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Pleasant Hill City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 170

ZONING ORDINANCE SIGNS

(Ord. No. 890, 04/27/2021) 

170.01 TITLE.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Sign Ordinance" of the City of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and shall apply to all properties within the City. This ordinance is adopted as part of the City’s Zoning Code Regulations per Iowa Code 414.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

170.02 STATEMENT OF INTENT AND SEVERABILITY.

In the interest of promoting the general welfare of the community and public safety, it is recognized that the community should be aesthetically attractive as well as financially prosperous. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate signs in such a way as to establish a compatibility of sign usage with the land use patterns and standards for the zoning district, and to permit such signs which will not, by reason of their size, location, construction or manner of display cause an annoyance or disturbance to citizens, detract from the community's aesthetic attractiveness, create a hazard, confuse or mislead traffic, obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger the public health or safety. The intent of this chapter is to regulate signs by their physical characteristics and not by their message.

If one or more provisions of this chapter is found by a court of jurisdiction to be unlawful, invalid, unenforceable, or preempted by applicable state or federal law or regulations, such provisions are deemed to be severed from this chapter. The remaining provisions of this chapter remain in full force and effect.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

170.03 DEFINITIONS.

Repealed by Ordinance #936.  See Chapter 165.02

Effective on: 1/1/1901

170.04 GENERAL PROHIBITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS.

  • No sign shall be allowed except as permitted by this chapter.
  • No sign shall be located within the vision triangle of street intersection as defined in City Code. No sign shall be located so that the safety of a moving vehicle or pedestrian will be impaired by obscuring a driver's or pedestrian's vision.
  • No person shall install, erect, construct, hang, or alter any sign within the City without first obtaining from the City a Sign Permit, unless such sign is otherwise exempt under this chapter.
  • No person shall replace the sign copy or sign face without first obtaining from the City a Sign Permit, unless such sign is otherwise exempt under this chapter.
  • Signs shall be properly erected or attached to a structure and kept in good repair. Any lettering, logo, design, and other markings placed upon the sign shall be clear, distinct, and readable and maintained in that condition.
  • Any permanent or temporary commercial sign allowed in this chapter may be utilized as a non-commercial or political issue sign subject to the regulations contained herein.

    • .

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.05 SIGN AREA FORMULAS.

    The area of a sign is determined by the Zoning Administrator, using actual dimensions where practical or approximate dimensions when irregularity of a sign shape warrants.  The area of each sign type is to be measured with either Formula A or Formula B as noted below.

    1. Formula A.  The sign area is the sum of the area of two (2) contiguous rectangles, squares or circles that enclose the extreme points or edges of all copy, logos and symbols of said sign.
    (A1 x A2) + (B1 x B2) = Sign Area
    1. Formula B.  The sign area is the area of one rectangle, square or circle that encloses the extreme points or edges of all areas where copy may be placed on a sign.  This area does not include structural or architectural features of the sign where copy will not be located. 
    (A x B) = Sign Area

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.06 PROHIBITED SIGNS.

    The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained on any property within the City, unless located within the confines of a building, or not visible from outside the premises of the lot in which the sign is located.

    1. Animated Signs.
    2. Moving Lights. Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing, pulsating, rotating, beacons, or moving lights. Except for a special event approved by the City Council per the City’s special event procedures.
    3. Banners. Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers, except as specified in this chapter as a permitted temporary sign.
    4. String Lights. String lights used in connection with commercial premises from November 1 to January 15 on a temporary basis.
    5. Air-Activated Graphics and Signs with Moving Parts. Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, or mechanical means, including intermediate electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind currents.
    6. Balloon Signs.
    7. Hazardous Sign. Any sign or sign structure which:
      1. Is structurally unsafe, or
      2. Constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, or
      3. Is not kept in good repair, or
      4. Is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it.
    8. Traffic Hazard. Signs that constitute a traffic hazard, as noted in Section 170.18.
    9. Obstructions. Signs that constitute an obstruction so as to prevent free ingress or egress through any door, window or fire escape.
    10. Prohibited Attachment. No sign or other advertising structure of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire extinguisher.
    11. Obscene Matter. Signs that display obscene matters in violation of Iowa Code 728.
    12. Portable Sign. Portable signs except as specified in this chapter as a permitted temporary sign.
    13. Roof Signs.
    14. Billboards.
    15. Pole Signs.
    16. Signs Projecting over Public Right-of-Way. It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign on, over, or above any land or right-of-way belonging to City or other governmental entity unless specifically allowed by Section 170.19.
    17. Discontinued Use. Signs on a property that is vacant or un-occupied for a period of more than six (6) months.
    18. Flashing or Glaring Lights. Flashing lights, strobe lights, or rotating beams shall be prohibited outside of a building or visible from the outside of a building in all zoning districts except when otherwise legally displayed as emergency lights or warning lights. Illumination of signs shall be designed in such a way as to reflect light away from residential properties and motorists' vision.
    19. Conflicting Signs. Signs with a format which resembles or conflicts with traffic signs or signals.
    20. Unlawful Signs. Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of this chapter.
    21. Mobile Signs and signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle or trailer.
    22. Temporary Signs. All temporary signs except those that are specifically allowed by this chapter.
    23. Projected-Image Signs.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.07 EXEMPTIONS.

    The following signs shall not require a sign permit.

    1. Government signs and government flags, as defined herein this chapter, are exempt from the Sign Regulations, the Sign Design Standards, and the Sign Permits and Fees requirement.
    2. Signs located within the confines of a building, except those that are defined as window signs.
    3. Building addresses on buildings and signs as required by the City.
    4. Directory signs as required by the City Fire Department for emergency identification.
    5. Works of art that meet the definition as provided herein this chapter.
    6. Temporary Signs, to the extent that they meet the standards herein this chapter, are exempt from the Sign Permits and Fees requirement.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.08 SIGN TYPES.

    For the purposes of this chapter, the following sign types as defined herein are placed into the following categories.

    1. Permanent Signs
      1. Building Signs
      2. Monument Ground Signs
      3. Freeway Oriented Signs
      4. Directional Signs
      5. Drive-Thru Facility Signs
    2. Temporary Signs
      1. Commercial Signs
      2. Non-Commercial Signs and Political Issue Signs

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.09 SIGN REGULATIONS.

  • 1.
    Permanent Signs permitted by zoning district (see table).
    • 170.09-1 Sign Regulations
    Temporary Signs Zoning District           
    A-1R-1R-2R-3R-4C-1C-2TCCPI-1I-2
    Commercial Signs

    Number of Signs Permitted

    		1 sign per public street frontage for a lot of record.1 sign per public street frontage for a lot of record plus 1 per building or individual business.  Each building or individual business may also display 1 "A-frame" or 1 "blade sign" during the hours in which the business is open.
    Maximum Sign AreaFor multi-family residential and permitted non-residential uses - 32 sq. ft. using sign area Formula B and for all other uses - 8 sq. ft. using sign area Formula B as defined herein this chapter32 sq. ft. using sign area Formula B as defined herein this chapter.
    Maximum Sign Height6 ft8 ft
    Sign Setback Requirement5 ft from all property lines.
    Non-Commercial Signs and Political Issue Signs

    Maximum Free Standing Sign Setback Requirement

    		5 ft from all property lines.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.10 SIGN DESIGN STANDARDS

  • Building Signs
    1. Building Signs in General
      1. Prior to installation of any signage, all multi-tenant buildings and multi-building commercial centers shall provide a signage plan detailing how and where signage will be allocated to each individual tenant space. This plan shall be adhered to unless an alternate plan is provided to the City by the building owner.
      2. All building wall signs, including projecting signs but not including awning and window signs, shall consist of solid individual letters and symbols that have a three-dimensional appearance with a minimum dimensional depth of one (1) inch. The dimensional depth may be achieved by individual dimension letters or symbols, cut out, push through, engraved, embossed, pin mounted with stand-offs, or alternative acceptable to the City. Said individual letters and symbols shall be made of anodized aluminum or similar materials or should consist of individual illuminated self-contained letters and symbols made of anodized aluminum or similar materials with translucent plastic faces. Signs with exposed neon or exposed florescent tubes or light bulbs are prohibited. Painted signs, including any lettering, graphics, images, and logos, are prohibited except as may be permitted on awnings and windows. Signs in any A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 zoning district shall not be internally illuminated.
      3. Signs may be mounted on a uniform backing that is of no more than one (1) color and that projects no more than four (4) inches from the surface of the building wall.
      4. No individual letter or symbol shall exceed six (6) feet in height and six (6) feet in width. All letters and symbols should be individually attached to the building wall. Raceways are prohibited. In any situation where it is not physically practical to mount a wall sign without a raceway, a pan-style raceway may be authorized at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator.
      5. Panel signs are prohibited; however, a panel type sign of an individual logo or graphic may be permitted as part of a building sign provided the panel area does not exceed six (6) feet in height and six (6) feet in width and is designed as if it were an individual illuminated self-contained letter or symbol.
    2. Projecting Signs, where permitted, shall comply with the following standards.
      1. Application. Projecting signs as regulated by this chapter shall include any sign, other than a building sign, which projects from, and is supported by a wall of a building or structure.
      2. Construction. Every projecting sign, including the frame, braces and supports thereof, shall meet the compliance of the Building Code of the City.
      3. Thickness Limitation. The thickness measured between the principal faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed twelve (12) inches.
      4. Height of Projecting Signs. No part of any projecting sign shall be less than ten (10) feet above ground level, except as provided in subsection v. of this section.
      5. Location. Every projecting sign shall be at least ten (10) feet above any sidewalk area over which it is erected, and a distance not greater than two (2) feet from the wall to which it is attached, measuring from the point of the sign nearest thereto. Every projecting sign to be erected over public or private driveways or thoroughfares shall be placed not less than fifteen (15) feet above the level of same.
      6. Obstructions and Traffic Hazards. Every projecting sign shall be erected in a manner which does not constitute an obstruction or traffic hazard regulated by this chapter.
      7. Projection over Public Property. It is unlawful for any projecting sign to be located over public property or a public easement unless approval is granted by the City Council or the agency that owns the right-of-way or public property.
  • Ground Signs
    1. Monument Grounds Signs and Freeway Oriented Signs in General
      1. Painted signs are prohibited.
      2. Signs with exposed neon or exposed florescent tubes or light bulbs are prohibited.
      3. Signs in any A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 zoning district shall not be internally illuminated.
    2. Changeable Message Signs and Electronic Message Centers

      Any monument ground sign as permitted by this chapter may contain areas for a changeable message sign or an electronic message center sign, provided such sign area does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the sign area of the sign. Electronic message centers are further regulated as follows:

      1. Electronic message center messages and images may not scroll or flash and shall not display full-motion graphics in a series of frame to give the illusion of motion or video.
      2. The images and messages displayed on an electronic message center must have a minimum dwell time of at least 30-seconds before changing to the next image or message. The transition or change from one message to another must be instantaneous and involve no animation or special effects.
      3. Electronic message centers shall be integral to and a part of an approved monument sign, not to exceed a maximum 25% of the total sign copy area.
      4. The messages and images for each individual electronic message center display shall be limited to one (1) color that is in contrast to the background color. An approved monument sign may have more than one individual electronic display provided the total area of all such displays does not exceed 25% of the total sign copy area.
      5. The brightness of any electronic message center shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 candelas per square meter (nits) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 250 candelas per square meter (nits) between dusk and dawn, as measured from the brightest element on the sign’s face. Electronic message centers must be equipped with a light detector or photocell that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness according to natural ambient light conditions.
    3. Signs Related to Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
      ​​​​​​​Sign copy may be adhered or placed upon any surface of a permitted ATM or ATM kiosk; however, the total area of all signage shall not exceed 16 sq. ft.
  • Temporary Signs
    1. The following types of temporary signs may be permitted in accordance with the regulations herein this chapter.
      1. Free-standing signs including A-frame signs and blade signs.
      2. Banner signs attached to a building wall or window or covering and affixed to an existing building sign.
      3. Bag signs covering and affixed to an existing monument ground sign.
    2. Time Limit. No temporary sign shall be in place for a period greater than six (6) months unless removed and replaced with a new sign.

    • Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.11 SIGN PERMITS AND FEES.

    It is unlawful for any person to erect, alter, or relocate within the City any sign except as otherwise specified in this chapter without first obtaining a permit from the Community Development Department and paying the fee required herein.

    1. Application for Permit. Application for permits shall be made in such form as required by the Community Development Department, and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information unless such information shall be deemed unnecessary by the Zoning Administrator.
      1. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
      2. Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
      3. Position of sign in relation to nearby buildings, structures or streets.
      4. One blueprint or drawing of the plans, specifications, and method of construction and attachment to the building or ground.
      5. Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the sign is designed for live and dead loads and wind pressure loads in any direction in the amount required by this and all other applicable laws and ordinances.
      6. Name of person, firm, corporation, or association erecting structure.
      7. Such other information as the Zoning Administrator shall require to show full compliance with this and all other laws and ordinances of the City.
    2. Permit Fees. Sign permit fees shall be paid to the City Clerk in an amount as established by resolution of the City Council.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.12 INSPECTION.

    The Zoning Administrator may inspect, from time to time as deemed necessary, each sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure or insecure, and whether it is in need of removal or repair.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.13 MAINTENANCE, UNSAFE AND UNLAWFUL SIGNS

    All signs and other advertising structures, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in proper state of preservation and working order. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.

    If the Zoning Administrator, or her/his designee, finds that any sign or structure regulated herein is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, prohibited, has been constructed or erected in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or is in violation of the provisions of this chapter; such official shall promptly give written notice to the permittee thereof or to the owner of premises on which the sign is located. If the permittee or owner fails to remove or alter the sign structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within three (3) working days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Zoning Administrator at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it located. However, if the owner of the sign has promptly ordered the necessary parts to repair the sign and has not received them or has promptly ordered the repair work done by an authorized erector and the erector has failed to respond within the three-day period, then a further extension of time may be granted upon a verified statement that such delay is not the result of any act of the permittee or owner of the premises.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.14 PAINTING REQUIRED.

    The owner of any sign as defined and regulated by this chapter shall be required to have properly painted all parts and supports of said sign, unless the same are otherwise treated to prevent rust or decay.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.15 WIND PRESSURE AND DEAD LOAD REQUIREMENTS.

    All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed in compliance with the City’s adopted Building Code. 

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.16 REMOVAL OF OBSOLETE SIGNS.

    Any obsolete sign now or hereafter existing shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or land upon which such sign may be found within thirty (30) days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator, and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the building inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign is attached.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.17 SIGNS NOT TO CONSTITUTE TRAFFIC HAZARD.

    No sign or other advertising structure on private property as regulated by this chapter shall be erected: (a) at or near the intersection of any streets or near a private access to a public street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or (b) at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or (c) which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK," "DRIVE-IN," "DANGER," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse the motoring public. Notwithstanding the general requirements set forth in this section, no sign or other advertising structure shall be located: (i) on a corner lot in all districts, in such a manner as to impede vision between a height of two and one-half (2-1/2) feet and ten (10) feet above the centerline elevations of the affected street and within an area bounded by the street right-of-way lines of a corner lot and a straight line joining points on said right-of-way lines twenty-five (25) feet from the point of intersection of said right-of-way lines; or (ii) in all districts and one- and two-family residential lots, if erected within five (5) feet of a public right-of-way and within twenty-five (25) feet of a private access drive or adjoining building site boundary.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.18 SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY AND RIGHT-OF-WAY.

    It is unlawful for any person to paint, print or in any way affix any picture, bill, sign, signboard, poster or advertising material on any post, utility pole, fire escape, hydrant, curb, sidewalk, tree, lamppost or other structure of any kind on, or so as to overhang or protrude over, any property owned by the City or any easement of the City unless otherwise authorized by this chapter. Any sign on, or located so as to overhang or protrude over, any property owned by the City or any right-of-way easement of the City without City approval shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover from the sign owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.19 NONCONFORMING SIGNS

    Any sign or billboard in existence at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter which does not conform with the provisions of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming. Any structural modifications or replacement of a nonconforming sign, not including the replacement of sign copy, shall conform to the requirements and standards of this chapter.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.20 REVOCATION OF PERMITS.

    The Zoning Administrator is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any permits issued by said official upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provisions of this chapter.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.21 JURISDICTION OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

    The Board of Adjustment shall have jurisdiction for any requests for variances involving sign location, sign height, or sign size not consistent with this chapter. The Board shall rule on any request in accordance with Section 166.07.  The Board of Appeals shall have jurisdiction for any requests for an appeal related to the application of the City’s adopted Building Code regulations in accordance with Section 156.03.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901

    170.22 JURISDICTION OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

    Any person aggrieved by an order, requirement, decision or determination of the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement of this chapter may file an appeal with the Board of Adjustment in accordance with Section 166.07.

    Effective on: 1/1/1901