A.   Purpose And Authority: The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the fabrication, erection and use of signs, symbols, markings and advertising devices within the City. These standards are desired to protect and promote the public welfare, health and safety of persons within the community and to aid in the development and promotion of business and industry by providing sign regulations which encourage aesthetic creativity, effectiveness and flexibility in the design and use of such devices without creating a detriment to the general public and is adopted in accordance with that authority granted in Idaho Code 67-6518 (1980) and the general police powers of the City.

   B.   Short Title Citation: This chapter shall be known as the SIGN CODE OF THE CITY OF PRIEST RIVER.

   C.   Permit Required; Appeal: It is unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, or change the use of any sign as defined in this title without first obtaining a sign permit and/or building permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. Permitted or grandfathered signs shall be allowed to have routine maintenance; including changing of copy for on-site uses performed without obtaining a permit if only non-structural changes or repairs are made. All applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by plans, designs, specifications or drawings stating specifically all dimensions, animations if any, lighting, colors and plan of installation stating clearances and setbacks. The Administrator shall have the authority to refuse a sign permit for any sign which does not comply with the requirements of this section. Appeal from the provisions or enforcement of this section shall be made as follows:

      1.   Appeal From Administrator Decision:

         a.   Notice Of Appeal: An affected person aggrieved by the decision of the Administrator may file a written notice of appeal with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) days after the Administrator’s decision and shall clearly state the grounds for appeal as an affected person, as defined in Idaho Code 67-6521. An appeal from an action of the Administrator shall automatically stay the issuance of the permit until such appeal has been decided by the City Council.

         b.   Fees For Appeal: The fees for an appeal from the Administrator’s decision regarding sign permits shall be set from time to time by resolution duly passed and adopted by the City Council.

         c.   Hearing On Appeal: The City Council shall hold a hearing on an appeal pursuant to the procedures as provided in section 10-15-5 of this title at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

      2.   Appeal From City Council Decision: The decision by the City Council shall constitute the final decision. An affected person aggrieved by the decision may, within thirty (30) days, seek judicial review pursuant to Idaho Code.

   D.   Impairment Of Traffic And Rights-Of-Way: In addition to other requirements of this title and this chapter, all signs, including signs inside windows, shall comply with the following conditions:

      1.   No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct the free and clear vision of pedestrians and vehicular traffic or interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal or device.

   E.   General Sign District: All the area within the corporate limits of the City where signs are permitted, with the following restrictions:

      1.   R-1, R-2, And R-5 District: Residential nameplates not exceeding two (2) square feet, bearing only the name and address of the occupant, mounted flush on the structure at or below eye level; non-illuminated signs for home occupation not to exceed four (4) square feet, bearing the name of the business, and the name and address of the occupant.

   F.   Construction/Finish: Signs may be constructed of painted, stained or carved wood; brick or stone; glass or metal; plastics or polymers. Signs shall not be pointed on their edges creating a safety hazard and shall be treated to prevent reflective glare.

      Exposed metal support structures for signs, including but not limited to, posts, poles and sign sides or edges, must be faced or covered with wood, brick or stone, or painted. The color and material must be approved by the Administrator. Appeals from this decision are made to the City Council.

      1.   All electric signs shall be Underwriter Laboratory (UL) approved. All other signs shall comply with the most current International Building Code adopted. Drawings of all signs showing size, location, color, or other information as deemed necessary by the Administrator must be submitted prior to receiving a sign permit. All plans for freestanding signs eight feet (8') or taller in overall height, and all roof-mounted signs shall be submitted with signature and stamp of an Idaho licensed engineer. The engineer’s review of a sign structure shall include, but not be limited to, the effects of wind, seismic forces, allowable stresses, combined loads, overturning movement from lateral forces, the stresses of wire, rope and their fastenings.

      2.   The supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed upon private property and shall be securely built, constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.

   G.   Sign Sizes: Wall mounted signs shall be proportional in size to the building they are mounted on.

      Freestanding signs shall be limited in size to a square footage equal to one- third (1/3) of the footage of building frontage on the public right-of-way.

      Any sign that exceeds eight feet (8') in height or thirty two (32) square feet, even if temporary in nature, must secure a permit.

      1.   Size Variations: An applicant that wishes to vary from these standards by an increase in allowable size has the right to petition the City Council for a variance from these standards.

   H.   Number Of Signs: The number of freestanding signs for each business shall be one for each street frontage.

   I.   Prohibited Signs And Exceptions:

      1.   No moving appurtenances attached to a sign intended to attract attention.

      2.   No sign shall be located to conflict with the appearance of devices controlling traffic.

      3.   No rotating beacon lights.

      4.   No rotating or flashing signs or signs which have moving parts except for signs denoting the correct time and temperature. The sign display itself shall not move or rotate.

      5.   Off-premises signs shall only be allowed as “business locator signs” with the express permission of the Administrator. The purpose of these signs is to direct traffic to businesses not located on either highway corridor. Signs may be placed on principal arterial roads subject to the following conditions:

         a.   Only businesses located in the City of Priest River shall be allowed to be named or displayed. The message displayed shall be restricted to those businesses’ name, address, and directional arrow.

         b.   At each intersection of an arterial road, one freestanding sign may be erected allowing for the joint display of business names and addresses that are accessed from that intersection.

         c.   The sign may be placed on the edge of the City right-of- way or such location as is specified by the City Council. The design and construction, including materials, colors and lighting installed, must first be approved by the Administrator and the City Council. The first sign shall become the standard for all the signs on the framework. The City of Priest River may require maintenance or repairs to any sign at any time. Maintenance or repairs shall be completed within ten (10) days of notification or the sign will be removed at the expense of the business so listed.

         d.   Off-premises signs along the highway corridors may be subject to Idaho Transportation Department permitting. (Ord. 597, 8-6-2018)

      6.   Reader board or changeable copy signs may be allowed with Administrator approval. The area of the sign(s) shall be combined with any other on-premises sign and the total size shall not exceed the maximum allowed for that business. (Ord. 605, 8-5-2019)

   J.   Design And Construction Standards:

      1.   Height: No sign shall be designed, constructed or erected which extends to a height of more than five feet (5') above the roof line, exclusive of false fronts, or a maximum height of twenty four feet (24'), whichever is lower.

      2.   Setback: All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from the property line to the nearest point of the support structure. No projecting sign, canopy or marquee shall extend from a building closer than eighteen inches (18") from the back of the curb or be lower than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk.

   K.   Landscaping: The area around the base of all signs shall be landscaped, providing that the Administrator may waive this requirement where the landscaping would interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic or where not practical.

   L.   Exempted Signs: The following signs shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter providing that they meet the requirements set forth in this section:

      1.   All signs erected in a public right-of-way by a public agency controlling or directing traffic.

      2.   Political signs pertaining to a specific election must be removed within five (5) days after the election by the candidate or property owner who placed the sign.

      3.   Real estate signs, not occupying any portion of the public right-of- way.

      4.   Construction signs announcing the construction of a building or project thirty two (32) square feet. The sign shall be removed upon occupancy of the building.

      5.   Flags, either official or historical, of any state or nation.

      6.   Any sign inside a building or inside a window, the total percentage of window coverage for signs on the interior shall not exceed thirty five percent (35%).

      7.   Owner identification or occupant identification signs for residential structures, private warning signs and for sale or for rent signs, none of which may exceed two (2) square feet.

      8.   Temporary signs/banners to announce conventions or business special events and which shall be immediately removed at the end of the event. Signs are limited to being placed no more than fourteen (14) days before the event.

      9.   Murals, providing no words are used for the intent of advertising. All requests for murals shall be approved by the Administrator and City Council.

      10.   Signs stating the name of a housing complex of ten (10) or more dwelling units provided that the sign does not exceed twenty five (25) square feet.

   M.   Removal And Disposition Of Sign:

      1.   Abandoned Signs: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of two (2) months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Abandoned signs shall be removed by the owner of premises on which the sign is located. For signs that are conforming under the provisions of this chapter, but no longer advertise a bona fide business, the owner may cover the message or sign copy with paint or other materials.

      2.   Dangerous Or Defective Signs: No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him, any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition. Any such sign shall be removed or repaired by the owner of the premises or the owner of the sign.

      3.   Removal Of Signs: The building inspector shall cause to be removed any sign that endangers the public safety such as abandoned, dangerous or materially, electrically or structurally defective signs.

      Any person having an interest in the sign or the property may appeal the determination of the building inspector ordering removal or compliance by filing a written notice or appeal with the City Clerk within ten (10) days after receipt of the notice. In cases of emergency, the Administrator and/or building inspector may cause the immediate removal of a dangerous or defective sign without notice.

      4.   Disposal Of Signs; Costs: Any sign removed by the building inspector pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall become the property of the City and may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate. The cost of removal of the sign by the City shall be considered a debt owed to the City by the owner of the property. (Ord. 597, 8-6-2018; amd. Ord. 634, 6-17-2024)