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Dubuque Overview
Dubuque, IA Code of Ordinances
CITY CODE of DUBUQUE, IOWA
ORDINANCES PENDING REVIEW FOR CODIFICATION
TITLE 1 ADMINISTRATION
TITLE 2 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
TITLE 3 REVENUE AND TAXATION
TITLE 4 BUSINESS AND LICENSE REGULATIONS
TITLE 5 TRANSIT SYSTEM
TITLE 6 HEALTH, HOUSING, SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENT
TITLE 7 POLICE, FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
TITLE 8 EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
TITLE 9 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
TITLE 10 PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY
TITLE 11 RIGHTS-OF-WAY
TITLE 12 AIRPORT
TITLE 13 PUBLIC UTILITIES
TITLE 14 BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT
TITLE 15 PLANNING AND ZONING
TITLE 16 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE
CHAPTER 1 TITLE, PURPOSE AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 3 LAND USE GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 4 NONCONFORMITIES
CHAPTER 5 ZONING DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 6 OVERLAY DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 7 SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8 ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 9 ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 10 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 11 LAND SUBDIVISION
CHAPTER 12 SITE PLANS
CHAPTER 13 SITE DESIGN STANDARDS
CHAPTER 14 PARKING
CHAPTER 15 SIGNS
16-15-1: PURPOSE:
16-15-2: APPLICABILITY:
16-15-3: ENFORCEMENT:
16-15-4: SIGN INSTALLER'S LICENSE:
16-15-4-1: LICENSE REQUIRED:
16-15-4-2: EXCEPTION:
16-15-4-3: LICENSE FEE:
16-15-4-4: INSURANCE REQUIRED:
16-15-5: DEFINITIONS:
16-15-6: PERMIT REQUIRED:
16-15-6-1: PERMIT APPLICATION:
16-15-6-2: ISSUANCE:
16-15-6-3: PERMIT VALIDITY:
16-15-6-4: PERMIT EXPIRATION:
16-15-6-5: SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION:
16-15-6-6: INSPECTIONS:
16-15-7: SIGN CALCULATIONS:
16-15-8: PROHIBITED SIGNS:
16-15-9: EXEMPT SIGNS:
16-15-10: TEMPORARY SIGNS:
16-15-11: PERMITTED ON PREMISES SIGNS:
16-15-11-1: AG AGRICULTURE AND R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, AND R-4 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS:
16-15-11-2: OR OFFICE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-3: OS OFFICE SERVICE DISTRICT:
16-15-11-4: OC OFFICE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-5: C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-6: C-2 NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTER DISTRICT:
16-15-11-7: C-2A MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT:
16-15-11-8: C-3 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-9: C-4 DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-10: C-5 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT:
16-15-11-11: CS COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND WHOLESALE DISTRICT:
16-15-11-12: CR COMMERCIAL RECREATION DISTRICT:
16-15-11-13: ID INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT:
16-15-11-14: LI, HI, AND MHI INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS:
16-15-12: OFF PREMISES SIGNS:
16-15-13:SIGNS IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS:
16-15-14: NONCONFORMING SIGNS:
16-15-15: MAINTENANCE:
16-15-16: DISCONTINUED OR ABANDONED SIGNS:
16-15-17: MESSAGE SUBSTITUTION:
16-15-18: PROJECTING SIGNS:
16-15-19: FEE SCHEDULE:
16-15-20: DESIGN, GENERALLY:
16-15-21: CONSTRUCTION, GENERALLY:
16-15-22: PROJECTION AND CLEARANCE, GENERALLY:
16-15-23: STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC SIGN TYPES:
16-15-23-1: POLE SIGNS:
16-15-23-2: GROUND MONUMENT SIGNS:
16-15-23-3: WALL SIGNS:
16-15-23-4: PROJECTING SIGNS:
16-15-23-5: COMBINATION SIGNS:
16-15-23-6: MARQUEE SIGNS:
16-15-23-7: ELECTRIC SIGNS:
16-15-23-8: ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNS:
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16-15-11: PERMITTED ON PREMISES SIGNS:
On premises signs shall be allowed in each zoning district as shown below and according to the following:
   A.   Signs located within a PUD shall be approved as part of the ordinance establishing the PUD.
   B.   Signs located within a historic district may be allowed as provided in section 16-15-13 of this chapter, and shall be approved by the historic preservation commission prior to the issuance of a building permit.
   C.   Signs for conditional uses shall be as shown in this section 16-15-11 unless further restricted by the board of adjustment. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-1: AG AGRICULTURE AND R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, AND R-4 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
AG agriculture and R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3 and R-4 residential:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Educational or religious institutions
Freestanding
32 per sign
2
0
10 feet
Indirect, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
      Real estate development or subdivision identification sign
Freestanding
32 per sign
2
0
10 feet
Indirect, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Educational or religious institutions, parking lots
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
Below eaves or parapet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Wall
0
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-2: OR OFFICE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
OR office residential:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business or office
Freestanding
40 per sign
1 per premises or complex
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
16 per sign
1 per business or office
Below eaves or parapet
      Educational or religious institutions
Freestanding
32 per sign
2
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
      Real estate development or subdivision identification sign
Freestanding
32 per sign
2
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
      All applications
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
6 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
0
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-3: OS OFFICE SERVICE DISTRICT:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
OS office service:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Building complex with 2 or more buildings per lot or sharing access
Freestanding
40 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
25 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
16 per sign
1 per business or office
Below eaves or parapet
      Business or office
Freestanding
32 per sign
1 per premises
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
16 per sign
1 per business
Below eaves or parapet
      Directory
Freestanding
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
5 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
      All applications
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
10 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
Wall
0
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-4: OC OFFICE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
OC office commercial:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Building complex with 2 or more buildings per lot or sharing access
Freestanding
40 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
25 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
16 per sign
1 per business or office
Below eaves or parapet
      Business or office
Freestanding
32 per sign
1 per premises or complex
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
16 per sign
1 per business or office
Below eaves or parapet
      Directory
Ground monument
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
5 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
      All applications
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
10 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
Wall
0
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-5: C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
C-1 neighborhood commercial:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Internal, no flashing
None
Wall
40 per sign
0
No flashing
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
0
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
10 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
0
No flashing
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-6: C-2 NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTER DISTRICT:
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
C-2 neighborhood shopping center:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
100 per sign
1 per premises or complex; 0 if 2 wall signs
0
20 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Projecting
25 per sign
2 total; only 1 total in combination with a freestanding sign
60
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
50 per sign
0
      Directory
Wall
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
      Freestanding canopy
Wall
20 per sign
2 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
Internal, no flashing
None
      Shopping center or multiple tenant building
Freestanding
200 per sign
1 per premises
0
20 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
50 per sign
1 per business
Below eaves or parapet
      All applications
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
   Directional signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      All applications
Freestanding
6 per sign
Not specified
0
10 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
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