Caldwell, ID Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Caldwell restricts fence materials under Section 10-02-07. Electric, concertina, barbed, and razor wire fences are generally prohibited in all zoning districts. The exception is in commercial and industrial zones, where such wire may be used only as the top section of a fence, beginning at least six feet (6') above grade, so the dangerous material sits above normal reach. In the Steunenberg residential historic district, chainlink fencing and vinyl fencing are prohibited to preserve the district's character, although existing fences of those materials may remain. Material restrictions also interact with height and frontage rules: certain fencing materials excluded near arterial roadways do not apply along the front property line or along side property lines within twenty feet of the front line for properties fronting a minor or major arterial roadway. Because the 2025 code update reorganized Chapter 10, owners should confirm the exact prohibited-material list and any district-specific overlays (historic, downtown C-C) with the Planning and Zoning Division. Material that is allowed by zoning may still require a building permit if it forms a masonry or structural wall, or a retaining wall over four feet.