Code Enforcement

A Code Enforcement Officer will investigate complaints concerning Land Use issues or any violation of the Zoning or Public Health Ordinances. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted. The identity of private citizens filing a complaint remains confidential from the public or press for the duration of the investigation into their complaint. File information is not subject to information requests due to ongoing investigations.

Examples of these violations are:

• Failure to comply with Conditions of Approval for Conditional Use Permits;
• People living in recreational vehicles;
• Property uses which create possible health and fire hazard issues;
• Junk yards, accumulation/open storage of junk, trash or garbage;
• Inoperable vehicles (more than two non-running, non-licensed, or junked); vehicle parts; sales lots for vehicles;
• Sight Obstructions caused from bushes, shrubs or trees that may be blocking vision at street intersections;
• Illegal businesses, illegal land use and zoning violations.

Complaints not addressed by Canyon County Code Enforcement include:

• The County has no jurisdiction within city limits; so, if you wish to report a violation within city boundaries, please contact your city government offices.
• County Code Enforcement has no jurisdiction over public roadways, water on the roads, or weeds. Please direct weed complaints to Canyon County Weed and Pest Control at (208) 459-0510 or canyoncounty.id.gov/elected-officials/commissioners/weeds
• Any building violations involving electrical, plumbing, or mechanical are handled through the Idaho Division of Building Safety.
• Neighbor disputes over fence lines and boundaries or irrigation uses are civil matters and the County has no jurisdiction to resolve these issues.

Substantiated violations are enforced within the limitations of the Canyon County Zoning Ordinance and Public Health Ordinance and may result in court action (criminal misdemeanor citation or civil court proceedings). It is the goal of the Canyon County Development Services Department to gain compliance while keeping the public health, safety and welfare in the forefront prior to criminal action.

Please Note:
Any complaints in relation to barking dogs; unwanted cats or dogs; deceased, sick or injured dogs or cats; neglected animals or animal bites should be reported to the Animal Control Office. Contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at (208) 454-7531.

Contact:
Canyon County Development Services Department
111 North 11th Avenue, #310
Caldwell, ID 83605
Phone: (208) 402-4165

Complaints are resolved through the following process or steps:

Filing a Complaint

County residents may file a complaint in writing with a Code Enforcement Officer. (For ease in registering a complaint, this website contains an electronic form that can be completed and emailed to the department.) The complainant must identify the property location and the suspected ordinance violation. No anonymous complaints will be acted upon.

(Submit a Public Complaint Form in the next tab. Please note: only one address per complaint form).

Investigation

The Code Enforcement Officer will investigate complaints to confirm if any alleged violations are valid and will research information regarding the case.

If no violations are found, no action is taken.

Violation Identified

Once Code Enforcement confirms violations exist on the subject property, the owner will be notified in writing and given an opportunity to correct and/or abate the violations within a specified time frame.

Failure to Respond

Property owners/responsible parties failing to correct any infractions or neglect to abate within the allotted time frame may be subject to court action (criminal misdemeanor) or civil court proceedings. If all attempts to work with the owner/responsible party fail, the owner/responsible party may be subject to further enforcement action.

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office and/or Animal Control Office should be contacted at (208) 454-7531 for the following concerns:

• Vehicles in the public right of way
• Dogs at large or in traffic
• Barking dogs
• Found or unwanted dogs or cats
• Aggressive animals
• Deceased, injured and sick animals
• Animal attacks and bites
• Animal cruelty and neglect

The Canyon County Weed & Pest Control office should be contacted at (208) 459-0510 or www.canyoncounty.id.gov/elected-officials/commissioners/weeds for the following concerns:

• Pests and weed issues – including Noxious Weeds

The Canyon County Code Enforcement office should be contacted for the following Public Nuisance concerns:

• Failure to comply with Conditions of Approval for Conditional Use Permits;
• People living in recreational vehicles;
• Property uses which create possible health and fire hazard issues
• Junk yards, accumulation/open storage of junk, trash or garbage;
• Inoperable vehicles (more than two non-running, non-licensed, or junked); vehicle parts; sales lots for vehicles
• Sight Obstructions caused from bushes, shrubs or trees that may be blocking vision at street intersections;
• Illegal businesses, illegal land use and zoning violations.

Public Complaint Form

This complaint form may be used to file a complaint with the Development Services Dept.