Home > City Departments > Community Development Department

Community Development Department

General Information

 

 

What We Do

The Community Development Department provides professional and technical advice to elected officials, appointed commissions, city departments, and citizens to assist in their understanding of City planning and zoning ordinances, building and safety codes and permitting,standards and policies. The department handles all applications for land use development within the City of Hailey.

                                  

                View Hailey Zoning Map 2007          View Hailey Zoning Map July 2009

2009 Zoning Map Updates:

1. Zoning district and overlay boundary colors: consistency with previous years' colors was a goal; however, because the maps were made on a different printer, it was difficult to match colors and still provide the variability between zoning district colors, which would allow the map user to easily distinguish between districts.
2. Blocks: numbers are shown within a white circle to help better distinguish and find block numbers easier.
3. Subdivision: names are shown underlined to help better tistinguish them from other text on the map.
4. FEMA flood plain: FEMA revised their map in February 2009. This map has incorporated these changes to the flood plain, which only affected the area adjacent to the western corporate limits, near Bullion Street and the Big Wood River.
5. Addressing: all parcels are identified by the legal description, not the physical address. In the past, all areas outside of the Townsite Overlay have been identified by both the legal description and the physical address. The parcels within the Townsite Overlay have never been labeled with physical addresses because of the limited space available for multiple labels on the small parcels, typical of lots in the Townsite. The Planning Department is working on updating and labeling parcels outside of the Townsite Overlay with physical addresses and this is expected with the next map update in the Fall of 2010.   

                     

Mission Statement

Plan for growth while preserving community values and increasing our environmental, economic and social sustainability.

The purpose of the Hailey Community Development Department is to apply best practices to 1) ensure efficient land use, development and growth management, 2) ensure compliance with city policies and standards and 3) provide the public with information and assistance.

The Community Development Department’s core values, the principles that direct the way we do business, are:

• Professional and Ethical
• Thorough and Accurate
• Proactive and Corrective
• Open-minded and Creative
• Communicative and Collaborative
• Organized and Efficient
• Responsive and Adaptable
• Approachable and Knowledgeable

 

Planning and Zoning Commission

Contact Information

Beth Robrahn
Community Development Director
Phone: 208-788-9815 ext.13
E-mail: beth.robrahn@haileycityhall.org

Bart Bingham
Planning Coordinator
Phone: 208-788-9815 ext. 20
E-mail: bart.bingham@haileycityhall.org

Dave Ferguson
Building Official
Phone: 208-788-9815 ext. 16
E-mail: dave.ferguson@haileycityhall.org

 Our physical & mailing address: 115 Main St. South, Hailey, ID  83333

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the zoning of my property?

A.  To determine the zoning district your property is located in, please come to City Hall to view the Hailey Zoning Map, or call the Planning Department. You'll need the property's legal description or a detailed description of the property's location, so we can find it on our map.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q2. What are the allowed uses on my property?

A.  Each zoning district has Permitted, Accessory, and Conditional Uses (a Permit is required for a Conditional Use). These are listed for each district in the Hailey Zoning Ordinance. If you do not know the zoning district your property is located in, please call the Planning Department.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q3. What are the setbacks for my property?

A.  The required front, rear, and side yard setbacks vary between zoning districts. Setbacks are listed for each district in the Hailey Zoning Ordinance.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q4. Are front setbacks measured from the edge of the street?

A.  Yes and No. Setbacks are not measured from the edge of the pavement, but from the edge of the street right-of-way (Street right-of-way widths in Hailey vary between 60 and 100 feet). The best way to determine the exact location of all your property lines is to have a land surveyor locate the actual property pins.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q5. Do I need a permit to operate a Daycare?

A.  Daycare businesses are defined in three categories:

FAQs | Back to Top

Q6. Can I have a business in my home?

A.  Home occupations are permitted uses in residential zoning districts, however, these must be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of a dwelling as a residence and not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood. Home occupations must meet all of the following criteria as set forth in the Hailey Zoning Ordinance:

 

FAQs | Back to Top

Q7. I have a complaint about certain uses on a neighbor's property. How do I resolve the problem?

A.  Consider talking to your neighbor with the intent of working out your problem before involving the City in the matter. If you are unsuccessful in your diplomatic efforts, please submit your complaints, including as many details as possible, in writing to the City. The Planning Department will review the complaint, and if there is a zoning violation, will work to resolve the situation.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q8. What is the purpose of Design Review?

A.  The Design Review process was established in order to protect property rights and values, and ensure that the general appearance of buildings and site improvements are consistent with the goals of the City. These goals include: enhancement of properties with adequate landscaping, proper circulation within parking areas, and to encourage architecture that responds to the needs of the users, as well as presents an attractive exterior to the public and adjoining property owners. Nearly all commercial, industrial, public and multi-family residential (three or more units) projects have a requirement for Design Review approval.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q9. How soon can I get my application on a Planning and Zoning Commission's agenda?

A.  The Planning Department's deadline is approximately 5 1/2 weeks prior to the Commission meetings (see Meeting Deadlines ). This allows the Planning staff time to certify the application as complete, the City Department Heads to review the application to ensure it meets basic standards, and following this review, adequate time for providing notice of the Public Hearing as required by Idaho State Code.

FAQs | Back to Top

Q10. I know the City has an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. How does it affect me or my business?

A.  The Hailey Outdoor Lighting Ordinance is intended to cut down on unsafe glare to motorists and pedestrians, and to prevent light trespass onto neighboring properties, by requiring all outdoor lighting to be full cut-off and downcast. By directing the light downward, many residences and businesses are able to decrease the wattages of their lights, therefore reducing energy consumption. All residential users as well as business owners should be in full compliance with this ordinance at this time. For the full text of the ordinance, click here. For further questions, call 788-9815, ext. 24.

FAQs | Back to Top

Flood Plain Management

It's never too late to think about long term planning to prevent flood loss in the future, and to provide peace of mind when the snow pack starts to melt.

The City of Hailey has a Flood Hazard Overlay District, which includes all property that has been determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be in the 100 year floodplain. This zoning district has been set up to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions.

FLOOD DETERMINATION

The main watercourses within Hailey are the Big Wood River, Indian Creek, and Quigley Creek. If you live or own property near one of these waterways, you may be in the floodplain. FEMA produces a Flood Insurance Rate map (FIRM), which is available for review at the City of Hailey. To find out where your property is in relation to the floodplain, contact the Floodplain Administrator at 788-9830 X 17.

FLOOD INSURANCE

The City of Hailey participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which assures that flood insurance is available to everyone in the City. This program is set up to help reduce the flood hazard and lower the cost of flood insurance within the city. If you live in the floodplain and do not have flood insurance, check with your insurance agent. A standard homeowner's insurance policy does not provide flood damage coverage. According to most insurance carriers in the area, a 30-day waiting period exists for flood insurance to be effective, so if you feel flooding in your neighborhood may impact you make sure that you have your flood insurance in place ahead of time.

FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

The City of Hailey regulates activities, which occur within the Flood Hazard Overlay District through Section 4.10 of Zoning Ordinance # 532.

A Floodplain Development Permit is required prior to any development within the 100-year floodplain. This includes additions to existing buildings, any excavation or grading, the construction of new structures, and stream alteration. Some projects may also require approval from the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Army Corp of Engineers. If you are uncertain if your project would require a permit and/or prior approval, please contact the Floodplain Administrator or Building Departments prior to the commencement of any work.

IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING FLOODPLAIN RESOURCES

Floodplains provide many benefits and functions, which are valuable to our community. Simply put, a properly functioning floodplain helps reduce flood losses and erosion, improves water quality and wildlife habitat, and provides recreational and educational opportunities.

It is important to remember that even if you are not directly adjacent to the river or creek, your actions could impact the quality of the water. Storm water drains to the waterways and carries with it any pollutants it encounters along the way. Common pollutants, which seriously impact the water quality, include fertilizer, pesticides and oils.

WHAT'S NEW

A couple of issues regarding the Quigley Flood Study have come to light with the expansion of Wood River High School. A stream alteration has been constructed by the City, Quigley Canyon Ranch, and the Blaine County School District so that potential floodwaters would come down the new canal adjacent to the new high school. There is an increased possibility of water being seen in the Woodside canals when there has not been water in those channels for many years. Please be cautious if this does occur, especially with regard to children and pets playing near the canals.

There also is the possibility that the City may be able to have FEMA re-evaluate the Quigley Flood Study, as it appears to be in error. It is our sincere hope that if we can have this done, FEMA would amend their flood map, and remove portions of Woodside from its flood hazard area. This project is one that will require several years to complete, and your patience with our staff will be greatly appreciated.

Back to Top