Boise, ID Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- New development landscape plans
- Native plants
- Required to max extent practicable
- Natural areas
- May stay undisturbed, native state
- Pollinator rule
- 25% native flowering species minimum
- Reviewed by
- Planning and Development Services
Summary
Boise's development landscaping code lets a site's undisturbed natural areas count toward landscaping and requires new plantings to favor native and low-water-use species over turf.
Any part of a site not used for buildings, parking, driveways, walkways, utilities, or approved storage areas shall be retained or reclaimed to its natural state such that it is free of dust and noxious weeds or landscaped pursuant to the standards in this Section 11-04-09.
(2) Plants, walls, fences, buffering, and screening, located on adjacent properties do not satisfy landscape requirements for the subject property. All required landscaping shall be located on the property required to provide it pursuant to this Section
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
Under Boise City Code § 11-04-09, any part of a development site not used for buildings, parking, driveways or utilities can simply be "retained or reclaimed to its natural state" instead of formally landscaped, as long as it stays free of dust and noxious weeds. Where new landscaping is installed, native and other low-water-use plants must be used "to the maximum extent practicable," invasive and exotic species are barred outright, and at least 25% of planted areas must include native flowering and nectar-producing species for pollinator habitat. Existing native vegetation left undisturbed is also exempt from the code's soil-amendment requirement.
Violations & Fines
Landscape plans that clear native vegetation without justification, skip native/low-water plant selection, or include invasive species are rejected by Boise Planning and Development Services during site plan review, holding up the zoning certificate or certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave part of my Boise development site as native, unmowed landscape?
Does Boise require native plants in new landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
Compare Boise to another location·View the Idaho landscaping rules overview
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