Housing (Zoning)

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 3, 2026

H 801: LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING ACT – Adds to existing law to provide for regulation of development on religious land.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires cities to allow multifamily and mixed-use housing on religious land without special approvals, preventing density restrictions and promoting housing development options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 800: MANUFACTURED HOMES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding siting of manufactured homes in residential areas.

This bill updates Idaho state laws to allow manufactured homes to be placed on single-family residential lots, in addition to existing mobile home parks and subdivisions. It clarifies definitions for manufactured homes versus mobile homes and requires local governments to revise their comprehensive plans and zoning regulations to permit this siting option. The legislation also establishes specific placement standards for manufactured homes outside of parks, including minimum square footage, foundation requirements, roof design, and exterior appearance guidelines that must match surrounding homes. Local governments retain the ability to apply additional development standards that would apply to conventional single-family homes on the same lots, while the bill prohibits standards that unreasonably discourage needed housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing options by allowing manufactured homes on single-family lots, increasing affordable housing availability and flexibility in residential development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 3, 2026

H 802: LAND USE PLANNING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions allowing for multifamily residential housing developments in areas zoned for commercial use.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows multifamily housing in commercial zones, increasing housing supply and supporting affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1352: 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.

Topics ✓ 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

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1354: 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.

Topics ✓ 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

Sub-Topics Homeownership Land Use Zoning

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 937: LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING ACT – Adds to existing law to provide for regulation of development on religious land.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows multifamily and mixed-use housing on religious land without special zoning approvals, expanding housing development opportunities and increasing housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1353: HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding regulation of twin homes and duplexes.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates cities to allow twin homes and duplexes, increasing housing supply and affordability while removing restrictive lot size and parking requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1279: HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding starter home subdivisions.

S 1279 prohibits restrictive covenants (like neighborhood rules in homeowner agreements) that block "starter home subdivisions" - defined as new single-family home developments on at least 4-acre lots - starting July 1, 2026. It requires local governments to allow these subdivisions in residential zones and sets specific limits: minimum lot sizes under 1,000 sq ft, small setbacks (15 ft front/rear, 5 ft sides), and density of at least 12 homes per acre. The bill also bans local governments from charging higher fees for these subdivisions compared to standard single-family developments. It does not override safety/environmental laws or affect rules in place before 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits restrictions on starter home subdivisions, mandates local governments to allow density of 12+ homes/acre, increasing affordable housing supply through development requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 17, 2026

H 705: LAND USE PLANNING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions allowing for multifamily residential housing developments in areas zoned for commercial use.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for multifamily housing in commercial zones, enabling increased housing supply and affordability without discretionary delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1277: 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 (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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly removes barriers to ADU construction, mandates local approval of up to two ADUs per lot, and increases housing supply through secondary units - directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Land Use Zoning

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