# Sign Regulations in Emmett, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Emmett, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/emmett
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ID/Emmett/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT8BURE_CH7SIAW)

## At a glance

Emmett, Idaho regulates 16 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the MUR zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a Min 2 ft from front, 5 ft from side/rear property line setback (Sec. Sec. 9-12-11-5). Most commercial signs in Emmett require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 | 4 | 9 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| MUR | 10 | 20% more than max allowed for other signs | 100 sq ft | — |
| I, C, MD | 11 | 20% more than max otherwise allowed | 100 sq ft | — |
| P | 7 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Emmett Historic District | 5 | — | — | — |
| State Highway 16/52 Sign Overlay District | 1 | 25 ft | — | — |
| Washington Avenue/State Highway 52 Sign Overlay District | 6 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Substation Road Sign Overlay District | 1 | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Historic central business district | 5 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### MUR

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | No more than 25% of one face of awning | — | — | — | Attached flat against awning surface(s) | — | Sec. 9-12-11-1 |
| Center Sign | 20% more than max allowed for other signs | 30% more than max allowed for other signs | — | — | One per street frontage, may have more if >1200 ft | Freestanding, one per street frontage (additional permitted if >1200 ft frontage) | — | Sec. 9-12-11-3 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On freestanding or monument sign | — | Sec. 9-12-11-2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from front, 5 ft from side/rear property line | 1 per lot; 1 per frontage for corner lots | Within landscaped area at least same sq ft as sign; must not be in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-5 |
| Hanging Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building or underneath approved canopy/awning/colonnade, but not projecting beyond | — | Sec. 9-12-11-6 |
| Temporary Signs | — | 32 sq ft (freestanding); 120 sq ft (banner); 4 sq ft (personal sale) | — | — | — | On premises; banners may be on-site/sidewalk | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | One per building lot | On premises or on sidewalk (nonresidential use only, during business hrs) | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10.H |
| Wall Sign | No greater than height of wall face | — | — | — | — | On structure wall | — | Sec. 9-12-11-11 |

### I, C, MD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | No more than 25% of one face of awning | — | — | — | Attached flat to awning | — | Sec. 9-12-11-1 |
| Center Sign | 20% more than max otherwise allowed | 30% more than max otherwise allowed | — | — | One per street frontage, more if >1200 ft | Freestanding, one per street frontage (additional allowed if >1200 ft frontage) | — | Sec. 9-12-11-3 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On freestanding or monument sign | — | Sec. 9-12-11-2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | At least 2 ft from front, 5 ft from side/rear | 1 per building lot; corners may have 1 per frontage | Within landscaped area at least the area of sign; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-5 |
| LED Reader Board | — | Not more than 75% of allowed sign area for structure | — | — | — | Only in I and C zones | — | Sec. 9-12-11-8 |
| Temporary Signs | — | 32 sq ft (freestanding), 120 sq ft (banner), 4 sq ft (personal sale) | — | — | — | On premises, not in right of way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | One per building lot | On premises or sidewalk for nonresidential use | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10.H |
| Wall Sign | No higher than wall face | — | — | — | — | On structure wall | — | Sec. 9-12-11-11 |

### P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | No more than 25% of one face of awning | — | — | — | Attached flat to awning | — | Sec. 9-12-11-1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from front, 5 ft from side/rear lot lines | 1 per building lot; corner: 1 per frontage | Within landscaped area at least area of sign; not in right of way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-5 |
| Hanging Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building or under canopy/awning/colonnade; not projecting beyond; min 8 ft if over right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-6 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building; min 8 ft if over right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-12-11-9 |
| Temporary Signs | — | 32 sq ft (freestanding), 120 sq ft (banner), 4 sq ft (personal sale) | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | One per building lot | On premises or sidewalk during open hours | — | Sec. 9-12-11-10.H |
| Wall Sign | No higher than wall face | — | — | — | — | On wall of structure | — | Sec. 9-12-11-11 |

## Prohibited signs in Emmett

- No person shall erect, maintain, or relocate any sign as specified in the prohibited section in any zoning district.
- Signs creating traffic hazards: A sign at or near any public street, or at the intersection of any public streets, situated in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard by obstructing vision or would interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign.
- Signs within the 'clear vision triangle' as defined in the ordinance.
- Signs within public rights-of-way (except as provided in certain sections), including attaching signs to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Hazardous signs: Any sign which, due to structural weakness, design defect, or other reason, constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of any person or property.
- Flashing signs or lights: Any sign with an intermittent light source, or with the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation or an externally mounted intermittent light source, except time/temperature and certain LED reader boards.
- Animated signs: Permanent signs designed with electronic switches and/or electric lamps that display only stationary images which change copy no more than once per day or LED reader boards are allowed with a permit and are not defined as animated signs.
- Signs on vacant property: No sign over four square feet per face shall be erected or maintained on a property with no structure or where the primary structure is vacant, except when a valid building permit exists or for sale/lease signs up to 32 square feet.
- Roof signs (as defined in the ordinance), except mansard roof signs as limited.
- Rotating or revolving signs: Signs where all or any portion of the sign physically moves in some manner.
- Wind signs: Any pennant, propeller, or similar device designed to flutter, rotate, whirl, or display other movement under the influence of the wind.
- Bench signs: Any outdoor furniture with commercial signage.
- Vehicle signs as defined: Signs painted or mounted on vehicles parked in the same location for more than 72 hours and visible from the public right-of-way, unless the vehicle is at its place of business or personal residence.
- Inflatable signs or displays: Any inflatable object used for promotional or sign purposes.
- Signs must not use 'Day-Glo', fluorescent, reflective colored material that gives the appearance of changing color, or brilliant luminescent colors.
- No temporary sign, prohibited sign or sign for an illegal use shall be eligible for nonconforming status.
- Political signs shall not be posted in any place or manner that is destructive to public property upon posting or removal, or in a public right-of-way, or on a utility pole.

## Signs exempt from permit in Emmett

- Signs not exceeding six square feet in area, erected for the convenience of the public, such as signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, walkways, and similar features or facilities.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into the surface or the facade of the building or when projecting not more than two inches.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations erected within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Flags, symbols, or insignias: The flag of Idaho, the United States, or any other flag adopted or sanctioned by the legislative body of Idaho or the United States.
- Hours of operation or other such information signs. (Note: Neon 'open' signs are subject to special provisions.)
- Private signs: Any sign intended for use from within a private facility; signs located on private property, not oriented to the general public, and intended to provide information or direction to those using the facility.
- Official notices and/or signs posted by a government entity, court, or other public body.
- Temporary signs less than four square feet per face in size and advertising the premises as 'for sale', 'for lease', or 'for rent'.
- Construction signs up to 32 square feet, permitted for 60 days prior to commencement of construction and must be removed within 60 days of completion of construction, securely fastened, and not creating a hazard.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required for center signs (multi-tenant developments) and must be submitted to the zoning commission for approval. The plan must show sign colors, styles and locations of buildings, maximum size, illumination and materials to be used. All signs in a master sign plan must harmonize with adjacent and nearby building architecture and colors.
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan drawn to scale showing building frontage, sign locations, sign scale, colored rendering, dimensions, materials, construction/attachment methods, and written property owner consent.
- Any applicant denied a sign permit may appeal to the Emmett Zoning Commission.
- Signs in the historic central business district require a separate design review application and approval by the design review board prior to filing a sign permit application.
- Design review approval from the Emmett Zoning Commission or designated committee is required for any neon sign exceeding four square feet in area, or for any business proposing more than two neon signs.
- All temporary signs greater than four square feet per face require a temporary sign permit. Permit terms and display duration are limited.
- A written consent of the property owner must be filed with the building department prior to a sign permit being issued for signs on private property.
- A special use permit or accessory use permit may allow for signage in R zoning districts if approved as part of the permitting application, even if the zoning table lists the sign as 'not permitted.'

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

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