A. Applicability: Nonaccessory, off-premises signs shall be allowed as follows:
1. Principal permitted use in the commercial and industrial base districts.
2. Conditional use in the RUT and rural base districts.
3. Prohibited use in residential base districts, excluding the RUT base district.
B. Allowed Number Of Signs:
1. In the LO and C1 base districts, the maximum number of signs allowed on each street frontage or lot is two (2) except where a sign is attached to a building, in which case only one sign is allowed.
2. In the C2 and C3 base districts, the maximum number of signs allowed on each street frontage or lot is two (2).
3. In the RUT, RR, and RP base districts, the maximum number of signs shall be ten (10) per mile or spaced no closer than five hundred feet (500') apart, whichever may result in the lesser number of signs.
4. There shall be no more than three (3) nonaccessory, off- premises signs visible to motorists for a linear distance of six hundred feet (600').
5. There shall be no more than sixteen (16) nonaccessory, off- premises signs in any one mile. A nonaccessory, off-premises sign with sign copy on both sides facing in opposite directions shall be considered as one sign.
C. General Standards: The following general requirements shall apply to all nonaccessory, off-premises signs:
1. Nonaccessory, off-premises signs shall not project over public property, except that cutouts may project not more than two feet (2') over public property if the lowest portion of the cutout is at least fourteen feet (14') above grade.
2. All visible portions of signs must be kept in good repair.
3. Signs in the C2 and C3 base districts may have animation on a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the sign area and such signs may be revolving. Animated and/or revolving signs are prohibited in all other base districts.
4. Roof signs are prohibited in the LO and C1 base districts. Roof signs (and/or signs that extend above the eaves line or parapet wall of a building) are allowed as a conditional use in the C2, C3, and industrial districts.
5. Direct, internal, or neon illumination shall be allowed.
D. Construction And Location Standards:
1. The maximum area and height for nonaccessory, off-premises signs shall be as set forth in table 8-4I-8 of this section:
TABLE 8-4I-8: MAXIMUM AREA AND HEIGHT FOR NONACCESSORY, OFF PREMISES SIGNS
Base District | Maximum Area | Maximum Height |
Base District | Maximum Area | Maximum Height |
LO and C1 base districts | ||
Freestanding signs | 75 square feet | 18 feet |
Building signs | 75 square feet | Not above the eaves |
Billboards (either building or freestanding) | 325 square feet | Not above the eaves |
C2, C3 and industrial base districts | ||
Billboards (either building or freestanding) | 650 square feet | 30 feet unless attached to building |
Freestanding | 50 square feet | 30 feet |
RUT, and rural base districts | ||
Billboards | 650 square feet | 40 feet |
2. Nonaccessory, off-premises signs shall not exceed the following lengths and overall area limitations; such limitations include the height and area of the border and trim but exclude cutouts, supports and foundations:
a. The advertising area of painted signs shall not exceed eight hundred twenty five (825) square feet.
b. Billboards shall not exceed 12.5 feet in height, nor twenty five feet (25') in length, nor exceed three hundred twenty five (325) square feet in area.
3. Billboard structures may be erected on each street frontage of a property; provided however, that the full face of the sign can be viewed along the line of travel to which it is exposed for a distance of at least two hundred fifty feet (250') measured along the center line of the frontage street from a point opposite the center of the sign and perpendicular to the street's center line.
4. The vertical dimensions of a billboard sign face may be increased to twenty two feet (22'), provided the required viewing distance as outlined above is increased to five hundred feet (500'), and said facing contains only one sign and the sign is perpendicular or within fifteen degrees (15°) of being perpendicular to the frontage street.
5. Cutouts securely affixed to nonaccessory, off premises signs shall be allowed, but shall project not more than eight feet (8') above, not more than four feet (4') below, and not more than two feet (2') on either side of the sign to which they are attached. The display surface area of cutout projections beyond the borders of such signs shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the area of the sign to which they are attached.
6. All freestanding signs shall be completely freestanding and without back bracing.
7. Signs shall have a minimum setback of fifteen feet (15') from any property line. Signs in the RUT, RR, and RP base districts shall be six hundred sixty feet (660') from the right of way of any primary or interstate highway as set forth in Idaho Code section 40-1911.
8. The maximum height of nonaccessory, off premises signs erected upon the ground shall not exceed forty feet (40') above grade.
E. Conditional Use Permits: All nonaccessory, off premises signs which do not meet the general requirements of the provisions outlined in this section shall have the request for such signs considered by the conditional use permit procedure in accord with chapter 5, article B of this title.
1. The conditional use permits for signs under this section shall automatically terminate five (5) years from the date of issue unless the director approves a time extension.
2. Extensions beyond the initial five (5) year period or extended period may be given at the discretion of the director, except that no single extension may be given for more than three (3) years.
3. All signs authorized by this section within the RUT, RR, and RP base districts, shall be limited to those which in the opinion of the commission are primarily designed to offer a commonly needed service to the traveling public and which fall into one of four (4) following classifications: gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuel sales facility and associated retail sales or services; restaurant or eating place; bed and breakfast establishment; and hotel or motel.
4. Failure on the part of the owner to maintain the sign in a neat and orderly fashion shall constitute grounds for the revocation of the conditional use approval. (Ord. 389, 6-14-2000; amd. Ord. 772, 7-27-2011)