Meridian Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Meridian
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Meridian — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Meridian Unified Development Code (Title 11)
Meridian's zoning ordinance is the Unified Development Code (UDC), codified as Title 11 of Meridian City Code. The UDC consolidates zoning districts, district regulations, applicable-to-all-districts standards, and subdivision rules into a single title and is administered by the Community Development Department's Planning Division. The UDC defines Meridian's residential R-2, R-4, R-8, R-15, and R-40 districts as well as commercial, industrial, and traditional neighborhood overlay zones.
Source · library.municode.comADU standard — 900 sq ft / 50% of primary, with permit
Under the Meridian UDC an accessory dwelling unit is permitted with a Community Development permit. The maximum size is 900 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is less. Setbacks are governed by the underlying zoning district's standards (Title 11 Chapter 2) rather than a single citywide ADU setback rule.
Source · meridiancity.orgIdaho LLUPA (I.C. § 67-6501 et seq.) — authority for the UDC
Meridian's UDC is enacted under the authority of the Idaho Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA), Idaho Code Title 67 Chapter 65. LLUPA delegates police power to municipalities to adopt comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and subdivision rules. Because Idaho has no statewide ADU preemption (unlike Colorado or Utah), Meridian's UDC retains broader local discretion over ADU size, occupancy, and parking standards than its counterparts in neighboring states.
Source · legislature.idaho.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Meridian
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Ada County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 8,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- 4,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 40 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 65 ft
- Front Setback
- 0 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Meridian
- Max Size
- 700 sq ft
- Max Height
- 25 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- 1 off-street space required
- Owner Occupancy
- Required
- Permit Timeline
- 30-60 days
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Meridian are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Meridian permit fees →Official Sources
City-specific