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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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16-15-11-10: 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)
16-15-11-13: ID INSTITUTIONAL 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
ID institutional:
Identification signs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Directory
Wall
10 per sign
1 per building entrance
0
Below eaves or parapet
No flashing
None
      Specify name, profession, occupants, or hours of operation
Freestanding
100 per sign
2 per street frontage or 1 per building, whichever is less restrictive
0
10 feet
No flashing
None
Wall
2 per building or as otherwise limited by ordinance approving the district
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)
16-15-11-14: LI, HI, AND MHI INDUSTRIAL 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
LI, HI, and MHI industrial:
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
9 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
      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
9 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)
16-15-12: OFF PREMISES SIGNS:
Off Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Minimum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Height
Setback
Spacing
Off Premises Signs
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Minimum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Height
Setback
Spacing
C-2 neighborhood shopping center, and C-2A mixed use neighborhood:
   Off premises signs shall be permitted only by conditional use permit
Freestanding
300 per sign
25 feet
20 feet from property line; 100 feet from historic district
As determined by zoning board of adjustment
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
C-3 general commercial, C-4 downtown commercial, and CS commercial service and wholesale:
   All off premises signs
Freestanding
750 feet per sign, but only 300 feet per sign if within 200 feet of a historic district and not abutting a state or federal highway
50 feet
100 feet from historic district
Spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of federal aid primary highway(s), and oriented toward said highway(s) will be no less than 750 feet, and spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of all other city street(s) will be no less than 500 feet. A linear measurement perpendicular to the centerline of the roadway(s) will apply to determine required distance and is taken from the nearest point of each structure
No flashing
None
Wall
300 per sign
Below eaves or parapet
CR commercial recreation:
   All off premises signs
Freestanding
750 feet per sign, but only 300 feet per sign if within 200 feet of a historic district not abutting a state or federal highway
50 feet
100 feet from historic district
Spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of federal aid primary highway(s), and oriented toward said highway(s) will be no less than 750 feet, and spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of all other city street(s) will be no less than 500 feet. A linear measurement perpendicular to the centerline of the roadway(s) will apply to determine required distance and is taken from the nearest point of each structure
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
LI light industrial, HI heavy industrial, and MHI modified heavy industrial
   All off premises signs
Freestanding
750 feet per sign but only 300 feet per sign if within 200 feet of a historic district and not abutting a state or federal highway
50 feet
100 feet from historic district
Spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of federal aid primary highway(s), and oriented toward said highway(s) will be no less than 750 feet, and spacing between any 2 off premises sign structures, which are located on either side of all other city street(s) will be no less than 500 feet. A linear measurement perpendicular to the centerline of the roadway(s) will apply to determine required distance and is taken from the nearest point of each structure
No flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
 
Note: Off premises sign spacing requirements shall be measured perpendicular to the centerline of the street which the sign is oriented toward, between the closest point on each sign structure.
(Ord. 2-10, 1-19-2010)
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)
16-15-13:SIGNS IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS:
On Premises Signs In Historic Districts
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
On Premises Signs In Historic Districts
Permitted Sign Structures
Maximum
Permitted Lighting Type
Permitted Mechanical Motion
Area
(Square Feet)
Number
Projection Over Right Of Way
Height
OR
Freestanding
8 per sign
1 per business office
0
6 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
OS
Freestanding
32 per sign
1 per business
0
10 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Projecting
16 per sign
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
Wall nameplate
6
OC
Freestanding
8 per sign
1 per business office
0
6 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Projecting
40 inches
Below eaves or parapet
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-1
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
16 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
40 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-2
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
40 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
40 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-2A
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
40 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
40 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-3
Freestanding
100 per sign
1 per street frontage per multi-tenant building
0
40 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
1 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-4
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
100 per sign
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
C-5
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
100 per sign
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
CS
Freestanding
100 per sign
1 per business per street frontage
0
40 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
Wall nameplate
6
CR
Freestanding
n/a
Projecting
100 per sign
1 per street frontage
60 inches
Below eaves or parapet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
0
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
LI, HI, MHI
Freestanding
100 per sign
1 per street frontage
0
25 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
1 per business per street frontage
Below eaves or parapet
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
ID
Freestanding
100 per sign
As per institutional district regulations
0
10 feet
External only, no flashing
None
Wall
Below eaves or parapet
Wall nameplate
6
1 per business
R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3 & R-4*
Freestanding
8 per sign
1
0
6 feet
External Only: No Flashing
None
Projecting
60 inches
Below eave or parapet
Wall
6 per sign
1
0
Wall Nameplate
*   Signs in Residential zones allowed for (1) Education or Religious Institutions or (2) Real Estate Development or Subdivision Identification.
 
(Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009; amd. Ord. 16-22, 4-18-2022)
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