# Sign Regulations in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/coeur-dalene
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Coeur D'Alene, Idaho regulates 9 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Residential (R-1 through R-12) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 2 sq ft per sign, with a min 3 ft from curb/edge; otherwise as per zoning/vision triangle. setback (Sec. 15.50.400(A)(3) and Table; 15.50.310(A)(8); 15.50.400(F)). Most commercial signs in Coeur D'Alene require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential (R-1 through R-12) | 3 | 10 ft | Noncommercial: 8 sq ft. Real estate: 6 sq ft (single lot), 32 sq ft (multiple lot) | — |
| Multi-family Residential (R-17 through R-34) | 3 | 12 ft | 12 sq ft per sign | — |
| Mobile Home (MH-8, NC) | 3 | 12 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential Civic use (CC) | 3 | 16 ft | 60 sq ft per sign | — |
| Commercial (C-17, C-17L), Manufacturing (M, LM) | 4 | 30 ft | ≤300 sq ft (generally); >300 sq ft only as allowed by special location criteria | — |
| Commercial (Hwy 95 frontage) | 1 | 30 ft | 160 sq ft per sign | — |
| Commercial (I-90 frontage) | 1 | 50 ft | 160 sq ft per sign | — |
| Navigable waterway (NW) | 1 | 30 ft | 64 sq ft per sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 48 inches (panel) | Sign panel: 36" x 48" max per panel | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Residential (R-1 through R-12)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Subdivision entry signs: min 3 ft from curb/edge; otherwise as per zoning/vision triangle. | Total square footage per formula. Subdivision entry: one per entrance. | On-premises, not in vision triangle, not in public right-of-way except by permit. | — | 15.50.400(A)(3) and Table; 15.50.310(A)(8); 15.50.400(F) |
| Attached Sign | — | Calculated per frontage | — | — | Based on allowable area per frontage. One per frontage typically. | On premises, attached to building/wall. | — | 15.50.400(B) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft (real estate), 8 ft (construction) | Noncommercial: 8 sq ft. Real estate: 6 sq ft (single lot), 32 sq ft (multiple lot) | — | — | Noncommercial: one per lot; temporary others as per permit conditions. | On-premises; real estate/construction signs must be on subject property. A-frames only for events/visibility needs and only temporarily. | — | 15.50.310(A)(5),(8); 15.50.410(D),(E) |

### Commercial (C-17, C-17L), Manufacturing (M, LM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per sign | — | Subject to code; Billboards not in setback area or within 150 ft intersection/500 ft to residential/other sensitive uses. | Per square footage, min spacing applies. Shopping center: one per frontage/entrance. | On-premises, per code/must meet vision triangle/ROW setbacks. | — | 15.50.400(A)(3) Table; 15.50.400(E); 15.50.400(C) |
| Attached Sign | — | Calculated per frontage | — | — | As per calculation; one per frontage per business. | On building/facade/majors walls etc. | — | 15.50.400(B) |
| Billboard (Relocated) | No more than 12 ft above building height in vicinity, max 48 ft if buildings, max 24 ft if open; measured as described in code. | ≤300 sq ft (generally); >300 sq ft only as allowed by special location criteria | — | No billboard in setback area; location/distance as above. | Minimum 1,000 ft between billboards; no increase in number. | C-17, M, LM; 100 ft minimum arterial frontage only, private property only; Billboard cannot be placed within 500 ft of residential/historic/sensitive, nor 150 ft of intersection. 1,000 ft minimum between billboards. | — | 15.50.400(C) |
| Temporary Sign | 12 ft construction; 8 ft real estate | Construction: 64 sq ft; Real estate: 6/32 sq ft; Noncommercial: 8 sq ft; others per freestanding/attached sign allowances | — | — | As permitted by area/permit. | Premises of activity/event. Event signs may be off-premises with permission. A-frame only for event/visibility and must be temporary. | — | 15.50.410(D),(E),(F) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Attached) | — | Counts toward attached sign allowance | — | — | — | On awning/canopy, min edge 8 ft above walking surface | — | 15.50.400(B)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Attached) | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall, may not extend over ROW without encroachment permit. | — | 15.50.400(B)(3) |
| Roof Sign (Attached) | No more than 10' or 1/3 building height above roofline, never above maximum building height by zone. | — | — | — | — | On roof of building | — | 15.50.400(B)(4) |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | Counts toward temporary or attached/freestanding allowance. | — | — | — | Over ROW or private property per code. | — | 15.50.410(C) |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board (Temporary) | 48 inches (panel) | Sign panel: 36" x 48" max per panel | 36 inches (panel) | — | One per frontage/business/event when in ROW. | On sidewalk/ROW with encroachment permit or on private property. | — | 15.50.410(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Coeur D'Alene

- No person shall erect or place a sign without a permit issued by the City unless exempted by the Sign Code.
- A sign must be constructed of suitable materials, in accordance with sound structural practices, in compliance with all applicable codes, designed and lettered in a professional manner, and maintained in good repair.
- No sign shall be erected or placed on public property, within a public right-of-way, in the vision triangle of an intersection, or in such a manner as to obstruct a traffic control device or governmental sign, except as specifically allowed by the Sign Code.
- No sign shall be erected or placed on a tree, utility pole, retaining wall, or fence not owned by the sign owner, or in such a manner as to obstruct a door, window, or fire escape.
- A commercial sign is not allowed in a residential zone or on property used for non-transient residential purposes, except for a sign related to a home occupation with a certificate issued.
- A sign which is obscene or which contains an obscene message, as determined by community standards, is prohibited.
- A sign in violation of the Sign Code may be removed by the City, at the expense of the owner, after written notice.
- All billboards and permanent off-premises signs are prohibited unless explicitly allowed for relocation (in compliance with section 15.50.400(C)).
- Mobile billboards are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Off-premises commercial signs are prohibited in residential zones.
- Off-premises commercial signs are prohibited in all other zones, unless the sign complies with billboard relocation rules.
- No sign which actually or apparently flashes or blinks shall be allowed.
- No videos or animations are allowed on an electronic message display.
- No legal nonconforming sign may be structurally altered, repaired, or replaced without bringing it into compliance, except as specified.
- A sign must comply with the requirements of the Sign Code in effect at the time the application is submitted.
- A sign shall not be maintained which advertises a business which is no longer conducted or a product which is no longer sold; such signs must be removed within thirty (30) days.
- A sign shall not impede fire access, required drive aisles, required parking, required emergency access, or impair required landscape buffers or street trees.
- A sign which is damaged or destroyed and does not comply with the Sign Code, and is not repaired, replaced, or removed within 30 days, is subject to removal.
- Illumination must not create an unsafe or hazardous distraction to motorists, pedestrians, or the general public.
- Signs must not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or access to utilities.
- No sign may be placed in a manner as to obstruct the view within the vision triangle at intersections.
- No portion of a sign may extend into or over an area defined as a structural setback in the applicable zoning district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Coeur D'Alene

- A permit is not required for a sign erected, placed, maintained, or owned or leased by the federal government, the state of Idaho, or the City, provided the sign meets Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards and applicable codes.
- A historical marker erected or maintained by a public authority, or a recognized historical society or organization, identifying a site, building, structure, or area of historical significance.
- A sign warning of a danger on or related to the premises on which the sign is posted.
- A sign affixed or attached to the interior or exterior of a window or door.
- A real estate sale or rental sign located on the property to be sold or rented, subject to requirements in section 15.50.410(E).
- A sign for a garage sale posted on the property where the sale will be held.
- One permanent on-site institutional sign per public street frontage with changeable copy, used by a public school, college, charitable or religious institution and indicating the institution's name, or events and services offered on premises. Such sign must meet standards for Freestanding or Attached signs.
- A noncommercial sign on a property used for non-transient residential purposes (limited to one per lot, max eight (8) sq. ft.).
- A sign which is not readable from a public street or alley.
- Numbers and/or letters designating the address of the premises.
- A noncommercial flag.
- Holiday decorations.
- Bumper or window stickers on a vehicle.
- A building plaque, cornerstone, nameplate, or similar building identification or monument incorporated into the structure of a building.
- The repair or maintenance of an existing legal sign, or changing the copy on a sign, provided if the copy is changed due to change of business or business name, a new permit is required.
- A purely decorative painting on the wall of a building or other structure is not considered a ‘sign’ subject to the Sign Code.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must include a drawing of the proposed sign.
- For freestanding signs less than ten feet above finish grade, submission of footing and support calculations to the Building Official is required before a permit will be issued.
- For freestanding signs ten feet or greater above finish grade, submission of drawings stamped by an Idaho-licensed architect or engineer is required. Drawings must include plans and a detailed site plan.
- 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.
- 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 architect or engineer.
- Relocation of a billboard requires submission of a completed sign application, sign fee, demolition permit for the existing billboard, and drawings stamped by an Idaho-licensed architect or engineer (including site plan, renderings, and simulations).
- Relocation of a billboard also requires a public hearing before the City Council.
- For banners on public right-of-way, an application must describe the theme or event, size/shape, locations, duration, method of installation, liability insurance, consent of property owners for attachments, and any necessary ITD approval.
- For banners on private property, drawings demonstrating the manner of attachment and documentation of structural support are required.
- An application for a sign permit must include such other information as specifically required for the particular type of sign proposed, as set out in the Sign 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 9 zoning districts in Coeur D'Alene — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Coeur+D%27Alene+ID&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-coeur-dalene

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