1. Compliance with Building and Sign Codes. The construction, installation, erection, anchorage, and maintenance of all signs shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this Sign Code, the Building Code, the Lighting Code, and other Codes of the City of Hiawatha.
2. Safety and Maintenance Required. All signs and sign structures shall be erected and maintained in a safe condition. It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner, property owner, or proprietor of the premises to keep all signs thereon properly maintained.
3. Setback from Property Lines. All signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from front and rear property lot lines, and 15 feet from side property lot lines, except when adjacent to residentially zoned property, the sign setback shall be a minimum of 40 feet from the nearest residential lot line in a residential zone district unless a greater setback is required elsewhere in this Sign Code. The setback shall be measured from the closest part of the sign structure to the nearest point on the lot line being measured.
4. Corner Visual Clearance. Signs located within 30 feet of a corner street lot line intersection shall be so erected and maintained that an un-obscured, visual sign area is provided for vehicle operators. Such un-obscured area, as a minimum, shall extend from a distance of two (2) feet above finished street grade to 10 feet above said grade. No more than two (2) pole or post supports, of no more than 10 inches in diameter, shall be permitted within such un-obscured area. Additional limitations upon location, size, and height of any such signs shall be required if the City’s Traffic Engineer demonstrates conclusively that such additional specific limitations are necessary to meet requirements of standard traffic engineering practices.
5. Minimum Clearance Over Public or Other Access Ways. Unless a greater or lesser minimum height is specifically listed for a particular sign, any part of a sign which projects into or over any public way shall provide a minimum clearance of not less than the following:
A. Vehicular way 14 feet.
B. Pedestrian way 8 feet.
6. Building Signs. Building signs shall consist of the following signs and shall comply with these limits. The following signs shall be included in the total allowable sign area for building signs unless exempt by Section 166.10:
A. Wall Signs. Wall signs shall project no more than 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached and further shall be restricted to remain within the outline of the wall to which it is attached.
B. Canopy and Marquee Signs. Where limitations are imposed by this Sign Code regarding the projection of a sign from the face of the wall of any building or structure, such limitations shall not apply to an approved canopy or marquee, all marquee and canopies shall maintain the following clearances:
(1) Height. All canopies and marquee shall maintain vertical clearance of not less than 10 feet above ground surface grade, or the clearance established for the marquee by the provisions of the Hiawatha Building Code, whichever requires the lesser height.
(2) Projection. No such canopy or marquee shall project closer to a curb line than two (2) feet.
C. Awning Signs. Where limitations are imposed by this Sign Code regarding the projection of a sign from the face of the wall of any building or structure, such limitations shall not apply to an approved awning provided that all such awnings shall maintain the following clearances:
(1) Height. All awning signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than eight (8) feet above grade.
(2) Projection. No awning sign shall project closer to a curb line than five (5) feet.
D. Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall comply with the following.
(1) Project no more than 12 feet from the building to which it is attached.
(2) Project no more than 8 feet into the space above a public way.
(3) Have a minimum clearance as noted in 166.11(5).
E. Window Signs. Window signs shall cover no more than 30% of the window on which they are located. Shall not be considered building signs when:
(1) The signage is exempt according to 166.10 or
(2) The sign is a mural and regulated by Section 166.11(8)
7. Electronic Message Center Signs. Electronic message center signs shall be considered illuminated signs and shall meet the requirements of A through C.
A. Display Attribute. Electronic message center signs shall not be operated in a way that flashes, blinks, flutters, mimics traffic control devices or emergency vehicles, or distracts the public without providing content to the message.
B. Sign Luminosity. Electronic message center signs must be equipped with automatic dimming technology that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness to the ambient light conditions.
C. Public Safety. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, if the Hiawatha Police Chief or the Iowa DOT determines that the operation of an electronic message center sign constitutes a public safety or traffic threat the sign owner may be ordered to either modify the operation of or remove an electronic message center sign to eliminate such threat.
8. Murals. Murals may be permitted in all districts which comply with the definition of a mural and are not larger than 10 feet by 10 feet. All murals shall require a sign permit.
9. Minimum Distance between Signs. All freestanding signs on the same lot in the districts in which they are allowed shall have a minimum distance of 150 feet between them.
10. Sign Mounting. No sign back shall be visible from the public right-of-way unless it is painted and maintained a neutral color that blends with the surrounding environment.
11. Externally Illuminated Signs. Only downward directed lights shall be permitted on signs, reflectors shall be provided with proper glass or plastic lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent any glare upon the street or adjacent property.
12. Subdivision Signs. Subdivision signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts. All subdivision signs shall be ground signs and:
A. Shall not exceed 32 square feet.
B. Shall not exceed eight feet in height.
C. Shall be constructed to match design guidelines and subdivision characteristics.
(Section 166.11 – Ord. 999 – Jan. 24 Supp.)