Unified Development Code Amendment for Wall and Free Standing SignsCity of Dubuque
City Council
PUBLIC HEARINGS # 4.
Copyrighted
July 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Unified Development Code Amendment for Wall and Free
Standing Signs
SUMMARY: Proof of publication on notice of public hearing to consider
City Council approve a request from the City of Dubuque to
amend the Unified Development Code C-5 Central Business
zoning district requirements for wall and freestanding signs,
and Zoning Advisory Commission recommending approval.
ORDINANCE Amending Title 16 Of The City Of Dubuque
Code Of Ordinances, Unified Development Code, By
Amending Section 16-15-11.10 C-5 Central Business Zoning
District Sign Regulations
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Motion B; Motion A
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ZAC Ltr to CC - Text Amend for Wall and Free Standing Signs
2. Application
3. Memo - C-5 Signage
4. Zoning Map - C-5 Signage
5. Current C-5 Sign Regulations
6. Proposed C-5 Sign Regulations
7. Ordinance
8. Ordinance - Exhibit A
9. Proof of Publication
Page 694 of 720
Planning Services Department
Dubuque
City Hall
THE CITYOF
"
50 West 1311, Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
DUtB E
in
U-bM,
I1 I
(563) 589-4210 phone
I I
(563) 589-4221 fax
2007.2012 2013
(563) 690-6678 TDD
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2017*2019
planning@ci!yofdubuque.org
July 1, 2025
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall — 50 W. 13t" Street
Dubuque IA 52001
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Description: To amend the Unified Development Code C-5 Central Business zoning
district requirements for wall and freestanding signs.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Zoning Advisory Commission has reviewed the above -cited request.
The application, staff report, and related materials are attached for your review.
Discussion
Staff Member Duba discussed the application. He noted that the City of Dubuque is
seeking to bring the C-5 sign regulations more in line with other zoning districts to
address stated needs for additional signage in the district.
He stated the text amendment would increase the wall sign allowance within the C-5
district to:
• Area: 10% of the area of the building wall or 100 square feet per business,
whichever is greater
• Number: Unlimited per street frontage, so long as the aggregate square footage
does not exceed the allowed area
He noted the following districts which already allow signage up to 10% of building wall
area: C-3, CS, CR, LI, HI, and MHI.
He said the text amendment would also extend the area in which ground monument
signs are allowed along Main Street all the way from 10t" to 4t" Streets, where it
currently goes from 10t" to 8t" Streets.
There was no public input.
Commissioners had no questions or concerns.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 695 of 720
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Page 2
Recommendation
By a vote of 5 to 0, the Zoning Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council
approve the request.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
Rich Russell, Vice Chairperson
Zoning Advisory Commission
Attachments
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 696 of 720
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Zoning Advisory
Commission
❑ Amended PUD
❑ Rezoning/PUD/ID
❑X Text Amendment
❑ Simple Subdivision
❑ Preliminary Plat
❑ Major Final Plat
❑ Minor Final Plat
❑ Waiver from Site
Design Standards
A. Property Information
Zoning Board of
Adiustment
❑ Conditional Use Permit
❑ Special Exception
❑ Variance
❑ Appeal
Development Services
❑ Annexation
❑ Limited Setback Waiver
❑ Site Plan Simple
❑ Site Plan Minor
❑ Site Plan Major
❑ Simple Subdivision
❑ Temporary Use Permit
❑ Port of Dubuque/
Chaplain Schmitt Island
Design Review
Site Location/Address: C-5 Central Business zoning district
Legal Description/Parcel ID#/Subdivision:
Existing Zoning: Proposed Zoning:
Historic District:
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 52001-4845
Phone:563-589-4210
Fax: 563-589-4221
planning@)cityofdu buque.org
Historic Preservation Commission
❑ Demolition Review
❑ Historic Revolving Loan
❑ Certificate of Economic Non -Viability
❑ Design Review Certificate of
Appropriateness
❑ Advisory Design Review (Public
Projects)
❑ Historic Designation
Site Area (square feet/acres):
-andmark: ❑ Yes ❑ No
B. Describe proposal and reason for application (attach a letter of explanation, if necessary):
To amend the Unified Development Code C-5 Central Business zoning district requirements for wall and
freestandina sians.
C.
Applicant/Agent Information
Name: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager Phone: 563-589-4110
Address: 50 W 13th St City: Dubuque
State: IA Zip:
52001
Email:
D. Property Owner(s) Information
Name(s):
Address:
State: Zip: Email:
E. Certification: I/we, the undersigned, do hereby certify/acknowledge that:
Phone:
City:
1. Payment does not guarantee approval and fees are nonrefundable;
2. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached;
3. It is the property owner's responsibility to locate property lines and to review the abstract for easements and restrictive
covenants; and
4. The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and upon submittal becomes
public record.
Applicant/Agent:
Property Owner(s): NA
Fee $ NA Ck#
❑CC ❑Cash Received by
Date:
Date:
Date
Page 697 of 720
THE C
DUUB�QTEE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Zoning Advisory Commission
FROM: Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
DATE: June 25, 2025
Dubuque
All -America City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: To amend the Unified Development Code C-5 Central Business zoning
district requirements for wall and freestanding signs.
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits an application and an ordinance for a proposed Text Amendment
to Section 15-11.10 of the Unified Development Code (UDC) zoning regulations to revise
the sign regulations for the C-5 Central Business zoning district.
This text amendment would increase the allowance for wall signage and extend the range
for which monument signs are allowed.
The UDC notes: "Text amendments are intended for wholesale changes to the zoning
regulations, as a means for the City to respond to changing conditions and emerging
trends in the community. Text amendments are not property specific."
BACKGROUND
The Planning Services Department is seeking to bring the sign regulations for the C-5
Central Business zoning district more in line with other zoning districts. It has become
apparent that the current sign regulations are not adequate to meet the needs of all
businesses and organizations within the district.
This district is home to a number of large buildings. The current sign regulation allows
one 100-square foot wall sign per business per street frontage, regardless of the size of
the building.
This text amendment would increase the wall sign allowance within the C-5 district to-
• Area: 10% of the area of the building wall or 100 square feet per business,
whichever is greater
• Number: Unlimited per street frontage, so long as the aggregate square footage
does not exceed the allowed area
It would also extend the area in which ground monument signs are allowed. Currently one
sign is allowed per business along Main Street between 8th and loth Streets. This text
amendment would extend that south along Main Street to the end of the C-5 district at 4th
Street.
Page 698 of 720
Memo — Text Amendment for C-5 Central Business Signage Page 2
DISCUSSION
Staff discussed the characteristics of the C-5 Central Business zoning district and found
that changes could be made to bring the sign regulations in line with other zoning districts
where sign area is based on building size.
Wall sign area is allowed at 10% of any building wall in the following zoning districts:
• C-3 General Commercial
• CS Commercial Service and Wholesale
• CR Commercial Recreation
• LI Light Industrial
• HI Heavy Industrial
• MHI Modified Heavy Industrial
This text amendment would allow wall sign area of 10% of the building wall area.
Alternatively, signs up to 100 square feet would be allowed, which would prevent
businesses from being limited by smaller wall sizes.
Additionally, it would not limit the number of wall signs but rather limit the aggregate area
of signs based on the allowed area.
The third change would be to allow monument signs all along Main Street from 4th Street
to 10th Street rather than limiting it from 8th to loth
These changes are being proposed to allow signage that is proportionate to the scale of
the large buildings within the C-5 zoning district. In six other zoning districts, the 10% of
building wall sign area allowance is in effect and successfully applied. Staff feels that this
change will be appropriate in the C-5 district as well.
RECOMMENDATION
In conclusion, in an effort to allow signage proportionate to the size and scale of buildings
in the C-5 district, staff recommends that Unified Development Code Section 15-11.10 be
amended to allow wall signs up to 10% of the building wall area or 100 square feet,
whichever is greater. Further, that the number of wall signs be limited by the aggregate
area per street frontage. Finally, that monument signs be allowed along Main Street from
4th to loth Streets.
Enclosures
Page 699 of 720
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15-11.10 C-5 Business District
On- Premise Permitted Sign Maximum Permitted Permitted
Signs Structures Area (sf) • . • Mechanical
Number .-
Right Motion
-of -Way
C-5 Business
Identification Signs
1, limited to street
frontages along Locust
and Iowa Streets, and
along 7th Street between
Freestanding
100 per sign
Locust Street and the
25 feet
alley and from Main
Street to Iowa Street
along the east side of 9th
Street.
Ground Monument,
0
Business Retail or
having a cast iron
Office
base and sign body
No Flashing
None
constructed of stone,
1 per business along Main
cast stone, or terra
18 per sign
Street frontage between
10 feet, 5.5
Gotta. Wood, vinyl,
8th and 10th Streets
feet wide
aluminum sheeting in
excess of five sf,
synthetic wood, and
EIFS are prohibited
Projecting
25 per sign
1 per business per street
60 inches
Below eave or
Wall
100 per sign
18 inches
frontage
parapet
Free Standing Canopy
Wall
20 per sign
2 per canopy
0
On canopy
Internal only,
None
fascia
No Flashing
All Applications
Wall Nameplate
6 per sign
1 per business per street
0
Below eave
No Flashing
None
frontage
or parapet
Directional Signs
Freestanding
10 feet
Internal only,
All Applications
6 per sign
Not specified
0
None
Wall
Below eave or
No Flashing
parapet
W,
w
CA
Page 701 of 720
EXHIBIT A: C-5 Sign Regulations
Maximum Permitted
Permitted
• Permitted Sign Structures Area (sf) Number ProjectionOver Height Lighting Type Mechanical
•f-Way Motion
Identification Signs
1, limited to street
frontages along Locust and
Iowa Streets, and along 7th
Street between Locust
Freestanding
100 per sign
25 feet
Street and the alley and
from Main Street to Iowa
Street along the east side of
9th Street.
0
Ground Monument, having
a cast iron base and sign
Business Retail or
body constructed of stone
1 per business along Main
Office
cast stone, or terra cotta.
18 per sign
Street frontage between
10 feet,
No Flashing
None
Wood, vinyl, aluminum
5.5 feet wide
4th and 10th Streets
sheeting in excess of five sf,
synthetic wood, and EIFS
are prohibited
1 per business per street
Projecting
25 per sign
60 inches
frontage
10% of the area of the
Unlimited per street
Below eave or
building wall or 100
frontage, so long as the
parapet
Wall
square feet per
aggregate square footage
18 inches
business, whichever is
does not exceed the
greater
allowed area
Free Standing
Internal only,
Wall
20 per sign
2 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
None
Canopy
No Flashing
1 per business per street
Below eave orNo
All Applications
Wall Nameplate
6 per sign
0
Flashing
None
frontage
parapet
Directional Signs
Internal only,
Freestanding
10 feet
No Flashing
All Applications
6 per sign
Not specified
0
None
Below eave or
Wall
No Flashing
parapet
Page 702 of 720
Prepared by: Wally Wemimont, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 563-589-4210
Return to: Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk Address: City Hall, 50 W. 131h St Telephone: 563-589-4121
ORDINANCE NO. 34 - 25
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, BY AMENDING SECTION
16-15-11.10 C-5 CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT SIGN REGULATIONS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That Title 16 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, Unified
Development Code, Section 16-15-11.10 is hereby amended as follows:
16-15-11.10 C-5 Central Business Zoning District Sign Regulations
1. The provisions of the City of Dubuque Unified Development Code, Section
15 Signs shall apply unless further regulated by this section.
2. On -premise signs: On -premise signs shall be regulated in accordance
with the provisions of Exhibit A.
3. Off -premise signs: Off -premise signs shall be prohibited.
4. Variances: Variances from sign requirements for size, number, and
height may be requested. Such variances shall be reviewed by the
Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with Article 8-6 of the Unified
Development Code.
Section 2. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the
Zoning Advisory Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as
provided by law.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 21st day of July 2025.
Ordinance 34-25
Page 2
a . Cavanagh; Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
EXHIBIT A: C-5 Sign Regulations
Maximum Permitted
Permitted
• Permitted Sign Structures Area (sf) Number ProjectionOver Height Lighting Type Mechanical
•f-Way Motion
Identification Signs
1, limited to street
frontages along Locust and
Iowa Streets, and along 7th
Street between Locust
Freestanding
100 per sign
25 feet
Street and the alley and
from Main Street to Iowa
Street along the east side of
9th Street.
0
Ground Monument, having
a cast iron base and sign
Business Retail or
body constructed of stone
1 per business along Main
Office
cast stone, or terra cotta.
18 per sign
Street frontage between
10 feet,
No Flashing
None
Wood, vinyl, aluminum
5.5 feet wide
4th and 10th Streets
sheeting in excess of five sf,
synthetic wood, and EIFS
are prohibited
1 per business per street
Projecting
25 per sign
60 inches
frontage
10% of the area of the
Unlimited per street
Below eave or
building wall or 100
frontage, so long as the
parapet
Wall
square feet per
aggregate square footage
18 inches
business, whichever is
does not exceed the
greater
allowed area
Free Standing
Internal only,
Wall
20 per sign
2 per canopy
0
On canopy fascia
None
Canopy
No Flashing
1 per business per street
Below eave orNo
All Applications
Wall Nameplate
6 per sign
0
Flashing
None
frontage
parapet
Directional Signs
Internal only,
Freestanding
10 feet
No Flashing
All Applications
6 per sign
Not specified
0
None
Below eave or
Wall
No Flashing
parapet
Page 705 of 720
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, 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:
07/11/2025
and for which the charge is 40.30
Subscribed to be re me, a Notary Publi in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 11th day of July, 2025
-14 po'-�
Notary P li in and for Dubuque dounty, Iowa.
Ew"
AI a JANET K. PAPE y Commission Number 199659 My Commission Expires
12/11 /2025
Page 706 of 720
Ad text
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council
will conduct public hearings on the 21st day of July, 2025, at
6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th
Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, on the following:
REZONINGS
1. Request from Michelle Mihalakis to rezone property
located at 2167 Jackston St. from R-2A Alternate Two -Family
Residential to C-4 Downtown Commercial zoning district.
2. Request from Freddy Kammiller to rezone property at Bluff
Street, PIN 1025401021 from R-2 Two -Family Residential to OR
Office Residential zoning district.
3. Request from Dan Miller, Miller Family Property, LLC to
rezone property at 4178 Peru Road from AG Agriculture to R-1
Single -Family Residential zoning district.
TEXT AMENDMENT
1. Request from City of Dubuque to amend the Unified
Development Code C-5 Central Business zoning district
requirements for wall and freestanding signs.
At the meeting, the City Council will receive oral and
written comments from any resident or property owner of said
City to the above action. The official City Council agenda
will be posted the Friday before the meeting and will contain
public input options. The agenda can be accessed at
https://dubuqueia.portal.civicclerk.com/ or by contacting the
City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100,
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org.
Written comments on the public hearing may be submitted to
the City Clerk's Office by email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
or by mail to City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001,
before the scheduled hearing. The City Council will review all
written comments at the time of the hearing.
Documents related to the public hearing are on file in the
City Clerk's Office and may be viewed Monday through Friday
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals requiring special assistance should contact the
City Clerk's Office as soon as feasible. Deaf or
hard -of -hearing individuals can use Relay Iowa by dialing 711
or (800) 735-2942.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk
It 7/11
Page 707 of 720
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, 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:
07/25/2025
and for which the charge is 25.40
Sub ribed to before me, a Notary Public in an�lc for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 25th day of July, 2025
Notary lic in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
r Commission Number 199659
• My Commission Expires
12/11 /2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 34 - 25
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE
OF ORDINANCES, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, BY AMENDING SECTION
16-15-11.10 C-5 CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT SIGN
REGULATIONS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That Title 16 of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances, Unified Development Code, Section 16-15-11.10 is
hereby amended as follows:
16-15-11.10 C-5 Central Business Zoning District Sign
Regulations
1. "The provisions of the City of Dubuque Unified Development
Code, Section 15 Signs shall apply unless further regulated by
this section.
2. "On -premise signs: On -premise signs shall be regulated in
accordance with the provisions of Exhibit A.
3. "Off -premise signs: Off -premise signs shall be prohibited.
4."Variances: Variances from sign requirements for size,
number, and height may be requested. Such variances shall be
reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with
Article 8-6 of the Unified Development Code.
Section 2. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been
reviewed by the Zoning Advisory Commission of the City of
Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon
publication, as provided by law.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 21 st day of July 2025.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 25th day of July, 2025.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 7/25