Off-Premises Sign RegulationsCopyrighted
October 7, 2024
City of Dubuque ACTION ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Off -Premises Sign Regulations
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approve one of the
following on the current off -premises sign regulations to
ensure that our signage policies effectively balance
commercial interests with the aesthetic and functional
integrity of our neighborhoods:
1) Provide direction to Planning Staff to prepare an
amendment to 16-15-12 Off Premises Signs of the Unified
Development Code; or
2) Adopt the attached ordinance approving a Temporary
Building Permit Moratorium to allow time for off -premises
signs to be analyzed through the Unified Development Code
Update Process
ORDINANCE Amending City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances Title 14 Building and Development, Chapter 2
Building Construction, Demolition and Moving, Section 14-2-4
Moratorium for Construction or other work on certain streets,
areas, or facilities by adding Section B Off Premises Sign
Study Area
; or
3) Take no action and review as part of the Unified
Development Code Update.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Council
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. UDC Off -Premise Sign Regulations
4. Iowa Cities Off -Premises Sign Regulations
5. Ordinance
Page 438 of 674
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Off -Premises Sign Regulations
DATE: October 2, 2024
Dubuque
bikd
AH erla City
111111
2007•2012.2013
2017*2019
During the discussion of two public hearings on the rezoning of property located at 27
and 35 Locust Street (former Bridge Restaurant), the Council asked if a Billboard (Off -
Premises Sign) can be placed on the proposed building. Planning Staff noted that an
off -premises sign could not be placed on the building due to proximity to other off -
premises signs in the area. This memo and associated documents are to provide
information on the current off -premises sign regulations.
Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont is recommending City Council approve one
of the following on the current off -premises sign regulations to ensure that our signage
policies effectively balance commercial interests with the aesthetic and functional
integrity of our neighborhoods:
1) Provide direction to Planning Staff to prepare an amendment to 16-15-12 Off
Premises Signs of the Unified Development Code; or
2) Adopt the attached ordinance approving a Temporary Building Permit
Moratorium to allow time for off -premises signs to be analyzed through the
Unified Development Code Update Process; or
3) Take no action and review as part of the Unified Development Code Update.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
l.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Page 439 of 674
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Michael Belmont, Assistant Housing & Community Development Director
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
2
Page 440 of 674
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager 1,n(�f
FROM: Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director U""'
SUBJECT: Off -Premises Sign Regulations
DATE: September 30, 2024
Dubuque
Italtd
El -America Ely
1111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum and staff presentation outlines the Off -Premises Sign Regulations
for the City of Dubuque and presents potential actions the City Council can take to
regulate these signs.
BACKGROUND
During the discussion of two public hearings on the rezoning of property located at 27
and 35 Locust Street (former Bridge Restaurant), the Council ask if a Billboard (Off -
Premises Sign) can be placed on the proposed building. Planning Staff noted that an
off -premises sign could not be placed on the building due to proximity to other off -
premises signs in the area. This memo and associated documents are to provide
information on the current off -premises sign regulations.
DISCUSSION
Current Sign Regulations
Section 16-15-12 OFF PREMISES SIGNS of Unified Development Code regulates off -
premises signs in the City of Dubuque (see attached). The UDC defines an off -
premises sign and billboard sign as the following:
OFF PREMISES SIGN: A sign structure advertising an establishment,
merchandise, service, or entertainment which is not sold, produced,
manufactured, or furnished at the property on which said sign is located.
BILLBOARD SIGN: See definition of Off Premises Sign.
Off premises sign are currently allowed in permitted in following districts:
C-3 General Commercial CS Commercial Service
C-4 Downtown Commercial CR Commercial Recreation
Page 441 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
LI Light Industrial
HI Heavy Industrial
MHI Modified Heavy Industrial
They are permitted with conditional use permit approval from the Zoning Board of
Adjustment in the following districts:
C-2 Neighborhood Shopping Center District
C-2A Alternate Neighborhood Shopping Center District
Each of the before -mentioned zoning districts have regulations as they relate to sign
area, height, setback, spacing between signs, lighting and mechanical motion.
Sign Spacing
As noted previously, during the rezoning public hearing for the Bridge Restaurant site,
Planning Staff noted that an Off -Premises Sign could not be placed on the site due to
proximity to other off -premises signs in the area. The UDC regulates spacing between
off -premises signs based on zoning district.
ZONING DISTRICT
SETBACK
SPACING REQUIREMENT
C-2 Neighborhood Shopping
Center
C-2A Mixed -Use Neighborhood
20 feet from
property line;
100 feet from
historic district
As determined by Zoning Board of
Adjustment
C-3 General Commercial
C-4 Downtown Commercial
CS Commercial Service
CR Commercial Recreation
LI Light Industrial
HI Heavy Industrial
MHI Modified Heavy Industrial
100 feet from
historic district
Spacing between any 2 off -premises sign
structures, which are located on either
side of federal and 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
lineal measurement perpendicular to the
center line of the roadway(s) will apply to
determine required distance and is taken
from the nearest point of each structure.
Page 442 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
The following diagram shows how off premises sign spacing requirements are
measured.
Right of Way
M Spacing Measurement-J
STREET or HIGHWAY
Right of Way
1
'el
1
14
Right of Way
Spacing Measurement
STREET or hIGhWAY
Off -Premise sign spacing
requirements shall be measured perpendicular to the centerline of the street(s) which
the sign is oriented toward, between the closes point on each sign structure.
The building site located at 27/35 Locust Street is located within 750 feet of the Off -
Premises Signs at both 25 Main Street and 67 Main Street.
25 Main Street
67 Main Street
However, if the sign at 25 Main Street is removed, still no sign can be placed on the
proposed building at 27/35 Locust Street due to its proximity to the sign at 67 Main
Street. However, a new sign could be installed in the surface parking lot since it is more
than 750 feet away from the sign at 67 Main Street (see map on the next page).
Page 443 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
New Off -Premises Signs
The City of Dubuque currently has 90 off -premises sign in the corporate limits. Within
the last year, the Planning Services Department has received and approved off -
premises signs located at 1987 Washington Street, 4111 Pennsylvania Avenue and
4485 Dodge Street.
Page 444 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
RENT ME
888J84573
11111 �I�iiititralt iittn%
1987 Washington Street
Page 445 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
4111 Pennsylvania Avenue
4485 Dodge Street
Page 446 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
(Sign has not been installed yet)
Unified Development Code Update
Planning Staff has received a number of inquiries regarding the regulations governing
off -premises signs in our community. Residents and business owners have expressed
curiosity about the criteria that permit these signs, particularly in relation to their
locations and the specific zoning districts where they are allowed. Many are seeking
clarity on the separation distances required from other billboards and sensitive areas,
such as residential neighborhoods and parks. Additionally, questions have arisen about
the size and height restrictions for these signs, as well as the potential impacts on local
aesthetics and safety. This dialogue highlights the community's interest in
understanding the balance between commercial advertising and maintaining the
character of our neighborhoods. To address these concerns, as part of the Unified
Development Code Update, staff is working to provide detailed information and engage
the public in discussions about the future of off -premises signage in our city.
Other Iowa Communities Off -Premises Sign Regulations
Page 447 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
As we move forward with evaluating our off -premises sign regulations, we look to how
other Iowa Communities are regulating off -premises sigs. Attached you will find a
summary of Off -Premises Sign Regulations for the ten largest cities in Iowa. The
regulations governing billboards vary significantly across cities in Iowa, reflecting
diverse approaches to managing outdoor advertising. In Ankeny, new billboards are
prohibited entirely, while Cedar Rapids allows them in specific zoning districts, provided
existing billboards are removed, capping the total number at the number present as of
June 4, 2013. Other cities, like Council Bluffs and Des Moines, have established zoning
districts where billboards are permitted with specific spacing and size limitations. For
instance, Council Bluffs permits billboards in industrial zones, with a radius requirement
and size restrictions based on their orientation toward interstates.
Further highlighting these differences, cities like Iowa City and Waterloo impose stricter
limitations, such as prohibiting billboards in residential areas and requiring substantial
setbacks from parks, schools, and historic districts. Digital billboards face additional
scrutiny, with many cities implementing larger separation distances from sensitive
areas. Overall, the regulations aim to balance commercial interests with community
aesthetics and safety, underscoring the importance of localized decision -making in
managing billboard placements.
REQUESTED ACTION
As we navigate the complexities of off -premises sign regulations in Dubuque, it is clear
that these signs play a significant role in our community's commercial landscape.
Recent discussions during the public hearings for the rezoning of the properties at 27
and 35 Locust Street highlighted the challenges posed by existing regulations,
particularly concerning the placement of billboards near other off -premises signs. With
the current Unified Development Code outlining specific criteria for sign location,
spacing, and zoning compatibility, it is essential for us to reassess these regulations in
light of community feedback and evolving needs. To ensure that our signage policies
effectively balance commercial interests with the aesthetic and functional integrity of our
neighborhoods, we propose a few potential courses of action for the City Council to
consider.
The City Council may take one of the following actions as it relates to the current off -
premises sign regulations:
1) Provide direction to Planning Staff to prepare an amendment to 16-15-12 Off
Premises Signs of the Unified Development Code; or
2) Adopt the attached ordinance approving a Temporary Building Permit
Moratorium to allow time for off -premises signs to be analyzed through the
Unified Development Code Update Process; or
3) Take no action and review as part of the Unified Development Code Update.
Page 448 of 674
Off -Premises Sign Regulations
Enclosures
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Michael Belmont, Assistant Housing & Community Development Director
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
Page 449 of 674
Section 3—Land Development Regulations
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Section 3—Land Development Regulations
Chapter 15: Signs
15-12 Off -Premises Signs (cont.)
Permitted Sign Maximum Minimum Permitted Permitted
Off- Premise Signs
Structures Area (sf) Height Setback Spacing Lighting Type Mechanical
LI Light Industrial, MHI Modified Heavy Industrial, and HI Heavy Industrial
Identification Signs
a)
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point on each sign structure.
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Page 451 of 674
CITY
Permitted or Prohibited
Separation
from other
Billboards
Size Limit
Maximum
Height
Separation from Districts,
Structures, or Uses
Setback
Ankeny
New billboards prohibited
Cedar Rapids
In PUD, otherwise only
permitted if an existing
Billboard is removed. The total
number of billboards is capped
at the total number of
billboards that were present in
the City on June 4, 2013.
Permitted in S-MC, S-MR, I-LI,
1-GI, and I -SW districts
1,000' -
Semi -circle
from center
point
672 sf along
highway / 378 sf
otherwise
60', 45', 30'
Dependent on
Road
Classification
200' from Residential Districts/
500' for digital
Underlying
Zoning District
Council Bluffs
Permitted in 1-1, 1-2 and 1-3.
700' radius
300 sf / 750 sf
(facing
interstate)
40'
150 foot radius of agricultural or
res, cemetary, college, cultural
service, park and rec
services,public assembly,
religious assembly, school
Underlying
Zoning District /
25' from row
Davenport
Static Billboard/Digital or
electronic
1,500' /
3,000'
672sf / 400 sf
45'
150' / 600 'Res, parks, open
space, education facility, public
museum, government admin,
judicial office
25'
Des Moines
"General Advertising signs"
672 sf
45'
200' from res use or district,
and/or 500' of public square,
public park or recreation area,
school, place of worship, funeral
or mortuary service, cemetery, or
public library, or designated city
landmark or historic district or
National Register historic district.
25'
Dubuque
Permitted in C-3, C-4, CS, CR,
LI, HI, MHI. Conditional in C 2.
500'/750'
750 sf/ 300 sf
within 200' of
historic district
50'
100' from Historic district
Underlying
Zoning District
Iowa City
Not permitted in residential,
CO-1, CN-1, CB-5, CB-10,
ORP and RDP Zones
300'
72 sf
Not to exceed
underlying
district
standards; 25'
120' form Res, parks, open
space, education facility, public
museum, government admin,
historic district or structure
0', 10'
depending on
sign height
Sioux City
Suburban Commercial (SC),
Mixed Use (MU), General
Commercial (GC), Business
Park (BP), and General
Industrial (GI) districts
600'
288 sf in MU
and SC / 672 sf
remaining.
35' MU and SC /
45' all others /
55' GI
300 feet of the rights -of -way, 100
feet of any residential district; 150
feet of any part of the premises of
the following:
A public park or square;
Public or parochial school;
Cemetery;
Public buildings designated and
erected for cultural purposes;
Public assembly buildings;
Public museums;
Public libraries;
Buildings housing the municipal,
administrative, or judicial seats of
county, state, or federal
government;
Designated local or national
historic district;
A historical marker or monument;
or
Any public or private property or
any public street,
10'
Waterloo
Permitted in C-2,C-3, M-1, and
M-2, excluding corridor overlay
districts)
1000'
300 sf
48'
200' from Res, parks, open
space, education facility, public
museum, government admin,
historic district or structure
Underlying
Zoning District
Page 452 of 674
CITY Permitted or Prohibited
West Des
Moines
Ames
Electronic Prohibited;
Permitted in the following
zoning districts: General
Insudtrial (GI); AG/OS (OS).
Double face billboard
permitted only on 10 acres or
more.
Prohibited in Res. RL, RM,
RH, RLP, FS-RL,
FS-RM, F-VR, and S-HM
Separation
from other
Billboards
300' (facing
same
direction)
300'
Size Limit
350 sf
300 sf
Maximum Separation from Districts,
Height Structures, or Uses
35'
300' from Residential use or
district / 100' of any dwelling unit,
public park, public or parochial
school site, church site, hospital
site, cemetery, similar institution
or zoning district not permitting
billboards.
Setback
100' from public
row/ 120' from
private street/
100' from
Intersections
Page 453 of 674
Prepared by: Wally Wernimont, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 563-589-4210
Return to: Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 563-589-4121
ORDINANCE NO. 58-24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 2 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND
MOVING, SECTION 14-2-4 MORATORIUM FOR CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER WORK
ON CERTAIN STREETS, AREAS, OR FACILITIES BY ADDING SECTION B OFF
PREMISES SIGN STUDY AREA.
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is committed to promoting the health, safety, and
general welfare of its residents; and
Whereas, the current Unified Development Code (UDC) is in need of
comprehensive review and update to better reflect the community's vision and land use
goals; and
Whereas, off -premises signs can significantly impact the aesthetic character of
the community, traffic safety, and the overall quality of life for residents; and
Whereas, the proliferation of off -premises signs may result in adverse effects,
such as visual clutter, distraction for drivers, and potential conflicts with the objectives of
the updated UDC; and
Whereas, a temporary moratorium on the issuance of permits for new off -
premises signs will allow for a thorough evaluation of the community's needs, concerns,
and preferences regarding signage and advertising; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque desires to ensure that the future development of
off -premises signs aligns with updated land use regulations and community standards;
and
Whereas, the temporary suspension of off -premises sign permits is necessary to
protect the public interest while the UDC is being reviewed and revised.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 14-2-4 is amended to
read as follows:
Section 14-2-4: Moratorium for Construction or Other Work on Certain Streets, Areas or
Facilities:
B. Off -premises sign Study Area: The city manager may not issue any
permit for any new off -premises sign in the corporate limits of the city of
Dubuque from the effective date hereof to March 1, 2026, except where a
vested right to the issuance of such permit accrued prior to the effective
date hereof.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication
Passed, approved and adopted this 7th day of October 2024.
. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Matt McGuire, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
10/11/2024
and for which the charge is 36.81
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this llth day of October, 2024
Notary
•
lic in and for Dubugite County, Iowa.
Q,n JANET K. PAPE
cr y Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
12/11 /2025
%otivn
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 58-24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 2 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION,
DEMOLITION AND MOVING, SECTION 14-2-4 MORATORIUM FOR
CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER WORK ON CERTAIN STREETS, AREAS, OR
FACILITIES BY ADDING SECTION B OFF PREMISES SIGN STUDY AREA.
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is committed to promoting the
health, safety, and general welfare of its residents; and
Whereas, the current Unified Development Code (UDC) is in
need of comprehensive review and update to better reflect the
community's vision and land use goals; and
Whereas, off -premises signs can significantly impact the
aesthetic character of the community, traffic safety, and the
overall quality of life for residents; and
Whereas, the proliferation of off -premises signs may result
in adverse effects, such as visual clutter, distraction for
drivers, and potential conflicts with the objectives of the
updated UDC; and
Whereas, a temporary moratorium on the issuance of permits
for new off -premises signs will allow for a thorough
evaluation of the communitys needs, concerns, and preferences
regarding signage and advertising; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque desires to ensure that the
future development of off -premises signs aligns with updated
land use regulations and community standards; and
Whereas, the temporary suspension of off -premises sign
permits is necessary to protect the public interest while the
UDC is being reviewed and revised.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section
14-2-4 is amended to read as follows:
Section 14-2-4: Moratorium for Construction or Other Work
on Certain Streets, Areas or Facilities:
B. Off -premises sign Study Area: The city manager may not
issue any permit for any new off -premises sign in the
corporate limits of the city of Dubuque from the effective
date hereof to March 1, 2026, except where a vested right to
the issuance of such permit accrued prior to the effective
date hereof.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon
publication
Passed, approved and adopted this 7th day of October 2024.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the llth day of October, 2024.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 10/11