Are LED Signs Allowed in Twin Falls City, Twin Falls County, Idaho? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning

EMC Sign Allowed?

Yes – but only in certain zoning districts.

In Twin Falls, Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs are permitted in commercial and manufacturing zones (e.g., CB, C-1, M-1, M-2, CM) but are not allowed in residential districts (R1, R2, R4, R6, RM, etc.).

To qualify, they must comply with strict rules on brightness, message hold time, transition effects, and percentage of sign area. A Zoning Compliance Permit is required before installation.

🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Twin Falls Sign Code, Signs

🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Twin Falls Zoning & GIS Map

 

Key Rules for EMC Signs in Twin Falls

 

Feature	Regulation
Where Allowed	Commercial (CB, C-1, CM), Manufacturing (M-1, M-2), certain overlays (OT, PRO)
Where Prohibited	Residential zones (R1-VAR, R2, R4, R6, RM), AG, SUI, OS, Airport
Maximum EMC Size	Cannot exceed 50% of the sign face
Minimum Hold Time	8 seconds per message
Transition Time	Up to 2 seconds
Prohibited Effects	Flashing, scrolling, spinning, or moving text
Brightness Limits	5,000 Nits (day) / 500 Nits (night)
Permit Required	Yes – sign/zoning permit required
Off-Premise EMCs	❌ Not allowed; billboards cannot be converted to LED

 

Zoning Rules for EMCs in Twin Falls

Feature	Regulation
Where Allowed	Commercial (CB, C-1, CM), Manufacturing (M-1, M-2), certain overlays (OT, PRO)
Where Prohibited	Residential zones (R1-VAR, R2, R4, R6, RM), AG, SUI, OS, Airport
Maximum EMC Size	Cannot exceed 50% of the sign face
Minimum Hold Time	8 seconds per message
Transition Time	Up to 2 seconds
Prohibited Effects	Flashing, scrolling, spinning, or moving text
Brightness Limits	5,000 Nits (day) / 500 Nits (night)
Permit Required	Yes – sign/zoning permit required
Off-Premise EMCs	❌ Not allowed; billboards cannot be converted to LED

 

Permit Process for EMC Signs

1. Prepare Application

• Scaled drawings (total sign area + EMC portion).

• Location relative to property lines & ROW.

• Display specs (brightness controls, message timing).

2. Submit to Planning & Zoning Department

• Review for compliance with zoning and illumination rules.

3. Pay Fees

• Based on sign size and zoning district.

4. Approval & Installation

• Must remain compliant or risk permit revocation.

Bottom Line

Twin Falls allows Electronic Message Centers in commercial and industrial zones but strictly prohibits them in residential districts. To stay compliant:

✅ Confirm your zoning.
✅ Keep EMC ≤ 50% of total sign area.
✅ Follow brightness and hold-time limits.
✅ Secure a permit before installation.

External Reference Links

🗺️ Twin Falls Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Twin Falls Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal