Landscaping Rules in Boise, ID

If you live in Boise or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Boise has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Boise requires a free permit from the City Forester before anyone plants, prunes, removes, or otherwise disturbs a public tree, including parkway trees adjacent to private lots.

Key details: Permit fee: None: permit still required. Enforced by: City Forester, Parks and Recreation. Violation: Misdemeanor, § 7-2-15. Elm trees: Permit required even on private property. Damage cost: Compensatory payment per ISA appraisal guide.

Damaging, mutilating, or removing a public tree, or doing permitted work without one, is a misdemeanor under § 7-2-15, on top of compensatory payment for the tree's appraised value under § 7-2-14.

Native Plants

Boise's development landscaping code lets a site's undisturbed natural areas count toward landscaping and requires new plantings to favor native and low-water-use species over turf.

Key details: Governs: New development landscape plans. Native plants: Required to max extent practicable. Natural areas: May stay undisturbed, native state. Pollinator rule: 25% native flowering species minimum. Reviewed by: Planning and Development Services.

Landscape plans that clear native vegetation without justification, skip native/low-water plant selection, or include invasive species are rejected by Boise Planning and Development Services during site plan review, holding up the zoning certificate or certificate of occupancy.

Tree Trimming

Boise requires property owners to prune tree branches overhanging streets and sidewalks for sufficient vertical clearance, whether the tree stands on public right-of-way or on private property.

Key details: Enforcing agency: City Forester, Parks and Recreation. Public-tree work: No-fee permit required first. Pruning standard: ANSI A300 (topping banned). Violation: Misdemeanor under § 7-2-15. Applies to: Both right-of-way and private trees.

Violating the tree ordinance or ignoring a City Forester order is a misdemeanor under BCC § 7-2-15, plus possible civil penalties and restitution for damaged public trees.

Composting

Boise's curbside compost program is optional: sign up for a gray cart with a green lid. Meat, dairy, oils and even bags labeled compostable are barred, and branches must be under 4 feet, under 60 pounds and bundled.

Key details: Program type: Voluntary curbside service. Cart provided: Gray cart, green lid. Branch limit: 8" diameter, 4 ft, under 60 lbs, bundled. Compostable-labeled bags: Not accepted, banned from cart. Extra leaves: Paper bags only, year-round pickup.

Composting participation itself is voluntary, so declining to enroll is not a violation. But a contaminated compost cart under 10-4-2-5.F is emptied as trash, the customer can be charged for extra trash collection, and the city or franchise hauler may terminate compost service to a repeat violator. Beyond that program-specific remedy, chapter 10-4-5 authorizes administrative enforcement (written notice, 20 days to respond, a corrective meeting), nuisance abatement with costs billed to the property owner under section 10-4-5-7, and section 10-4-5-8 classifies any chapter violation as a misdemeanor punishable under section 1-4-1, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense.

The rules around composting in Boise lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Water Restrictions

Under Boise City Code Title 1, Chapter 17, the Mayor can declare a drought emergency and issue a mandatory reduction order that sets required watering days and times for irrigation. Orders escalate from advisory to voluntary to mandatory reduction to mandatory cessation depending on the U.S. Drought Monitor category for Ada County.

Key details: Governing chapter: BCC Title 1, Chapter 17. Order duration: Up to 90 days, extendable. Enforcement: Police and code compliance officers. First offense: Infraction, fine under § 1-4-2. Second offense: Misdemeanor, fine under § 1-4-1.

Section 1-17-13 authorizes both police officers and code compliance officers to enforce a drought response order. Under section 1-17-14, violating any provision or directive of a duly enacted order is a first-offense infraction punishable by the fine set in Boise City Code section 1-4-2, plus court costs. A second or later violation of the chapter becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by the fine set in section 1-4-1.

Compared to other cities, Boise takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Weed Ordinances

Boise requires owners to cut weeds, grass, and vines that pose a fire hazard, with a 12-inch height trigger, or the fire code official can abate the hazard and bill the cost to the property.

Key details: Height trigger: Over 12 inches = fire hazard. Erosion control minimum: Trim to at least 6 inches on slopes. Enforcement: Fire code official abates after notice. Cost recovery: Lien on property or city tax. Code basis: IFC § 304.1.2 as locally amended.

Failure to abate a cited weed or vegetation fire hazard lets the City perform the cleanup itself and place a lien on the property, or add the cost as a city tax.

The Bottom Line

Boise's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Boise is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Boise can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.