Garage conversion rules in Ada County, ID — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Unincorporated Ada County lets you convert an existing garage, basement, or detached accessory structure into a secondary dwelling, provided it meets the Section 8-4-23 standards, the Ada County Building Code, plumbing and electrical codes, and off-street parking for both units.
Ada County Code Section 8-4-23(E) allows an existing garage, basement, or detached accessory structure to be converted into a secondary dwelling if the conversion meets all Section 8-4-23 requirements plus the Ada County Building Code (Title 7, Chapter 2), any applicable plumbing and electrical codes, and off-street parking for both the principal and secondary dwellings. The converted unit must have separate kitchen and bath, its own entrance and address, utilities, and a recorded deed restriction. It counts as the one permitted additional dwelling on the lot. An accessory structure otherwise may not be used as a dwelling except through this secondary-dwelling path. Inside cities, city conversion rules apply.
Converting a garage or basement into living space without meeting Section 8-4-23 and building-code requirements is a zoning and building violation subject to Development Services enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Ada County's garage conversions rules stack up against other locations.
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