Variance · Planning application
Request to keep backyard shed too close to property line denied
City staff denied a variance to keep an existing shed about 17 inches from a side property line; the required distance is 5 feet. Staff can approve sheds no closer than 3 feet. The owners may apply for a City Council variance, which requires a public hearing.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in City of Nampa's record. See the official record
Homeowners at 1526 Emerald Drive in Nampa asked to keep an existing backyard shed that sits about 17 inches from the side property line, closer than the required 5 feet. The city Planning Director said staff-level approval can only allow sheds as close as 3 feet, so the request was not granted. The owners may apply for a City Council variance, which would require a public hearing.
Variance from NCC 10-8-5.A rear and side setback requirements for existing shed to remain in current location.
Project name on file: 1526 Emerald Dr Davis Setbacks
Timeline
July 31, 2026
9 documents added
July 31, 2026
Staff Decision
July 31, 2026
Set Date for Review
July 31, 2026
Notice to Agencies/Departments
July 31, 2026
Notice to Area Property Owners
July 31, 2026
Decision: Denied
June 22, 2026
Planning Application Review
June 11, 2026
Assess Fees (Variance)
June 11, 2026
Plan Intake Passed
June 11, 2026
Application filed
June 11, 2026
Accepted for review
Documents
Project narrative
- Download Homeowner narrative on shed setback variance request
Homeowners explain that a shed placed in 2019 by a builder now violates setback rules, give measurements to the easement, fence and drain bank, and ask to keep it in place due to cost hardship.
June 11, 2026 · 2 pages · 370 KB · Narrative
- Download Pre-application meeting notes for variance on existing setbacks
Planning staff notes from a pre-application meeting on a staff-level variance to allow existing structures to remain within side setbacks, citing city code requirements.
June 11, 2026 · 1 page · 245 KB · Pre-App Mtg Notes
Decisions
- Download Staff-level variance decision letter on side and rear setbacks
Decision letter dated July 30, 2026, addressing a request to keep an existing shed within side and rear yard setbacks in a single-family residential zone.
July 31, 2026 · 19 pages · 7.3 MB · Decision Letter
Application
- Download Staff-level variance application
Nampa master application for a staff-level variance to reduce setbacks for a residential property, with applicant and owner information and a project description.
June 11, 2026 · 2 pages · 638 KB · Application
Photos
- Download Site photos showing setback conditions
Five photos with captions for the setback variance, including the inside of the fence, the back of a shed, and the property outside the back fence next to a canal.
June 11, 2026 · 5 pages · 2.2 MB · Photos
Other documents
- Affidavit regarding setbacks
June 11, 2026 · Affidavit
- Setbacks checklist
June 11, 2026 · Checklist
- Vicinity map
June 11, 2026 · Vicinity Map
- Warranty deed
June 11, 2026 · Warranty Deed
