en.Wedoany.com Reported - Two housing bills in Idaho, USA, have been signed into law by Governor Brad Little. They are SB 1352 and SB 1354, introduced by State Senator Ben Toews (Republican-Coeur d'Alene). The housing bill SB 1352 requires cities with a population over 10,000 to allow minimum lot sizes as low as 1,400 square feet in starter home subdivisions and to remove certain zoning barriers such as setbacks. The housing bill SB 1354 prohibits local governments and homeowner associations from restricting accessory dwelling units (ADUs), guaranteeing the right to build at least one ADU per lot. Republican Representative Erin Bingham stated that this measure strengthens local property rights and increases housing stock.
The two housing bills apply to cities with populations over 10,000. Existing HOA bans on ADUs can remain in effect, and cities may also opt out of the relevant provisions. Additionally, a housing bill, H706, which allows the construction of small apartment buildings with a single stairway, has been submitted to the governor's desk for signature. This bill permits eligible buildings to use a single internal exit stairway, provided they meet strict safety standards such as fire sprinklers, a two-hour fire-rated stairwell, and short evacuation distances.
According to the housing bills, SB 1352 defines a starter home subdivision as a new single-family residential subdivision located on at least 4 acres of land. SB 1354 requires relevant cities to amend their comprehensive plans and land use regulations to remove barriers to building ADUs on single-family lots, with historic districts eligible for exemptions. The Senate passed the H706 single-stair bill by a narrow margin of 18 votes in favor to 17 against, following its earlier passage in the House with 63 votes in favor.
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