Boise, ID Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 72 hours in one spot
- Applies to
- streets, alleys, public property
- Loophole closed
- moving <600 ft doesn't reset clock
- Vehicle camping
- not authorized by this section
- Enforcement
- Boise Police / code enforcement
Summary
Boise bars leaving a vehicle on any street, alley, or public property for 72 hours or more without a permit, capping how long cars can sit curbside overnight and across multiple nights.
No person shall park a vehicle upon any street, alley or public property for a period of seventy two (72) hours or longer unless specifically allowed by permit. Movement of a vehicle on a street, alley, or other public property for a distance of less than six hundred feet (600') for a period of less than twenty four (24) contiguous hours shall constitute continuous and uninterrupted parking or storage in the same location. Nothing within this section shall permit a person to camp or sleep in a vehicle in violation of Title 7, Chapter 3, Article A of this Code. (Ord. 57-15, 12-1-2015; amd. Ord. 41-17, 12-19-2017, eff. 2-1-2018; Ord. 8-21, 4-13-2021; Ord. 24-25, 6-24-2025) 6-10A-12: PARKING TRAILERS, CONTAINERS, DROP BOXES AND OTHER NONVEHICULAR ITEMS IN/ON STREET PARKING SPACES: Unless specifically allowed by permit issued by the Ada County Highway District or other entity with jurisdiction, no person shall stop, stand, park or deposit a trailer, shipping container, storage container, drop box or any other nonvehicular item in and on street parking space:
A. Longer Than Seventy Two Hours: For a period longer than seventy two
(72) consecutive hours; No person shall park a vehicle upon any street, alley or public property for a period of seventy two (72) hours or longer unless specifically allowed by permit. Movement of a vehicle on a street, alley, or other public property for a distance of less than six hundred feet (600') for a period of less than
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 § 6-10A-11 makes it unlawful to park a vehicle on any street, alley, or public property for a period of seventy-two (72) hours or longer unless a permit specifically allows it. The clock doesn't reset just by nudging the car: moving it less than 600 feet within a 24-hour window still counts as continuous, uninterrupted parking in the same spot. The section also expressly does not authorize camping or sleeping in a vehicle, which is separately regulated under Title 7, Chapter 3, Article A. Boise Police and code enforcement tag and can eventually tow vehicles that exceed the limit.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful parking violation; vehicle may be tagged after notice and towed as an abandoned/unidentified vehicle if left in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my car parked on a Boise street overnight?
Does moving my car a little reset the 72-hour clock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
How Boise compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·Compare Boise to another location·View the Idaho parking rules overview
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