1.   Purpose. This Code provides for the regulation of the location, size, construction, duration, use, and maintenance of all signs within the City.

2.    General Sign Regulations. The following shall apply:

   A.   A sign shall not obstruct the visibility required by pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

   B.   Unless otherwise specified within, all signs shall conform to the setback requirements for the district in which they are located. However, signs on properties that abut residential zones, but are larger than signs allowed in residential zones, must have a minimum setback of 25 feet from residentially zoned property.

   C.   No sign shall be placed higher than the height requirements of the district in which the sign is located.

   D.   No sign shall exceed the size requirements for the type of sign and the location of the sign.

   E.   No sign shall block a fire escape door or window.

   F.   Except for an approved projecting sign, a sign or banner shall be securely fixed to a building or structure and shall not project from the building or structure more than 12 inches.

   G.   A sing shall not be erected on or over the public right-of-way unless a sidewalk obstruction permit has been obtained.

   H.   No sign shall contain the words stop or danger or substantially imitate a sign posted by governmental officials.

   I.   All signs shall be maintained in a neat and presentable condition and a sign shall not be a visual nuisance.

   J.   Obsolete signs shall be removed by the owner or agent of the property upon which the sign may be found within 30 days after written notification.

   K.   Signs in residential zoning districts remain subject to existing regulations as found elsewhere in this Code.

   L.   In the agricultural zoning district, signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size or 10 feet in height when measured from the average grade of the ground to the top of the sign.

   M.   In addition to the requirements of this Code, signs that would overhang an Iowa Department of Transportation right-of-way may be subject to obtaining DOT approval.

3.    Requirements for Powered Signs.

   A.   Electronic message signs are prohibited within A-1, MH-1, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Zoning Districts unless associated with an institutional property . Such signs must be located a minimum of 100 feet from an adjoining lot used or zoned for residential purposes. Such signs shall be a maximum of 30 square feet in size when located in residential zones.

   B.   Audible signs are prohibited except for use by City officials, law enforcement, and emergency vehicles.

   C.   No sign will use flashing or strobing lights that substantially imitate lighting used by emergency vehicles or other applications as used by governmental, emergency, or law enforcement personnel.

4.    Requirements for Wall, Monument, and Pole Signs.

   A.   These types of signs are eligible uses in all commercial and industrial zoning districts.

   B.   Wall signs shall not be larger than 100 square feet, except in the B-1 and I-3 Districts where the maximum size is 300 square feet.

   C.   Wall signs shall not, either singly or in combination, take up more than 50 percent of the available wall space per each side of a building.

   D.   Monument signs shall not be more than five feet in height at the top of the sign and not more than 10 feet in length including the sign's base or foundation.

   E.   Pole signs shall not be more than 30 feet high at the top of the sign.

   F.   Pole signs shall have at least 10 feet of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the sign and shall not be more than 30 feet high at the top of the sign.

   G.   No wall, monument, or pole sign shall be installed in the right-of-way.

   H.   Businesses are allowed one monument or pole sign per principle building in all zoning districts except I-3 , wherein businesses are allowed one monument sign per street entrance or one pole sign per principal building.

5.    Requirements for Projecting Signs.

   A.   Projecting signs that overhang a public right-of-way are limited to the Central Business District, B-2.

   B.   Projecting signs that do not overhang a public right-of-way and meet the setback requirements of their zoning district are also allowed.

   C.   Projecting signs are limited to one per front of a structure. Buildings on corner lots have double-fronts.

   D.   Projecting signs shall not be larger than 16 square feet per side nor more than four inches in thickness.

   E.   Projecting signs shall not extend farther than five feet from the wall of the building to which they are attached.

   F.   There must be a minimum 10 - foot clearance is required between the bottom of the sign and finished grade.

   G.   Projecting signs shall not extend above the roofline of the buildings on which they are located or 20 feet from finished grade, whichever is less.

   H.   Buildings with separate businesses above the ground floor may each have their own signs. Such signs must have at least eight feet of separation between them. The higher sign shall not extend above the roofline of the building.

   I.   Lighted Projecting Signs.

      (1)   Projecting signs shall not have internal lighting, but may have external lighting.

      (2)   Channel letters and channel logos may only be internally illuminated.

      (3)   No open face channel letters are allowed.

      (4)   Any electrical work that requires an addition or extension of circuits shall require a separate permit.

6.    Requirements for Directional Signs. Directional signs are limited to one per street entrance or one per five acres, whichever is less. Directions signs shall not be larger than 10 square feet and no taller than four feet.

7.    Temporary Sign Regulations. The following shall apply:

   A.   A sign advertising a yard sale or a garage sale shall not be posted more than three days prior to the sale event nor more than one day after the event.

   B.   No temporary sign, including commercial, special event, real estate or garage sale sign, shall be placed on any utility pole or traffic control sign post or pole.

   C.   No temporary sign may be placed in the right-of-way.

   D.   No temporary signs are limited to 16 square feet and longest dimension of five feet.

   E.   Temporary signs are eligible uses in all zoning districts and do not require a building permit if they:

      (1)   Do not create a sidewalk obstruction if placed in a public right-of-way or a nuisance of any type if placed in a public right-of-way or a front setback area.

      (2)   Meet the size, height, and use requirements.

      (3)   Are not in place for more than four days for garage sale signs, two months for election or special events signs, and six months for construction signs.

      (4)   Temporary signs that do not meet these standards require a Special Use Permit.

   F.   Feather flag signs are allowed in all zoning districts except the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts and are limited to eight feet high and two and a half feet wide.

8.    Non-Compliance. All permanent signs erected prior to October 16, 1991, shall be classified as non-conforming uses, and shall be governed by Section 165.42.

9.    Permit Required.

   A.   A permanent sign shall not be painted, placed on a structure, erected, relocated, or installed prior to the issuance of a building permit for the sign.

   B.   A temporary sign not exempt from requiring a permit shall not be painted, placed on a structure, erected, relocated, or installed prior to the issuance of a building permit for the sign.

10.    Administration and Variances. The following shall apply:

   A.   The City Manager or their designee is hereby authorized to administer this Code and is authorized to enter a ruling that a sign does not comply with the requirements of this Code and may enter an order that the offending sign be removed or modified.

   B.   The Board of Adjustment shall be authorized to hold a public hearing regarding a sign variance and make final decision regarding approving or denying the variance.

11.    Violations and Penalties. It shall be a violation of this Code to disobey an order of the City Manager or their designee issued under the terms of this Code and it shall be a violation of this Code for the owner or person in possession of a real property to allow the presence on the property of a permanent or temporary sign that violates a term of this Code; and, it shall be a violation of this Code for a person to post a permanent or temporary sign in violation of this Code, and, a violation of this Code shall subject the violator to a civil penalty not to exceed $100.00 and the offending sign shall be subject to abatement as a nuisance.