Boise, ID Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- IRC as amended by Boise
- 1- & 2-family sprinklers
- Requirement deleted
- Townhouses
- Exempt with fire-rated wall
- Effective
- Jan. 1, 2018 (amended 2021)
Summary
Boise deleted the IRC mandate for automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes, so most single-family and duplex construction doesn't need them.
R313.2 One- And Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, is deleted. (Ord. 44-17, 12-19-2017, eff. 1-1-2018; amd. Ord. 40-20, 12-1-2020, eff. 1-1- 2021) 9-1B-41: IRC ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT, SECTION R314.2.2, ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS AND ADDITIONS, DELETE EXCEPTION #2: Exception #2 is deleted from Section R314.2.2, Alterations, Repairs and Additions. (Ord. 40-20, 12-1-2020, eff. 1-1-2021; amd. Ord. 3-25, 2-4-2025) 9-1B-42: IRC ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT, ADD SECTION R314.7.5, HEAT DETECTOR WITHIN GARAGES: R314.7.5 Heat Detector Within Garages. A heat detector, listed and interconnected to the smoke alarms, shall be installed in all attached garages and also in detached garages that do not meet required fire separation distance and have an electrical service. (Ord. 3-25, 2-4-2025) 9-1B-43: IRC ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT, SECTION R315.2.2, ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS AND ADDITIONS, DELETE EXCEPTION #2: Exception #2 is deleted from Section R315.2.2, Alterations, Repairs and Additions. (Ord. 44-17, 12-19-2017, eff. 1-1-2018; amd. Ord. 40-20, 12-1-2020, eff. 1-1- 2021; Ord. 3-25, 2-4-2025) 9-1B-44: IRC ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT, SECTION R322.1, FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION, GENERAL: R322.1 Flood-Resistant Construction, General. All construction within flood hazard areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Flood
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Boise amended the International Residential Code it adopts and struck Section R313.2, the provision that would otherwise require automatic fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two-family dwellings. The city also softened the townhouse sprinkler rule: townhouses don't need sprinklers if the shared wall meets a two 1-hour (or one common 2-hour) fire-resistance rating, or if work is limited to additions/alterations on an existing townhouse that never had sprinklers installed. Commercial and multifamily buildings still fall under separate sprinkler requirements in the adopted fire code.
Violations & Fines
No violation for skipping sprinklers in a qualifying 1- or 2-family home or exempt townhouse; builders who do install one still need an Idaho-licensed fire sprinkler contractor permit under BCC 9-1B-55.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boise require fire sprinklers in a new single-family house?
What about a new townhouse?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
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