Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 335,396	$ 332,094	$ 324,305	$ 313,071	$ 293,841	$ 238,606	$ 229,147	$ 192,490	$ 1,304,866	$ 954,084	$ 698,170
Operating income (loss)	59,445	63,902	49,534	56,764	31,048	41,071	34,738	40,289	229,645	147,146	110,659
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	(133,328)	(133,281)	(141,089)	(125,636)	(131,357)	(101,012)	(93,998)	(82,100)	(533,334)	(408,467)	(309,146)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(336)	(3)	(5,618)	(142)	(2,007)	(22,643)	(27,149)		(6,099)	(51,799)	(1,696)
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes					(53)	969	1,380			2,296
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$ (19,164)	$ 21,531	$ (35,899)	$ (22,377)	$ (52,489)	$ (52,445)	$ (53,472)	$ (22,631)	$ (55,909)	$ (181,037)	$ (126,456)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted					$ (0.42)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.44)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.44)	$ (1.51)	$ (1.14)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic	$ (0.15)	$ 0.17	$ (0.28)	$ (0.18)
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted	$ (0.15)	$ 0.16	$ (0.28)	$ (0.18)