Caldwell residents ask council for temporary home-based dog-boarding permit

Emily and Mark Romero told the Caldwell City Council on Nov. 17 that they would like either a special-use permit or a noncommercial kennel license to operate a temporary, home-based dog-boarding business from their home at 5219 Junegrass Way. The Romeros said their plan would be modest — a maximum of 10 dogs using half their garage and their backyard — and would last one to two years while they save for a commercial facility in Caldwell.

The Romeros said they had obtained written approval from their homeowners association and verbal support from neighboring residents, and that they have prepared operation outlines, sanitation protocols, and a business plan for council review. “We care deeply about doing this the right way,” Emily Romero said, adding they take noise, sanitation and traffic considerations seriously.

Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) thanked the Romeros for bringing a researched proposal and asked whether they had met with Planning and Zoning staff. Council members and staff said Planning and Zoning (staff member Morgan) would follow up; the mayor noted that zoning ordinances can be amended and that staff can advise whether a special permit, license, or ordinance change is the appropriate path.

The meeting record shows no formal vote on the request; councilors asked staff to engage with the applicants and Planning and Zoning to determine next steps. The Romeros said they would provide additional documentation, including ordinance comparisons from other cities, HOA correspondence, and sanitation procedures.

The next step, as described by council and staff at the meeting, is staff review and follow-up with the Romeros and the Planning and Zoning Department. No change to city code was made at the Nov. 17 meeting.