Boise, ID Zoning

R-1A Residential

Low-density residential district referenced in Boise’s zoning materials and zoning code adoption draft.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential uses, Other uses as listed in the Table of Allowed Uses

R-1B Residential

Residential zoning district referenced in the zoning code adoption draft.

Allowed uses: Residential uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

R-1C Residential: Traditional

Traditional residential district highlighted by the city as a key neighborhood zoning district.

Allowed uses: Residential uses per the Table of Allowed Uses, Subdivision activity shown in recent P&Z materials

R-2 Residential: Compact

Compact residential district intended for somewhat more compact neighborhood housing patterns than traditional single-house areas.

Allowed uses: Residential uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

R-3 Residential: Urban

Urban residential district referenced in the zoning code adoption draft.

Allowed uses: Residential uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

MX-1 Mixed-Use Neighborhood

Neighborhood mixed-use district referenced in the zoning code draft and recent rezoning activity. It appears intended for lower-intensity mixed-use and neighborhood-serving development.

Allowed uses: Residential uses per the Table of Allowed Uses, Neighborhood-serving mixed-use uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

MX-H Mixed-Use: Health

Mixed-use district associated with health-oriented or medical-area development patterns, as referenced in the zoning code draft.

Allowed uses: Uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

I-1 Light Industrial

Light industrial district identified in the zoning code draft.

Allowed uses: Industrial uses per the Table of Allowed Uses, Related commercial/support uses where allowed by code

I-2 Heavy Industrial

Heavy industrial district identified in the zoning code draft.

Allowed uses: Heavy industrial uses per the Table of Allowed Uses

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

ADUs are specifically regulated in Boise and are a major focus of the city’s public-facing zoning toolkit. The code contains dedicated ADU standards under residential use-specific standards, and the city offers pre-approved ADU plans and educational materials.

• Must comply with Chapter 11-03 use-specific ADU standards
• Requires a full permit package including site plan and building documents according to third-party permit guidance
• Historic or overlay locations may trigger additional design review
• Applicants should confirm district eligibility, size, placement, parking, and utilities directly with Planning and Development Services

Tiny Homes on Wheels

The city has public-facing guidance for Tiny Homes on Wheels, indicating this is a recognized policy topic, but the supplied sources do not include the governing code standards.

• Verify whether the use is treated as a dwelling type, accessory use, or temporary use under current code
• Confirm utility, foundation, and occupancy treatment with the city

Home occupation

Not enough current code text was provided to summarize the actual standards, though such standards commonly appear in use-specific or accessory-use sections.

Drive-through facility

The zoning code draft table of contents shows Boise has use-specific standards for drive-through facilities.

• Subject to dedicated use-specific standards in Chapter 11-03

Self-service storage

The zoning code draft table of contents shows Boise has use-specific standards for self-service storage.

• Subject to dedicated use-specific standards in Chapter 11-03

Outdoor storage

The zoning code draft table of contents shows Boise has use-specific standards for outdoor storage.

• Subject to dedicated use-specific standards in Chapter 11-03

Vehicle repair / sales / leasing

The zoning code draft table of contents shows Boise has use-specific standards for major and minor vehicle repair and for vehicle and equipment sales, rental, and leasing.

• Subject to dedicated use-specific standards in Chapter 11-03

HC-O: Hyde Park Character Overlay

Character overlay referenced in the zoning code draft for the Hyde Park area.

NC-O: Near North End Character Overlay

Character overlay referenced in the zoning code draft for the Near North End area.

BC-O: Big Sky Overlay

Character overlay referenced in the zoning code draft.

SC-O: Sycamore Overlay

Character overlay referenced in the zoning code draft.

CD-O: Capital Boulevard Design Overlay

Design review overlay referenced in the zoning code draft for Capital Boulevard.

HD-O: Historic Design Overlay

Historic design overlay referenced in the zoning code draft and city guidance on historic districts.

Airport Influence Area

Sensitive lands overlay topic referenced in the zoning code draft.

Boise River System

Sensitive lands standards referenced in the zoning code draft for the Boise River system.

Are ADUs allowed in Boise, ID?

ADUs are specifically regulated in Boise and are a major focus of the city’s public-facing zoning toolkit. The code contains dedicated ADU standards under residential use-specific standards, and the city offers pre-approved ADU plans and educational materials.

What zoning districts are in Boise, ID?

Boise, ID includes districts such as R-1A Residential, R-1B Residential, R-1C Residential: Traditional, R-2 Residential: Compact, R-3 Residential: Urban, MX-1 Mixed-Use Neighborhood, MX-H Mixed-Use: Health, I-1 Light Industrial.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Boise, ID?

Boise’s zoning framework clearly incorporates environmental and hazard-related constraints through sensitive lands standards and overlay tools. The strongest themes visible in the source set are flood hazard, Boise River corridor issues, hillside and foothills development, airport influence, and wildland urban interfac…

Have there been recent zoning changes in Boise, ID?

Boise adopted a major new zoning code in 2023, described by the city as its first new zoning code since 1966. The supplied code library indicates the code remains current through 2026 S-30, with updates published in May 2025, August 2025, October 2025, and February 2026.