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NUISANCE PROPERTY ABATEMENT

Boise City Code tit. 4, ch. 2
in effect

Boise City Code § 4-2-1 DEFINITIONS

4-2-1: DEFINITIONS: The following words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: CHIEF OF POLICE: The Chief of the Boise City Police Department or his/her designee. CITY ATTORNEY: The Boise City Attorney or his/her designee. NUISANCE ACTIVITIES: Any of the following activities, behaviors or conduct: A. The illegal manufacturing, producing, preparing, packaging, buying or selling of amphetamine, methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine in any form. B. The illegal possession of materials or equipment used, or with the intent to be used, in the manufacture, production, preparation or packaging of amphetamine and methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine. C. Improper storage or disposal of hazardous materials, as defined in the International Fire Code, as adopted by section 5-12-2 of this Code, which are used in the activities described in subsections A and B of this definition. D. Violation of Idaho Code section 18-2604 by intimidation of a witness who has reported nuisance activities, by a person residing on, or the owner of, property under investigation for nuisance activities. NUISANCE PROPERTY: Real property, commonly used for human habitation, including all buildings and structures located upon said real property on which two (2) or more nuisance activities have occurred during any one hundred eighty (180) day period. Real property containing multiple dwelling units shall only be declared a "nuisance property" as it relates to the individual unit involved in the nuisance activity. However, should the same individual be involved in multiple instances of nuisance activities on the same real property, but in different units, each incident shall be counted toward a finding of a nuisance property. If the property owner/manager provides substantiated information that the individual is in the process of being evicted, subsequent activities performed by the individual to be evicted shall not be counted toward a finding of nuisance property. Further, if the property owner/manager is the reporting party leading to the discovery of the nuisance activities being conducted on the property, there shall be no finding of nuisance property based upon the reported incident. PLAN OF ACTION: A detailed written response from the property owner describing the manner in which the property owner will, within their legal authority, make a good faith effort to prevent nuisance activities from continuing. The plan of action shall be filed with the Chief of Police within fifteen (15) working days from the date of the notice in subsection 4-2-2B1 of this chapter. Instructions and educational materials regarding the preparation of the plan of action will be available at the Office of the Chief of Police. POLICE REPORT: Information received by the Boise City Police Department which has been substantiated after an investigation. SECURE TASK FORCE: A committee of individuals, including City staff members, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Mayor of Boise City. The SECURE Task Force shall also consist of at least two (2) individuals from a professional association or group, including, but not limited to: IREM, Idaho Manufactured Housing Association, Idaho Rental Owners and Managers Association, National Association of Residential Property Managers, Ada County Association of Realtors, as well as a citizen from the private sector knowledgeable in hazardous materials and a citizen knowledgeable in landlord/tenant law. (1952 Code § 8-18-01; amd. 2019 Code)

Boise City Code § 4-2-2 PROCEDURE FOR FORMAL PROCEEDINGS

4-2-2: PROCEDURE FOR FORMAL PROCEEDINGS: A. Notice Of Nuisance Property: Upon the receipt of a police report describing activities that are nuisance activities on a property, the Chief of Police may begin formal proceedings. If formal proceedings are deemed appropriate, the proceedings shall be begun by: 1. Notifying the property owner and the property manager, if known, that the property is in danger of being declared a nuisance property. The notice shall contain the following information: a. The street address or physical description sufficient to describe the property location. b. A statement that a nuisance activity has taken place on the property with a description of the events that have occurred on the property. The notification shall include educational material and referral information to assist in the abatement of the nuisance activity. B. Second Report: Upon the receipt of a second police report describing activities that are nuisance activities on the same property within a one hundred eighty (180) day period, the Chief of Police will continue formal proceedings by: 1. Notifying the property owner and the property manager, if known; and if known from official public records, the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance of record; the owner or holder of any lease of record; and the holder of any other estate or legal interest of record in or to the building or the land on which it is located, that the property is in danger of being declared a nuisance property. Service of the notice upon the owner shall be by delivering a copy of the notice to the individual personally or by leaving a copy thereof at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person over the age of eighteen (18) years then residing therein or by delivering a copy of the notice to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. Where reasonable efforts to effect personal service have been unsuccessful, service shall be by registered or certified mail to the last known address of the person to be notified and if no returned receipt, by publication once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers most likely to give notice to the person to be served. The notice shall contain the following information: a. The street address or physical description sufficient to describe the property location. b. A statement that the property is being considered for declaration as nuisance property with a description of the events that have occurred on the property. c. A requirement that the property owner provide a plan of action, approved by the Chief of Police, to abate the nuisance activities. C. Abatement Upon Failure To Comply; Appeal: The Chief of Police shall begin abatement proceedings if no written response is received from the property owner within fifteen (15) working days from the date of service or receipt of the notice, or the plan of action agreed upon between the property owner and the Chief of Police has not been completed within a thirty (30) working day period following the agreement and any applicable extensions. 1. If the Chief of Police and the property owner, or property manager, are unable to reach an agreement on an appropriate plan of action, the Chief of Police shall mail, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the property owner and property manager, if any, the requirements which must be satisfied to prevent the property from being declared nuisance property. Any property owner, or property manager, aggrieved by any decision rendered by the Chief of Police pursuant to this chapter may appeal such decision to the City Council. Such appeal shall be in writing, describing the decision and the grounds for the appeal, and shall be filed with the City Clerk within ten (10) days after the receipt of the requirements from the Chief of Police. The matter shall be heard before the City Council within thirty (30) days of the filing of the appeal. No fee shall be assessed for the filing of this appeal. The City Council shall have the power to approve, revise or amend the decision of the Chief of Police and the decision of the City Council shall be final. 2. The Chief of Police shall refer the matter to the SECURE Task Force. The SECURE Task Force shall not refer the matter to the City Attorney if the owner is cooperating with the Chief of Police and the SECURE Task Force. If the SECURE Task Force agrees that forced abatement is appropriate, it shall refer the matter to the City Attorney for consideration of proceeding with the abatement of the nuisance property. D. Notification Procedure: Unless otherwise specified, all notifications shall be made by certified mail return receipt requested at the last known address as listed on the tax rolls of Ada County, or for corporate entities, the registered agent as listed with the Secretary of State. E. Statements Not Admission: Statements made by the owner in providing a plan of action to abate the nuisance activities shall not constitute an admission that any nuisance activities have occurred or are occurring. This subsection does not require the exclusion of any other evidence which may otherwise be admissible or offered for any other purpose. (1952 Code § 8-18-02)

Boise City Code § 4-2-3 SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS

4-2-3: SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS: If evidence exists to substantiate the belief that nuisance activities exist or have occurred on the property such that emergency action is necessary to avoid an immediate threat to public welfare and safety, the Chief of Police may immediately notify the City Attorney and request that summary proceedings begin to secure immediately a closure of the premises. Summary proceedings to obtain an immediate closure of the property shall be pursuant to rule 65(b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure for the issuance of a temporary restraining order. The use of summary proceedings does not preclude the exercise of other emergency procedures. (1952 Code § 8-18-03)

Boise City Code § 4-2-4 REMEDIES

4-2-4: REMEDIES: A. Legal Proceedings: The SECURE Task Force may request the City Attorney to commence legal proceedings in the District Court to abate the nuisance activity and/or to seek closure of the property, the imposition of civil penalties against the property owner, and any other remedies allowed by law, including costs and attorney fees. B. Order Of Court: If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is nuisance property, the court may order the property to be closed and secured against all unauthorized access, use and occupancy for a period of time which the court deems appropriate in its discretion. The order shall be part of the final judgment with the court retaining jurisdiction over the matter during the period of closure. C. Civil Penalty For Abatement Costs: If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is nuisance property, the court may order a civil penalty of the costs incurred by the City to abate the nuisance activities. The civil penalty shall be assessed against the property owner and shall be included in the civil judgment entered against the property owner. D. Property Owner Unaware Of Nuisance: If the court finds that the property owner could not at all material times have determined that the property had become nuisance property after exercising reasonable care and diligence, the court shall not award civil penalties against the property owner, nor order closure of the property. (1952 Code § 8-18-04)

Boise City Code § 4-2-5 ENFORCEMENT

4-2-5: ENFORCEMENT: In the event the property owner fails to physically secure the property against all unauthorized access, the court may authorize the City to physically secure the property. In the event that the City is authorized to secure the property, the City shall recover from the property owner all costs reasonably incurred by the City to physically secure and maintain the security of the property. (1952 Code § 8-18-05)
Source: Boise City, Idaho, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/boise_id/latest/boise/0-0-0-4528Fetched: 11/1/2026

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