8-3-12: SIGNS:

   A.   Purpose: The purpose of this Section is to control and regulate the erection and maintenance of signs in the unincorporated portions of Ada County by:

      1.   Protecting state and federal constitutional rights to free speech by:

         a.   Providing ample opportunities for expression through signs;

         b.   Avoiding regulatory triggers or distinctions based on a sign's content; and

         c.   Providing clear standards for approval of signs.

      2.   Protecting the public health and safety by:

         a.   Providing maximum visibility along highways;

         b.   Assuring unobstructed views at connecting roads and intersections for all users;

         c.   Preventing undue distraction of operators of motor vehicles; and

         d.   Preventing confusion with respect to traffic lights, signs, or signals.

      3.   Promoting the County's appearance, character, quality, and business climate by:

         a.   Encouraging attractive and functional signs;

         b.   Encouraging signs that harmonize with the sign's site and buildings and with surrounding buildings and developments.

   B.   Applicability: This Section applies to signs that are installed, constructed, painted, or altered after the effective date of this Title.

      1.   Signs Requiring Building Permits: The Ada County Building Code, set forth in Title 7, Chapter 2 of this code, determines which signs require building permits.

      2.   Signs Requiring Administrative Approval: Any sign greater than sixty-four (64) square feet requires administrative approval prior to construction and/or placement unless this Section exempts the sign from the permitting requirement.

      3.   Interstate Roads And Primary Highways: The standards of this Title apply to all interstate roads and primary highways covered by the Idaho Highway Beautification Act, Idaho Code Title 40, Chapter 19, to the extent that this Section provides more restrictive standards for maintaining signs on such roadways.

   C.   Exempt Signs: This Section does not apply to the following types of signs, which do not require permits.

      1.   Signs less than four (4) square feet in sign area that are embedded, extruded, or carved into the material of a building façade or are made of bronze, brushed stainless steel or aluminum, or similar material that is permanently attached to the building façade.

      2.   Signs erected, maintained, or displayed by the State, Federal, or County government, or any other subdivision of the State. Government uses in all zoning districts may include signs.

      3.   Traffic control devices on private or public property erected and maintained to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted in the State of Idaho or by the Federal Highway Administration.

      4.   Signs placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities.

      5.   Any sign that is visible only from the parcel where it is located.

   D.   Prohibited Signs: The following signs are prohibited:

      1.   Any sign or sign structure, other than approved County and highway signs in or on any street or highway right of way; and

      2.   Signs incorporating a rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light.

   E.   General Regulations:

      1.   Owner's Consent Required: A person may not place a sign or sign structure on private or public property without the written consent of the owner.

      2.   Illumination:

         a.   Illumination of signs is subject to the regulations in Section 8-3-8 (Lighting) of this Chapter.

         b.   Where this Section provides for illumination of a sign, the illumination may be direct, internal, or neon illumination unless the sign standard specifies otherwise.

         c.   Flashing and/or animated signs are prohibited within three hundred feet (300') of any property within a residential base district.

      3.   Measurement:

         a.   For the purposes of this Section, distance for the purpose of establishing location refers to the linear distance in either direction on the street to which the sign faces only.

         b.   For building signs, the maximum sign area is based on the area of the building face to which the sign is attached.

         c.   If the adjacent street grade to which the sign is oriented is more than ten feet (10') greater than the grade elevation at the base of the sign structure, the adjacent street grade may be used in determining the permitted height. This provision applies to all freestanding sign structures.

      4.   Clear Vision Triangle: Signs at railroad and street intersections are not permitted in the clear vision triangle as defined in this Title.

      5.   Blanketing: For the purpose of preventing the blanketing of one sign by another, the following provisions govern the size of a sign and its location:

         a.   A projecting sign may not be erected in the same horizontal plane with other projecting signs unless the signs are spaced as provided in table 8-3-12-1, measured center to center.

 

         b.   A projecting sign erected closer than allowed by table 8-3-12-1 must be erected above the top edge or below the bottom edge of the blanketed sign.

      6.   Setbacks:

         a.   Signs must have a minimum setback of five feet (5') from any property line, unless this Section provides otherwise.

         b.   A sign background area facing the side or rear property line of an abutting residential base district may not be located within fifty feet (50') of the side or rear property line.

      7.   Substitution: Any sign with a commercial message may contain any non- commercial message. Any sign with a non-commercial message may contain any other non-commercial message.

      8.   Signs Not Addressed In This Section: If there is no applicable regulation in this Title, the application will be considered under the conditional use procedure outlined in Chapter 6 of this Title.

   F.   Signs In Commercial And Industrial Districts:

      1.   Single Use Properties: Properties with a single use in a commercial or industrial base district are allowed one or more building signs as provided in this subsection.

         a.   Building Signs: Table 8-3-12-2 provides the sign standards for building signs for single use properties in a commercial or industrial district.

 

         b.   Freestanding Signs:

            (1)   Standards: In lieu of building signs as provided in this subsection, one freestanding sign is permitted on each street frontage for any property as provided in Table 8-3-12-3 in each commercial or industrial base district.

 

            (2)   Setback: Freestanding signs must be located at least a distance equal to twenty percent (20%) of the length of the road frontage where the sign is located within 50% of the sign's height from any abutting property line.

         c.   Combination Of Building And Freestanding Signs: Properties with a single use in commercial and industrial base districts are allowed a combination of a building sign and a freestanding sign provided:

            (1)   All signs are reduced by fifty percent (50%) in sign area; and

            (2)   The height to the top of the freestanding sign does not exceed thirty feet (30').

      2.   Multi-Use Properties: Properties with more than a single use in a commercial or industrial base district are allowed signs as provided in this subsection.

         a.   Building Signs:

            (1)   Standards: Table 8-3-12-4 provides the sign standards for building signs.

 

            (2)   Projecting Signs: Table 8-3-12-5 provides the sign standards for projecting signs.

 

            (3)   Roof Signs: This subsection provides additional standards for roof signs.

               (A)   Roof signs are allowed by conditional use permit only.

               (B)   The lower and upper edges of a roof sign must be within four feet (4') and eight feet (8') above the eaves of the building on which it is placed.

               (C)   Illumination of roof signs is not allowed.

         b.   Freestanding Signs:

            (1)   Standards: In lieu of building signs as provided in this subsection, one freestanding sign is permitted on each street frontage as provided in Table 8-3-12-6 in commercial and industrial base districts.

 

            (2)   Setback: A freestanding sign must be located at least a distance equal to twenty percent (20%) of the length of the road frontage where the sign is located within fifty percent (50%) of the sign's height from any abutting property line.

         c.   Combination Of Building And Freestanding Signs: Multi-use properties are allowed a combination of a building sign and a freestanding sign if:

            (1)   All signs are reduced by fifty percent (50%) in sign area;

            (2)   Signs in any commercial or industrial base districts are at least one hundred feet (100') from any property in a residential district except the R12 and R20 districts.

      3.   Establishments Within Multi-Use Properties: Each establishment within a property that has more than one use in a commercial or industrial base district is allowed one or more building signs as provided in this subsection.

         a.   Building Signs:

            (1)   Standards: Table 8-3-12-7 provides the sign standards for building signs for each establishment in a multi-use property in a commercial or industrial district.

 

            (2)   Measurement: The maximum area is based on the building face area dedicated to each grade level use.

            (3)   Revolving signs are prohibited.

            (4)   Establishments above grade level may have business signs as outlined in this subsection, except that the maximum sign area is reduced by fifty percent (50%).

         b.   Projecting Signs: One projecting sign is allowed for each grade level use on each street frontage, plus one additional projecting sign for each one hundred fifty feet (150') of street frontage devoted to a single use.

      4.   Property With Frontage On Two (2) Or More Streets:

         a.   Generally: Property with frontage on two (2) or more streets is allowed the number and dimensions of signs on each of the streets as provided in this Section unless it is on a corner lot.

         b.   Corner Lot: Property located on a corner may have either one (1) freestanding sign designed to be read from both intersecting streets or two (2) freestanding signs where each sign is designed to be read from only one of the intersecting streets.

   G.   Signs For Non-Residential Uses In Residential, Transitional, And Rural Districts:

      1.   Standards: A permitted non-residential use in a residential, transitional, or rural district is allowed signs that conform with the standards in Table 8-3-12-8.

 

      2.   Frontage Calculation: For the purposes of this subsection, street frontage means the frontage of the principal building on the principal street, measured in linear feet.

      3.   Freestanding Sign Standards: Freestanding signs shall not revolve or flash.

      4.   Roof Signs Prohibited: Roof signs are prohibited. The top edge of a sign may not project above the lesser of the eaves of the building or the height in Table 8-3-12-8.

   H.   Subdivision Entry Signs:

      1.   Standards: A subdivision entry sign on the site of a single-family or multi- family residential development is allowed one sign that conforms with the standards in Table 8-3-12-9.

 

      2.   Movement Not Allowed: Subdivision entry signs shall not revolve or flash or have any movement feature.

      3.   Freestanding Signs:

         a.   Freestanding signs shall not be located in the required yards.

         b.   Freestanding signs are allowed only when the building setback is at least twenty feet (20') from the front property line.

      4.   Building Signs: Building signs shall not exceed the height of the eaves line of the building.

   I.   Incidental Signs:

      1.   Standards: Incidental signs are allowed without a permit in all districts; however, they are only allowed on a developed property and must comply with the standards in Table 8-3-12-10.

   2.   Incidental Sign Setback: The incidental sign setback is the setback from any street frontage that regulates the location and size of incidental signs. Table 8-3-12-10: Incidental Signs by District defines the incidental sign setback for each district. Incidental signs on a lot must comply with the applicable incidental sign setback for the district. Figure 8-3-12-1 illustrates the sign setback for incidental sign locations.

         a.   Lot Perimeter Signs: Lot perimeter signs are signs that may be located between the right-of-way and the applicable sign setback.

         b.   Lot Interior Signs: Lot interior signs must be located on the interior of a lot and may not be located within the sign setback.

      3.   Number And Location:

         a.   Lot Perimeter Signs: Table 8-3-12-10 defines the maximum number of lot perimeter signs per entrance to a public street. All lot perimeter signs must be located within fifteen feet (15') of an entrance to a public street.

         b.   Lot Interior Signs:

            (1)   Table 8-3-12-10 defines the maximum number of lot interior signs per acre. The standards generally allow different sizes of signs in different numbers for each district. The standards allow one larger incidental sign that exceeds the sign area and height allowance for smaller incidental signs.

            (2)   Lot interior signs may be located on a building façade if the building is within the incidental sign setback.

      4.   Design Standards:

         a.   Roof Signs Prohibited: Roof signs are prohibited. Incidental signs shall not extend above the eaves line or parapet of the building.

         b.   Wall Signs: An incidental sign on a wall must affix flush against the wall of the building.

   J.   Temporary Signs:

      1.   Standards: Temporary signs are allowed without a permit in all districts but must comply with the standards in Table 8-3-12-11: Temporary Signs by District.

      2.   Number: Table 8-3-12-11 defines the maximum number of temporary signs per property at any one time.

      3.   Sign Area: Table 8-3-12-11 provides a cumulative area (total sign area) for all temporary signs and a maximum area for one sign (max. sign area).

      4.   Duration For Display: One temporary sign may be displayed for a maximum of one (1) year.

      5.   Removal Of Signs: The owner of the sign or the owner of the property where the sign is located must completely remove the sign at the expiration of the time for display of the sign.

   K.   Billboards:

      1.   Where Allowed:

         a.   Billboards are:

            (1)   Allowed principal permitted uses in the Commercial and Industrial Districts, except as provided below; and

            (2)   Prohibited in transitional districts, LO, and CI.

         b.   In addition to the zoning district limitations, billboards are only permitted on property that abuts a Federal Interstate Highway or U.S. Highway, an Idaho State Highway, or a street classified as an arterial on the County's Master Street Map. Billboards are not permitted on sites abutting other street classifications or within scenic byway corridors.

      2.   Sign Standards:

         a.   Billboards must comply with the standards in 8-3-12-12: Billboard Standards by District.

 

         b.   The minimum clearance between ground level and the lowest point of display surface, exclusive of supports, is at least six feet (6').

      3.   Location:

         a.   The billboard's location must comply with all established building lines and required setbacks as outlined in this Chapter and all other ordinances of the County.

         b.   Where there is no building setback line established by ordinance or subdivision plat, billboards must be set back from the front lot line at least twenty-five feet (25').

         c.   If a railroad right-of-way crosses a public right-of-way, required setbacks, or established building lines on adjacent properties are extended through or across the railroad right-of-way.

         d.   A billboard may not be constructed, erected, or placed in any way on the roof or walls of a building. A billboard may be constructed over but not on a roof if there is a minimum distance between the roof and the lowest point of the sign surface of ten feet (10').

      4.   Spacing Between Billboards:

         a.   A billboard shall not be constructed, erected, placed, or replaced closer than seven hundred fifty feet (750') to another billboard in any direction.

         b.   The measurement for the spacing requirement is from the center of the sign support structure.

      5.   Spacing From Districts Or Uses:

         a.   A billboard shall not be constructed, erected, placed, or replaced closer than fifty feet (50') to the nearest property zoned R4, R6, and R8.

         b.   A billboard shall not be constructed, erected, placed, or replaced closer than one hundred fifty feet (150') to the nearest detached single-family residential building.

      6.   Lighting: Billboards may be illuminated in compliance with Section 8-3-8 (Lighting) of this Chapter, and any other applicable ordinances. However, no flashing or intermittent lighting of billboards is permitted.

   L.   Nonconforming Signs:

      1.   Nonconforming signs are a nonconforming use or structure and may continue in use subject to the standards set forth in Chapter 7 of this Title.

      2.   Signs or sign structures for a nonconforming use may not be enlarged, altered, or relocated, other than as provided in this Section or in Section 8-7-3 (Nonconforming Structures) of this Title.

(Ord. 1002, 10-28-2025)