Code Compliance Division
Enforcement and Inspections. The Code Compliance Division ensures compliance with all adopted city codes and regulations, and compliance with all land use and zoning regulations and conditions of approval, through proactively monitoring the city for visible violations, and responding to complaints.
Actions by Education, Cooperation, Warnings and Citations. Code Compliance’s goal is to obtain voluntary compliance. Working together with property owners, tenants, other City Departments and outside agencies, Code Compliance continues to improve the quality of life throughout the community. The code compliance team works to resolve violations through voluntary compliance, misdemeanor citations, property abatements and civil/criminal prosecution.
Violations Enforced. The following is a list of violations enforced by the code compliance office.
Discarded Matter
Discarded matter which has no substantial market value, is exposed to the elements, and is not enclosed in any structure or otherwise concealed from public view, including, but not limited to: rubble, litter, asphalt, concrete, plaster, tile, cardboard, paper, scrap wood, scrap metal, tires, broken glass, and/or other dilapidated or deteriorating personal property, is considered a nuisance and is in violation of city code.
Junk Vehicles on Private Property
Junk vehicles are defined as partially dismantled, wrecked, discarded or otherwise nonoperating motor vehicles or parts thereof. Also includes, but is not limited to, trucks, mobile homes, trailers, travel trailers, coaches, farm vehicles and machinery and/or bodies or major parts.
Rubbish or Refuse
Rubbish or refuse is defined as all waste wood, wood products, tree trimmings, grass clippings, dead plants, weeds, leaves, dead trees or branches, printed matter, paper, pasteboard, straw, used and discarded mattresses, used and discarded clothing, used and discarded shoes and boots, combustible waste products, boxes and other product packaging, discarded household items, discarded food products, and any other discarded waste materials.
All persons who reside, do business, own, manage, rent or lease property in the City of Caldwell shall be required to keep the property free of all accumulated and/or scattered waste material including personal property exposed to the elements and not concealed from public view.
Sidewalk Maintenance
Property owners must maintain the sidewalks in a safe, non-hazardous condition free from snow, ice, vegetation, weeds, personal property of any kind, or any other object or material on any public sidewalk or any portion of a public sidewalk
Complaints regarding broken, cracked and dilapidated sidewalks shall be made through the Caldwell City Clerk's office.
Solid Waste
Solid waste is the accumulation of and/or failure to lawfully dispose of solid waste on any commercial or residential premises.
Tree Violations
The branches of trees that overhang the sidewalks must be pruned up to a height of at least ten feet (10') to provide for vertical clearance. The branches of trees that overhang the street must be pruned up to a height of at least fourteen feet (14') to provide for vertical clearance.
Vacant and Open Dangerous Buildings
The Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings is primarily enforced by the City of Caldwell Building Division, along with the assistance of the Code Compliance Division and Caldwell Fire Department. However, all dangerous buildings that are open and accessible are enforced by the Code Compliance Division. All vacant, open and accessible buildings are required to be boarded up and secured to prevent unlawful entry.
Weeds
Weeds are defined as undesirable plant growth that is unkept, unsightly, and could be considered harmful to one's health. Weeds include noxious weeds, grasses, bushes, and any other plant meeting this description. Every person residing, doing business, owning, managing, renting and/or leasing within the Caldwell City limits are required to keep weeds over eight inches (8") in height cut down, removed, or destroyed.
Zoning Code Violations
In addition to the enforcement of various sections of the city code, Code Compliance is responsible for the enforcement of the City's zoning code. The Zoning Code defines what type of activities can take place on residential, commercial, industrial, and agriculturally zoned properties. Some activities require permits or special approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing Examiner, and/or City Council. In addition, many land use approvals have conditions that must be met. Code Compliance typically deals with violations of the zoning code, such as:
- Operating or doing business in the city without obtaining a business license
- Operating a business in your home without obtaining a home occupation permit
- Operating a daycare without obtaining a daycare license/permit
- Improper outdoor storage
- Illegal land uses
- Fence maintenance
- Sign violations
- Landscaping maintenance
- Noncompliance with conditions of approval on licenses, permits and/or land use entitlements
Code Compliance Process
Once we have received a complaint, our office will respond to the address to evaluate the property. If the violations are confirmed a letter is generated. The letter is sent to the owner and/or tenant of the property explaining the violation(s). Compliance is requested within ten (10) days of the date of the notice.
Once the time has expired, a follow-up inspection is conducted to verify the violations have been mitigated. If the violation(s) remain, a notice of Intent of Abatement or Notice of Misdemeanor Citation is issued.
The Abatement Notice gives the owner a final five (5) days, to complete compliance.
If the violation has not been corrected, the City of Caldwell will hire a contractor to clean up the property and charge the owner the costs of clean up plus an additional $190.00 administrative fee and $110 abatement inspection fee and/or Misdemeanor citation may be issued to violators.
Complaints
Code Violation Complaint Online Form
Caldwell Code Compliance Division does not handle the following issues:
Animal Control: Canyon County Dispatch (208) 454-7531
Only three dogs per residence are allowed in all of Canyon County. Dogs are not allowed to run loose or bark excessively.
Graffiti: In the City of Caldwell please Report Graffiti in Caldwell
Abandoned Vehicles: Caldwell Police Department Non-emergency Dispatch (208) 454-7531
An officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle has been "abandoned" or that a vehicle is inoperative, is authorized to remove the vehicle from a highway or public or private property to a garage or nearest place of safety. Abandoned or inoperative vehicles will be normally towed away 48 hours if on the street or five (5) days if on private property or business property open to the public. All vehicles parked on City streets must be registered and in operative condition, i.e. all tires up, engine running, etc. It is unlawful to maintain junk motor vehicles or parts of junk vehicles on the street, public property or business property open to the public. Violations can result in impounding of the vehicle and/or a misdemeanor citation.
Enforcement of Parking Regulations: Parking Compliance Division
Parking violation complaints can be submitted online.
FAQs