Boise, ID Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Home business cap
- 500 sq ft total
- Heavy equipment repair
- Prohibited home occupation
- Vehicle Repair use
- Not listed in any residential zone
- Outdoor storage of parts
- Prohibited
Summary
Boise bars running an auto repair shop from a house; "Vehicle Repair" is a commercial use that isn't listed for any residential zone, and heavy equipment repair is a banned home occupation.
(4) Prohibited Home Occupations: The following Home Occupations are prohibited, regardless of whether they comply with the standards in Subsections (2) and/or (3) above: ... (i) Heavy equipment repair...
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's zoning code treats "Vehicle Repair, Major" and "Vehicle Repair, Minor" as standalone commercial land uses under Table 11-03.1, and neither one is marked allowed or conditional in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, or R-3 residential districts: those columns are simply blank, meaning the use isn't permitted there at all. Homeowners can still register a "Home Occupation, Other" for lighter work, but Section 11-03-03.2.O expressly prohibits "heavy equipment repair" outright, caps any home business at 500 sq ft, bars outdoor storage of materials, and requires the operator to live on site. A shop with hoists, painting, or major mechanical work doesn't fit inside those limits.
Violations & Fines
Running an unpermitted vehicle repair business from a residential property is a zoning code violation, enforced by the Planning and Development Services Department; the city can issue a notice of violation and pursue compliance action, and continued operation risks misdemeanor citation under the code's general enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix cars for money in my garage in Boise?
What zones allow a vehicle repair shop in Boise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
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