FAQs • Idaho Falls, ID • CivicEngage

My neighbor's property is full of junk, litter & unused vehicles. Will the City help me eliminate this mess?: Yes, if the materials in your neighbor’s yard meet the definitions found within city ordinances for junk, litter, and inoperable vehicles. Upon receiving a complaint, city staff will visit your neighborhood and determine if the condition of the yard is a violation of city ordinances. If it is, the neighbor will be sent a letter asking him to clean the yard within a short time. If the neighbor does not comply with this request, he usually receives a misdemeanor citation.

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Code Enforcement

1. Can the City force removal of inoperative vehicles?: Yes, if the vehicle meets the definition of an inoperative vehicle. For more information, see Property Maintenance Code Section 302.8.

2. My neighbor's property is full of junk, litter & unused vehicles. Will the City help me eliminate this mess?: Yes, if the materials in your neighbor’s yard meet the definitions found within city ordinances for junk, litter, and inoperable vehicles. Upon receiving a complaint, city staff will visit your neighborhood and determine if the condition of the yard is a violation of city ordinances. If it is, the neighbor will be sent a letter asking him to clean the yard within a short time. If the neighbor does not comply with this request, he usually receives a misdemeanor citation.

3. There's an abandoned vehicle on my street. Who should I call?: If the car is located on a public street, call the City of Idaho Falls Police Department.

4. Can people live in RV's in a residential zone?: Unless in a mobile home court or recreational vehicle campground, living in a recreational vehicle is a prohibited use under Section 4-15 of the Zoning Ordinance.

5. There is a hedge/fence that blocks the view of the intersection. Can code enforcement personnel help?: Yes, a "clear sight triangle" must be maintained at intersections and driveways per Section 4.7 of the Zoning Ordinance.

6. My neighbor had 6 garage sales last summer. The items stayed in her front yard between sales. Can they do that?: Under city codes, garage sales are limited to 2 every 12 months every calendar year. The sale is to be no more than three days in duration.

7. Can I park and sell my car from a vacant lot or the city right-of-way?: No. Other than a commercially zoned sales lot, it is illegal to park and sell vehicles from someone else property, including public property.

8. We need extra income and I want to take care of children in my home. Do I need any permits?: If you can have a home occupation in your neighborhood, you can care for other family’s children in your home under certain circumstances. As long as you care for 5 or less children, you can do it in your home with little, if any, remodeling to your home. If you care for 6 or more children at one time, your home will have to meet the standards for an educational occupancy under the International Building Code.

Exiting to assure health and safety for the children may be an issue as well as handicapped accessibility. If you care for 13 or more children, a conditional use permit will be required in most neighborhoods in the City as well as compliance with the International Building Code.

9. My neighbor is operating a business from his home. Is that legal?: In most of the City residential neighborhoods, home occupations are permitted under limited circumstances. Any signs have to be limited to 18 inches by 24 inches on the wall of the home. Only residents of the home can be involved in the home occupation.

Most of the home is to be used as a home; only the equivalent of 25% of the first floor can be used for a home occupation, although the garage may be used for the home occupation. No outdoor storage of materials or supplies is permitted, and traffic generation is limited. A home occupation permit is required prior to beginning business, and there is no cost for the permit.

Home occupations are not permitted under the zoning ordinance in the following subdivisions:
- Hughes Imperial Estates
- Much of Alice Dickson and Rose Nielsens
- Park-St. Clair
- Parts of Fairway Estate
- Rosepark
- Stonebrook
- The Dunes

11. Are there things a code enforcement officer cannot address?: Many complaints cannot be addressed. The more common ones we receive are:
- A house needing paint
- The location of property lines
- Tree limbs hanging over private property lines
- Vehicles parked on public streets
- Vehicles / RVs legally parked