Home Occupation Permits

Home Occupation Permit Application (PDF)

Who needs a home occupation permit?

Any activity carried out for gain by a resident and conducted in the resident's dwelling unit and that meets all of the requirements and standards for a home occupation as listed under section 10-02-09 of Caldwell City Code. All residents must obtain a home occupation permit prior to engaging in any home occupation within the city limits.

10-02-09: Home Occupations

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a "home occupation" as defined in Caldwell city code, within the city, without first having received a home occupation permit therefor to be issued by the city planning and zoning department.
(2) Application for a home occupation permit shall be in writing, signed to and sworn by the resident and the property owner, upon application forms furnished by the city planning and zoning department.
(3) The initial permit fee imposed and collected shall be as set by city council. A home occupation permit shall not be transferable from one individual or property owner to another nor shall said permit be transferable from one site to another but shall be valid only for the site to which it was issued and the individual to whom it was issued. In the event of a change of site or change of individual, application for a new home occupation permit shall be required.
(4) Home occupation permit applications shall meet all of the home occupation standards to be considered eligible for approval of issuance of a home occupation permit:

Idaho State Requirements

Phone: (208) 334-2300
Website: www.sos.idaho.gov

Phone: (208) 334-7660
Website: www.tax.idaho.gov

Submit Online:

Home Occupation Permit (doing business from within the walls of your home)

Home Occupation Permit Application Process

Note:

Below are some of the most important requirements for home occupations.

The home occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling. The only uses that may be allowed as a home occupation in any zoning district shall be those that are listed with footnote 2 as shown in section 10-02-02, table 1, "Land Use Schedule", of Caldwell city code.
The home occupation is conducted within the dwelling and is carried on by the inhabitants of the dwelling. The inhabitants of the dwelling do not need to be the dwelling owners, but they must be occupying the dwelling. There may be one individual (paid or unpaid) allowed to participate in the operations of the home occupation, along with the dwelling inhabitant(s), who is not an inhabitant of the dwelling. No one else outside of the dwelling unit shall be allowed to participate in the operations of the home occupation other than the one individual described above.
No article shall be sold or offered for sale on the premises or property, except such as is produced by the inhabitant on the dwelling. Any illegal articles or goods sold or offered for sale on the premises such as stolen property or any form of contraband shall be strictly prohibited.
The home occupation shall not change the character of the dwelling or adversely affect the uses permitted in the zoning districts. No activity shall indicate from the exterior that the dwelling is being used in whole or in part for any purpose other than that of a dwelling. This includes any on street parking by any individual other than a current resident of the subject home as a result of the home occupation. No more than one home occupation is permitted per dwelling.
The delivering of supplies and loading or unloading of vehicles, pertinent to the home occupation, shall not take place between the hours of five o'clock (5:00) P.M. and eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. The only exception is in the case of family/group daycare homes, preschools and daycare centers where children may be dropped off or picked up at any hour of the day or night.
The applicant shall be subject to a scheduled inspection by the planning and zoning department to verify compliance with requirements in this chapter, and the applicant shall pass said inspection, prior to issuance of a home occupation permit. All applicable codes must be met to obtain a home occupation permit.

Application Instructions

Collect the required documents (refer to the attached examples).
Create a distinct PDF document for each document type (e.g., one PDF for application and checklist, one PDF for all exhibits, one PDF for each study, etc.).
For plans, generate a separate PDF for each plan sheet.
Ensure electronic files are in high-resolution format.
Label all documents with the business name and the physical address, including any suite numbers* (*Failure to do this will cause a delay in your application)
Ensure all street names are spelled correctly.

Required Documents Checklist:

Application:

Print or type all information clearly and legibly. Complete all blank areas and sign the application to avoid delays in processing.
The Legal/organization name is usually a corporation, partnership, or owner’s name (individuals should list last name first).
The name that you are Doing Business As (DBA) appears on signage, vehicles, uniforms, business cards, and online/ phone book listings.
The six-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code used on this application should match the NAICS code used on your Federal Tax return.
If the business has more than one use, please include the NAICS code for each use for which will fall under this permit.

Narrative:

Fully describing:

The prior business use and proposed business use, and any uses associated with business
Nature of the business, products to be sold, and services to be offered
Existing parking, landscaping and sidewalks
Proposed days and hours of operation and anticipated opening date
Name of business and physical address of business, including suite number

Narrative Example (PDF)

Narrative Fillable Form (PDF)

Property Owner Acknowledgement:

If the signatory of the application is not the owner of the property, a notarized statement (property owner acknowledgement) must be signed by the legal owner of record and submitted with the application.

This document is to verify that the lessor is aware of what the lessee is doing with the property.
The lessor is to fill it out and signed in front of a notary. This can be done at banks, post offices, and most insurance companies.
If applicable, be sure the address includes the suite number.

Property Owner Acknowledgement (PDF)

Vicinity Map:

Label the location of the property and adjacent streets.
Be sure all streets are spelled correctly
Vicinity map shall be labeled with the business name and physical address of business, including suite number

(Google Maps is helpful in creating the vicinity and site maps.)

Vicinity Map Example (PDF)

Site Plan:

Include the following:

Highlight the location of the building and identify where the suite is located within that building
Location of site and property boundaries of the site
Location of existing buildings on the site (labeled as to their use). Note: If your business location is part of a larger building, please show the entire building on the site and mark where your tenant space is located in relation to the floor plan of the entire building
Location and dimensions of all existing and proposed parking stalls and drive aisles
Location and width of existing and proposed sidewalks and pathways
Location, type, and height of existing and proposed fencing
Site map shall be labeled with the business name and physical address of business, including suite number

Site Plan Example (PDF)

Floor Plan:

Include the following:

The physical layout of the establishment with the labeled uses of each room
The intended business premises must be outlined in red or highlighted
Address and suite numbers for each tenant space or business
If your business location is part of a larger building, please show the entire building floor plan and mark where your tenant space is located in relation to the floor plan of the entire building
Site map shall be labeled with the business name and physical address of business, including suite number

Floor Plan Example (PDF)

State License:

Provide a copy of State License (if applicable) i.e.

Landscape Plan:

New construction, exterior remodeling, exterior renovation, complete rebuilds, and additions.
Change of use
Uses, buildings, or properties that have been vacant or without a tenant for a period exceeding twelve (12) consecutive months. (Ord. 3102, 9-5-2017)

Landscape Plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect, a landscape designer or a qualified nursery person and shall be stamped by a licensed landscape architect. Plans shall contain all information as required by Caldwell City Code Section 10-07-03.