IdahoIdaho cities must allow compact starter home subdivisions
Starting July 1, 2026, cities with more than 10,000 residents must allow qualifying compact home subdivisions in residential zones, except on historic land.
What it does
Cities with more than 10,000 residents may not ban qualifying starter home subdivisions in residential areas.
By February 1, 2027, covered cities must allow these subdivisions in residential zones, except on historic land. Cities may still apply safety rules and address inadequate infrastructure.
Cities must limit lot sizes and certain setbacks, widths, depths, and fees for these subdivisions, with exceptions for site constraints and adjoining areas.
Argument forSmaller lots and limits on certain fees could help builders offer compact homes in residential areas.
Argument againstCities could have less room to shape lot and setback rules around local conditions, though site limits and safety rules still apply.
More detail
Cities may not ban starter home subdivisions in residential areas. A starter home subdivision covers at least four acres and has detached homes on lots no larger than 1,500 square feet, with compact homes and efficient site design. The rule applies only to cities with more than 10,000 residents. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Cities must update their plans and land use rules to allow starter home subdivisions in residential zones. This requirement applies only to cities with more than 10,000 residents. Historic districts and properties designated as historic are excluded. Cities may keep rules that protect health and safety, including building, fire, flood, environmental, road, and utility protections. Cities may condition or deny approval if existing or planned infrastructure is inadequate, using the same standards they apply to other subdivisions. Cities must make the plan and land use updates by February 1, 2027.
Cities must limit certain lot size, setback, width, depth, and fee requirements for starter home subdivisions. The limits cover lots in starter home subdivisions and setbacks for the main home on each lot. Cities may require larger or deeper lots when infrastructure, lot shape, topography, or environmental limits make the stated dimensions unworkable. Setbacks along a project's edge may match those required in adjoining zoning areas. Fees may not exceed those charged to other single-family subdivisions; cities may reduce or waive fees for builders who use smaller lots and setbacks. Cities must include these limits in the land use updates due by February 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Signed by Governor Brad Little on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 264 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Reported delivered to Governor at 2 p.m. on 03/30/26To Governor
- Mar 30Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 30Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 30Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 27Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Mar 26Rules 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, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Gannon, Hall(Stone), Hill, Hostetler, Manwaring, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, WheelerAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsor - RedmanTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 20Read First Time, Referred to BusinessMinor
- Mar 20Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Mar 19Rules 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 HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Read second time as amended, filed for Third readingMinor
- Mar 18Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading
- Mar 18Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
- Mar 18Amendments reported printed
- Mar 17Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
- Mar 17Reported out without recommendation, as amended
- Mar 17Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 11Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Mar 3Reported Printed; referred to Local Government & Taxation
- Mar 2Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
Housing