Bill > H0937

This bill amends Idaho law to establish new regulations for development on religious land, defining "religious land" as property owned or leased for at least 40 years by a "religious organization," which is a nonprofit entity primarily for religious purposes. The bill mandates that cities must permit "multifamily" (three or more dwelling units) and "mixed-use" (at least 65% residential square footage) developments on religious land as allowable uses, without requiring zoning changes, variances, or special permits, unless the religious land is within a quarter-mile of "heavy industrial use" (involving flammable materials, hazardous conditions, or offensive nuisances), an airport, or a military base. For such developments, cities cannot restrict building heights at or below three stories and cannot force existing buildings to exceed international building code standards, though they can still enforce generally applicable sewer, water, stormwater, and building code requirements. Applications for these developments must be approved if they comply with regulations not prohibited by the bill, and this approval process is described as "ministerial," meaning it's a straightforward administrative duty. The bill explicitly states it does not allow for homeless shelters on religious land and that housing developments under this section will be subject to regular property taxes, not exemptions. The new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Business and Industry

Ways and Means Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0937/