Bonneville County, ID Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Section 156.615, Increased Residential Density, authorizes the Commission to grant an increased residential density of up to 15% of the allowable number of dwelling units within a Planned Unit Development, as an incentive to encourage quality design rather than a rule applying automatically. The bonus is broken into three components the Commission scores separately: landscaping, capped at a maximum 5% increase, covering streetscape, open spaces, plazas, use of existing landscaping and pedestrian-way treatment; siting, also capped at 5%, covering visual focal points, use of existing topography, view and wind orientation, circulation pattern and building clustering; and design features, capped at 5%, covering street sections, architectural styles, harmonious materials and parking areas broken up by landscaping.

A developer has to demonstrate that these factors make a substantial contribution to the PUD's stated objectives to receive any of the three increments, so the 15% ceiling is not granted as a lump sum. The bonus sits within the PUD chapter's broader framework: Section 156.610 sets minimum PUD size at five acres for residential development, ten acres if residential is combined with commercial or industrial uses, and Section 156.613 already requires at least 10% of the gross project area be reserved as common open space and recreation space regardless of whether the density bonus is used.

Because the increase is discretionary and tied to design review, it is granted through the PUD approval process under Section 156.620 rather than as a ministerial permit.