# Sign Regulations in American Falls, Idaho

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for American Falls, Idaho, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** American Falls, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/american-falls
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ID/American_Falls/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT7PUWAPR_CH6SIAW)

## At a glance

American Falls, Idaho regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the HC zoning district, LI zoning district, HI zoning district zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft per side (Sec. Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)c; Definitions (Ground Sign)). Most commercial signs in American Falls require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RA zoning district, RB zoning district | 8 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| CC zoning district | 7 | — | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| HC zoning district, LI zoning district, HI zoning district | 9 | 25 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### RA zoning district, RB zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Control Sign or Public Notice (Public Agency) | — | — | — | — | — | On site, as needed | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(1) |
| Nameplate (Dwelling) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling | Attached to dwelling; wall sign | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or building | On lot or building for sale/lease/rent | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(3); Definitions (Temporary, Real estate sign) |
| Temporary Sign (Political) | — | 3 sq ft (total for all signs) | — | — | Combined area 3 sq ft max | On premises | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(4); Definitions (Temporary, Political) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per home occupation | Affixed to dwelling or accessory building | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(5); 9-17-2(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Garage/Yard Sale) | — | 6 sq ft each | — | — | Two per dwelling | On premises | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(6) |
| Nameplate (Special Permit Use) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | On site | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(7) |
| Directional/Traffic Control Sign (Special Permit Use) | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | — | On site | — | Sec. 9-17-1(f)(7) |

### CC zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Control Sign or Public Notice (Public Agency) | — | — | — | — | — | On site, as needed | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(1) |
| On-site Directional/Traffic Control Sign | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | — | On site as needed | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | Per formula | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | Building facade facing street frontage or corner lots (combined facades) | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(3)a; (i) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | Wall of building, may extend max 7 ft from wall but not within 2 ft of curb, not more than 3 ft above roofline | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(3)b; (i); Definitions |
| Temporary Sign (All Types) | — | Up to total sign area allowance per formula | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | On building/accounted in allowed area | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(3)c; Definitions |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning attached to building | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(4); Definitions (Awning) |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per use/occupancy with arcade access | Suspended from ceiling of canopy or arcade over sidewalk; min. 8 ft vertical clearance | — | Sec. 9-17-1(g)(5); Definitions (Suspended sign) |

### HC zoning district, LI zoning district, HI zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Control Sign or Public Notice (Public Agency) | — | — | — | — | — | On site, as needed | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(1) |
| On-site Directional/Traffic Control Sign | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | — | On site as needed | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | Per formula | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | Building facade facing street frontage (or combined facades for corner lots) | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)a; (i) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | Wall of building, may extend max 7 ft from wall but not within 2 ft of curb, not more than 3 ft above roofline | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)b; (i); Definitions |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per road frontage | Freestanding on property; per frontage | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)c; Definitions (Ground Sign) |
| Pole Sign | 25 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per road frontage | Freestanding, per road frontage | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)c; Definitions (Pole Sign) |
| Temporary Sign (All Types) | — | Aggregate within total sign area limit per formula | — | — | Included in total sign area calculation | On property | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(3)d; Definitions |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per use/occupancy with arcade access | Suspended from ceiling of canopy/arcade over sidewalk (min. 8' clearance) | — | Sec. 9-17-1(h)(5); Definitions (Suspended sign) |

## Prohibited signs in American Falls

- No sign shall be placed in or over any public right-of-way, except as provided for awnings, projecting signs, and suspended signs over sidewalks in subsection (e).
- No sign shall be placed on any tree, cliff, or other natural feature; or on a utility pole.
- No sign shall be placed on a vehicle or trailer parked in a visible location for the primary purpose of displaying the sign.
- No sign shall be placed where it creates a traffic safety hazard by obscuring traffic control signs or signals, or obstructing vision at intersections or driveways.
- No sign shall be permitted in any public right-of-way except traffic control signs and public notices placed by public agencies.
- No sign shall extend over a public right-of-way except for awnings, projecting signs, or suspended signs as specified.
- Any sign that is not structurally sound or that no longer serves to inform or attract the public shall be considered abandoned and its removal required.
- No flashing, blinking, or moving signs are permitted.
- Spotlights or illumination for signs must not constitute a traffic hazard or create nuisance light or glare.
- All signs and their supporting structures must be maintained so as not to create a health or safety hazard.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within 60 days of abandonment or the ordinance adoption.
- Temporary removal of a sign for repair or refurbishment is not considered 'replacement' and does not exempt from requirements.

## Signs exempt from permit in American Falls

- No permit is required for the placement or installation of residential nameplates.
- No permit is required for the placement or installation of temporary signs.
- No permit is required for the placement or installation of traffic control signs or public notices placed by public agencies.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A development permit is required for placement or installation of any sign, including replacement, except as provided for residential nameplates, temporary signs, and traffic control/public notice signs.
- The location, type, and size of all proposed signs must be included in applications for special use permits.
- Special permit uses are approved exactly as proposed; any additional signs require a new special use permit.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in American Falls — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=American+Falls+ID&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-american-falls

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