COMPLAINT PROCESS

The most common ordinance issues are weed complaints, trash complaints and abandoned vehicles.

Once we have received an ordinance complaint, the Code Enforcement Officer will respond to the address to evaluate the property. The violations are recorded on a card which is then turned into the Records Division where a letter is generated. The letter is sent out to the owner of the property explaining the violation(s). Once the owner of the property has received the letter, they will have 5 days plus 5 days mailing time, or 10 days, to take care of the complaint.

The Code Enforcement Officer will go back to the property after the time has expired and check to see if the violations have been taken care of. If the violation has not been corrected, then the officer will notify Records and have them generate an Abatement Notice.

The Abatement Notice gives the owner an additional 5 days plus 5 days mailing time, or 10 days, to complete what we have requested. The Abatement Notice is also posted on the property.

If the violation has not been corrected, then the City of Caldwell will clean up the property and charge the owner the costs of cleanup PLUS an additional $100.00 administrative fee.

Misdemeanor citations can also be issued to people who are in violation. If, towards the end of the year the bill has not been paid by the property owner, then the balance will be placed on their property taxes including a 10 percent late fee.

QUESTIONS

If anyone has questions regarding Code Enforcement or want to file a complaint, you are encouraged to contact us at (208) 455-3117.

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.

REFUSE

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.

ABANDONED VEHICLES

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 privvate 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 impoundment of the vehicle and/or a misdemeanor citation.

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ADDITIONAL SUMMARY INFORMATION

Yard Sales--No more than four yard sales may be held in a calendar year at one location or address, and no sale may run in excess of three calendar days.

Signs--No signage is allowed on publicly-owned property, utility poles, trees or in any public right-of-way.

Dogs--Only three per residence are allowed in all of Canyon County. Dogs are not allowed to run loose or bark excessively.

Alleys--Are not storage or dumping areas (i.e. grass clippings, tree limbs, parking or other items).

Graffiti--Owners must remove.

Semi-trucks with trailers--Not allowed to be parked on any residential street or alley other than for loading or unloading cargo.

Tires--Must be disposed of at the landfill.

Sidewalks--Property owner must maintain the sidewalks in a safe, non-hazardous condition.

Parking--Vehicles must be parked in the direction of traffic, no more than 18 inches from the curb. No person shall park a vehicle on the sidewalk.

House numbers--Numbers are required for all residences. They must be visible from the street and contrast with the background--Size: 6" high.

For detailed information on City Codes, please contact the Code Enforcement Division.