Off-Premises Sign Regulations Moratorium ExtensionCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 5.
Copyrighted
February 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Off -Premises Sign Regulations Moratorium Extension
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to extend
of the Temporary Building Permit Moratorium related to off -
premises signs until July 1, 2026.
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 Extending The Off -Premises
Sign Moratorium Effective Date To July 1, 2026
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Motion B; Motion A
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo - Off -Premises Sign Regulations Moratorium Extension
2. Staff Memo
3. Off -Premises Sign Regulation Moritorium Extension Ordinance
Page 1087 of 1214
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Off -Premises Sign Regulations Moratorium Extension
DATE: February 12, 2026
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont is recommending City Council approval to
extend of the Temporary Building Permit Moratorium related to off -premises signs until
July 1, 2026.
This extension will provide additional time to complete the review and update of the
Unified Development Code, ensuring that proposed changes are thorough and reflect
community feedback.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
k�4 szjzn"
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Madeline Haverland, Housing & Community Development Director
Michael Belmont, Assistant Housing & Community Development Director
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
Page 1088 of 1214
THE C
DUUB"�*-TE,
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director 0\1
SUBJECT: Off -Premises Sign Regulations Moratorium Extension
DATE: February 12, 2026
Dubuque
All•Anerin City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request an extension of the Temporary Building
Permit Moratorium related to off -premises signs.
-7_TS]:0]:tellL 1 C,
On October 7, 2024, during the City Council meeting, the Council approved a
Temporary Building Permit Moratorium related to off -premises signs. This action was
intended to allow time for analysis through the Unified Development Code (UDC)
update process and ensure that regulations governing off -premises signage are
thoroughly reviewed and aligned with community interests and zoning standards.
DISCUSSION
Since the moratorium was adopted, Planning Services has been working on updates to
the UDC, including provisions for off -premises signs. The complexity of these
regulations and the need for public engagement have extended the timeline for
completing the update.
REQUESTED ACTION
Planning Services requests that the City Council extend the Temporary Building Permit
Moratorium until July 1, 2026. This extension will provide additional time to complete the
review and update of the Unified Development Code, ensuring that proposed changes
are thorough and reflect community feedback
Enclosures
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Maddy Haverland, Housing & Community Development Director
Michael Belmont, Assistant Housing & Community Development Director
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
Page 1089 of 1214
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. 1311 St Telephone: 563-589-4121
ORDINANCE NO. 9-26
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 EXTENDING THE OFF -PREMISES SIGN
MORATORIUM EFFECTIVE DATE TO JULY 1, 2026
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 July 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 16th day of February 2026.
d M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
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:
02/20/2026
and for which the charge is 24.53
�-
Publifn an
Sub
Subscribed to before me, a Notary d
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 20th day of February, 2026
4S
Notary P . in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
I.
Pctnc s JANET' K. PAPE
z r Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
Iow .
12/11/2028
for
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 9-26
SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS A SUMMARY. THE
ORDINANCE IN ITS ENTIRETY IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK, 50 W. 13TH STREET, DUBUQUE AND MAY BE VIEWED DURING
NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS OF 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
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 EXTENDING THE OFF -PREMISES SIGN MORATORIUM
EFFECTIVE DATE TO JULY 1, 2026
The Ordinance amends City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances
Section 14-2-4 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 July 1, 2026, except where a vested right to
the issuance of such permit accrued prior to the effective
date hereof.
This ordinance shall take effect upon publication
Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of February 2026.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 20th day of February, 2026.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
1 t 2/20