# Sign Regulations in Bellevue, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bellevue, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/bellevue
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Bellevue, Idaho regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Business District, Light Industrial/Mixed Business District, Light Industrial District, Limited Business/Residential District zoning district are capped at Not above primary roofline, not above 15 ft from ground to top tall, with a Setback 18" from curb; up to 4' over ROW with encroachment permit setback (Sec. 10-22A-10B). Most commercial signs in Bellevue require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 10 feet above roofline | 40 sq ft | — |
| Business District, Light Industrial/Mixed Business District, Light Industrial District, Limited Business/Residential District | 9 | Not above primary roofline, not above 15 ft from ground to top | 200 sq ft total signage per parcel, including all wall, freestanding, portable, and projecting signs | — |
| Residential Zone, General Residential District, Transitional Zoning District | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Historical Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On site, any district | — | 10-22A-5 |
| Off Site Sign | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | Off site, not on Main St. or on vacant lots under specific conditions | — | 10-22A-7 |
| Temporary Business Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On site exterior or on/in window; off site with encroachment permit | — | 10-22A-8H |
| Real Estate Sign (Single Property) | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per property | On site | — | 10-22A-8C1 |
| Real Estate Sign (Multiple Lots) | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | On site | — | 10-22A-8C2 |
| Real Estate Sign (Farm or Ranch) | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | On site | — | 10-22A-8C3 |
| Construction Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | On site | — | 10-22A-8D |
| Owner/Occupant/Warning/Trespass Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per property | Residential Zone | — | 10-22A-8F |

### Business District, Light Industrial/Mixed Business District, Light Industrial District, Limited Business/Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Single Business | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall, attached | — | 10-22A-6A1, 10-22A-6A2, 10-22A-6A4, 10-22A-6G |
| Wall Sign - Building at Intersection (Second Sign) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building wall at intersection | — | 10-22A-6A1 |
| Wall Sign - Multiple Businesses in Complex | — | 30 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per business (in a complex) | On building wall | — | 10-22A-6B |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 60 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per complex | On premises (for building complex) | — | 10-22A-6B |
| Projecting Sign | Not above primary roofline, not above 15 ft from ground to top | — | — | Setback 18" from curb; up to 4' over ROW with encroachment permit | — | Attached projecting from building face | — | 10-22A-10B |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Detached Buildings | — | 200 sq ft total signage per parcel, including all wall, freestanding, portable, and projecting signs | — | — | — | On premises | — | 10-22A-6A3 |
| Neon Sign - Interior Window | — | 4 sq ft total window neon per building | — | — | 1 per building (as a sign), total window neon max 4 sq ft | Inside window | — | 10-22A-6E, 10-22A-6H |
| Ranch or Farm Identification Sign (Gate) | — | 30 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Incorporated into entry gate | — | 10-22A-6C |

### Residential Zone, General Residential District, Transitional Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On site | — | 10-22A-5 |
| Owner/Occupant/Warning/Trespass Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per property | On premises | — | 10-22A-8F |

## Prohibited signs in Bellevue

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, alter, maintain, or use any sign except as provided in this chapter.
- No sign shall be placed in or over any public right-of-way without receiving an approved encroachment permit from the applicable jurisdiction, ITD or the City, except for public signs such as traffic control and directional signs.
- No sign in any zone shall be erected to obstruct the free and clear vision of vehicular traffic and pedestrians, or to interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Flashing, revolving, moving intermittent, or oscillating signs, parts, attachments or lights are prohibited in any zone.
- Roof signs are prohibited in any zone.
- Neon signs on outsides of buildings are prohibited unless neon tubes are used for indirect illumination of lettering, not themselves visible.
- Signs which advertise the sale of a product or business not located within the City are prohibited.
- Signs using 'day-glo', fluorescent, or brilliant luminescent colored or neon lit backgrounds are prohibited.
- Any sign covering or obscuring windows, doors, storefronts, building entrances, or other architectural elements is prohibited.
- Animated signs or parts of a sign that changes physical position are prohibited.
- No banners or temporary signs may be used as permanent signs. After exceeding their allowed use time, they must be taken down.
- No freestanding, projecting, or wall sign shall be designed, constructed, or erected which extends above the primary roofline of the building containing the business it advertises (with additional height guidelines).
- All supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed in and upon private property unless approved by the applicable owner and the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bellevue

- All signs erected in a public right-of-way by a public agency controlling or directing traffic.
- Political signs pertaining to a specific election displayed within any district, provided they are removed within five days after the election.
- One unlighted real estate sign per premises in any zone not exceeding four square feet per side, provided it is on the premises and not in the public right-of-way.
- One unlighted real estate sign advertising two or more lots for sale not exceeding twenty square feet per side, provided on premises and removed upon sale of last lot.
- One unlighted real estate sign advertising the sale or lease of a farm or ranch up to ten square feet per side, located on premises.
- One unlighted construction sign announcing the construction of a building/project up to twenty square feet per side, provided sign is removed upon occupancy or sale, and not erected until building permit approval.
- Flags, either official or historical, of any state or nation subject to pole height and flag size limits.
- One owner identification or occupant identification sign, and one for rent, warning or trespass sign in Residential Zone up to two square feet per side.
- Warning signs in commercial and light industrial zones ('no parking') and directional signs ('entrance'), not to exceed two square feet per side.
- Temporary signs including A-frame sidewalk signs, banners, or pennants announcing daily or promotional information for sales or business events for profit, meeting display and location guidelines and removed at event conclusion.
- Temporary business signage depicting the business name may be permitted for up to 30 days, unless an extension is approved with supporting documentation.
- Temporary signs, banners, or pennants announcing community events and conventions, to be removed at event conclusion.
- Murals.
- Signs for charitable, service, and other nonprofit organizations up to four square feet per side.
- Veteran's Memorial sign and Coca Cola sign on the Odd Fellows building (Main St.), declared historical landmarks, and other similar landmark signs as declared by Council.
- All City signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, paint, or change the use of any sign, with applications accompanied by site plans drawn to scale showing dimensions, lighting, colors, clearances, location, and setbacks.
- All applications for sign permits require site plans for review by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and/or Commission.
- Temporary business signs require approval of application by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
- Lighting plans must be included in any applicable sign permit application to verify lighting conforms with exterior lighting standards. The Lighting Administrator may review and require information on location, type, height, lumen output, and illuminance levels.
- Appeals on sign removal/compliance can be filed in writing with the Planning and Zoning Commission within ten days of notice.
- No explicit mention is made of a 'master sign plan' requirement or variance meeting, but site plans and full application packets are required for sign permits.

## 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 Bellevue — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bellevue+ID&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bellevue

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