COEUR d’ALENE — A new ordinance making it easier to divide land in Kootenai County to gift or sell to a family member is now in effect. 

Kootenai County commissioners approved the family division ordinance in July. A family division is defined as a division of unplatted land for the purpose of a single gift or sale to the landowner’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild. 

“It’s a much easier way to divide land than the usual minor or major subdivision process,” Community Development Director David Callahan said in a news release. “Property owners can save thousands just by eliminating the requirement to hire a professional surveyor.” 

The family division process is exempt from provisions that are applicable to county subdivisions. However, other regulations still apply. For example, applicants must comply with requirements of all local, state and federal agencies, like fire districts and water districts. 

Not all parcels are eligible for the family division process. 

The parcel must be unplatted, meaning it hasn’t been through the county’s formal subdivision process. It must also meet minimum lot sizes. Minimum lot sizes are 5 acres or 10 acres in the agricultural and rural zones within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Reservation boundaries. 

Property owners may not create more than four parcels using this exemption and individual recipients may not receive more than one such parcel in their lifetime.

For more information, visit www.keepingkootenai.com.