Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 1,089	$ 2,681,347	$ (7,203,531)	$ (762,309)	$ (5,283,404)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021	108,956
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			358,150		358,150
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 3	23,797			23,800
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	308
Non-cash stock compensation		75,566			75,566
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				162,491	162,491
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (12)		(431,654)		(431,666)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(1,300)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(14,076)	(14,076)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(231,196)		(231,196)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(24,495)			(24,495)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 1,080	2,756,215	(7,508,231)	(613,894)	(5,364,830)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2022	107,964
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 1,079	2,717,963	(7,531,180)	(626,473)	(5,438,611)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2022	107,872
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			100,009		100,009
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 1	13,221			13,222
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	92
Non-cash stock compensation		26,017			26,017
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				53,336	53,336
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(40,757)	(40,757)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(77,060)		(77,060)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(986)			(986)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 1,080	2,756,215	(7,508,231)	(613,894)	(5,364,830)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2022	107,964
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 1,080	2,795,176	(7,482,061)	(590,510)	$ (5,276,315)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2022	107,997				107,997
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			392,284		$ 392,284
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 4	(6,418)			(6,414)
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	395
Non-cash stock compensation		67,113			67,113
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				(16,561)	(16,561)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (3)		(53,649)		(53,652)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(272)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				12,766	12,766
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(278,299)		(278,299)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(7,408)			(7,408)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 1,081	2,848,463	(7,421,725)	(594,305)	$ (5,166,486)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2023	108,120				108,120
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 1,084	2,824,994	(7,362,838)	(555,570)	$ (5,092,330)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2023	108,381
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			87,419		87,419
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements		1,655			1,655
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	11
Non-cash stock compensation		21,787			21,787
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				(9,489)	(9,489)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (3)		(53,649)		(53,652)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(272)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(29,246)	(29,246)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(92,657)		(92,657)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		27			27
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 1,081	$ 2,848,463	$ (7,421,725)	$ (594,305)	$ (5,166,486)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2023	108,120				108,120