Bonner County, ID Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Offense class
- Misdemeanor under § 12-132
- Jail
- Not exceeding six (6) months
- Fine
- Not exceeding $1,000.00, or both jail and fine
- Continuing violation
- Each day is a separate offense
- Notice to title
- Unresolved for forty five (45) days after certified mail notice
- Enforcing official
- Planning Director or designee
Summary
In unincorporated Bonner County, Idaho, any violation of the Title 12 land use code is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the county can also recover its investigation and abatement costs.
Penalties for failure to comply with, or violations of the provisions of this title shall be as follows: Violation of any of the provisions of this title or failure to comply with any of its requirements is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six (6) months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by both. Each day that a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. The landowner, tenant, subdivider, builder or any other person who commits, participates in, assists in or maintains a violation, may be found guilty of a separate offense. Nothing contained in this title shall prevent the board or any other public official or private citizen from taking lawful action necessary to restrain or prevent a violation of this title or of Idaho Code. In addition to court actions, the county may impose and recover as penalties all reasonable costs incurred in the investigation, abatement and prosecution of the violation.
Full Breakdown
Title 12 of the Bonner County Revised Code is enforced by the Planning Director, or a designee, who cannot issue a permit unless the intended use of the buildings and land conforms in all respects with the title (§ 12-130). That makes a pending violation a practical barrier to any new permit on the same property.
Anyone can start a case. Under § 12-131, a person files a written complaint on a form from the Planning Department, either electronically or in person. The complaint has to state fully the causes and basis for the complaint and goes to the planning director, who investigates and acts as the title provides. The planning director can also dismiss a complaint after finding insufficient evidence that a violation exists.
The penalty clause is § 12-132. Violating any provision of Title 12, or failing to comply with any of its requirements, is a misdemeanor carrying imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. The landowner, tenant, subdivider, builder or any other person who commits, participates in, assists in or maintains a violation can be found guilty of a separate offense, so responsibility does not stop at the property owner. On top of court action, the county can impose and recover all reasonable costs incurred in the investigation, abatement and prosecution of the violation.
Civil tools sit alongside the criminal ones. Under § 12-130(B), the prosecuting attorney can take criminal action to enjoin a violation, and with the consent of the Board of County Commissioners can bring a civil action. Civil remedies can be sought in addition to, or in lieu of, criminal penalties. If a zoning violation stays unresolved for forty five (45) days or more after the first notice of violation was sent by certified mail to the owner at the address on the county assessor's tax rolls, the county can record a notice to title with the recorder's office. After the violation is resolved, the landowner pays the official fee schedule amount to process the lifting of that notice.
A planning director who finds work being done contrary to Title 12 can also issue a written stop work order under § 12-133.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Title 12 is a misdemeanor: up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both, with every day of continuing violation counted as a separate offense. The county also recovers investigation, abatement and prosecution costs. Continuing work after a stop work order is served, without written authorization from the planning director, brings the same penalties. An unresolved violation can be recorded as a notice to title after 45 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a zoning violation in unincorporated Bonner County?
What is the maximum penalty for a Title 12 violation?
Who can be charged besides the property owner?
What happens if a violation is not fixed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bonner County
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