Zoning 101
1. What is Zoning?
Zoning is a set of ordinances that dictate how land can be used in a city or, simply put, what can go where. It determines the look and feel of changes and developments and offers other requirements for construction.
2. Why Did We Improve the Zoning Code?
Boise’s previous zoning code was created in the 1960s to exclude certain types of homes from being built in neighborhoods. Many of the historic neighborhoods in Boise that we know and love were built prior to our current exclusionary zoning code. The status quo that so many of us are frustrated with (increasing traffic and congestion, inversions, skyrocketing rent) was created under our outdated zoning code. The updated code which passed unanimously in 2023 - inspired by early Boise - aims to help us be a modern city and allow for smaller, starter homes that regular Boiseans can afford.
3. What Changes Were Made in 2023?
The process to rewrite the zoning code was years in the making, taking in feedback from residents all across the city. The new zoning code incentivized more sustainable development along our major transit corridors (like State Street, Vista, and Fairview) while also legalizing the kind of small-scale, missing middle housing (like ADUs, triplexes, bungalow courts) that was outlawed by our 1960s zoning code. The new code also legalized small neighborhood businesses, like coffee shops and restaurants, making the kind of development we see in Hyde Park or Bown Crossing within reach for more neighborhoods.
4. What Changes Are Needed Now?
Our City has taken important steps, but too-strict rules and processes still make it too costly and complicated to build the homes our neighbors need. Boise can continue to go further by simplifying the approval process for duplexes and other smaller homes, reducing unnecessary parking mandates, and allowing more flexible housing types. Updating lot split rules, modernizing affordability standards, and rethinking design requirements will also continue to make it easier for smaller builders to create infill housing that fits local neighborhoods. By streamlining development processes and improving predictability, Boise can keep unlocking more housing choices, lower costs, and allow Boise families to find homes they can afford.
Get the facts about Boise’s Modern Zoning Code
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Taking on dozens of community conversations, contact with over 150,000 residents, and building on the vision created in Blueprint Boise, the Modern Zoning Code was and continues to be created with feedback from the public.
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For small-scale homes like ADUs up to fourplexes, Boise’s zoning code intends to remove red tape and bureaucracy, allowing for these types of homes to come online sooner. For large-scale projects, there is a mandatory neighborhood meeting at the start of new projects to get feedback to developers earlier in the process.
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Existing neighborhoods haven’t seen a lot of change. The Modern Zoning Code does allow for more homes along key transit corridors to put housing closer to amenities and public transportation. You can see a map of the changes here.
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Under our old zoning code, only the big developers with the largest projects could navigate the system. Now the process is more straightforward and predictable and allows developments to move more quickly in exchange for affordability and sustainability improvements. However, there is still room for improvement each year.
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The City has an upgraded, modernized, real-time system for tracking new developments called the Community Development Tracker. This new tool allows neighbors to know immediately what’s going on in their neighborhood and subscribe for updates in their area.
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The people opposed to ongoing improvements to our Code have presented all kinds of misleading claims about demolition and high-rise buildings in your neighborhood. Not updating our code will only contribute to our affordability crisis. We need more kinds of homes for all kinds of people. Keeping our Code modern will help make the kinds of small-scale, people-sized homes we need.