Off-grid site report
Boise County, ID
43.8280, -115.8345 · 3,901 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Boise County, ID, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesBoise County, ID
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedBoise County has adopted a countywide Unified Land Use Ordinance (ULO #2024-02) setting setbacks and use standards; this is a county-level rule, not just a state default. Confirm district and exact setback table with Planning & Zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county publishes specific standards for tiny homes/RVs and an accessory use policy with Central District Health, but whether these can be primary residences isn't confirmed in available materials; ask county Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBoise County issues its own building permits with a residential handbook and county-set standards (frost depth, wind, snow load) plus WUI defensible-space compliance; electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits go through the state Division of Building Safety instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic permitting is handled by Central District Health under state DEQ rules (IDAPA 58.01.03), not by Boise County directly; an application and plot plan are required. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Boise County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater is regulated under the same state rules (IDAPA 58.01.03) administered by Central District Health. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNot confirmed at the county or CDH level; the general backdrop is Idaho's state prior-appropriation water law administered by IDWR. Ask IDWR or the county if you have a specific project in mind.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell drilling and water rights are governed by the state through the Idaho Department of Water Resources, with Central District Health handling local well inspections and water testing.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance addresses off-grid utility disconnection directly; compliance runs through the standard zoning, building, WUI, and septic permit process instead. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,421 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 22 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 69 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,891 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Boise VA Medical Center - 22.8 mi
- Fire station
Idaho City Fire Station - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
True Value - 23.7 mi
- Grocery
Garden Valley Market - 21.0 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 83631).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Boise County, ID?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.