Boise, ID Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Boise City Code Chapter 17, adopted by Ordinance ORD-29-26 on June 30, 2026, gives the Mayor emergency drought powers under Idaho Code sections 50-304 and 50-606. S. Drought Monitor's Drought Index for Ada County: a moderate drought supports only an advisory or voluntary order, a severe or extreme drought supports up to a mandatory reduction order, and an exceptional drought supports up to a mandatory cessation order. Once a mandatory reduction order issues under section 1-17-7(C), it must establish mandatory watering days and times for irrigation, may set a numeric reduction target, and may prohibit specific recreational uses such as refilling private pools and hot tubs or running non-aquatic fountains.

A mandatory cessation order under section 1-17-7(D) can go further and either bar irrigation outright or restrict it by geographic area, square footage, and method, such as requiring hand-watering or drip irrigation only. Section 1-17-9 exempts domestic use, critical infrastructure, fire protection, medical facilities, permitted emergency construction repairs, and irrigation of food-producing gardens or pasture from any order unless the order specifically prohibits them. Every order under section 1-17-8(E) carries an effective date and expires no more than ninety days later, though the Mayor can extend it, and City Council must ratify or rescind each order at its next meeting.

Section 1-17-12 lets any aggrieved person request reconsideration by Council within fourteen calendar days of the decision; if Council does not rule within thirty days, the request is deemed denied, and reconsideration decisions themselves are not further appealable.