Building Setbacks & Zoning in Boise, ID (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Boise, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Boise sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by residential zoning district, from 10-foot rears in R-3 to 20-foot fronts and rears in R-1A.
Boise Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-04-03.2.A (Table 11-04.2)
TABLE 11-04.2: RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS ... Setbacks - Building and Parking (Minimum) Front ... Remainder of Structure 15 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft. 10 ft. 10 ft. ... Interior Side 10 ft. 10 ft. 5 ft. or 10 ft. 5 ft. or 10 ft. 5 ft. or 10 ft. Rear 20 ft. 20 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft.[7] 15 ft. [7]
Structure Height Limits
Boise's Development Code sets a flat 35-foot cap on new houses in the R-1A and R-1B districts, rising to 40 feet (3 stories) in R-1C, 45 feet (4 stories) in R-2, and 50 feet (4 stories) in R-3. Height is measured as the vertical distance from grade to the highest point of the roof, with narrow, listed exceptions for rooftop equipment and antennas.
Boise Caps Residential Building Height at 35-50 Ft
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-02-02 (Table 11-02.3); § 11-06-02.4.A; § 11-04-03.3.C, § 11-04-03.4.D(2)
TABLE 11-02.3: R-1A LOT AND BUILDING STANDARDS ... HEIGHT (MAXIMUM) D Building Height 35 ft. ... 4. Height: A. Building Height: (1) The vertical distance from the grade to the highest point of the roof or structure that is not listed as an exception to the maximum building height limits in Section 11-04-03.3.C. (2) Towers, steeples, spires, belfries, cupolas, and domes on primary nonresidential...
Lot Coverage Limits
On Residential Small Lots under 3,500 square feet and on substandard lots of record citywide, Boise limits residential floor area to 70 percent of the effective lot area, with below-grade space excluded from the count.
Boise Small-Lot Floor Area Cap: 70%
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-04-03.4.D(3)
Building Size: Residential floor area shall not exceed 70 percent of the effective lot area. Below grade floor area is not included. (4) Open Space: Each unit shall have a minimum of 200 square feet of open space. This open space shall be usable and shall not include driveways or parking areas. A minimum of 25 percent of the required open space shall consist of permeable ground surfa...
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boise city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Ada County →