Boise (City), Idaho
Overview
| Name | Tiny Home on Foundation as ADU |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Boise (City) |
| Zoning Districts | Most Residential Zone Districts |
| Effective Date | 02/09/2021 |
| Municipal Code | 11-06-03: RESIDENTIAL USE STANDARDS: 1. A. |
| Code Link | https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/boiseid/latest/boise_id/0-0-0-32206 |
| Authority | Planning and Development Services |
Summary
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a second, smaller dwelling that can be built on a property already occupied by a single-family home. They are often called “mother-in-law suites”. The intent is to provide more affordable housing and increase density while maintaining the single-family dwelling character of the property. Boise City Code for ADUs can be found online at citycode.cityofboise.org under Section 11-06-03.1(A). ADUs in the Historic District require a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to submittal of an ADU application.
ADUs are not “tiny homes on wheels,” as these mobile dwellings are considered recreational vehicles or campers by the city’s development code. Such tiny homes are prohibited from being classified as ADUs by the city’s development code. Additionally, due to the mobile nature of tiny homes on wheels, they pose additional regulation challenges in terms of building safety, life safety, and relevant area design standards.
Requirements:
- No larger than 700 square feet or 10% of the lot size, whichever is smaller
- Ongoing owner occupancy of either the primary residence or the ADU is required, enforced by a deed restriction
- No more than 2 bedrooms
- Two-bedroom ADUs must provide one additional dedicated parking space on site in addition to the two required parking spaces for the single-family dwelling outside of setbacks per zone.
- Impact fees for accessory dwelling units shall be assessed at a portion of the standard single family residential fee as determined by the applicable agency
- Notification of the adjacent property owners and occupants, including properties across streets and alleys, must be submitted with the application
- The application and submittal requirements checklist can be found above
Key Contacts
Planning and Development Services
Boise City Hall
150 N. Capitol Blvd. – 2nd Floor
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 608-7100
Notes
Source: City of Boise Planning and Development Services
Updated: October 2023 – Laura
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Key
Category
Building Code — Legislation that speaks to how to construct a tiny house.
Zoning Code — Legislation that speaks to how the lot will be used.
Type
ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit
DMV — Division of Motor Vehicles
IB — Industrialized Buildings
IRC — International Residential Code
PUD — Planned Unit Development
RV — Recreational Vehicle
SF — Single Family Dwelling
T — Transitional Housing
UDO — Unified Development Ordinance
Please Suggest a Correction if you find broken links or misinformation.
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