# Sign Regulations in Stanley, Idaho

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

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

## At a glance

Stanley, Idaho regulates 8 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Permanent or Temporarys in the Commercial District, Commercial A District, Limited Commercial District, Municipal District, Airport District zoning district are capped at 12 ft (from finished grade to top) tall and 32 sq ft, with a Not allowed between front/side street and building setback line. setback (Sec. 17.48.040, 17.48.030, 17.48.010). Most commercial signs in Stanley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential A District, Residential B District, Residential C District | 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Commercial A District, Limited Commercial District, Municipal District, Airport District | 6 | 28 ft from ground to top of sign | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Exterior Sign | — | — | — | Not allowed between street and the building setback line. | — | Not between front or side street and the building setback line. | — | 17.48.010, 17.48.040 |

### Residential A District, Residential B District, Residential C District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | See general prohibition on all permanent signs not being allowed between street and building setback line. | — | On property. Not used for home occupations or off-premises business advertising. | — | 17.48.020, 17.48.010 |

### Commercial District, Commercial A District, Limited Commercial District, Municipal District, Airport District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Permanent or Temporary | 12 ft (from finished grade to top) | 32 sq ft | — | Not allowed between front/side street and building setback line. | — | On property. Not between street and setback line. | — | 17.48.040, 17.48.030, 17.48.010 |
| Wall Sign (On front or side of building) | 4 ft max height; may exceed with Council approval | 32 sq ft (may exceed with Council approval) | 3/4 of the wall width/length at placement | — | — | On front or side of building. | — | 17.48.040, 17.48.010 |
| Roof Sign (On top of building) | 28 ft from ground to top of sign | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On top of building | — | 17.48.040, 17.48.010 |
| Interior Illuminated Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Inside building but visible from outside | — | 17.48.030 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Off property sign along HWY 21/75) | — | — | — | Not between street and setback line. | 1 per eligible business (not on HWY); 1 per property owner (on HWY) | Properties along State Highways 21 and 75 only. (Only for advertising Stanley businesses not on highway frontage.) | — | 17.48.030, 17.48.010 |
| Temporary Sign (Business, Short-Term Sales, Banners, etc.) | — | — | — | Not between street and the setback line. | — | Indoors or outdoors, but must be on property where business is located. | — | 17.48.030, 17.48.010 |

## Prohibited signs in Stanley

- No permanent exterior sign shall be constructed, erected, or structurally altered unless a building permit has been issued.
- All permanent exterior signs shall be rustic in nature, subdued in appearance, harmonizing in design and color with the surroundings, and constructed of wood or nonreflective metal, except as set forth in section 17.48.030.
- Permanent signs composed of reflective metal, vinyl, or with flashing or revolving bulbs, lights, or beacons, or utilizing balloons, flags or other similar attention getting materials, and exterior signs of a brilliant or illuminating nature shall be prohibited.
- No permanent sign may be placed between the front or side street and the building setback line.
- Freestanding signs and their structures shall not exceed twelve feet (12') in height measured from the finished grade at the base of the structure to the top.
- Permanent exterior signs shall not be self-illuminating, but shall be illuminated only by the reflector method.
- Temporary signs may not utilize flashing or revolving bulbs, lights, or beacons, balloons, flags or other similar attention getting materials.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stanley

- Interior signs in the Commercial, Commercial A, and Limited Commercial Districts may be brilliant or illuminating as set forth in section 17.48.030.
- Permanent signs may utilize vinyl lettering that blends with and complements the sign's rustic appearance.
- Signs advertising short term sales and other temporary signs are allowed either indoors or outdoors for no more than one month at a time.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan is indicated in the provided ordinance text. However, a building permit is required for constructing, erecting, or structurally altering any permanent exterior sign.
- Signs exceeding the area or dimensional limits may only do so with specific approval by the Council.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Stanley, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Stanley+ID&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-stanley

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