# Sign Regulations in Pocatello, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pocatello, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/pocatello
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-13
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pocatelloid/latest/pocatello_id/0-0-0-24838)

## At a glance

Pocatello, Idaho regulates 17 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Free-Standing Sign (Residential Development Identification - 15+ Dwelling Units)s in the Residential Estate District (RE) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 36 square feet per sign (Sec. 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RE, RL, RMS, RMM, RH Free-Standing Sign) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(C)(4)-(5), 17.07.050(A)(1)-(7), 17.07.050(E)(a).). Most commercial signs in Pocatello require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Estate District (RE) | 7 | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential Low Density District (RL) | 7 | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential Medium Density Single-Family District (RMS) | 7 | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential Medium Density Multi-Family District (RMM) | 7 | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential High Density District (RH) | 7 | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential/Commercial/Professional District (RCP) | 8 | 6 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Commercial General District (CG) | 7 | 20 feet | Up to 200 square feet per sign (1 sq ft per 1 linear ft frontage) | — |
| Central Commercial District (CC) | 7 | 12 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Office Park District (OP) | 7 | 20 feet | Up to 200 square feet per sign (1 sq ft per 1 linear ft frontage) | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 7 | 20 feet | Up to 200 square feet per sign (1 sq ft per 1 linear ft frontage) | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 7 | 20 feet | Up to 200 square feet per sign (1 sq ft per 1 linear ft frontage) | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay District (HPO) (signs apply via underlying zoning conflicts) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Residential Estate District (RE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-Standing Sign (Residential Development Identification - 15+ Dwelling Units) | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance; maximum 4 per development | Not specified in provided text (table entry for RE/RL/RMS/RMM/RH). | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RE, RL, RMS, RMM, RH Free-Standing Sign) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(C)(4)-(5), 17.07.050(A)(1)-(7), 17.07.050(E)(a). |
| Building Sign (Residential Development Identification - 15+ Dwelling Units) | — | 15% of each building elevation | — | — | — | On a building (allowed as "Building" in the table). | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RE, RL, RMS, RMM, RH Building Sign) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(A)(1)-(7), 17.07.050(C)(5). |
| Portable Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Max 3 per site | Not specified in provided text (table entry for RE/RL/RMS/RMM/RH). | — | 17.07.020(C)(2) (portable signs exempt from permit) and 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RE, RL, RMS, RMM, RH Portable Sign) and 17.07.050(C)(8), 17.07.020(D), 17.07.050(A), 17.07.050(C)(4)-(5). |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Residential | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RE, RL, RMS, RMM, RH Electronic Message Center: Not permitted for residential uses). |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — | — | — | Not specified in provided text. | — | 17.07.020(C)(1) (directional signs exempt from permit) and 17.07.050(C)(7) (Directional Signs). |
| Light Pole Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On light pole; not over a lane of traffic. | — | 17.07.020(C)(3) (light pole banner signs exempt from permit) and 17.07.050(C)(9) (Light Pole Banner Signs). |
| Identification Sign (Architectural incorporation) | — | 0.5 square feet per linear foot of building frontage | — | — | 1 per building elevation | On building (architectural feature). | — | 17.07.020(C)(10) (identification signs exempt from permit) and 17.07.050(C)(10) (Identification signs). |

### Residential Low Density District (RL)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-Standing Sign (Residential Development Identification - 15+ Dwelling Units) | 5 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance; maximum 4 per development | Not specified in provided text. | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RL) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(A)(1)-(7), 17.07.050(C)(4)-(5), 17.07.050(E)(a). |
| Building Sign (Residential Development Identification - 15+ Dwelling Units) | — | 15% of each building elevation | — | — | — | On building (building sign). | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RL Building Sign) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(A), 17.07.050(C)(5). |
| Portable Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Max 3 per site | Not specified. | — | 17.07.020(C)(2) and 17.07.050(D) (RL Portable Sign) and 17.07.050(C)(8). |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Residential | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RL Electronic Message Center: Not permitted for residential uses). |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(1) and 17.07.050(C)(7). |
| Light Pole Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On light pole; not over lane. | — | 17.07.020(C)(3) and 17.07.050(C)(9). |
| Identification Sign (Architectural incorporation) | — | 0.5 square feet per linear foot of building frontage | — | — | 1 per building elevation | On building elevation. | — | 17.07.020(C)(10) and 17.07.050(C)(10). |

### Residential/Commercial/Professional District (RCP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-Standing Sign | 6 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RCP Free-Standing Sign) and 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(A)(1)-(7), 17.07.050(C)(4)-(5), 17.07.050(E)(a). |
| Building Sign | — | 15% of each building elevation | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RCP Building Sign), 17.07.050(C)(1),(6), 17.07.020(B)-(D), 17.07.050(A). |
| Portable Sign | — | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | Max 3 per site | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(2) and 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RCP Portable Sign) and 17.07.050(C)(8). |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Non-Residential Uses in RCP | — | — | — | — | One (1) EMC per property (unless increased via sign master plan process) | — | — | 17.07.050(D) Sign Standards Table (RCP EMC: Permitted by CUP for non-residential uses; Not permitted for residential uses) and 17.07.050(F)(1)-(5). |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(1) and 17.07.050(C)(7). |
| Light Pole Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(3) and 17.07.050(C)(9). |
| Identification Sign (Architectural incorporation) | — | 0.5 square feet per linear foot of building frontage | — | — | 1 per building elevation | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(10) and 17.07.050(C)(10). |
| Portable Signs (general exemption) | — | 6 square feet per sign (default rule) | — | — | Max 3 per site | — | — | 17.07.020(C)(2) and 17.07.050(C)(8) and 17.07.050(D) (RCP Portable Sign). |

## Prohibited signs in Pocatello

- It shall be unlawful to erect or otherwise display a sign and other advertising devices without complying with the applicable terms and provisions of this chapter.
- It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, place, relocate, alter, and/or modify any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the City, except as exempted in this section.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: signs located within any public street, right-of-way, or other public property without a right-of-way use license or other approvals, as determined by the City Engineer and Planning Director (or their designee).
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: any sign located so as to conflict with the clear visibility of devices controlling public traffic or to impair the safety of a moving vehicle by distracting the vision of the driver.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: roof signs.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: any sign exceeding the height of a parapet or wall of a building to which it is attached.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: signs on a property with no established use.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: signs or displays with intermittent or flashing illumination or animation.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: signs or displays which inflate or emit sound.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: revolving signs.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: vehicle signs that contain an Electronic Message Center (EMC).
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: abandoned signs.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: neglected signs.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: off-premises signs.
- Prohibited in all zoning districts: snipe signs.
- Signs shall not be located in a manner that interferes with pedestrian or vehicular travel, or poses a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.
- All signs must be structurally sound and maintained; no broken, bent, cracked, decayed, dented, faded, leaning, splintered, ripped, torn, or twisted signs allowed; signs in danger of falling are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs and neglected signs shall be considered a public nuisance and are prohibited.
- Signs shall not encroach a right-of-way or public sidewalk except after obtaining a right-of-way use license from the Engineering Department.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pocatello

- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: directional signs.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: portable signs.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: light pole banner signs.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: official traffic or governmental signs.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: signs which are not seen from any public right-of-way.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: murals.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: holiday decorations.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: sign face changes.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: vehicle signs.
- Signs not requiring a permit but must adhere to all applicable standards of this chapter: identification signs.
- Light pole banner signs: allowed in all zones without a sign permit (but require an approved right-of-way use license if the light pole is within the right-of-way or if the banner extends into the right-of-way).
- Directional signs, portable signs, light pole banner signs, official traffic/governmental signs, and other permit-exempt signs still must comply with all applicable standards of the sign code.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Pocatello

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All sign permits | Applicable fee(s), which are non-refundable. | — |
| Standard Review | twelve (12) business days (starts when Submittal date for a single building permit for new construction or an addition) | — |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Pocatello is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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