Idaho Short-Term Rental Regulations: What Investors Must Know by City
Idaho short-term rental regulations are set by state law for every city — and that law has been amended twice since it was enacted in 2017. Here is what it means in the major Treasure Valley markets.
Are short-term rentals legal in Boise Idaho?
Yes. Idaho Code § 67-6539 (added in 2017 and amended in 2018 and 2026) bars every Idaho city and county — including Boise, Garden City, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Caldwell — from prohibiting short-term rentals or requiring a license, fee, permit, certification, or registration to operate one. However, cities may require only a short list of safety items and must treat STRs like other homes for noise, parking, and nuisance rules. Even so, the two things that still restrict STRs are private HOA CC&Rs and the duty to collect Idaho lodging taxes.
Dennis Fomin — Founder, Fomin & Company | Active Airbnb Investor. State law now protects STRs from city bans and licensing — but the legislature has amended that law twice since 2017, and HOAs are not covered by it. Verify the current rules and the CC&Rs before you close — and keep watching both after.
Idaho State STR Preemption Law
Idaho Code § 67-6539 (2017)
Specifically, no Idaho city or county may enact or enforce any ordinance that has the express or practical effect of prohibiting any type of short-term rental. In addition, STRs must be classified as residential use for zoning and building code purposes. Also, cities may not require a license, fee, permit, certification, or registration to operate an STR, and may not impose restrictions that would not apply to a non-rental home — the statute lists examples such as owner-occupancy requirements, insurance mandates, inspections, day limits, and caps on the number of rentals.The state law does not prevent all restrictions
However, cities may require a short list of safety items by ordinance — smoke alarms in sleeping areas, a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector on each floor, escape ladders for upper-floor sleeping rooms, occupancy limits no stricter than for other homes, and a posted tenant handout with exits and an emergency contact. STRs also remain subject to the same noise, parking, nuisance, curfew, and traffic ordinances as any other residence.Regulations change — verify at purchase and annually
In fact, the statute was added in 2017 and amended in 2018 and again in 2026. As a result, future sessions of the Idaho Legislature could change it again. Therefore, following legislative sessions — and your HOA’s board decisions — is part of the active STR investor responsibility.What State Law Means in Each Treasure Valley City
Boise
Under state law, Boise cannot ban STRs or require an STR license or permit. However, the city still enforces its general noise, parking, and nuisance rules, and properties inside the Greater Boise Auditorium District carry an additional lodging tax. Also, check cityofboise.org for any safety ordinance that applies.Meridian
Meridian is bound by the same state law — no STR ban and no STR license or permit. Many Meridian subdivisions have HOAs, so the CC&Rs are usually the deciding document. Meridian’s suburban character produces lower ADR and occupancy than Boise core.Eagle
Eagle cannot prohibit or license STRs under state law. Its proximity to outdoor recreation and its premium residential neighborhoods make it viable for STR — but many Eagle communities have HOAs, so read the CC&Rs first.Nampa
Nampa cannot prohibit or license STRs under state law. STR demand in Nampa is lower than Boise core — the Ford Idaho Center provides event-driven demand. Also, properties inside the Nampa Auditorium District carry an additional lodging tax.Caldwell
Caldwell follows the same state law — no ban and no STR license or permit. Lower STR demand than Boise or Nampa. Better suited to long-term rental than STR in most locations.Garden City
Garden City is adjacent to Boise and bound by the same state law. As a result, proximity to Boise’s amenities gives Garden City properties access to Boise’s STR demand pool. Still, check gardencityidaho.gov for general noise and parking rules.How to Verify STR Viability Before You Buy
Contact the city planning department directly
Specifically, ask which safety items the city requires by ordinance (smoke alarms, extinguishers, CO detectors, escape ladders, occupancy limits, tenant handout) and which general noise and parking rules apply at the property address.Set up lodging taxes
In particular, Idaho taxes rentals of 30 days or less with state sales tax and the travel and convention tax, plus an auditorium district tax inside districts such as Greater Boise and Nampa. Generally, Airbnb and other short-term rental marketplaces collect and remit these on bookings they arrange — for any direct bookings, register as a retailer with the Idaho State Tax Commission and collect the tax yourself.Check the current statute and pending bills
Read Idaho Code § 67-6539 on the Idaho Legislature’s website, and look for pending bills that would amend it, rather than relying on a summary — including this one.Confirm HOA STR policy if applicable
In communities with HOAs, check the CC&Rs for STR prohibitions. After all, Idaho state preemption law applies to city and county governments — not to private HOA governing documents. As a result, an HOA can prohibit STRs in its community regardless of city permissiveness.Frequently Asked Questions
Verifying STR Regulations Before Your Idaho Investment?
Dennis Fomin — Founder, Fomin & Company. Associate Broker, GRI, RSPS. Active Treasure Valley investor. Free 2026 This Is Boise Area Guide.
- —STR rule and safety-ordinance research for any Treasure Valley property you are evaluating
- —HOA CC&R review for STR restrictions before you close
- —Legislative and HOA rule monitoring as part of ongoing investor support
- —Dennis operates STRs in Idaho — the regulatory experience is direct
Serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell & the Treasure Valley.
Summary
Overall, STR rules in Idaho are among the most permissive in the country — state law bars cities from banning STRs or requiring STR licenses. But permissive does not mean unregulated: cities can still require safety items and enforce noise, parking, and nuisance rules, lodging taxes still apply, and HOA CC&Rs can restrict STRs entirely. Verify the rules at the specific property before you close — not after.
STR rules can still change after purchase. So verify before closing. Read the CC&Rs. Finally, watch the Idaho Legislature.
Dennis Fomin
Founder, Fomin & Company · Associate Broker, GRI, RSPS · Equity Northwest Real Estate208-371-9099 · dennis@dennisfomin.com · Meet Dennis →
903 N Main Street, Meridian, ID 83642
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