Business Licensing & Operations in Boise, ID (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Boise, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Boise regulates sexually oriented businesses through zoning use standards instead of a separate license, imposing strict spacing and operating conditions citywide.
Boise Sexually Oriented Business Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-03-03.4.P
It shall not be located within 1,000 feet of a public or parochial school or daycare as defined and licensed by the state of Idaho; a public park or playground; a Bar or Tavern or other premises serving alcohol; religious institution; or any other Sexually Oriented Business. ... It shall not be located on a lot or parcel that is within 500 feet of a residential use or zoning district ... Hours ...
Massage Establishments
Boise requires every massage establishment to hold a City license before allowing anyone to practice massage therapy on the premises, with narrow exemptions for hospitals, schools, licensed medical or cosmetology practices, and single-therapist shops. Licensed establishments must close nightly between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM and keep detailed client and therapist records for inspection.
Boise Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 3-10-7
A. Application: ... No owner or manager of a massage establishment shall permit or allow any person to engage in, or attempt to engage in, the practice of massage therapy within a massage establishment unless the massage establishment: 1. Possesses a valid City massage establishment license; or 2. Is exempted by this Code from the massage establishment license requirement. B. Exemptions: The fo...
Secondhand Dealers
Boise requires anyone who buys used gold, silver, platinum, or gems for resale to get a City-issued precious metal dealer license, pass a police background check, and hold every purchased item for seven days.
Boise Precious Metal & Secondhand Dealer License
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 3-9-7
The precious metal dealer shall retain all precious metals or gems purchased for a minimum of seven (7) days from the date of purchase. Until the expiration of this period, the dealer shall not sell, alter or dispose of a purchased item in whole or in part, or remove it from the City. All articles required to be held under this section shall be open to and made available for inspection by any l...
Pawnbrokers
Boise requires an annual City license, fingerprinting, and a police background check before anyone can lend money against pledged personal property.
Boise Pawnbroker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 3-7-2
Loaning or advancing money to any person on the deposit of personal property of any kind as security for such loan or advancement, when the personal property may be repurchased by the party upon paying a sum of money... require a valid City license.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
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.
Boise Home Auto Repair Business Limits
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 11-03-03.2.O(4)(i)
(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...
Towing Companies
Boise requires every non-consent towing company to hold a City license and caps what they can charge to release your vehicle.
Boise Non-Consent Tow License Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 3-16-3
All persons who tow or otherwise remove vehicles from public or private property without the consent of the vehicle owner or operator shall maintain a valid City towing license. It shall be unlawful to conduct a nonconsent tow without a valid license issued under this chapter. (1952 Code § 10-23-02) 3-16-3-1: LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURE: A. Information Required: Written application upon ...
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boise city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Ada County →