PROJECT OVERVIEW

Kootenai County’s Board of Commissioners passed an emergency ordinance on March 29, 2022, to protect the county’s groundwater within the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The emergency ordinance, which expires September 25, 2022, amends the minimum parcel size of the county’s Ag-Suburban, Restricted Residential and High Density Residential zoning districts that coincide with the boundaries of the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

Using the emergency ordinance as a starting point, Kootenai County’s Planning and Zoning Commission will begin considering Land Use and Development code amendments for long-term protection of the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer at a workshop on April 28, 2022.   

A minimum of one public hearing will be scheduled in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission before a recommendation is made to the Board of County Commissioners. For regular updates and information on opportunities for public comment, please watch www.keepingkootenai.com   The proposed zoning amendments, maps and background information are available below.