City staff says proposed salvage-yard rules meet DEQ standards; council debates residence buffer
October 20, 2025 | Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho
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City staff told the Idaho Falls City Council at its work session that the city’s draft ordinance to allow salvage yards in certain industrial zones meets Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) guidance, but council members asked staff to increase residential buffers before final consideration.
Mister Sander, a Community Development Services staff member, told the council he had spoken with DEQ and that DEQ “require[s] a 100 foot separation from all waterways,” and that the agency’s focus is primarily on free‑flowing waters such as the Snake River. He said one northern Idaho jurisdiction the DEQ reviewed had a 300‑foot separation requirement but that 100 feet is the DEQ minimum. Sander said the city’s proposed code establishes a 450‑foot separation from the river and that DEQ reviewed the draft and found it met their requirements.
The presentation mapped where salvage yards might locate in city industrial transects, noting the north side (near Highway 20 and Yellowstone Highway) and a lower‑river industrial area south of Sunnyside as the likely places for expansion. Sander highlighted a 750‑foot Army Corps of Engineers buffer along the river and said the city has limited suitable, contiguous land in riverfront industrial tracts. He also said that tire storage at salvage yards requires a DEQ permit and that DEQ coordinates annual inspections and permits for stacked materials.
Councilors pressed staff on residential protections and fire risk. Councilor Radford asked for clarity on the definition of “residential district” (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 and R‑3A were cited by staff) and said she favored a 750‑foot residential buffer “just like we do the river.” Councilor Freeman and others discussed tire‑stacking limits and enforcement; Sander said DEQ and local fire officials limit stacking heights and monitor sites, and that salvage yards “can’t be stored forever” and must be processed or recycled.
Councilor Francis proposed matching the residential buffer to the river buffer (approximately 750 feet), and the council asked staff to update the draft ordinance language (including replacing a draft “letter g” with 700–750 feet as discussed) and prepare the edited version for the published Thursday agenda. Council members and staff noted that changes requested now are time‑sensitive because the ordinance would be considered at the upcoming public hearing.
The council did not take a final vote on the salvage‑yard amendment during the work session; staff was directed to revise the draft zoning language and post the updated materials for the public agenda.
Sander also noted coordination with Bonneville County on a memorandum of understanding for a 100‑foot buffer for trails and green space that the county is including in its river planning. He emphasized that DEQ’s 100‑foot separation is the minimum standard and that local code may impose larger buffers.
Questions remaining for the council to resolve before the public hearing include the final numeric buffer for residential zones and any additional operational limits on tire storage and material stacking that might be added to the ordinance.
Mister Sander, a Community Development Services staff member, told the council he had spoken with DEQ and that DEQ “require[s] a 100 foot separation from all waterways,” and that the agency’s focus is primarily on free‑flowing waters such as the Snake River. He said one northern Idaho jurisdiction the DEQ reviewed had a 300‑foot separation requirement but that 100 feet is the DEQ minimum. Sander said the city’s proposed code establishes a 450‑foot separation from the river and that DEQ reviewed the draft and found it met their requirements.
The presentation mapped where salvage yards might locate in city industrial transects, noting the north side (near Highway 20 and Yellowstone Highway) and a lower‑river industrial area south of Sunnyside as the likely places for expansion. Sander highlighted a 750‑foot Army Corps of Engineers buffer along the river and said the city has limited suitable, contiguous land in riverfront industrial tracts. He also said that tire storage at salvage yards requires a DEQ permit and that DEQ coordinates annual inspections and permits for stacked materials.
Councilors pressed staff on residential protections and fire risk. Councilor Radford asked for clarity on the definition of “residential district” (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 and R‑3A were cited by staff) and said she favored a 750‑foot residential buffer “just like we do the river.” Councilor Freeman and others discussed tire‑stacking limits and enforcement; Sander said DEQ and local fire officials limit stacking heights and monitor sites, and that salvage yards “can’t be stored forever” and must be processed or recycled.
Councilor Francis proposed matching the residential buffer to the river buffer (approximately 750 feet), and the council asked staff to update the draft ordinance language (including replacing a draft “letter g” with 700–750 feet as discussed) and prepare the edited version for the published Thursday agenda. Council members and staff noted that changes requested now are time‑sensitive because the ordinance would be considered at the upcoming public hearing.
The council did not take a final vote on the salvage‑yard amendment during the work session; staff was directed to revise the draft zoning language and post the updated materials for the public agenda.
Sander also noted coordination with Bonneville County on a memorandum of understanding for a 100‑foot buffer for trails and green space that the county is including in its river planning. He emphasized that DEQ’s 100‑foot separation is the minimum standard and that local code may impose larger buffers.
Questions remaining for the council to resolve before the public hearing include the final numeric buffer for residential zones and any additional operational limits on tire storage and material stacking that might be added to the ordinance.
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