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Boise, ID Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Code adopted
2018 International Green Construction Code
Compliance status
Voluntary unless required by approval
Exempt
Single-family, small multi-family, manufactured homes
Enacted by
Ordinance 9-23, March 7, 2023

Summary

Boise adopted the 2018 International Green Construction Code as Title 9, Chapter 13, but compliance is voluntary unless the city makes it a condition of a Planning and Zoning approval or an incentive agreement.

101.2 (2.3) General. This code is voluntary for applicants unless agreed upon as a condition of approval under a Planning and Zoning approval process or under an agreed upon incentive program. This code is intended to provide minimum requirements to be used in conjunction with the other codes and standards adopted by the jurisdiction. The requirements in this code shall not be used to circumvent any applicable safety, health, or environmental requirements. (Ord. 9-23, 3-7-2023)

Source: Boise Energy and EnvironmentView official code

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

The Green Construction Code of Boise City folds the 2018 IGCC, with local amendments, into Title 9 as an optional layer above the standard building code, covering site sustainability, water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and materials. Boise City Code § 9-13-4 spells out that it's voluntary for applicants unless agreed to as a condition of Planning and Zoning approval or under an incentive program. On top of that, § 9-13-6 exempts single-family dwellings, multi-family buildings of three stories or fewer, and manufactured or modular homes outright, so most residential construction in Boise never touches this chapter.

Violations & Fines

There's no citation for skipping this code on an ordinary permit. It only has teeth when the city attaches it as a binding condition of a Planning and Zoning approval or an incentive agreement: breaking those terms is enforced like any other approval condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boise's green construction code mandatory?
No. Under § 9-13-4 it's voluntary unless the city requires it as a Planning and Zoning approval condition or through an agreed incentive program.
Does it apply to a new single-family house in Boise?
No. Section 9-13-6 exempts single-family dwellings, multi-family buildings of three stories or fewer, and manufactured or modular homes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boise

Landscaping Rules: Water RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsChildcare Center RulesSome RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsFire Sprinkler RequirementsFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsFire Regulations: Brush ClearanceSome Restrictions

All Boise rules

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