Caldwell, ID Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Article 8 of Chapter 10 sets design standards for the D-CC and D-CB downtown zoning districts under Caldwell City Code § 10-08-09-2. Primary building facades must be built of high-quality unpainted brick and stucco; secondary trim materials, capped at 20 percent of the facade, may use painted brick, stained and sealed wood, metal panel, terra cotta cladding, or tile. Where two wall materials are combined on one facade, the lighter material must sit above the heavier one, such as wood over stucco or stucco over masonry.

Building colors must stay within natural, light, or muted neutral tones and substantially match the "Plaza Facade Design Handbook" adopted by the Caldwell City Council, the city's downtown design guide document. Reflective finishes, glare-producing surfaces, and bright saturated primary colors are strictly prohibited anywhere on the site or structure. Section § 10-08-09(1)(D) further makes clear that any design guidelines or policies the City Council adopts are applicable and enforceable within the downtown districts, so handbook updates carry legal weight without a separate ordinance amendment. Properties inside the Indian Creek Corridor or a designated local historic district face additional overlay standards layered on top of these facade rules.

Planning and Zoning reviews compliance during building permit and site plan review for new construction, additions, and exterior renovations; noncompliant plans are not approved until facade materials, colors, and finishes match the adopted handbook and this section.