HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding starter home subdivisions.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cities cannot ban starter subdivisions
Starting July 1, 2026, cities with more than 5,000 people cannot ban starter home subdivisions in any residential zone. A starter home subdivision is a new single‑family subdivision on land of at least 4 acres. Health and safety rules, like building codes, fire and flood rules, utilities, and environmental protections, still apply.
Fee limits and discounts for starter subdivisions
Starting July 1, 2026, cities over 5,000 cannot charge higher permit, impact, or utility connection fees for starter subdivisions than for other single‑family subdivisions. Cities may offer fee discounts or waivers if builders use the smaller lot and setback options. Cities must update their rules by October 1, 2026. Historic districts are excluded. Health and safety rules still apply.
Smaller lots and higher density for starter homes
Starting July 1, 2026, cities over 5,000 must allow smaller lots and more homes in starter subdivisions. They cannot require: minimum lots over 1,400 sq ft; front or rear setbacks over 15 ft; side setbacks over 5 ft; narrow lot fronts over 30 ft; or lot depths over 70 ft, unless shape, slopes, or environmental or infrastructure limits require more depth. Cities must allow at least 12 homes per acre unless that is not feasible due to infrastructure, lot layout, or environmental limits. Cities must update their plans and codes by October 1, 2026. These rules do not apply in historic districts, and all building, fire, flood, utility, and habitat protections still apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 264 Effective: 07/01/2026
4/1/2026Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/30/2026SenateReturned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
3/27/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/26/2026HouseReceived from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
3/20/2026HouseRead second time as amended, filed for Third reading
3/19/2026SenateAmendments reported printed
3/18/2026SenatePlaced in the Committee of the Whole
3/17/2026SenateReported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
3/11/2026SenateReported Printed; referred to Local Government & Taxation
3/3/2026SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
3/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment
Bill Text
Engrossment 1
Related Bills
H 0889 — STATE PROCUREMENT – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law regarding the procurement of property by the State of Idaho.
S 1435 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Relates to the maintenance appropriations to the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027.
S 1429 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1410 — MEDICAID – Adds to existing law to provide legislative approval for the Department of Health and Welfare to submit a state plan amendment regarding change in encounter rate due to change in scope of services.
S 1439 — EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Model School Facility Council.
S 1433 — APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – MEDICAID – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.