# Sign Regulations in McCall, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** McCall, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/mccall
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

McCall, Idaho regulates 14 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Identification/Directional Signs in the Residential Zones (AF, RR, RE, R1, R4, R8, R16) zoning district are capped at 5 ft (freestanding) tall and 2 sq ft per dwelling unit; for multiple dwellings per platted lot, additional signs totaling 12 sq ft per building (Sec. 3.9.03(B)(2)-(4)). Most commercial signs in McCall require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones (AF, RR, RE, R1, R4, R8, R16) | 1 | 5 ft (freestanding) | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit; for multiple dwellings per platted lot, additional signs totaling 12 sq ft per building | — |
| Commercial Zones (CV, NC, CC, CBD) | 6 | 10 ft above average ground level at base | Not more than 25% of total window area; included in max total allowable signage (100 sq ft per tenant). | — |
| Industrial and Business Park (I, BP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport Zone (AP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Special Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Complex Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | Number per city requirement | At entrance(s) of planned unit developments, subdivisions, mixed use developments, apartment buildings, shopping centers, or industrial parks; subject to approval by city for location. | — | 3.9.03(A)(3) |
| Wayfinding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Public or private property, location approved by administrator. | — | 3.9.03(A)(4) |
| Changeable Sign (Permanent Structure) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 3.9.03(A)(6)(a) |
| Changeable Sign (Individual Letters) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3.9.03(A)(6)(b) |

### Residential Zones (AF, RR, RE, R1, R4, R8, R16)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification/Directional Sign | 5 ft (freestanding) | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit; for multiple dwellings per platted lot, additional signs totaling 12 sq ft per building | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit; for multiple dwellings, additional signs allowed (see above) | Anywhere on the premises except may not project beyond property line. If building mounted, must be flush, not on any roof, not above eaves line. | — | 3.9.03(B)(2)-(4) |

### Commercial Zones (CV, NC, CC, CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Fascia Sign | Cannot project above roofline or roof peak | — | — | — | — | Anywhere on building surface. | — | 3.9.03(C)(2)-(3), (C)(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | May project past property line as specified. | — | May project 6' or less beyond street property line, but not closer than 2' to curb line. Minimum 8' clearance above curb/sidewalk, 15' above driveways/alleys. | — | 3.9.03(C)(3)(b)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft above average ground level at base | — | — | Back of street setback lines | — | Anywhere back of street setback lines, where building does not cover full area of property. | — | 3.9.03(C)(3)(d) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On vertical faces of marquees. | — | 3.9.03(C)(3)(e) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building awnings. | — | 3.9.03(C)(3)(h) |
| Window Sign | — | Not more than 25% of total window area; included in max total allowable signage (100 sq ft per tenant). | — | — | Up to two neon/similar illuminated window signs not exceeding 3 sq ft each | Affixed to surface of window, visible from public way/adjacent property. | — | 3.9.04(E) |

## Prohibited signs in McCall

- Signs that contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene character.
- Signs that contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or similar words.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service not conducted, or no longer conducted, on the premises upon which the sign is located.
- Signs that have a moving part which is a major attraction of the sign or constitutes more than ten percent (10%) of the sign area.
- Signs that contain or consist of balloons, banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or other similarly moving devices, except as permitted by sections 3.9.03 and 3.9.04.
- Signs that swing or otherwise noticeably move as a result of wind pressure in a fashion which may distract and/or cause a danger to the public, or signs which, due to structural weakness, design defect, or other reason, constitute a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of any person or property.
- Outdoor advertising signs, except as permitted by subsection 3.9.03(A)4.
- Portable changeable signs, V signs, A-frame signs, sandwich board signs, or other temporary signs not permitted by section 3.9.04.
- Signs mounted on vehicles that are operated solely or primarily for the purpose of displaying the sign in the public right of way. Or signs mounted in or on a motor vehicle parked unattended other than at the home or business premises of the business advertised or of its owner.
- Changeable signs, except where permitted by section 3.9.03.
- Roof signs in any residential zone, unless for an approved business use with a conditional use permit.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illumination, brightness or color. Beacon lights are not permitted.
- No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner that could be confused with a traffic control device.
- No exposed reflective type bulbs and no strobe light or incandescent lamps which individually or cumulatively exceed fifteen (15) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- All forms of sign lighting not described in section 3.9.08 are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to post any bills, posters, advertisements, campaign literature or other notices on any utility pole, telephone pole or street sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in McCall

- Public signs: Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, and informational signs.
- Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar materials or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction, and made an integral part of the structure.
- Private traffic direction signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in area for each sign; signs must not be located in a public right of way.
- Horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards.
- Small signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, attached flat against the building, stationary and not illuminated, announcing only the name and occupation of building tenant.
- Rental signs on the premises announcing rooms for rent, table board, apartment or house for rent and not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- Signs on vehicles of any kind, provided the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the original vehicle and does not project or extend beyond the sides or ends of the vehicle. The vehicle must be currently registered and used for transportation purposes, and not parked principally for the purpose of signage.
- No trespassing or restricted entry signs no larger than two (2) square feet in area and no more than one sign every fifty feet (50') of fencing or building frontage.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- United States or Idaho state flags and the flags of other states or nations are permitted. One additional business flag not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet and five (5) feet in length or width may be displayed, provided it does not cause the property to exceed total allowable sign square footage.
- Licensed vendor signage as permitted in McCall City Code Section 4.7.2(H).
- Licensed craft fair signage as permitted in McCall City Code Section 4.7.6(C).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For a development complex (e.g., planned unit development, subdivision, mixed use development, apartment building, shopping center, or industrial park), the city may require that a development complex sign be placed at the entrance(s). The size, location, and compliance with other requirements of this chapter will be required.
- A conditional use permit is required for signs with individual changeable letters in any zone.
- In cases where special conditions and circumstances unique to an industrial or business park zone create undue hardship, the commission may grant exceptions subject to a conditional use permit.
- Temporary new business signs require prior written notice and concurrence from the administrator and code enforcement officer and payment of a fee.
- Certain temporary signs or citizen commentary signs may need approval by the commission and council for a conditional use permit at a public hearing, upon request of the applicant or a concerned citizen.

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

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