ADVOCACY UPDATE: LAVA HOT SPRINGS

Photo Courtesy of Edgar Zuniga Jr. via Flickr

Major Victory for Private Property Rights in Idaho

We are excited to announce that Idaho REALTORS® has secured a unanimous and landmark victory at the Idaho Supreme Court, overturning a restrictive short-term rental ordinance in Lava Hot Springs. This legal decision significantly reinforces the protection of private property rights, benefiting property owners throughout Idaho.

In 2022, Idaho REALTORS® took action by filing a lawsuit challenging Lava Hot Springs’ ordinance, which restricted non-owner-occupied short-term rentals to commercial zones, effectively banning them from residential neighborhoods. Our stance was clear: this policy violated state law designed specifically to prevent such prohibitions and uphold private property rights.

Yesterday, the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously supported our position, invalidating the city’s ordinance. This ruling explicitly affirmed that prohibitive zoning restrictions under the pretense of “regulation” violate Idaho state law and will not be tolerated.

This outcome is a testament to REALTOR® advocacy in action. Your continued support and engagement have made a direct and meaningful impact, demonstrating how collective advocacy efforts protect property rights statewide.

Thank you for your unwavering support and involvement. Together, we have strengthened property rights protections in Idaho, ensuring greater clarity and security for homeowners and property investors across our state.