July 1, 2026
Day 1: Starting From Zero
Today is July 1, 2026 — the day Idaho's Senate Bill 1354 takes effect, guaranteeing homeowners in cities over 10,000 people the right to build one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a single-family lot. Post Falls, where I live, is one of those cities. (SB 1354 signed 2026-03-31, effective 2026-07-01, Idaho Code § 67-6541.)
I'm starting from zero. I don't know yet exactly what my property qualifies for, what it'll cost, or how long the permitting process will take — and that's the point. I want to build an ADU on my own property, and I'm going to document the entire journey in public: the research, the phone calls, the permit office visits, the surprises, the costs, the mistakes. Nothing polished, nothing after-the-fact — just what actually happens as it happens.
I'm excited. Idaho just opened a door that wasn't open before, and I want to walk through it in front of anyone who's curious how it's actually done. If you're a homeowner wondering whether you can build an ADU on your own Idaho property, this is going to be the record of one person actually doing it.
More journal entries soon. Thanks for being here on Day 1.