The regulations contained in this section apply to and regulate all signs in all districts. No new or existing signs, awnings or other advertising device, including signs painted on the vertical surface of a structure, shall be located, replaced, erected or maintained except in compliance with the regulations contained herein.
(A) Building permits are required for all new signs and all existing signs if there is a change in location or in the total area of the sign. Portable signs are allowed only under the provisions of divisions (T)(3)(f) and (V) below. Portable signs in existence at the time of the adoption of these regulations (adoption date) have two years to bring the sign in conformance with the provisions of this section.
(B) Signs shall contain only the name of the business establishment or the principal business conducted on the premises and may include any motto, slogan, insignia or combination thereof.
(C) When a sign is illuminated, the light or lights shall be shaded or concealed so that they will not interfere with the vision of motor vehicle operators or shine directly on residential property located in any residential property.
(D) All signs and sign structures shall be erected and maintained in a safe condition. It is the responsibility of the sign owner, property owner or proprietor of the premises to keep all signs thereon properly maintained. The area around the base of the sign shall be kept free and clear of any weeds, sign material, debris, trash and other refuse.
(E) When a business closes or if a sign is considered a hazard, the owner is to remove the sign. If the owner refuses or neglects to repair or remove the sign, the city, after proper notification, will remove the dangerous or abandoned sign.
(F) Unless otherwise provided, all signs shall be contained upon private property.
(G) Signs located within 20 feet of a corner street lot line intersection shall be so erected and maintained that an unobscured visual sight area is provided for vehicle operators. The unobscured area, at a minimum, shall extend from a distance of two and one-half feet above finished street grade to ten feet above the grade. No more than two poles or post supports of no more than ten inches in diameter shall be permitted within the unobscured area.
(H) Unless otherwise permitted in this section, no part of any sign which projects into or over a public right-of-way or other access way shall have a minimum height of less than the following:
(1) Vehicular way, 16 feet
(2) Pedestrian way, ten feet
(I) A sign may be located in a required yard unless specifically restricted therefrom.
(J) No sign or sign structure other than an official traffic, street or other sign approved by the city shall be placed on any public right-of-way.
(K) No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may be, by reason of its size, shape, design, location, content, color or manner of illumination, constitute a traffic hazard by obstructing the vision of drivers or by obscuring or otherwise physically interfering with a traffic control device.
(L) No sign or sign structure, unless otherwise provided in this section, shall be erected on or overhang any public right-of-way.
(M) No signs or poles which contain or consist of reflectors or lights which flash, strobe or resemble emergency lights shall be permitted. No lights simulating movement shall be permitted exceeding 11 watts. This prohibition does not exclude all electronic message boards. No sign may be lighted in a manner which impairs the vision of any driver of any motor vehicle.
(N) No sign shall be attached to or placed on any vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property that is visible from a public right-of-way. This prohibition does not prohibit the identification of a firm or its principal products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business or being taken home.
(O) No sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or any other exit way required by the Fire Prevention Code of the city or any other ordinances.
(P) No sign may imitate or resemble an official traffic control sign, signal or device.
(Q) No sign that revolves or that utilizes movement or apparent movement to attract attention shall be permitted.
(R) Only the signs listed in this division are permitted in R-1A, R-1B, R-1C and R-2 Districts and are subject to the regulations set forth.
(1) Home occupations. Unlighted name plate flat against the building not exceeding two square feet in area, stating only the resident’s name and occupation.
(2) Identification signs for other than residential use. Permitted nonresidential uses, but not including home occupations and legal nonconforming uses, shall be permitted one non-illuminated identification sign per establishment with a surface area not exceeding 12 square feet, denoting only the name and address of the premises and name of management, and shall be placed flat against the building. In addition, one bulletin board ground sign shall be permitted for a church, school or other similar institution for the purpose of displaying its name and activities or services. The signs shall not exceed 36 square feet and may be lighted with indirect lighting only. Signs must be located on the same lot as the building.
(3) Temporary signs. The following temporary signs may be installed without applying for a building permit.
(a) Temporary signs pertaining to the lease, hire or sale of a building or premises. The signs shall not exceed ten square feet in area and shall be located not less than ten feet from any property line.
(b) Temporary signs identifying construction or improvements taking place on the property. Signs shall not exceed 36 square feet in area and must be removed within five days after completion of the work.
(c) Temporary real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area. The signs must be removed within ten days after closing the sale.
(d) Temporary signs identifying vacant lots for sale in a subdivision shall not exceed 48 square feet.
(e) Special events message signs as provided for in division (V) below of this section.
(4) Parking areas. Signs designating accessory parking area entrances and exits are limited to one sign for each exit or entrance and a maximum surface area of two square feet for each sign. One sign per parking area, designating the condition of use or identity of the parking area and limited to a maximum area of nine square feet shall be permitted for each street frontage. The signs shall not be located or constructed in a manner which would constitute a safety hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic by causing visual interference. Maximum height of the signs shall not exceed 12 feet.
(5) Subdivisions or estate identifying signs. Signs identifying subdivisions or estate identifying signs are limited to 36 square feet in area and shall not be higher than 12 feet. One sign is permitted for each entrance to the subdivision or estate. Signs can be illuminated with indirect lighting only.
(S) Only the signs listed hereinafter are permitted in the R-4 and R-5 Districts and are subject to the regulations set forth herein.
(1) Any sign permitted in division (R) above.
(2) Multi-family unit signs indicating only the name and/or address of the building, the name and location of the management thereof or allied information. Signs shall not exceed 36 square feet or be higher than 12 feet and must be at least 20 feet from property lines abutting single-family residential districts.
(T) Signs listed in this division are permitted in C Commercial or M Industrial Districts and are subject to the regulations/limitations set forth herein.
(1) Subject to the limitations set forth in this division, the maximum area of all permitted signs is as follows:
(a) In the C-1, C-3 and C-R Districts, the maximum area of all permitted signs on interior lots shall not exceed 300 square feet and on corner lots shall not exceed 400 square feet; and
(b) In the C-2, C-2M, C-4 and all M Districts, the maximum area of permitted signs on interior lots shall not exceed 400 square feet and on corner lots shall not exceed 600 square feet. The total maximum sign area may be increased by 200 square feet for buildings 50,000 square feet or larger.
(2) Each developed parcel having frontage on a public right-of-way is permitted to have one facia sign and one projecting sign along that public street or the projecting sign may exist instead of but not in addition to a freestanding ground sign or a roof sign.
(3) Subject to these provisions and division (W) below, the following signs are permitted:
(a) Signs as permitted in divisions (R) and (S) above.
(b) One freestanding ground sign for each developed parcel having frontage on a public right-of-way, not to exceed two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage abutting the portion of the parcel or premises. The maximum sign area shall not exceed 200 square feet. In the C-1, C-3 and C-R Districts, the height shall not exceed 25 feet. In all other C and M Districts, the height shall not exceed 35 feet.
(c) One wall or facia sign for each occupancy within a developed parcel, not to exceed a total copy area of two square feet for each linear foot of building occupancy. If the occupancy is on a corner, one wall or facia sign will be permitted for each street frontage. If the building includes a canopy, each occupancy will be permitted one under-canopy sign. For buildings with a floor area of 50,000 square feet or more, the total copy area may be increased to two and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building occupancy.
(d) One roof sign shall be permitted for each developed parcel. The sign shall not exceed three square feet of copy area for each linear foot of building frontage which is parallel to the sign placement direction or 200 square feet total, whichever is less.
(e) One projecting sign is permitted within a developed parcel for each street lot frontage and it shall not exceed a total area of two square feet for each linear foot of building occupancy. The projecting sign may not extend more than ten feet horizontally from the building to which it is attached.
(f) Portable signs may be used to display a business name or products sold on the premises during business hours. Signs must be removed during nonbusiness hours.
(g) One directional sign is permitted for each exit and entrance for each street frontage. Each sign shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall not be considered as part of the total allowable sign area permitted. The maximum permitted height for the signs is 12 feet above the street grade.
(h) Signs on awnings, canopies and marquees shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof and shall not be illuminated. These types of signs shall be exempted from the limitations applied to projecting signs.
(i) In addition to permitted signs, one additional name sign or sign advertising products sold on the premises may be installed provided the sign does not exceed 50 feet in area and contains no flashing, moving or intermittent illumination. Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
(U) The following signs are only permitted in the C-2 District and all M Districts:
(1) Primary highway signs (division (X) below); and
(2) Off-premises advertising signs (division (Y) below).
(V) Special event signs are defined as portable signs placed on private property for the purpose of informing the public of upcoming events, open houses, grand openings or special sale events. Although building permits are not required, placement of special event signs is subject to the requirements of this chapter.
(1) Special events sponsored by non-profit entities that are open to the general public including, but not limited to, fairs, festivals, dinners, special days and commemorative celebrations. These signs shall not contain any advertisement for a product or service offered for sale. These signs may be placed in any district on private property, but not earlier than 21 days preceding the event and shall be removed not later than seven days following the end of the event.
(2) Special sale and grand opening signs shall be permitted only in commercial and industrial districts and may be displayed no more than 15 consecutive days prior to the event for every two months. Signs must be removed immediately upon termination of the sale or event they advertise.
(3) Portable sign. Any sign not permanently fixed can be used as a special event sign subject to the restrictions of this section.
(W) Signs in public right-of-way. In addition to the sign regulations herein, all signs in public rights-of-way shall also meet the following regulations.
(1) No sign shall overhang any public right-of-way or public property except in compliance with the regulations contained herein.
(2) The owner of any sign referred to in this division shall deposit with the Clerk a public liability policy of insurance issued by a company authorized to transact business in the state for a principal sum of not less than $100,000 liability to any one person, and shall carry an endorsement protecting the city, as its interests may appear, as the result of any accident or injury for which it might become in any manner liable. Should the insurance be terminated for any reason or should the same not be kept in force at any time, the building permit for the sign shall be revoked and the sign removed at once.
(3) No sign or banner, or part of any sign or banner, shall be placed on or overhang the traveled portion of any public street or alley, except on a temporary basis and upon a finding of the City Administrator that the sign or banner advertises a public event of general importance to the city, and only if the City Engineer determines the proposed sign or banner can be suspended safely without obstructing sight-lines or obstructing travel on the roadway. Any such sign or banner shall be approved by City Administrator stating the reasons why the sign or banner complies with this division (W)(3), the dates during which the sign or banner may be hung, the exact location and height of the sign or banner, and an exhibit depicting the sign or banner proposed. No sign or banner shall be affixed to any city pole or other city property without the express written consent of the City Administrator. The applicant shall be civilly liable for any damage to city poles or other property resulting from the fastening or erection of any banner on said poles or other property.
(4) No sign, except as provided for in this division, shall be erected on or overhang any public right-of-way. Wall or facia signs (division (T)(3)(c) above), projecting signs (division (T)(3)(e) above) and signs on awnings, canopies and marquees (division (T)(3)(h) above) may overhang a public right-of-way, excluding the traveled portion of a public street or alleyway.
(5) No sign, awning, canopy or other similar structure may extend over any public property without Council approval more than ten feet or beyond a vertical plane two feet from the curb line on the property side.
(6) When awnings, canopies or similar structures are attached to a building and project over a public right-of-way, it shall be approved by the Fire Marshal and the framework shall not be less than eight and one-half feet above the right-of-way. All support posts shall be placed on private property.
(a) Canopy and marquee signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than ten feet above grade.
(b) Awning signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than eight feet above grade.
(7) The total area of a projecting sign shall not exceed one and one-half feet for each linear foot of building frontage facing the right-of-way or a maximum of 150 square feet.
(8) All overhanging signs shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
(a) No sign shall have a greater weight than 2,000 pounds.
(b) When a sign is erected on a metal supporting post, the support post must be placed on private property.
(X) Signs along primary highways. All signs located along primary highways within the city must comply with the standards in the Iowa Code Chapter 306C. Within the city, Highways 30, 67 and 136 are designated primary highways. Signs are subject to control under this law if they are visible from the highway. The following regulations provide a summary of the regulations contained in the Iowa Code Chapter 306C. These regulations are in addition to the requirements of the city.
(1) Regulated signs. Signs regulated by Iowa Code Chapter 306C include:
(a) On-premises signs. Signs advertising the principal products sold or the activity conducted on the property at the sign site;
(b) Off-premises signs. Signs displaying message of general advertisement about products or services available at locations other than at the sign site;
(c) Municipal recognition signs. Signs displaying a message of “Welcome” or a similar community-spirited message; and
(d) Church or service club signs. Signs displaying a message to the facility location, services or meetings.
(2) State permit required. State approval is required for all signs located along a primary highway except for on-premises signs.
(3) Off-premises sign control. Any off-premises signs must conform to the permit, zoning, size, lighting and spacing criteria of the state and the city.
(a) The display area of all off-premises advertising signs shall not exceed 400 square feet.
(b) A maximum of two faces may be oriented in the same direction.
(c) New signs must be a minimum of 800 feet from any other off-premises sign facing in the same direction.
(d) An outdoor advertising permit must be obtained prior to the installation of any new off-premises sign.
(e) No off-premises sign shall be permitted within 100 feet of a residential district boundary unless the sign is completely screened from vision from the residential district.
(f) No off-premises sign shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(Y) Off-premises signs not on a primary highway. All off-premises signs not located on a primary highway must conform to the permit, zoning, size, lighting and spacing criteria of the city.
(1) In the C District, the display area shall not exceed 200 square feet. In any M District, the display area shall not exceed 300 square feet.
(2) New signs must be a minimum of 800 feet from any other off-premises sign.
(3) No off-premises sign shall be permitted within 200 feet of a residential boundary unless the sign is completely screened from vision from the residential district.
(4) No off-premises sign shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(5) No off-premises sign located on the side of a building shall exceed 25 feet in height from the street grade.
(Z) The following sections have special sign regulations. Consult the specific section or sign requirements.
(1999 Code, § 165.26) (Ord. 2247, passed 10-9-2001; Ord. 2352, passed 7-24-2007; Ord. 2368, passed 5-27-2008; Ord. 2569, passed 3-27-2018; Ord. 2590, passed 8-14-2018; Ord. 2595, passed 10-9-2018) Penalty, see § 159.999