It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate the use of signs, and billboards, to ensure maximum visibility along streets and highways, to promote traffic safety, to protect property values, to provide visibility for signs for public and private purposes and to preserve and enhance the natural beauty and aesthetic values of the County.

A certain character has been established in Blaine County and should be maintained through the use of indigenous materials, for example, wood, rock and earth tone colors. (Ord. 2018-05, 10-2-2018; Ord. 2018-03, 2-13-2018; 1996 Code; Ord. 77-5, 3-28-1977, eff. 4-7-1977)

   A.   Signs shall only identify or advertise uses conducted on the same premises, unless approved under section 9-29-4 of this chapter.

   B.   It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, alter, maintain or use any sign except as provided for in this chapter.

   C.   No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except:

      1.   Public signs, such as traffic control and directional signs.

      2.   Subdivision signs at the entrance to subdivisions to which the primary access is a public road, if the sign:

         a.   Has been granted a right-of-way permit for an encroachment by Blaine County Road and Bridge Department, and

         b.   Includes a visible indication that the road is a public road.

   D.   Moving, revolving, flashing, intermittent or oscillating signs, parts or lights shall not be permitted.

   E.   Signs shall not look similar to devices controlling public traffic or to impair the safety of a moving vehicle by distracting or obstructing the vision of the driver.

   F.   Signs shall be maintained in good repair at all times. Abandoned signs no longer in use shall be removed and the area returned to its natural state.

   G.   No more than one freestanding sign may be placed on a parcel. (Ord. 2018-03, 2-13-2018; Ord. 2013-04, 11-12-2013; Ord. 2010-03, 1-19-2010; Ord. 77-5 as amended; Ord. 77-5, 3-28-1977, eff. 4-7-1977)

   A.   A sign permit is not required for the following signs:

      1.   Customary residential, professional and home occupation signs, not to exceed two (2) square feet in surface area, may be erected in any district.

      2.   One single freestanding or wall sign, unlit, not to exceed six (6) square feet in surface area, when advertising sale or rental of a lot, a business or home, may be erected in any district. Farms and ranches may be advertised by "for sale" signs up to ten (10) square feet in area.

      3.   Unlit signs advertising the sale or rental of a lot, home or business abutting State Highway 75 may be located in any district with a twenty five foot (25') yard setback providing that only one sign per lot, home or business is used.

      4.   A ranch identification sign incorporated into the entry gate of agriculturally exempted parcels shall be allowed, up to twenty (20) square feet, with a minimum height of thirteen feet and six inches (13'6") and a minimum width of twenty feet (20') per current International Fire Code.

      5.   Posting notices (e.g., "private property", "no trespassing") may be erected anywhere on a parcel of land as long as the sign surface does not exceed four (4) square feet.

      6.   One unlit sign with a surface area not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet when advertising all lots for sale in a specific subdivision shall be allowed in any district. The sign shall be temporary, and shall be located on the subdivision property. The sign shall meet requirements of section 9-29-5 of this chapter.

      7.   One sign with a surface area not to exceed twenty (20) square feet identifying a construction site. The sign shall be temporary and shall be located on the property associated with the obtained building permit. The sign shall be removed prior to Certificate of Occupancy.

   B.   A sign permit must be applied for and approved for the following signs. Criteria for these signs shall be found in the applicable subsections of sections 9-29-1 through 9-29-5 of this chapter.

      1.   One permanent, indirectly lit or unlit, identification sign with a surface area not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet, shall be allowed for a subdivision.

      2.   One identification sign in conjunction with commercial or industrial uses, agricultural businesses, public uses and semi-public uses (e.g., non-profit or philanthropic organization) shall be allowed, provided such sign does not exceed twenty (20) square feet in surface area. (Ord. 2025-08, 8-26-2025; Ord. 2018-03, 2-13-2018)

Off site, nonilluminated directional signs for identification of commercial, residential, tourist, recreational or cultural uses as warranted by size and remote location of the use with a maximum of six (6) square feet. (Ord. 77-5, 3-28-1977, eff. 4-7-1977)

   A.   Signs shall be subject to the following yard setback requirements:

      1.   From Highway 75: Thirty five feet (35') from the adjacent edge of the right-of-way.

      2.   Other roads: Zero (0); sign location shall conform to sight vision distance requirements of road intersections.

      3.   Side and rear lot lines not adjacent to a road: Ten feet (10').

   B.   A freestanding sign shall not project above the building height of the nearest building to which the sign pertains. In no case shall the height of the sign exceed ten feet (10') from the ground level to sign top.

   C.   No lettering on any sign, including cutout letter signs, shall exceed eighteen inches (18") in height.

   D.   Projecting or wall signs shall not project above the eave line or parapet wall of the building to which they are affixed and shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') above grade when projecting over a pedestrian walkway. Such signs shall not project out more than two feet (2') from the front or face of the building, except where such a sign is an integral part of an approved awning or canopy.

   E.   The area of a sign painted or imprinted on a wall, a sign composed of cutout letters or other type of sign whose background has no clearly defined dimension shall be equal to the smallest rectangular figure which can contain copy, insignia background and other graphic elements.

   F.   Sign surface area is defined in section 9-2-1 of this title. Where a sign is double-sided, the allowable surface area is per side. (Ord. 2018-03, 2-13-2018)

Each sign which is physically in place at the effective date hereof and which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter may be continued until the end of the following specified period of time, after which it shall be removed:

   A.   In the case of a lessee of premises for the sole purpose of maintaining a sign: The expiration of the lease period or two (2) years from the effective date hereof, whichever comes first.

   B.   In the case of a nonconforming on site sign, if such sign is leased from another person, the expiration of the lease period or two (2) years from the effective date hereof, whichever comes first.

   C.   In the case of a nonconforming on site sign, if the sign is owned by the property owner and advertises interests which are on site, two (2) years from the effective date hereof. (Ord. 77-5, 3-28-1977, eff. 4-7-1977)

   A.   External Light Source: A sign lit by an external light source shall specifically illuminate the sign and shall be downcast with the lighting source not visible.

Example (allowed):

   B.   Internal Lighting: A sign using internal lighting shall only illuminate the copy portion (letters and symbols) of the signs. All other areas, including background, shall be constructed, treated or colored in a manner which makes those areas opaque.

Examples (allowed):

Example (not allowed):

   C.   Backlighting: Backlighting behind individually mounted letters and symbols is allowed provided the lighting source is not visible.

Example (allowed):

   D.   Flashing Or Intermittent Lights: Flashing or intermittent lights, lights of changing degree of intensity or moving lights shall not be permitted. (Ord. 2018-03, 2-13-2018)