Report Construction Concerns

A sidewalk or roadway adjacent to an active construction site may be blocked temporarily for the purpose of delivering or storing materials. 

Ongoing issues with sidewalks or roadways being blocked can be a violation of the general nuisance section.

To report a blocked sidewalk or roadway, contact the Code Enforcement Division of the Meridian Police Department at 208-846-7326 or use the online complaint form.

For more information, see MCC 4-2-4, General Nuisances.

As the City continues to grow, you may wonder why certain buildings are going up and how you can have a say. All building construction, from apartment complexes to commercial developments, is subject to a review process outlined by City plans, codes, and community input to guide how land is used and to ensure that new projects align with the City’s vision.

Two (2) primary documents are used when analyzing proposed developments:

1. Comprehensive Plan - the City’s long-term vision for growth that guides where businesses, homes, and parks should go. View the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Unified Development Code (UDC) - the tool used to implement the vision of the Comprehensive Plan. The UDC provides the development standards for the community and the framework of the application process.
   • View the Unified Development Code, the MCC Code of Ordinances.

To review other supporting documents, like transportation, pedestrian, and bicycle resources, road improvements, and studies, visit the Transportation page.

Types of Applications

Construction and land use applications are divided into two categories:

1. Administrative - reviewed and approved by the Director and staff, and does not require a public hearing.
2. Hearing - requires a public hearing or public meetings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and/or City Council, based on a recommendation from staff.

To review the complete list of application types and process workflows, view the Planning Application Types and Process document.

When to Get Involved

The best time to share your feedback on a project is early in the process, ideally before the developer submits an official application. There are multiple opportunities throughout the development process for the public to ask questions, share concerns, and potentially influence the outcome of a project. Here’s how:

• Public Hearings - large or complex projects require a public hearing, which community members are encouraged to attend.
• Track Projects Online - use the Active Public Hearing Map to see what is being proposed in your area.
• Send Comments - contact the Planning Division by phone at 208-884-5533 or email at planning@meridiancity.org to provide feedback and ask questions.

What Standards Apply

Developers have some flexibility in project look and feel, but must adhere to:

• The Comprehensive Plan
• Compatibility with nearby land use
• Compliance with UDC standards for things like building height, density, and design
• • Adequate access to public services such as roads, schools, water, and other public services

Additional Resources 

There are several tools to help follow projects and understand the planning process. Here are some additional resources:

• Online Application Search - view and track submitted plans
• Public Involvement Guide - learn how developers are encouraged to engage with the public

The City of Meridian partners with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) on fugitive dust concerns. Fugitive dust refers to dust that is airborne due to human activity, such as construction. Most dust concerns are addressed through education and voluntary compliance.

IDEQ regulates fugitive dust from construction sites under State Air Quality regulations. More information on IDEQ’s fugitive dust regulation can be found on their 58.01.01 – Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho document.

Additionally, the City worked with the local development and construction industry to set expectations for dust control and track-outs on construction sites within the City of Meridian.

City of Meridian Construction Dust Control Best Practices

Soil and Surface

• Use water trucks or hoses to wet dry, exposed soils
• Apply tackifiers, mulch, or other stabilization on disturbed or inactive areas
• Phase grading work to limit the size of open, exposed areas

Traffic and Hauling

• Install rock pads or stabilized entrances to reduce track-out
• Cover trucks carrying loose material 
• Limit vehicle speeds on unpaved surfaces to 10-15 mph
• Designate specific haul routes to avoid neighborhood impacts

Materials and Stockpiles

• Cover or stabilize stockpiles with vegetation, tackifiers, mulch, or tarps
• Ensure all loads are properly covered to prevent spillage

Roads and Streets

• Use mechanical or vacuum sweepers to remove dirt and track-out from roadways
• Promptly clean at site exits and intersections

Weather Response

• Observe daily weather conditions; adjust activities during high winds
• Pause or modify grading activities when dust cannot be adequately controlled

Fiber companies (high-speed internet) are permitted to install fiber in the right-of-way and in utility easements within the City of Meridian. Utility easements exist on many properties in Meridian.

ACHD issues permits for fiber optic installations within the public right-of-way. ACHD ensures projects comply with regulations and are installed correctly. The City of Meridian does not issue or control these permits.

For fiber-specific project issues, please contact ACHD Right of Way at 208-387-6224.

To find out if your property has a utility easement, review your property deed and title insurance documents. You may also obtain a professional survey or plat map and check county records. For more information, visit the Ada County Assessor’s Property Records webpage.

For more information about general utility easements, visit the Utility Easement page.

Landscape care and maintenance requirements are sometimes listed as a requirement of a Development Agreement or certificate of zoning compliance. These approvals may require specific amounts and types of bushes or trees and minimum expectations of care.

To report nuisance weeds, contact the Code Enforcement Division of the Meridian Police Department at 208-846-7326 or use the online complaint form.

MMC Section 3-4-12(H) requires that discarded materials and garbage generated at, or carried onto, a construction site be enclosed in a container meeting MMC Title 4, Chapter 1 requirements.

To report litter at a construction site, contact the Code Enforcement Division of the Meridian Police Department at 208-846-7326, or use the online complaint form.

Quiet hours are 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Complaints must be made at the time of occurrence by calling non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790. Safety warning devices that are required by law are exempt from noise violations.

For more information, see Meridian City Code (MCC) 6-3-6, Noises creating public disturbance.

Due to the nature of construction, parking time limits are waived for vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers used during an ongoing, lawful construction project, where they are parked within 100 feet of an active construction project. Other parking restrictions may apply.

To report a parking violation, contact non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790, or the Code Enforcement Division of the Meridian Police Department at 208-846-7326, or use the online complaint form.

For more information, see MCC 7-2-5, Parking on Public Streets.

If property damage occurs due to construction activity, it is a civil issue and must be addressed with the builder or developer. The City would not be involved in a civil issue between two private parties.

If vandalism is observed at a construction site, such as graffiti, damaged materials, or people trespassing into partially built properties, report it to non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790.

The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) owns and operates the roadways and associated stormwater infrastructure within Meridian.

All construction activities within the ACHD right-of-way, including the construction of new roadway infrastructure, must adhere to ACHD’s Construction Site Discharge Control (CSDC) Program requirements.

More information is on the ACHD CSDC Program webpage.

The City of Meridian does not manage roadway projects. Roadways in Ada County are managed and controlled by the Ada County Highway District (except highways/freeways, which are managed by the Idaho Transportation Department [ITD]). To save costs and limit future construction, the City partners with ACHD and ITD to install water and sewer infrastructure during roadway construction. But the City does not control the roadway project selections, durations, or contractors.

We understand that closing roadways, even partially, for construction is frustrating and often causes traffic issues in the short term. However, these projects are designed to enhance roadway conditions and traffic flow once completed.

If you have a concern with a current roadway project, please contact ACHD at 208-387-6100 or use the ACHD Connect with Us online form.

ACHD has information related to current and future roadway projects on its Roadwork in the Area page.

Weeds that are over eight inches (8) in height, those listed as noxious by the State of Idaho, and weeds that constitute a safety or fire risk are a violation of MCC 4-2-3, Abatable Nuisances.

To report nuisance weeds, contact the Code Enforcement Division of the Meridian Police Department at 208-846-7326 or use the online complaint form.