Signs are a means of identifying and conveying messages visually for businesses and individuals. The Sign Code establishes standards for the use of signs and sign structures including the placement, size, height, illumination, maintenance, and number of signs.   

Except as otherwise provided in this Code, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the City, without first obtaining a Sign Permit. If a permit has been previously issued, an additional permit shall not be required for the repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. A review will be required for any change of face or business name update.

The permit application requires:

1. Written consent from the property owner or authorized representative of the owner.
2. Submittal of any applicable sign specifications, site plans (including dimensions, pins and property lines), engineering documents, and/or lighting plans.
   1. Verifiable property pins must be identifiable on site.
      
3. Any applicable fees to be paid.
4. Review and approval by the City of Rexburg.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of an infraction, and be subject to the following civil penalties or remedies:

1. If a sign is placed in or projects into any public right-of-way, or has been deemed unsafe by the Building Official, City Engineer, or Zoning Administrator, it may be immediately removed by the City at the expense of the owner, sign company and/or responsible party.
2. If in violation of some other provision of this Ordinance, the City may cause a written notice to be given requiring that the violation be corrected within fourteen (14) days.
3. If the owner, sign company and/or responsible person for the violation fails to comply, then the violator(s) shall be liable for civil penalties (See subsection 1.01.090.) The City shall have the right to remove the sign at the violator’s expense in addition to the aforementioned penalties for each day of violation.

All signs must be located and constructed in accordance with the following parameters.

Municipal, traffic and public directional signs shall not be considered signs as defined and regulated by this sign code.

1. Clear View of Intersecting Streets.
   1. Right-of-way. No sign may be placed or constructed so that any portion thereof is placed or projects into any public right-of-way.
   2. Sight Triangle. For the purpose of ensuring reasonable visibility and safety this Ordinance shall prohibit the placement of signs within the sight triangle. (See Chapter 2: Sight Triangle definition.)
2. Off-Premise Signs. Off-premise signs are prohibited. 
   1. Exceptions. 
      1. Political/Campaign signs.
      2. Real Estate signs.
      3. Billboards existing prior to September 18, 2024 that have a grandfathered status.  
         
3. Maintenance. Signs must be maintained in good condition.
   1. Abandoned Sign. Any sign no longer associated with the use of a property, including vacant or unoccupied properties, shall be considered abandoned and removed or returned to a blank state within 12 months of being abandoned.
      
4. Lighting/Illumination. Any sign that is lit, illuminated, or contains electrical components must be listed by one of OSHA's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) as well as the codes adopted by the City of Rexburg. (see section 3.6)
   
5. Address Signs. (See subsection 3.02.140)
6. Fire Access Signage. All occupancies classified as commercial shall have fire access roadways posted with the proper signs at seventy-five (75’) foot intervals.
   1. Curb Painting. Additionally, curbs shall be painted red and maintained as required by the Fire Code Official.
7. Non-residential Commercial Lots. Signs shall be posted in parking lots open to the public but restricted as to use. Such signs shall be posted in a conspicuous place giving notice that clearly indicates that parking is restricted and violators may be towed.
8. Visitor Parking Areas. Visitor parking areas must have adequate and visible signage. Signs must be at least 12" x 18" and include the words "Visitor Parking Only", "Permit Parking only during **A.M. to **P.M. and "All others may be booted and/or towed."

1. Sign Height.
   1. Outside of US-20 Interchange. Unless further restricted in this Sign Code, the maximum height of any freestanding sign not located in the US 20 Interchange Boundaries (see figures 1, 2 & 3 below) shall have a maximum height of twenty-four (24’) feet from ground level to the top of the sign.
   2. CUP. On lots where a twenty-four (24’) feet freestanding sign is allowed and the building height is greater than twenty-four (24’) feet, the maximum height of a free-standing sign may be reviewed under a Conditional Use Permit for a taller freestanding sign not to exceed the building height.
   3. Within US 20 Interchanges. The interchange sign boundary is defined by a fifteen hundred (1500’) feet radius drawn from the center of the highway interchange.
      1. Freestanding signs located in the US 20 Interchange boundaries (identified in figures 1, 2 &3) shall have a maximum height of fifty (50’) feet from grade (see "grade" definition in Chapter 2) to the top of the sign.
         
         
2. Sign Area.
   1. An eighty (80 sq. ft.) square feet sign is allowed for any single property up to fifty thousand (50,000 sq.ft.) square feet in lot size.
   2. For properties larger than fifty thousand (50,000 sq. ft.) square feet in area, the total allowable sign area would be increased by 0.0016 square feet for each square foot in excess of fifty thousand (50,000).
      
   3. The supporting structure does not count as part of the sign area.
   4. Only one side of a flat sign is measured, irrespective of whether the back side is used for advertising.
   5. Banners. Any banners, other than wall banners, must meet the Freestanding Sign requirements and are included as part of freestanding sign area unless considered temporary and approved by the Zoning Administrator.
   6. Directional Signs. Any logos placed on a directional sign are considered part of the sign area and must be less area than the directional information. 
   7. Plaza Signs. Sign space must be available for all tenants within a plaza while meeting the total allowable sign area.
3. Distance. To avoid blanketing, the distance required between signs is calculated by dividing the total sign area by the number of signs.
   
4. Number of Signs. Multiple signs are allowed as long as area and distance requirements are met.
5. Setback. The edge of a sign must be a minimum of five (5’) feet from the property line to ensure that no portion of the sign overhangs into the right-of-way.
6. Billboards. 
   1. No new billboard signs shall be allowed. 
   2. Existing approved billboard signs shall be designated as having a grandfathered status and may be repaired or replaced. 
   3. Grandfathered billboards that are repaired or replaced are exempt from the 50% value clause. (see section 3.3)
      

1. Examples. For Sale/Rent/Lease, Political/Campaign, Garage/yard sale, Banners, Advertising Feather Flags, sidewalk signs (A-frame Sandwich boards), oversized balloons, and twirling, dancing or other air or gas filled figures.
2. Time Limit. Temporary signs shall be displayed for no more than sixty (60) days consecutively, and not permanently affixed.
   1. Temporary signs related to a specific event, including elections, are limited to being displayed no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the event, and must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after the event.
   2. Construction signs are defined as temporary and must be removed within thirty (30) days of project completion.
      
3. Prohibited Locations. Temporary signs must remain outside of the sight triangle and may not be displayed on utility poles or signs. 
   1. Off-Premise Signs. (See section 3.05.110)
4. Size. Temporary signs shall be a maximum of thirty-two (32 sq. ft.) square feet unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
   1. Exception. Sale/Rent/Lease signs in low residential zones are limited to a maximum size of six (6 sq. ft.) square feet and are limited to six (6') feet in height. (see subsection 3.05.190)
5. Maintenance. Signs must be maintained in good condition as to color and material integrity.
   

1. Temporary Wall Banners. Wall banners displayed for sixty (60) days or less are considered temporary.
   1. Maximum coverage. Temporary Wall Banners may be displayed with permanent wall signs as long as the coverage does not exceed twenty (20%) percent of the entirety of the wall.
2. Permanent Wall Banners. Any banners displayed for more than sixty (60) consecutive days are considered permanent and must adhere to wall sign standards.
   1. A business wishing to have an area for wall mounted banner signs that allow for interchangeability of promotional signs may do so by installing a permanent frame that does not include strings or other temporary looking devices.

1. Maximum Coverage.
   1. Up to 100’ from ROW. The maximum area of a wall sign allowed is ten (10%) percent of the area of the building wall or walls located within zero (0') feet up to one-hundred (100') feet from the right-of-way (ROW) line.
   2. 100’ to 200’ from ROW. The maximum area of a wall sign allowed is twelve (12%) percent for walls located within one-hundred (100') feet totwo-hundred ( 200') feet from the street right-of-way (ROW) line.
   3. Greater than 200’ from ROW. The maximum area of a wall sign allowed is fourteen (14%) percent of the area of the building wall for walls located more than two-hundred feet)(200 ft. from the street right-of-way (ROW) line.
2. Wall Area. The wall area is calculated using either the wall face or street frontage for each separate occupancy. If the wall containing the sign is curved, the wall area is calculated using the elevation view.
3. Sign Area.
   1. Calculating the area of the sign.
      1. Letters. If only letters are placed on a wall, then the area may be computed by drawing rectangles around each letter to enclose the extremities of the letter, and then calculating the enclosed area. 
      2. Cabinet or Flat Panel. If a cabinet or flat panel is used, the area may be computed using the extremities of the structure.
      3. Painted Sign/Supergraphics Sign. If an area is painted in a different shade or color on a wall (not matching the general background of the rest of the building) for advertising with lettering or graphics, then the extremities of the entire painted area will count as advertising area.
   2. The supporting structure does not count as part of the sign area.  
   3. Home Occupation. Home occupation signs are limited to an area of two (2) sq. ft. square feet. 
   4. Directional Signs. Any logos placed on a directional sign are considered part of the sign area and must be less area than the directional information.
      
4. Blade Signs. Any sign projecting from a wall or building shall be placed between eleven (11') feet and sixteen (16’) feet above sidewalk
   

***Except grandfathered billboards.