Boise regulates building height through its Development Code (Title 11), with limits varying by zoning district. Height limits help maintain neighborhood character, protect views, and ensure compatibility between adjacent uses. The Boise Foothills have additional height considerations due to terrain and wildfire concerns.
Residential zones typically limit building height to 35 feet. Commercial and mixed-use zones allow greater heights depending on the district, with some downtown areas permitting buildings over 100 feet. Height is generally measured from the average finished grade to the highest point of the roof. Exceptions may apply for chimneys, antennas, mechanical equipment, and church steeples. Properties in the Foothills overlay may have additional height restrictions based on ridgeline protection standards. Conditional use permits may allow increased height in certain districts with design review.
Exceeding height limits without approval is a code violation. Non-compliant structures may require modification. Building permits are reviewed for height compliance. Height violations discovered after construction may require costly remediation.
Boise, ID
Boise's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political s...
Boise, ID
Boise has no specific city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under Idaho Code Titl...
Boise, ID
Boise has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Real restrictions arise from HOA and condo covenants under Ida...
Boise, ID
Outdoor kitchens in Boise require separate trade permits from Planning and Development Services: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit f...
Boise, ID
Boise has no specific city ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes in normal conditi...
Boise, ID
Boise adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) with local amendments through Boise City Code Title 9. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and L...
See how Boise's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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