A Permanent Sign is classified as either Freestanding or Attached. Every permitted Permanent Sign shall be subject to regulations appropriate to its classification.
A. Freestanding Signs.
1. A Freestanding Sign which stands less than ten feet (10') above finish grade requires submission of footing and support calculations to the Building Official whose approval is required before a sign permit will be issued.
2. A Freestanding Sign which stands ten feet (10') or greater above finish grade requires submission of drawings stamped by an Idaho-licensed architect or engineer to the Building Official whose approval is required before a sign permit will be issued. The required drawings must include:
a. Detailed plans showing footing and foundation design, reinforcement size and placement, pole type, size and thickness, all bolted and/or welded connections, and a description of sign construction materials.
b. Supporting calculations which address the design criteria (wind, soils, materials, and seismic).
c. A detailed site plan which shows the location on the property, and distances to all adjacent site appurtenances (buildings, structures, trees, roads, etc.) and rights-of-way.
3. The maximum and total area, minimum separation, and maximum height of a Freestanding Sign shall be determined by the following table:
FREESTANDING SIGN ALLOWANCE TABLE
SIZE ALLOWANCE
(Per Street Frontage)
SIZE ALLOWANCE
(Per Street Frontage)
Sign Size Formula ... | A x | B x | C | = | +D | Total Footage Freestanding Signs Allowed | Maximum Area Per Sign (Square Feet) | Minimum Distance Between Signs (Linear Feet) | Maximum Sign Height From Grade (Linear Feet) |
Zone | Driving Lane Factor From Chart F Below | Street Frontage | Density Factor | Sign Area Factor | Total Square Footage Freestanding Signs | ****** | ****** | ****** |
Sign Size Formula ... | A x | B x | C | = | +D | Total Footage Freestanding Signs Allowed | Maximum Area Per Sign (Square Feet) | Minimum Distance Between Signs (Linear Feet) | Maximum Sign Height From Grade (Linear Feet) |
Zone | Driving Lane Factor From Chart F Below | Street Frontage | Density Factor | Sign Area Factor | Total Square Footage Freestanding Signs | ****** | ****** | ****** | |
Residential | |||||||||
R-1 through R-12 | 0.05 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 10 | ||||
Multi-family R-17 through R-34 | 0.05 | 6 | 12 | 100 | 12 | ||||
Mobile home MH-8, NC | 0.08 | 16 | 32 | 250 | 12 | ||||
Residential Civic use, CC | 0.15 | 16 | 60 | 250 | 16 | ||||
Commercial C-17, C-17L | 0.25 | 32 | 100 | 100 | 30 | ||||
Commercial Hwy 95 frontage | 0.25 | 32 | 160 | 150 | 30 | ||||
Commercial I-90 frontage | 0.25 | 32 | 160 | 150 | 50 | ||||
Manufacturing M, LM | 0.25 | 32 | 100 | 100 | 30 | ||||
Navigable waterway NW | 0.25 | 32 | 64 | 250 | 30 | ||||
Example: | |||||||||
Commercial C-17 4 lanes 200 foot frontage .. | 1.75 X From chart F below | 200 X Linear street frontage feet | 0.25 = Zoning of property from above row | + 32 = from zone above | 119.50 square feet equals 120 square feet of freestanding signage | 100 square feet maximum per sign | 100 foot distance | 30 feet maximum |
CHART F
Driving Lanes; Definition | Driving Lane Factors | |
Lanes | Factor | |
The number of through traffic lanes at the sign location (excludes turning, parking, cycling and pedestrian lanes) | 1-2 | 1.00 |
3 | 1.50 | |
4 | 1.75 | |
5+ | 2.00 | |
B. Attached Signs.
1. The maximum size of an Attached Sign shall be three (3) square feet per frontage foot of the premises on which it is located, less the area of any existing Freestanding Signs, existing or proposed related to that premises. If there is more than one (1) frontage for the premises, the longest frontage shall be used for the maximum size calculation.
2. Awning or Canopy Sign. A Sign which is placed on or supported by an awning or canopy must comply with the following:
a. The awning or canopy must have any approvals and permits from the Building and Planning Departments, if required.
b. The lower edge of an awning or canopy Sign shall be not less than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk, other walking surface, or multiuse path beneath the awning.
3. Projecting Sign.
a. A Projecting Sign is a sign which hangs outward or away from a building, and is attached to the wall of a building.
b. No Projecting Sign shall extend more than three feet (3') from the building to which it is attached and shall not extend over a public right-of-way without an encroachment permit. The lower edge of a Projecting Sign shall be not less than eight feet (8') above a sidewalk, other walking surface, or multiuse path.
c. An application for a permit for any Projecting Sign extending above the roofline of a building or in excess of twenty-four (24) square feet in size shall be accompanied by a plan prepared and stamped by an Idaho licensed professional architect or engineer.
4. Roof Sign.
a. The application for a permit for a Sign erected or mounted on a roof shall be accompanied by a plan prepared and stamped by an Idaho licensed professional architect or engineer.
b. No Roof Sign shall extend to a height of more than ten feet (10') or one-third (1/3) of the building height, whichever is less, above the roofline.
c. No Roof Sign shall be erected which causes the building, together with the Sign, to exceed the allowable height of a building in the applicable zone.
C. Billboards and other Off-premises signs.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, billboards are prohibited in the City.
2. Billboards that were lawful on December 1, 2019, may remain in place.
3. Permanent Off-premises signs are prohibited.
D. Illumination and Electronic Message Displays.
1. Illumination must not create an unsafe or hazardous distraction to others.
2. The brightness or intensity of lighting for a Sign, including an Electronic Message Display, shall not exceed 5,000 nits from dawn to dusk or 500 nits from dusk to dawn.
3. An Electronic Message Display must hold each displayed message a minimum of two (2) seconds before displaying the next message. This requirement does not apply to an Electronic Message Display which consists of video images.
4. No sign which either actually or apparently flashes or blinks shall be allowed.
5. The rotation speed of a sign shall not exceed nine (9) rotations per minute.
6. A sign in an area accessible to vehicles or pedestrians must meet the electrical code currently adopted by the state of Idaho as to height and clearance.
7. A Sign which utilizes electricity shall have placed thereon within plain view the following information in letters at least one inch (1") in height: permit number and power consumption (including voltage and amperage). The Underwriters Laboratory label shall also be plainly visible.
8. An Electronic Message Display is subject to the Freestanding Sign and Attached Sign regulations and allowances, as applicable.
E. Shopping Centers Signs.
1. A shopping center may have a Freestanding Sign on each frontage and at each entrance to the property from a public right-of-way. Such signs shall not extend over or into public property without an encroachment permit.
2. An individual business in a shopping center may have an Attached Sign identifying the business, but may not have a separate Freestanding Sign.
3. If two (2) or more businesses are located on adjacent lots that share common parking facilities and/or common points of entry, the businesses may choose to be treated as a shopping center for purposes of the Sign Code.
4. A Sign for a shopping center is subject to the Freestanding Sign and Attached Sign regulations and allowances, as applicable.
F. Residential and Commercial Subdivision Signs.
1. The Sign must have a minimum of a three-foot (3') setback from all curbs and/or roadway edges.
2. The Sign must be a ground/monument sign with no free airspace between the bottom of the Sign and the ground.
3. The Sign must not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
4. The Sign must not be placed in a vision triangle or obstruct a motorist’s vision.
5. The Sign must not obstruct access to utilities.
6. An encroachment permit is required for a Sign to be placed within the public right-of-way.
7. Every entry Sign and all landscaping, irrigation, lighting, trees, ground cover, and other improvements containing the Sign shall be maintained by the developer of the subdivision or by a successors-in-interest to the developer in compliance with the requirements of the Sign Code and with all other applicable legal requirements. If the Sign is not maintained, the City may remove the Sign after providing reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure to the developer or successor-in-interest. Liability for any damages or claims resulting from the placement or maintenance of any such Sign shall be solely the responsibility of the Sign owner. The City, its officers, and employees shall in no way be liable for any such damages or claims. (Ord. 3698 §3, 2022)