195.03 SIGNS ALLOWED WITHOUT A PERMIT.
The following outdoor signs are permissible without a permit or payment of permit fees provided the standards and restrictions in this section are met.
1.   Development Project Signs.
   A.   On-Site Residential Sign. One temporary on-site development project sign shall be permitted for each plat within a subdivision in any residential zoning district (including multiple dwelling) under the following conditions:
      (1)   The sign shall only be permitted for a residential plat after the final plat has been filed;
      (2)   The sign shall be located at least 30 feet from any existing or to be occupied dwelling unit;
      (3)   The sign shall be removed when the residential plat is 95% built out or the multiple dwelling project is 75% sold or rented; and
      (4)   Where more than one builder is involved in a residential plat, there still shall be only one sign as described above, which may list the builders for the plat.
   B.   On-Site Commercial and Industrial Signs. One temporary on-site development project sign shall be permitted in any commercial or industrial zoning district under the following conditions:
      (1)   The sign shall only be permitted after the final plat has been filed;
      (2)   The sign shall not be located upon a developed lot and shall be removed within three months after the lot upon which it is located is developed, whereupon it may be moved to another vacant lot within the subdivision; and
      (3)   The sign shall be removed when 95% of the lots in the plat are built upon.
   C.   Construction Signs.
      (1)   One-Family and Two-Family Residence Districts. Total number of signs allowed per street frontage shall not exceed one sign for each 20 feet of lot frontage on the public or private street. The aggregate area of all construction signs shall not exceed 100 square feet. No individual sign shall exceed 32 square feet.
      (2)   Multi-Family, Commercial, and Industrial Districts. Total number of signs allowed per street frontage shall not exceed one sign for each 50 feet of lot frontage on the public or private street. The aggregate area of all construction signs shall not exceed 200 square feet. No individual sign shall exceed 64 square feet.
This sign or signs shall only be permitted while development or construction activity is occurring on the project and shall be removed before the building or any part thereof is occupied.
2.   Informational Signs.
   A.   Informational signs, attached to a building, shall be permitted in order to locate building functions such as a car wash bay or drive-in window.
   B.   Informational signs shall meet building sign requirements for maximum height, shall be allowed for each bay, door, or window at a size not to exceed six square feet in area each, and shall be in addition to any other business signs permitted by this chapter.
3.   Directional Signs.
   A.   On-site directional signs, not exceeding a maximum of two square feet per sign, shall be permitted in any multi-family, commercial, industrial, or institutional zoning district for the purpose of directing vehicular or pedestrian traffic in a safe and convenient manner.
   B.   Off-site directional signs may be permitted by the City Council to direct the public to emergency facilities.
4.   Real Estate Signs.1
   A.   One temporary sign per street frontage advertising buildings for rent and for sale shall be permitted in the front yard or front side of the building. The sign shall be removed within ten days after the property is rented or the closing of the sale.
   B.   Open house signs, which state that a particular house will be open for inspection by the public for a limited number of hours on a specific day, only during the day of the open house. Signs may be placed within a ½-mile radius of the open house except as noted in paragraph C of this subsection.
   C.   Open house and for sale signs shall not be placed within street rights-of-way, easements, roadway surface, sidewalks, medians, and decorative surfaces, or within 300 feet of major arterial street intersections. Any sign so placed is a nuisance and traffic hazard and is hereby determined to be in violation of the sign regulations.
1 The provisions of this section become effective on July 1, 2008.
5.   Promotional Signs. In promotion of a special civic event recognized by the City Council, signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area, for each sign, are permissible for no more than 60 days before the first day of an event, celebration, or festival and shall be removed immediately upon the completion of the event, celebration, or festival. Signs permitted under this subsection may be located in any zoning district subject to the permission of the property owner.
6.   Pump Island Signs. A double faced or a single face sign with a single side not in excess of three square feet shall be permitted on each gasoline pump and not intended to be viewed from off-site.
7.   Pedestrian Awning or Canopy Sign. A business sign, limited to one foot in height and six feet in length, may be located upon the front of a building or canvas awning, provided that the awning is attached to the building and meets the minimum building setbacks of the City’s zoning ordinance. A pedestrian awning or canopy sign may be placed under the canopy, perpendicular to the pedestrian walkway, provided it is at least eight feet above the pedestrian walkway.
8.   Rear Entrance Identification Signs. Rear entrance identification signs not exceeding six square feet in copy area shall be permitted as building signs located adjacent to the rear entrance to individual businesses to clearly identify the location for “deliveries.” The identification sign shall not be considered in computing the maximum permitted sign area for a business.
9.   Political Signs.
   A.   Temporary political campaign signs may be placed no more than 12 months prior to and shall be removed within ten days after the election for which they are applicable.
   B.   In all cases where campaign signs are not removed within the time limit allowed or after notice to be removed by the City, the City may cause the signs to be removed and the cost of removal shall be charged to the person named on the sign.
(Ord. 2074 - Jan. 22 Supp.)
10.   Non-Commercial Signs. In any residential district, no more than three non-commercial signs per lot, up to 6 square feet each are allowed.
(Ord. 2074 - Jan. 22 Supp.)
11.   No Trespass/No Hunting Signs. No trespass, no hunting, and similar restrictive signs, not to exceed two square feet in area, may be placed upon private property by the owner.
12.   Garage Sale Signs. Signs advertising garage sales shall be limited to a maximum of three days for each sale. Signs shall not exceed three square feet in area and shall not be placed within public rights-of-way, on any sidewalk, street, or driveway median. Signs may be placed within one-half mile of the garage sale location, but not within 300 feet of a major arterial intersection.2
2 The provisions of this subsection are effective July 1, 2008.
13.   Bench Signs. Signs painted upon or otherwise attached to or a part of a sitting bench at a DART designated bus stop shall be permitted in any district.
14.   City, County or State Signs. Signs erected by the City, County, or State are allowed.
15.   Park and Ride Site Signs. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit authority shall be permitted to erect signs to identify park and ride site locations and bus stops with suitable signs, provided permission for the signage has been obtained from the property owner.
16.   Address Numbers. Address numbers less than six square feet in total copy area are not subject to the maximum sign area provisions of this chapter.
17.   Public Interest Landmark Signs. Public interest landmark signs (such as Uptown entry gateways, park signs) may be erected on property which is owned or controlled by the City and must be approved by the City Council.
18.   Table of Temporary Sign Size Regulations concerning size requirements shall be as detailed in Appendix A of this chapter.
19.   Flags. In any residential district, up to four flags per lot, up to 15 square feet each are allowed. All flags shall be setback a minimum of five feet from all property lines and shall be no taller than eight feet. Flags may exceed eight feet in height if located on a bona fide flag pole and in that instance the height shall not exceed 35 feet.
(Ord. 2074 - Jan. 22 Supp.)