A wave of new Idaho laws took effect July 1, 2026, touching everything from how cities zone residential neighborhoods to how social media platforms handle children’s accounts — and making Idaho the first state in the nation to designate the firing squad as its primary method of execution.

The changes come out of a 2026 legislative session that introduced more than 700 bills. Many of the laws taking effect with the new fiscal year reflect sustained Republican priorities around housing affordability, parental rights, and local government accountability.

Housing and Zoning Overhaul

Three bills passed during the session significantly restrict what Idaho cities and counties can do with local zoning codes — a clear signal that the Legislature is willing to override municipal governments to address the state’s housing affordability pressures.

Senate Bill 1352 bars local zoning ordinances in cities with more than 10,000 residents from blocking compact single-family housing. Starter home subdivisions — defined as developments of four or more acres with individual lots no larger than 1,500 square feet — must now be permitted in residential zones statewide.

Senate Bill 1354 requires cities of 10,000 or more to lift bans on accessory dwelling units in residential zones. Under the new law, at least one ADU must be allowed per lot, at up to 75 percent of the primary dwelling’s size, and property owners generally cannot be required to add extra parking to accommodate one.

House Bill 583, the product of Rep. Jordan Rodman’s (R-Coeur d’Alene) third attempt to curtail short-term rental regulation, prohibits cities and counties from requiring licenses, permits, or fees to operate a short-term rental. Local governments retain authority only over basic safety measures — smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits.

Firing Squad Becomes Primary Execution Method

Idaho moved to the forefront of a national conversation on capital punishment when House Bill 37 — passed during the 2025 session — formally took effect this week. The state becomes the first in the country to name the firing squad as its default execution method, rather than a secondary option.

Implementation was delayed from 2025 to allow the Idaho Department of Correction time to renovate an execution chamber, a project that carried a price tag of approximately $1.2 million. Eight inmates currently sit on Idaho’s death row. No execution date has been announced.

Social Media Platforms Face New Child-Protection Rules

House Bill 542 imposes new restrictions on social media companies operating in Idaho that generate at least $1 billion annually in advertising revenue. Those platforms must now disable addictive design features — including infinite scrolling, autoplay video, and push notifications — on accounts belonging to users 16 and under.

The law also requires parental consent before minors in that age group can create accounts, and mandates age verification with an 80 percent confidence threshold to distinguish users above and below the cutoff. Critics of similar laws elsewhere have raised questions about enforcement, though Idaho’s revenue threshold limits the law’s reach to the largest platforms.

Teacher Union Funding Restrictions

House Bill 516 prohibits public school districts from using taxpayer funds to support union activities, including compensating teachers with paid leave time for union work. The restriction applies to any contract negotiated, amended, or extended after July 1, giving existing agreements some breathing room while gradually tightening the rules as they come up for renewal.

Ada County Highway District Elections Restructured

Senate Bill 1356 changes the election structure for the Ada County Highway District, one of the Treasure Valley’s most consequential local bodies. Starting with the 2028 election cycle, ACHD commissioner races will shift from non-partisan, by-district contests to partisan elections run districtwide. Supporters argued the change would give voters clearer choices; the move drew scrutiny from those who preferred keeping local infrastructure decisions outside party politics.

What Comes Next

With the 2026 legislative session concluded, the laws now move to the implementation phase. State and local agencies will need to update codes, contracts, and procedures to align with the new requirements. Some provisions — particularly around housing and age verification — may face legal challenges as affected parties assess their options.

The breadth of this year’s effective-date package reflects a Legislature that moved aggressively on several fronts simultaneously, reshaping local authority across housing, education, and elections in a single session.