Caldwell, ID Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Under Caldwell City Code 10-12-03-22, a home occupation is permitted but must meet detailed standards. The occupation must be 'clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling' and conducted within the dwelling by its inhabitants; the code allows one additional individual (paid or unpaid) who does not live in the home to participate, but no one else. No more than one home occupation is permitted per dwelling. Not more than one-fourth (1/4) of the gross area of the dwelling may be used for all home occupations combined (garages are excluded from that calculation). Only articles produced by the dwelling's inhabitant may be sold on the premises, and no activity may indicate from the exterior that the dwelling is used for anything other than a residence. All parking generated by the business must be on-site in a designated area such as a driveway - never on the public street or in the front-yard setback - and delivery or loading/unloading is restricted to between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (with an exception for in-home daycares). Garages may be used for the occupation up to fifty percent (50%) of their area, and accessory structures up to two hundred (200) square feet. The Director may require an inspection before issuing the permit, and the permit may be revoked for violations after a 30-day cure period. A separate land-use category, 'Cottage and Craftsman Industries' (Code 10-12-03-13), governs larger home-based production uses up to 1,000 square feet with up to two employees.