Bonners Ferry City Zoning Code

   A.   The regulations for each zoning district set forth by this title shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except as otherwise specifically provided by this title.

   B.   Construction And Placement:

      1.   All required setbacks shall be measured from the greatest architectural projection of the building or structure to the nearest property line or other measurement point established by this title.

      2.   Each part of a required yard shall be open to the sky, unobstructed by other buildings or structures, except for cornices, gutters, eaves, bay windows, or other similar above-ground architectural projections, which shall not encroach more than two feet (2') into any required yard. The structure or building shall be constructed and maintained to contain stormwater and snow shed on site.

      3.   All single-family dwellings converted to multi-family dwellings must conform to the latest edition of the adopted building codes.

      4.   Any existing single-family dwelling converted to a multi-family dwelling shall contain at least four hundred (400) square feet of livable floor area per dwelling unit.

      5.   Structures may be placed or constructed across legally created, contiguous parcels or lots under the same ownership, provided the landowner records a lot combination agreement on a form provided by the city that states the land is considered one for the purposes of development. The city may then consider the lot or parcel as one for the application of zoning standards.

      6.   The zoning administrator may grant the following administrative exceptions to setback requirements:

         a.   An exception not to exceed one foot to any setback or height standard, upon a showing of undue hardship or extraordinary physical conditions of the property or structure.

         b.   Exceptions to front or corner yard setbacks if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator that more than fifty percent (50%) of the structures on the same side of the street within the same block as the subject property are less than the required setbacks from the property lines. The zoning administrator may grant an exception to allow a structure to be built or placed in conformity with the front building lines of the majority of the buildings erected on any such lots, but not less than ten feet (10') set back.

         c.   Public, semipublic or public service buildings, hospitals, sanitariums, schools or churches, when permitted in a district, may exceed the height allowed in the district where they are located, if approved through the special use permit or variance process, provided the exception is approved by the fire chief.

      7.   Where a zero lot line setback is indicated in the schedule of building standards of this title, the structure shall meet the minimum adopted building code requirements for setbacks and zero lot line construction.

      8.   Where the maximum height stated in the schedule of building standards of this title differs from the adopted building code standards, the adopted building code standards shall prevail.

      9.   Buildings shall not project into or over a public right-of-way except for awnings, eaves, parapets, or signs, where allowed in this title. No awning, eave or parapet shall be closer than two feet (2'), measured in horizontal distance, to the curb and shall be at a minimum eight feet (8') above the adjacent or closest grade that the public uses for walking, parking or other public uses.

      10.   A recorded common/party wall agreement addressing construction, maintenance, repair, and rights of access is required to be filed with the city for zero setback/shared wall construction, where permitted by this title.

   C.   Fences:

      1.   Fences shall not exceed seven feet (7') in height. Fence height shall be considered the vertical distance from natural grade of the property at the base of the fence to the highest point on the fence or fence structure, including finials, posts, latticework, screens, rockery bases, or other fence features. A gate or arbor serving an entryway to the yard shall be permitted to a maximum nine feet (9') in height and four feet (4') in width.

      2.   Fences not exceeding seven feet (7') in height may be located on the property line. Fences exceeding the height limit are defined as structures and shall meet the minimum structure setback requirements of the respective zoning district.

      3.   No fence, wall, or shrubbery shall obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility. Nothing shall be erected, planted, or placed that impedes traffic vision through the sight triangle, as defined in Idaho Code.

   D.   Removal Of Traffic Hazards:

      1.   The owner(s) of real property have the responsibility to remove from their property any hedge, shrubbery, fence, wall or other sight obstructions of any nature, except public traffic or highway signs, buildings and trees, where these sight obstructions constitute a potential traffic hazard. Sight obstructions shall not be permitted within the "sight triangle" as defined in Idaho Code.

      2.   When the City Engineer or designee determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that such a traffic hazard exists, the city engineer or designee shall notify the owner and order that the hazard shall be removed by the owner within fifteen (15) days.

(Ord. 621, 5-20-2025)

   The following table establishes the minimum zoning standards for building construction and placement. Consult the General Standards Section 11-5-1 and the notes below the following table for additional requirements or exceptions:

 

Notes/conditions:

   1.   In addition to the setbacks listed in the schedule of building standards table, the front and corner lot setbacks shall also be a minimum of twenty feet (20') from the property line abutting the street and ingress/egress easements.

   2.   Federal Highway Setback: No building shall be placed or erected within a distance of sixty feet (60') each side of the centerline of the street variously known as U.S. Highway 95, U.S. Highway 2 and South Main Street but not less than twenty feet (20') set back from the front property line.

   3.   A ten-foot (10') minimum rear or side yard setback is required where property line abuts land that is not zoned Light Industrial or Commercial. Rear and interior residential structure setbacks shall be a minimum of ten feet (10') for the Commercial zone.

   4.   Combined side yard interior setback shall be twenty feet (20'), with neither side less than eight feet (8'), except as otherwise provided.

   5.   Side yard interior setbacks for lots or parcels fifty feet (50') or narrower shall be a minimum five feet (5'), inclusive of all architectural projections. Structure shall be designed and constructed to retain snowshed and stormwater runoff on site.

(Ord. 621, 5-20-2025)

   Prior to any site preparation, excavation, and construction shall be in accord with the standards adopted by the city for drainage, stormwater/erosion control, public right-of-way access, floodplain, and hillside or steep slope development.

(Ord. 621, 5-20-2025)

   A.   Applicability And Plans: In order to provide screening and shade and to reduce glare, heat, and stormwater runoff, a landscape plan is required at the time of building permit application for all new commercial or multi-family development or expansion of existing development that creates ten thousand (10,000) square feet of impervious surface or more or where specific conditions of special use permit approval require landscaping. The project site plan shall include landscaping details showing:

      1.   Existing trees and vegetation that are to be preserved and methods to protect;

      2.   Location, spacing, size, and identification of proposed new plantings;

      3.   Planting schedule, to be installed not later than structure occupancy;

      4.   Location of any buffers, fences, lighting, benches or other outdoor furniture;

      5.   Type and location of proposed irrigation.

   B.   Guidelines: Retention of existing vegetation and integration of native vegetation are preferred landscaping options. Plantings should be a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and ground cover suitable for the area climate and of sufficient size to provide required shading and screening.

   C.   Protection Of Line Of Sight: Vegetation shall be planted in areas where the plantings at maturity will not block the intersection sight triangle or obscure other business facades, signs, driveway accesses, or pedestrian/bike pathways.

   D.   Design: The following minimum landscaping features shall be installed for the specific site conditions:

      1.   Parking Areas, Multi-Family Structures, And Commercial Uses: A mix of evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs in a planting strip of not less than ten feet (10') along the parking area and adjacent property lines.

      2.   Screening Of Adjoining Uses, Outdoor Storage Structures: Sight barriers of a minimum twenty foot (20') wide buffering strip of evergreen trees at a minimum height of six feet (6') at planting.

   E.   Maintenance: The required landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy condition by the property owner or designee. Any unhealthy or dead plants shall be replaced by the owner as soon as weather permits.

   F.   Exceptions: The zoning administrator may approve exceptions to the design or placement where the owner can demonstrate that existing vegetation, slopes, rockery, fencing, or other site features provide the necessary screening or shading.

(Ord. 621, 5-20-2025)