Idaho City officials in Boise, Idaho are poised to pass a major zoning overhaul that would combat sprawl in the rapidly growing state and could impact housing growth for decades. The proposed legislative changes, a 600-page document called the Modern Zoning Code, would be the state’s biggest overhaul in nearly five decades. If passed, the new zoning code will allow for small apartment buildings to be built more easily in residential areas, and transit corridors will be targeted for mixed-use development. The law is intended to streamline the development process by removing public hearings for some applications and not notifying nearby residents about all projects. The changes are intended to make building easier for developers, and legislators want, in particular, to encourage denser, more urban, and mixed-use projects. Neighborhood groups have voiced some opposition to the law, saying it doesn’t take their opinions into enough consideration. Some residents also expressed concern that developers wouldn’t take advantage of the law's affordable housing incentive structure. In general, however, a large number of residents seem in support of the city building upward instead of outward. Developers should see a lot of potential to pursue high-density residential developments in the state, especially as the population continues to grow. Key Facts Most Impact Approach Status High-density residential Legislation housing in urban and recently passed suburban areas Avg. House Price 2023 Population Growth From 2010-2020 $435,000 up 7.3% or 271,524 people 20