AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Carlson, Den Hartog, Galloway, Harris, Hart, Kohl, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Adams, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Keyser, Lakey, LenneyAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - ToewsTitle apvd - to
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 11, 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.