Unlocking Local Potential: How Idaho Cities Can Grow Smarter

Idaho is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. People are moving here for the same reasons many of us stay: strong communities, good schools, access to the outdoors, and a quality of life that is hard to find anywhere else. But that growth has brought challenges. Housing costs have outpaced wages, young families are struggling to buy their first home, and local workers are being priced out of the communities they serve.

The good news is that Idaho’s cities already have the tools to make things better. The solution does not have to come from Washington or even from Boise. It starts with local leadership and a willingness to modernize the rules that shape how and where we build homes.

At the Gem State Housing Alliance, we work directly with cities across Idaho to help them make smart, practical changes to their zoning and development codes. Many of these reforms are simple and cost nothing to implement. For example, cities can allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all residential zones to help homeowners add small rental units or create space for extended family. They can streamline lot splits and minor land divisions so small builders can add a few homes without years of delay. And they can right-size parking requirements so land is used for housing rather than empty pavement.

Cities can also benefit from clearer, more predictable processes. For many small and midsized Idaho communities, long permitting timelines and repeated public hearings make it hard for local builders to take on small projects. A few process improvements, such as administrative approvals or fixed review timelines, can make an enormous difference. These changes save staff time, reduce costs for builders, and result in more attainable homes for residents.

We have seen what happens when Idaho communities embrace reform. Garden City’s compact development patterns have supported local business growth along the Greenbelt. Pocatello and Twin Falls are revising zoning codes to create more flexibility for new housing types. And smaller cities like Driggs and Sandpoint are exploring how to adapt form-based codes that focus on design and character rather than rigid zoning categories. These examples show that local innovation can work in every corner of the state.

The Gem State Housing Alliance offers Model Ordinances and Technical Assistance to any Idaho city that wants to take a fresh look at its housing policies. Our goal is to support city leaders who are ready to act, and to make sure they have access to the best data, examples, and policy tools available.

Idaho has always been a place where people roll up their sleeves and solve problems. Housing should be no different. By modernizing local codes and working together, we can unlock our cities’ potential and make sure Idaho remains a place where everyone who works here can afford to live here.