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Shoreline Management Areas

Kootenai County’s Shoreline Management Areas

Shoreline Management Areas in Kootenai County include areas adjacent to rivers, lakes and streams. The county regulates activities in these areas before, during and after construction to help water quality and aquatic habitat from property erosion and nutrient loading. The county’s goal is to promote the continued health of our lakes and rivers while respecting the rights of property owners. Read below for an overview of Shoreline Management Areas. 

Before performing any work in a Shoreline Management Area, please review the county code (8.7.111: Shoreline Management Area) and contact the Community Development Department. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific areas are designated as Shoreline Management Areas?

Kootenai County’s Shoreline Management Area is 25 feet landward in slope distance from the ordinary high water mark of all recognized lakes, the Coeur d’Alene River and the Spokane River.  

What are the ordinary high water marks for the county's lakes and rivers?

Ordinary high water marks are the following elevations according to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988: 

  • Coeur d’Alene Lake: 2128.7  (Equivalent to 2128 per Avista datum)  
  • Fernan Lake: 2135.1 
  • Hauser Lake: 2190.9 
  • Hayden Lake: 2242.9 
  • Pend Oreille Lake: 2066.5 
  • Spirit Lake: 2446 
  • Twin Lakes: 2315.8 

For bodies of water not listed above, ordinary high water marks will be determined through an on-site inspection of evidence of historical water levels.  

What activities are prohibited in Shoreline Management Areas?

Applying fertilizers to turf grass or storing chemicals that may adversely affect water quality is not allowed in Shoreline Management Areas. This includes petroleum products, pesticides, fertilizers and similar liquids and compounds. Mechanical ground disturbances are not allowed, except those specifically listed as permitted activities. 

What activities are permitted in Shoreline Management Areas?
  • Construction of stairways, walkways and trams. The county allows construction of a single stairway or walkway plus landings and a tram for each parcel in a Shoreline Management Area. The county may allow an additional stairway, walkway and tram if a parcel has more than 250 feet of shoreline frontage. Commercial marinas and community docks will be allowed to construct stairways, walkways and trams as approved by  the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). Kootenai County limits the width of stairways, walkways and landings, with some exceptions for commercial marinas, community docks or other IDL-permitted commercial use.  
  • Repair, replacement, alteration and relocation of existing site improvements. This includes landscaping, retaining walls and shoreline protection revetments. Even if a site disturbance plan is not required, property owners must submit a site plan to the county showing all activities that will be performed within the Shoreline Management Area (see code subsection 8.7.111(E8)). Installation of water intake lines, pump houses, power lines and similar linear infrastructure. 
  • Removal of structures or debris resulting from wildfire, flooding or other acts of nature.
  • Removal of dead or dying trees and shoreline debris, abatement of noxious weeds, and other routine maintenance activities. 
  • Seating, picnic and barbecue areas, and recreational equipment that do not cause more than a minimal disturbance to the Shoreline Management Area. 
  • Routine pruning and trimming. 
  • Shoreline erosion control measures as defined in the Shoreline Management Code (8.7.111) and subject to approval of a site plan. 
  • Trimming of shrubs and tree removal to create a view corridor within limits defined by the Shoreline Mangement Code. 
  • Pervious pavers, wood or composite decking and similar types of construction that do not concentrate runoff and do not cause more than a minimal disturbance to the Shoreline Management Area. 
  • Planting of native vegetation as part of permitted activities is encouraged.  
Are there any exceptions to development activity within the Shoreline Management Area?

 The responsibility of the landowner is to manage the property according to the intent and agreed upon provisions of the conservation easement. The conservation organization is legally required to monitor the conservation easement at least annually to ensure the landowner is complying with the conservation easement terms and to restore compliance if needed.  

Where can I learn more about Shoreline Management Areas?

View the Shoreline Management Area code (8.7.111) or contact the Community Development Department at (208) 446-1070.