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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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16-15-11-4: 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)
16-15-11-7: C-2A MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD 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-2A mixed use neighborhood:
   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 per premises or complex; 1 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
Below 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
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-11-8: C-3 GENERAL 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-3 general commercial:
   Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
2 per foot for first 100 linear feet of frontage, then 1 per each additional linear foot; maximum 500 aggregate square feet per premises; no sign shall exceed 200 square feet
1 per 100 linear feet of frontage; 3 signs per premises maximum; signs shall be separated by at least 100 feet
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
10 percent of any 1 building wall, or 400 aggregate square feet, whichever is less
2 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
      Directory
Wall
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
      Freestanding canopy
Wall
20 per sign
4 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
Internal, no flashing
None
      Shopping center or multiple tenant building
Freestanding
300 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
100 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
      Used auto sales when accessory to a new auto sales dealership
Freestanding
250 per sign
1 per premises
0
40 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
Freestadingl
6 per sign
Not specified
0
10 feet
Internal, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
 
   Drive-up automated bank teller (standalone)
Freestanding
75 per sign
1 per premises
0
20
No flashing
None
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009; amd. Ord. 44-23, 9-18-2023)
16-15-11-9: C-4 DOWNTOWN 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-4 downtown commercial:
Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
100 per sign
1 per premises
0
25 feet
No flashing
None
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
100 per sign
0
      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
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
   Drive-up automated bank teller (standalone)
Freestanding
75 per sign
1 per premises
0
20 feet
No flashing
None
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009; amd. Ord. 44-23, 9-18-2023)
16-15-11-10: C-5 CENTRAL BUSINESS 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-5 central business:
Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
100 per sign
1, limited to street frontages along Locust and Iowa Streets, along 7th Street between Locust Street and the alley, and along 9th Street between Main and Iowa Streets
0
25 feet
No flashing
None
Ground monument, having a cast iron base and sign body constructed of stone, cast stone, or terra cotta. Wood, vinyl, aluminum sheeting in excess of 5 square feet, synthetic wood, and EIFS are prohibited
18 per sign
1 per business along Main Street frontage between 8th and 10th Streets
10 feet, 5.5 feet wide
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
100 per sign
18 inches
      Freestanding canopy
Wall
20 per sign
2 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
Internal, no flashing
None
      All applications
Wall nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
   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. 24-13, 5-20-2013)
16-15-11-11: CS COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND WHOLESALE 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
CS commercial service and wholesale:
Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
2 per foot for first 100 linear feet of frontage, then 1 per each additional linear foot; maximum 500 aggregate square feet per premises; no sign shall exceed 200 square feet
1 per 100 linear feet of frontage; 3 signs per premises maximum; signs shall be separated by at least 100 feet
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
10 percent of any 1 building wall, or 400 aggregate square feet, whichever is less
2 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
      Directory
Wall
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
      Shopping center or multiple tenant building
Freestanding
300 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
100 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
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)
16-15-11-12: CR COMMERCIAL RECREATION 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
CR commercial recreation:
Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Business, retail or office
Freestanding
2 per foot for first 100 linear feet of frontage, then 1 per each additional linear foot; maximum 500 aggregate square feet per premises; no sign shall exceed 200 square feet
1 per 100 linear feet of frontage; 3 signs per premises maximum; signs shall be separated by at least 100 feet
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
10 percent of any 1 building wall, or 400 aggregate square feet, whichever is less
2 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
      Freestanding canopy
Wall
20 per sign
4 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
Internal, no flashing
None
      Shopping center or multiple tenant building
Freestanding
300 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
40 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
100 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
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 flashin
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
   Drive-up automated bank teller (standalone)
Freestanding
75 per sign
1 per premises
0
20
No flashing
None
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009; amd. Ord. 44-23, 9-18-2023)
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