Rexburg Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Rexburg Zoning Overview
Rexburg is the county seat of Madison County in eastern Idaho, home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, which enrolls over 20,000 students and dominates the city's character and economy. The university's presence creates unique zoning challenges, particularly around student housing demand, seasonal population fluctuations, and the transition between campus and residential neighborhoods. The Planning and Zoning department manages a code that balances the needs of permanent residents with the housing and commercial demands of the student population.
Rexburg is situated in the upper Snake River plain, an agricultural region known for potato and grain farming. The city's growth has been driven by university expansion and a growing regional economy. The 1976 Teton Dam flood, which devastated the community, remains an important consideration in local floodplain management and emergency planning.
Key Zoning Districts
Rexburg's zoning includes R-1 (Single-Family), R-2 (Two-Family), and R-3 (Multi-Family) residential zones, with significant R-3 zoning near campus to accommodate student apartment complexes. Commercial districts include C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C-2 (General Commercial), with the Main Street area zoned for pedestrian-oriented commercial development.
ADU Regulations
Rexburg allows ADUs on residential lots with owner-occupancy requirements. Given the strong student rental market, ADUs serve dual purposes as both long-term family housing additions and potential rental units for university students. Size and setback requirements apply.
Development Process
Permits are processed through Planning and Zoning. The commission reviews subdivisions, conditional uses, and zone changes. Multi-family housing proposals near established single-family neighborhoods often generate community discussion about density and neighborhood character.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Rexburg
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 — Madison 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
- 9,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 8 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 3,500 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 50 ft
- Front Setback
- 0 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Rexburg
- 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 Rexburg are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Rexburg permit fees →