Resources · Plain-English Guides
Boise ADU homework
What actually gets built versus what gets stuck in plan check. Costs, regulations, and decision frameworks for Boise homeowners.
Featured · 2026
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Complete Guide to Building an ADU in Boise
The single longest piece on the site — zoning (900 sq ft cap post-2023), the six pre-approved plans, cost, financing, permits, use cases, and how to pick a builder. Skim the anchored table of contents or read end-to-end.
Read the pillar guideMarket Report · DataBoise ADU Market Report 2026
Real permit data, the 9× post-rewrite surge (3/mo → 27/mo), median Treasure Valley rent by bedroom, and the full pre-approved plan catalog — sourced from City of Boise and three independent rent indexes.
Read the market reportAll Guides
Everything we'd want a homeowner to know
Boise ADU Laws in 2026
Plain-English guide to Boise's 2026 ADU rules — zoning, lot size, setbacks, owner-occupancy changes, and the pre-approved plan permitting path.
Read guideComparisonsPre-Approved vs Custom ADU Plans
When Boise's pre-approved plans are the right call vs. custom design — saves 4-8 weeks of permitting and $8-15k on a typical Boise ADU build.
Read guideCost / ROIHow Much Does an ADU Cost in Boise?
Real Boise ADU cost ranges by size and finish, plus financing options and ROI math for Treasure Valley homeowners building backyard homes.
Read guideLifestyleADUs for Aging Parents in Idaho
Designing a safe, accessible ADU for aging parents in Idaho — single-floor layouts, grab-bar plans, and how a pre-approved plan keeps the build on schedule.
Read guidePermits & ZoningCan You Airbnb an ADU in Boise? 2026 STR Rules + Reality Check
Boise short-term rental rules for ADUs in 2026 — STR permit process, post-2023 owner-occupancy changes, and real STR vs long-term income math.
Read guideInvestment & ROIBoise ADU ROI: Real 2026 Returns on Pre-Approved Plans
Real 2026 Boise ADU ROI math — gross yield 9-12% on pre-approved plans, net cash-on-cash, payback periods, and how appreciation contributes at sale.
Read guidePermits & ZoningBoise ADU Permit Process: 2026 Step-by-Step Timeline
Step-by-step Boise ADU permit process in 2026 — 3-5 weeks pre-approved vs 7-12 weeks custom, what reviewers check, and common holdups.
Read guideFeasibilityCan I Build an ADU on My Boise Property?
How to check whether your Boise property can support an ADU — zoning, lot size, setbacks, access, and the property requirements that most often disqualify a lot.
Read guidePermits & ZoningBoise ADU Setbacks: 2026 Requirements Explained
Boise ADU setback requirements in plain English — side-yard, rear-yard, and street-frontage rules, plus how setbacks shape your buildable envelope.
Read guidePermits & ZoningHow Big Can an ADU Be in Boise?
Boise's 900 sq ft ADU size limit explained — what counts toward the cap (raised from 700 in the 2023 zoning rewrite), where the rule comes from, and how the pre-approved plans compare.
Read guideComparisonsDetached vs Attached ADU in Boise
Detached vs attached ADU in Boise — privacy, rent ceiling, resale impact, and the cases where each configuration is the right call.
Read guideComparisonsGarage Conversion vs Detached ADU
Garage conversion vs detached ADU — cost, timeline, rental ceiling, and the specific cases where each path wins for Boise homeowners.
Read guideInvestment & ROIBoise ADU Rental Income: Real 2026 Numbers
Real 2026 Boise ADU rental income ranges by plan size and neighborhood — long-term vs short-term, gross vs net, and which configurations actually clear.
Read guideInvestment & ROIBoise ADU House Hacking: 2026 Playbook
How Boise homeowners use ADUs to house hack — live in one unit, rent the other, cover the mortgage. Real numbers on cap rate, financing, and tax position.
Read guideProcessHow Long Does It Take to Build an ADU in Boise?
Boise ADU build timeline — typical 5-7 months pre-approved, 7-9 months custom. Stage-by-stage breakdown plus where most projects actually slip.
Read guideConstructionBoise ADU Utilities: Sewer, Water & Electrical
Boise ADU utility setup — sewer lateral options, water service sizing, electrical service upgrades, and the connection fees most homeowners underbudget.
Read guideDone with the homework? Talk to us.
Free estimate in 24 hours — covering your property, the right pre-approved plan, the permit timeline, and what financing might look like.