# Sign Regulations in Boise, Idaho

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

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

## At a glance

Boise, Idaho regulates 21 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Residential zoning districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3), A-1, A-2 zoning district are capped at 6 ft (Gateway: 6 ft) tall and 50 sq.ft., with a 5 ft from front and side property lines setback (Sec. 11-04-012.7.A(3), Table 11-04.19). Most commercial signs in Boise require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 8 ft | 96 sq.ft. | — |
| Residential zoning districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3), A-1, A-2 | 8 | 30 in (letters) | 200 sq.ft. per side | — |
| Open Land zoning districts | 3 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-3, MX-4, MX-5, MX-U, I-1, I-2) | 4 | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-1) | 3 | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-2) | 2 | 20 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 80 sq.ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-5) | 3 | 27 in. above sidewalk (if on sidewalk), or 4 ft (if attached to building) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-U) | 2 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| Industrial zoning districts (I-1, I-2) | 2 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| Capital Boulevard Special Design District | 4 | 20 ft or building height, whichever is less | 25 sq.ft. | — |
| MX-3 | 4 | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — |
| MX-4 | 4 | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — |
| MX-5 | 3 | 27 in. above sidewalk (if on sidewalk), 4 ft if attached to building | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| MX-U | 2 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| I-1 | 2 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |
| I-2 | 2 | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq.ft. | — | — | 2 | At street entrance to parcel; non-accessory directional or wayfinding signs may be erected by governments, subject to approval. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(4) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single Residential Lot) | — | 6 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11-04-012.4.B(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Parcel) | — | 32 sq.ft. (Residential & Open Land); 64 sq.ft. (Mixed-Use & Industrial) | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | 11-04-012.4.B(1) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Single Residential Lot) | — | 6 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11-04-012.4.B(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential & Open Land) | 8 ft | 64 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11-04-012.4.B(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Mixed-Use & Industrial) | 8 ft | 96 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | 11-04-012.4.B(2) |
| Special Community Event Sign | — | Size as approved by Planning Director | — | — | — | Any location subject to safety and visibility review | — | 11-04-012.4.B(4) |
| Temporary Promotional Sandwich Board/Banner/Pennant/Flag/Balloon | Sandwich Board: 4 ft | Sandwich Board: 3 ft width max | 3 ft (Sandwich Board) | — | — | The Grove, as part of community event | — | 11-04-012.4.B(5) |

### Residential zoning districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3), A-1, A-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (Gateway: 6 ft) | 50 sq.ft. | — | 5 ft from front and side property lines | 1 per street frontage | Front of parcel, near main vehicle entrance, perpendicular to street, not facing interstates; in a landscaped area at least equal to background area. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(3), Table 11-04.19 |
| Wall Sign (R-3 and nonresidential in R zones, A-1, A-2) | — | 50 sq.ft. | — | — | No stated max; total area limitation | On wall facing street | — | 11-04-012.7.A(8), Table 11-04.20 |
| Awning Sign (R-3 only, A-1, A-2) | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to awning | — | 11-04-012.7.A(1) |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign - Under (R-3 only, A-1, A-2) | — | 16 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Under canopy/marquee, minimum 8 ft above walk, mounted perpendicular | — | 11-04-012.7.A(2) |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign - Above (R-3 only, A-1, A-2) | 30 in (letters) | — | 33% of canopy background width | — | — | Above marquee/canopy | — | 11-04-012.7.A(2) |
| Marquee Sign (R-3 only, A-1, A-2) | 6 ft | 200 sq.ft. per side | — | — | 1 per side | On marquee, min clearance 12 ft above sidewalk/pedestrian way | — | 11-04-012.7.A(2) |
| Projecting Sign (R-3 only, A-1, A-2) | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (2 if >150ft frontage) | One per frontage; no more than 2 ft above bldg. No part over 10 ft from wall or closer than 2 ft to curb; 12 ft min clearance over public property. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(7) |
| Electronic Message Display (EMD) | — | 50% of sign area (EMD portion); text-only scroll/travel: 8 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 (per center if multi-tenant) | — | — | 11-04-012.7.A(5) |

### Mixed-Use zoning districts (MX-3, MX-4, MX-5, MX-U, I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft (Gateway: 12 ft) | 70 sq.ft. | — | 1 ft front, 5 ft side; 50 ft from Residential boundary | 1 per street frontage | Front of parcel, landscaped area, perpendicular to street; not facing interstate highways. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(3), Table 11-04.19 |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of building wall facing street | — | — | No stated max; area split among multiple. | Face building wall facing street; some exceptions allow on non-street wall using allowed area from street wall. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(8), Table 11-04.20 |
| Projecting Sign | 30 ft | 75 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage (or 2 if >150 ft) | One per street-level establishment per frontage; max projection 10 ft from wall, or to within 2 ft of curb; min 12 ft over public property. | — | 11-04-012.7.A(7) |
| EMD (Electronic Message Display) | — | 50% of sign area (EMD); text-only scroll/travel: 8 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per establishment or per center | — | — | 11-04-012.7.A(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Boise

- Signs or posters visible from a public way affixed to walls, buildings, trees, poles, fences, bridges, or other structures.
- Signs placed on any public street right-of-way, sidewalk, pole, bridge, or tree (unless specifically allowed); such signs may be deemed nuisances and removed by the City without prior notice.
- Banners, pennants, strings of lights, ribbons, streamers, balloons, mechanically aided, or similar devices that call attention rather than contribute to the establishment decor.
- Portable signs except those allowed as temporary signs and those allowed in the MX-5 district.
- Signs whose lighting, location or appearance would cause them to appear as traffic safety signs, lights, or municipal vehicle warnings.
- Any sign attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer that is parked or driven unless: (a) The primary purpose of the vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs; (b) The signs are magnetic, decals or painted as an integral part of the vehicle or equipment; and (c) The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed, and actively used in the daily function of the related establishment.
- Roof signs.
- Animated signs.
- Strobe lights and flashing lights.
- Signs used to display any message on any seating bench or in direct connection with a bench unless authorized by the regional public transportation system authority and permitted by the Planning Director.
- Abandoned signs, including those relating to establishments that no longer occupy or operate on the property.
- Signs located within the clear vision triangle (as defined in code and ACHD).
- Signs erected at intersections or driveway entrances that obstruct view of traffic (as determined by authorities).
- Trees shall not be topped or removed to facilitate a better view of signs.
- Signs shall not be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or egress opening, nor be attached to a fire escape, nor interfere with required ventilation openings.
- No sign may be illuminated by means other than electrical and must comply with applicable electrical codes; open spark or flame is prohibited unless specifically approved by building/fire code official.
- No back-bracing on billboard/off-premise signs.
- Signs in Mixed-Use, Industrial, or Open Land zoning districts shall not be located within 50 feet of a Residential zoning district boundary.
- Pole support structures shall be covered with an enclosure.
- Signs shall not be pasted, glued, tacked, attached, posted, or displayed in a city park unless otherwise provided or authorized by the department.

## Signs exempt from permit in Boise

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by a government.
- Memorial plaques, establishment identification signs, and building cornerstones when cut or carved into masonry or made an integral part of the building.
- Flags of government or noncommercial institutions, such as schools.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations.
- Works of art containing no form of advertising.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate/street address signs (without advertising copy and not exceeding six square feet).
- Signs oriented only to the property on which they are located and not visible from the public right-of-way (e.g., restaurant menu boards).
- Signs in the display windows of an establishment incorporated in a display of merchandise.
- "No Trespassing," "No Dumping," or similar signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet and not exceeding four per parcel.
- Window signs with an aggregate area of 25% or less of the window area.
- Political signs not placed in any public right-of-way and not obstructing traffic visibility.
- Neighborhood identification and wayfinding signage approved as a community program.
- Non-illuminated real estate signs (one per residential parcel, one per frontage for nonresidential; size and location as specified).
- Non-illuminated, temporary construction signs (as specified).
- Signs/posters advertising a special community event (including in/on public ROW) with Planning Director approval for safety and impacts.
- Pennants, flags, banners, balloons, and sandwich boards during/for community events in specified areas with restrictions on duration and size.
- Change of copy, repainting, or other normal maintenance/repair of an existing sign (provided no expansion of sign structure/face occurs).
- Signs painted on buildings, fences, or walls (no building permit required).
- Permanent signs supported by the building that are <=32 square feet and project <=3 feet from building face (no building permit required).
- Permanent pole or ground signs that are less than seven feet tall (no building permit required).
- Temporary signs (no building permit required, but must comply with other code provisions).
- Any sign less than four square feet (no building permit required).
- Signs erected by transportation authorities (no building permit required).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Multi-tenant nonresidential developments planned and developed as an integrated center or a single, multi-tenant building must obtain approval of an Alternative Sign Plan before constructing or installing any sign on the property. This includes hospital complexes (≥2 acres), office centers with multiple buildings (≥2 acres), industrial parks with multiple buildings (≥5 acres), and single, multi-tenant buildings (≥2 acres).
- The Alternative Sign Plan establishes standards and criteria for all signs requiring permits and must address location, materials, design, and quantity.
- Design Review approval of an overall sign plan is required for all signs in the Capitol Boulevard Special Design District.
- Any sign requiring Conditional Use Permit, Design Review, or Special Exception must follow review procedures as outlined elsewhere in code.
- Freestanding sign landscaping must be reviewed as part of the sign application.
- Where engineering is required, submittal documents must include plans/calculations stamped by an Idaho licensed engineer.
- Construction documents are required for projects requiring a permit, as per the Boise City submittal checklist.
- Sign permits are required for all sign installations/erections except those specifically exempted.
- Variances and Conditional Use Permits for signs require a public meeting/review process as described in the code.

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

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