Note 28 - Parent Company Financial Statements (Details) - Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INCOME
Other income									$ 3,048	$ 1,209	$ 1,431
Total income	1,144	671	2,136	364	719	974	1,025	824	4,315	3,542	6,593
EXPENSES
Other expenses									4,918	4,857	4,793
Total expenses	6,507	6,032	6,111	7,784	5,241	5,937	5,149	5,462	26,434	21,789	21,219
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries	2,252	1,537	2,765	753	3,972	3,233	2,763	2,818	7,307	12,786	11,082
Income tax expense	569	264	559	188	1,885	1,431	757	778	1,580	4,851	3,522
Net income from continuing operations									5,727	7,935	7,560
Net income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $331 for 2012)											204
Less: net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest											348
Net income attributable to Bank of Commerce Holdings	1,683	1,273	2,206	565	2,087	1,802	2,006	2,040	5,727	7,935	7,416
Less: preferred dividends and accretion on preferred stock	50	50	50	50	50	50	50	50	200	200	880
Income available to common shareholders	1,633	1,223	2,156	515	2,037	1,752	1,956	1,990	5,527	7,735	6,536
Parent Company [Member]
INCOME
Other income									482	257	91
Dividends from subsidiaries									10,100	12,224	6,285
Total income									10,582	12,481	6,376
EXPENSES
Management fees paid to subsidiaries									208	254	257
Other expenses									2,082	678	748
Total expenses									2,290	932	1,005
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries									8,292	11,549	5,371
Income tax expense									1	1	1
Income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries									8,291	11,548	5,370
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries									(2,564)	(3,613)	2,190
Net income from continuing operations									5,727	7,935	7,560
Net income from discontinued operations (net of tax of $331 for 2012)											204
Less: net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest											348
Net income attributable to Bank of Commerce Holdings									5,727	7,935	7,416
Less: preferred dividends and accretion on preferred stock									200	200	880
Income available to common shareholders									$ 5,527	$ 7,735	$ 6,536