Canyon County Regional REALTORS® has been following and sharing comments on the county’s proposed Administrative Land Division Code Update (OR2025-0019). Here is an update on what we’ve done so far, where things stand and how you can help.
What the County Is Proposing
Canyon County is holding a public hearing on November 5, 2026, on a zoning ordinance change that could significantly restrict how agricultural land, acreage, and other property can be divided, developed, and used — including the elimination of the administrative land division process for nonviable agricultural parcels.
This change would directly affect those who own agricultural land, acreage, or property that may be divided or developed in the future.
- Elimination of the nonviable agricultural land division process, removing a flexible option landowners currently rely on
- A potential shift to a five-acre minimum for administrative land divisions, with a discretionary review process for anything between one and five acres
- New definitions for parcels, lots, "buildable" vs. "non-buildable" property, and agricultural-only parcels
- Additional conceptual site plan, irrigation plan, agency notification, and record of survey requirements
- Changes to pre-approval timeframes for building permits and administrative land divisions
Timeline
- August 20, 2026: Canyon County leaders heard public comment on the proposed changes. Our members turned out in force, and Past President Mitch Wixom spoke in opposition on behalf of the Association.
- September 23, 2026: A coalition letter was sent to the Board of Commissioners, Development Services staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission requesting withdrawal of the ordinance. It was signed by several large land owners, the SRVBCA, 2CRR, Farm Bureau, the Growing Together organization and other stakeholders.
- October 26, 2026: Deadline to submit written comment.
- November 5, 2026: The county will hold another public comment session on the proposed changes.
The August Hearing
Turnout was strong. According to the coalition letter, more than 100 people attended, roughly 80 signed up to testify in opposition, three spoke as neutral, and no one spoke in favor. Many of those in the room were our members. We are grateful to every member who took the time to show up.
The Community Letter
Following the hearing, the Association joined a coalition of farmers, ranchers, builders, property-rights advocates and other stakeholders in signing a letter asking the county to withdraw the ordinance and start over with meaningful participation from those most directly affected. Read the full letter with signatures (PDF). The text of the letter follows.
Request to Withdraw Canyon County Administrative Land Division Code Update – OR2025-0019
TO: The Canyon County Board of Commissioners, Canyon County Development Services Staff, and Canyon County Planning & Zoning Commission:
We, the undersigned citizens and stakeholders of Canyon County, are writing to express our strong opposition to OR2025-0019 in its entirety and to respectfully request that Canyon County Development Services withdraw the proposed ordinance and begin the process again with meaningful participation from the people most directly affected.
The public hearing made clear the depth and breadth of concern surrounding this proposal. More than 100 people attended. Approximately 80 people signed up to testify in opposition, three spoke as neutral, and not one person spoke in favor of the proposal. Farmers, ranchers, property owners, REALTORS®, builders, agricultural interests, property-rights advocates and other citizens came together with a remarkably consistent message: OR2025-0019, as proposed, should not move forward.
This proposal places unnecessary and unreasonable restrictions on private property owners and their ability to exercise their established rights. We believe these restrictions raise serious concerns under Idaho’s Regulatory Takings Act and represent government overreach into fundamental private property rights. Government should not unnecessarily restrict those rights or take away current options of property owners.
We believe there is a better path forward, and we are willing to help.
Many of the individuals and organizations signing this letter are prepared to volunteer their time and experience to participate in workshops, provide practical examples and help the County understand how proposed changes would affect the ability of farmers, ranchers and other property owners to continue living on, working and stewarding their land.
The turnout and testimony at the public hearing should not be viewed simply as opposition to change. It should be viewed as an opportunity. There is clearly a community willing to come to the table and do this work with you.
We respectfully ask Canyon County Development Services to withdraw OR2025-0019 in its entirety and ask the Board of County Commissioners to support a new, collaborative process that begins with the people whose property and livelihoods will be directly affected.
Respectfully,
The Undersigned Citizens and Stakeholders of Canyon County
Get Involved
- Submit written comment by October 26, 2026. Written comments must be submitted at least 10 days before the November 5 session. Comment and questions can be directed to Dan Lister at daniel.lister@canyoncounty.id.gov.
- Attend the November 5 hearing. Hearing to be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the Canyon County Administration Building (111 N 11th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605). A full room sends a message.
- Stay informed. The proposed code changes and supporting materials are available on the Canyon County Development Services land divisions page.
- Please share this information with other farmers, landowners, builders and property owners who may be affected.