# Sign Regulations in Post Falls, Idaho

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Post Falls, Idaho (ID)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/idaho/post-falls
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ID/Post_Falls/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT18ZO_CH18.36SI)

## At a glance

Post Falls, Idaho regulates 22 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones zoning district are capped at 35 feet tall and 200 square feet, with a Minimum 5 feet behind back of sidewalk or property line if no sidewalk setback (Sec. 18.36.050.B.2, 18.36.070.B). Most commercial signs in Post Falls require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone Designations | 11 | 30 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones | 12 | 60 feet | 400 square feet per side; max 800 square feet total for all | — |
| SmartCode Zoning Districts | 11 | 45 feet (25 feet above principal structure height within 600 feet of I-90/Hwy 41 or 300 feet of Pleasantview Road) | 160 square feet combined per building | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Zone Designations

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Sign | 6 feet (3 feet in vision triangle) | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot (2 for warning signs) | — | — | 18.36.040.A |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 exit and 1 entrance sign per approach | At legal approaches (entrances/exits) | — | 18.36.040.C |
| Flag | 30 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | Up to 3 per lot without permit | — | — | 18.36.040.D |
| Danger/Hazard Sign | — | 3 square feet (unless state/federal law provides more) | — | — | — | — | — | 18.36.040.E |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Windows | — | 18.36.040.G |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | Private property | — | 18.36.040.H |
| Monument/Ground Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage with approved approach | One per street frontage with approved approach | — | 18.36.050.A.1.b |
| Monument/Ground Sign (Residential Neighborhood or Subdivision) | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per street entrance | One per street entrance on collector/arterial | — | 18.36.050.A.2 |

### Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Sign | 6 feet (3 feet in vision triangle) | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 18.36.040.A |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 exit & 1 entrance per approach | — | — | 18.36.040.C |
| Flag | 45 feet (25 feet above principal structure height within 600 feet of I-90/Hwy 41 or 300 feet of Pleasantview Road) | 135 square feet (400 square feet near I-90/Hwy 41/Pleasantview Road) | — | — | Up to 3 per lot | — | — | 18.36.040.D |
| Danger/Hazard Sign | — | 3 square feet (unless state/federal law provides more) | — | — | — | — | — | 18.36.040.E |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Windows | — | 18.36.040.G |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 feet | 200 square feet | — | Minimum 5 feet behind back of sidewalk or property line if no sidewalk | 1 per 150' of street frontage, max 3 per lot | 5 foot minimum setback from sidewalk/property line | — | 18.36.050.B.2, 18.36.070.B |
| Integrated Shopping Center Sign (Non-I-90 Frontage) | 35 feet | 400 square feet per side; max 800 square feet total for all | — | Minimum 5 feet behind sidewalk/property line | — | For shopping centers and industrial complexes (multiple-occupancy) except on I-90 frontage | — | 18.36.050.B.3.a |
| Integrated Shopping Center Sign (I-90 Frontage) | 60 feet | 400 square feet per side; max 800 square feet total for all | — | Minimum 5 feet behind sidewalk/property line | — | For shopping centers and industrial complexes (multiple-occupancy) with I-90 frontage | — | 18.36.050.B.3.a |

### SmartCode Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Sign | 6 feet (3 feet in vision triangle) | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 18.36.040.A |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 exit & 1 entrance per approach | — | — | 18.36.040.C |
| Flag | 45 feet (25 feet above principal structure height within 600 feet of I-90/Hwy 41 or 300 feet of Pleasantview Road) | 135 square feet (400 square feet near I-90/Hwy 41/Pleasantview Road) | — | — | Up to 3 per lot | — | — | 18.36.040.D |
| Danger/Hazard Sign | — | 3 square feet (unless state/federal law provides more) | — | — | — | — | — | 18.36.040.E |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Windows | — | 18.36.040.G |
| Blade Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Must be attached/project from building face/wall at 90 degrees, project max 6 feet | — | 18.36.050.C.1.a, 18.36.080.D |
| Awning/Valance/Canopy/Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to awning/valance/canopy | — | 18.36.050.C.1.b, 18.36.080.C |
| Wall/Window/Facade Sign | — | 160 square feet combined per building | — | — | 1 per business | On upper portion of storefront, within/above enframed opening | — | 18.36.050.C.1.c, 18.36.050.C.2, 18.36.080.E |

## Prohibited signs in Post Falls

- No sign shall be constructed, installed, structurally altered, enlarged, or relocated except in conformity with this chapter and, where required, after obtaining a sign permit from the City of Post Falls.
- Signs constructed after the effective date without an approved sign permit, except those authorized without a permit, are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs located in a manner that obstruct or interfere with official traffic signs, signals, devices, or driver’s view of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs simulating or imitating the size, lettering, illumination, or design of any traffic control device so as to mislead or confuse the public are prohibited.
- Privately owned signs or their supporting structures are prohibited from being located on, extending into, encroaching upon, or overhanging public property or public rights-of-way.
- Flashing, blinking, or animated signs that appear as traffic safety signs/lights, municipal vehicle warnings, or that flash directly into residential properties or toward roadways creating hazards are prohibited.
- Revolving signs are prohibited.
- Signs attached to vehicles or trailers that are parked visibly to traffic for more than 6 days in a 60-day period are prohibited, unless the primary purpose of the vehicle is not sign display, the sign is an integral (decal, paint, magnetic) part of the vehicle, and the vehicle is operable, registered, and actively used for business purposes.
- Off-Premises Commercial Signs are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures shall not be erected in locations causing visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic or control devices.
- Signs and sign structures shall not obstruct the line of vision at street intersections or driveways and shall not be located within required sight triangles.
- Signs shall not be erected in a manner that interferes with or obstructs fire escapes, downspouts, windows, doors, stairways, ladders, or openings required for ingress/egress, light, air, or drainage.
- Flashing, rotating, and intermittent lighting on signs is prohibited.
- Signs shall not be located closer than 6 feet to electrical conductors, lights, utility poles, or related structures.
- Nonconforming signs may not be altered, enlarged, or relocated except toward compliance with the ordinance.
- Freestanding signs must be set back at least 5 feet from the back of sidewalk (or property line if no sidewalk) and not extend into rights-of-way.
- All signs must conform to all building and safety codes and be kept safe and structurally sound.

## Signs exempt from permit in Post Falls

- Small Signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in gross area, not exceeding six (6) feet in height (or three feet within a vision triangle), not illuminated, and limited in number as specified, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Governmental Signs, including those required by law or for public health, safety, or direction to government facilities, do not require a sign permit.
- Directional Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross area, meeting location restrictions and not primarily used for identification, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Flags (up to three per lot) do not require a sign permit, subject to area and height limits.
- Danger/Hazard Signs devoted solely to warning of dangerous conditions, and not exceeding three (3) square feet in area (unless otherwise required by state or federal law), are exempt from permit.
- Street name and address signs meeting applicable standards do not require a sign permit.
- Window Signs, painted/etched/posted on windows and not exceeding 20% of window area, are allowed in all zones and do not require a sign permit.
- Banners used on private property for no more than 30 days in any calendar year do not require a sign permit.
- Changing or maintaining movable parts or components of an approved sign, or changing copy, business name, lettering, faces, colors, display, or the content of any sign copy, is not considered a structural alteration and does not require a new permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required prior to the issuance of new sign permits for multiple-occupancy commercial or industrial developments under unified control (e.g., shopping centers or industrial complexes), and for neighborhood commercial complexes in SmartCode Zoning Districts.
- The master sign plan must address, at a minimum: proposed sign locations, materials, type of illumination, design of freestanding signs, size, quantity, and uniform standards for all signage (including exempt signage like directional signs).
- All sign permit applications within such complexes must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Any amendments to a master sign plan must be signed by the owner(s) of the development complex before becoming effective.
- Master sign plans are reviewed in accordance with sign permit application procedures.

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

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