Boise, ID Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Min. defensible space
- 30 feet from structure
- Fuel-free zone
- 5 feet around buildings
- Wildfire Safety Plan
- Required for plats/annexation in WUI
- Enforcing agency
- Boise Fire Dept. code official
Summary
Boise designates Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas requiring ignition-resistant construction, a 30-foot defensible space, and a Wildfire Safety Plan for new subdivisions.
4115.3 Fuel Modification. Buildings or structures in designated wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas, shall comply with defensible space fuel modification distances as required by the code official. Fuel modification distance shall be at least 30 feet... 4115.3.4 Fuel-Free Area. A fuel-free area of 5 feet is required around all structures.
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 City Code § 5-12-53 adopts the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code as Chapter 41 of the fire code. New structures and additions built in City-designated WUI areas must meet ignition-resistant construction standards, and preliminary plats or annexations in WUI areas require a Wildfire Safety Plan reviewed and approved by the fire code official before a permit issues. Section 4115.3 sets the baseline defensible-space fuel modification distance at 30 feet from a structure's perimeter, with a 5-foot fuel-free zone required immediately around every building. The fire code official maps and can periodically redraw WUI boundaries, and can close WUI areas to public entry during high fire danger.
Violations & Fines
Building or developing in a mapped WUI area without an approved Wildfire Safety Plan, or without meeting ignition-resistant construction and defensible-space requirements, is enforced by the Boise Fire Department/code official as a fire code violation, subject to permit denial, correction orders, and code enforcement penalties under the adopted International Fire Code amendments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boise require a defensible space around homes in WUI areas?
Who decides which parts of Boise are WUI zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
Compare Boise to another location·View the Idaho fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.