Caldwell, ID Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The FP-1 Floodplain Overlay Zone, sometimes labeled the F overlay zone elsewhere in the code, conserves the natural state of Caldwell's watercourses and protects public health and safety in areas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has mapped as special flood hazard zones A and AE. Its boundaries track the Flood Insurance Study for Canyon County and incorporated areas, along with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps adopted by reference under Section 12-15-05(2). The zone applies to every privately and publicly owned parcel within Caldwell's jurisdiction that falls inside the mapped hazard area.

Before any development activity begins in a special flood hazard area, the applicant must obtain a floodplain development permit under Section 12-15-07(3), and every condition of Chapter 12, Article 15's flood damage prevention regulations applies on top of the base zoning district's rules. Except for public infrastructure such as bridges and utilities, the code flatly bars placing or constructing any primary, accessory or temporary structure within an area FEMA has identified as a floodway. Height, rear yard, side yard, front yard setback, minimum lot area, sign and parking requirements inside the FP-1 zone otherwise match whatever underlying zoning district the overlay is combined with.

The city's nonliability clause makes clear that approving a structure or use in the F overlay zone is not a guarantee of safety and creates no liability for the city or its officers for flood damage that later results.