Ada County, ID Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Ada County Code section 5-4-6, titled the Ada County Boise River Camping Ordinance, was adopted under the Board of County Commissioners' authority in article 12, section 2 of the Idaho Constitution and Idaho Code sections 31-714 and 31-801. The Board found that people camping in the Boise River area, defined as land within 200 feet of the river's ordinary high-water mark in unincorporated Ada County, were inappropriately discarding sewage and debris, creating a disease risk, and obstructing the public's use of the river and its pathways.

The ordinance defines 'camping' broadly to include sleeping, laying down bedding, storing personal belongings, building a fire, using a tent or vehicle for sleeping, digging, or cooking, whenever those activities show the area is being used as a living accommodation regardless of the camper's stated intent. Subsection D makes it unlawful to camp on any sidewalk, side alley, lane, public right-of-way, or other publicly accessible place in the Boise River area, or under any bridgeway or viaduct there, and treats each day the camp continues as a separate offense.

Before charges are filed, subsection E requires the Ada County Sheriff to personally serve, or post if personal service fails, a written notice describing the nuisance and giving the occupant 24 hours to abate it, warning that civil or criminal proceedings and cost recovery may follow. A person who ignores the notice and continues camping is guilty of a misdemeanor under subsection F, punishable under Idaho Code section 18-113, and the county can still pursue a separate civil nuisance claim for cleanup costs.