Sustainable + Affordable Housing

Affordability and Sustainability Incentives

To ensure Boise is offering more sustainable and affordable housing the proposed zoning code outlines affordability and sustainability incentives.

IncentiveAffordability RequirementSustainability Requirement
Large Lot Residential (R-1A)
Suburban Residential (R-1B)
Traditional Residential (R-1C)		Allowance for a triplex or a fourplex.1 of 3 or 2 of 4 units are income-restricted to households earning no more than 80% Area Median Income (AMI).Must meet clean energy, energy savings, and water savings design requirements.
Mixed Use Active
(MX-3)		50% reduction in minimum parking25% of all permitted homes are income-restricted to households earning no more than 60% Area Median Income (AMI).Must meet clean energy, energy savings, and water savings design requirements.
Mixed Use Transit Oriented Development
(MX-4)

No parking requirement

No height maximum

25% of all permitted homes are income-restricted to households earning no more than 60% Area Median Income (AMI).Must meet clean energy, energy savings, and water savings design requirements.

Affordable Housing

Housing that is considered affordable costs no more than 30% of a household’s income.

For example, a two-person household earning $53,900 falls within the 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Rent affordable to
this household is no more than $1,348 a month.

A two-person household earning $40,440 a year is at 60% AMI. An affordable rent for this household is no more than $1,011 a month.

View full list of income guidelines

Sustainability Requirements

Clean Energy

The building must use electricity or geothermal energy.

Energy Saving

The building must consume at least 15 percent less electrical energy than would be consumed if the building met the adopted energy code.

Water Saving

The building must consume at least 15 percent less water than would be consumed if the building met all applicable water conservation standards applicable to similar development.

Strategic Infill

Strategic infill is a a tailored approach to develop missing middle/small-scale density on vacant or under-utilized parcels within existing developed areas.

Require Property Location

  • R-1B or R-1C Zone - AND
  • You are within 300 feet of collector road OR minor arterial OR within 1/4 mile of a property zoned MX-3.

Site Characteristics

  • 55-feet of frontage - AND
  • Vacant lot OR lot where the improvement/structure value is no greater than 25% of the total assessed value OR incorporate existing structure - AND
  • No approved demolition permit for the property within the past three years.
Housing Units Not Subject to Base Zone DensityAffordability RequirementParking Reduction
3 to 4 UnitsNANA
5 to 8 Units1 unit @ 80% AMI50%
9 to 12 Units2 units @ 80% AMI50%
Homes around a courtyard gated in. With landscaping leading to sidewalk.

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Great Neighborhoods

Our city will have a variety of great neighborhoods.

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Planned Public Investment

Direct development where public investments are being made.

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Manage Growth

Strategic about where to develop as we manage growth at the edges of our city.

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Related Documents

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