Caldwell, ID Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Caldwell sets pet limits through its land use code rather than the police-power animal chapter. Section 10-02-15, 'Land Use Regulations For Animals,' allows certain animals to be kept as pets in limited numbers, and the city's published example states a household could have up to five cats, ten chickens, and one goat as pets. Reporting on the zoning code has likewise described allowances of three dogs and as many as five cats per household, with the option of one pygmy goat or one potbellied pig, and a cap of no more than three different types of pets per household. To exceed the stated numbers, or to keep additional types of animals, the lot or parcel must be a minimum of one-half acre in size and/or the resident must obtain special use permit approval. The code's pet list includes cats, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese, goats, miniature horses, pigeons or doves, potbellied pigs, rabbits, non-prohibited reptiles, non-prohibited rodents, sheep, and equivalent small animals or poultry as determined by the planning director or designee. Because the dog count and several specifics come from the code's tables and from local reporting on the zoning ordinance, residents at or near the limits should verify the current numbers and the 'three different types' cap directly with Caldwell Planning and Zoning. Crossing the thresholds generally shifts the property into the livestock category, which carries its own lot-size, setback, and density requirements.