# Sign Regulations in Algona, Iowa

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Algona, Iowa, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Algona, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/algona
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IA/Algona/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15BUCO_CH15.24SIAW)

## At a glance

Algona, Iowa regulates 8 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Highway Service Business, Light Manufacturing, Heavy Manufacturing zoning district are capped at Not specified (but max extension from street line applies) tall, 30 sq ft per side, and Double-faced sign width may not exceed 1 ft (distance between parallel surfaces) wide (Sec. 15.24.030, 15.24.070). Most commercial signs in Algona require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Highway Service Business, Light Manufacturing, Heavy Manufacturing | 7 | 25 ft | Max 288 sq ft (if considered a billboard), else max 36 sq ft in certain locations. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft OR 10% of building face (whichever is less) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Highway Service Business, Light Manufacturing, Heavy Manufacturing

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq ft OR 10% of building face (whichever is less) | — | — | — | On wall of building, parallel and projecting not more than 12 inches from the wall. | — | 15.24.060, especially Subsection D |
| Projecting Sign | Not specified (but max extension from street line applies) | 30 sq ft per side | Double-faced sign width may not exceed 1 ft (distance between parallel surfaces) | — | — | Attached to building or hanging from marquees (permitted as described). | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.070 |
| Roof Sign | 16 ft above part of roof on which sign rests | — | — | Set back at least 8 ft from street line or building line | — | On or above building roof, set back at least 8 ft from street or building line. | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.090 |
| Billboard | 20 ft above ground | Min 100 sq ft, Max 288 sq ft | — | — | — | Supported by ground structure; subject to area and spacing. | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.080 |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft above ground | Max 288 sq ft (if considered a billboard), else max 36 sq ft in certain locations. | — | — | — | On ground; subject to general siting regulations. | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.080 |
| General Advertising Sign | — | 100 sq ft or less | — | — | — | On private premises | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.080 |
| Poster Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On framework, posts, buildings or other structures | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.020(6) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building, extends over sidewalk. | — | 15.24.050 |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq ft OR 10% of building face (whichever is less) | — | — | — | On wall of building, parallel to wall. | — | 15.24.060 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 sq ft per side | 1 ft (for double-faced signs) | — | — | Projecting from building or on marquee. | — | 15.24.070 |
| Roof Sign | 16 ft above roof | — | — | 8 ft min from street or building line | — | On or above roof, minimum 8 ft from street line or building line | — | 15.24.090 |
| Billboard | 20 ft above ground | Min 100 sq ft, Max 288 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property, on ground. | — | 15.24.080 |
| General Advertising Sign | — | Max 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On private premises. | — | 15.24.080 |
| Poster Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On framework, posts, buildings or structures. | — | 15.24.030, 15.24.020(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Algona

- No signs or awnings shall be located so as to cause a safety hazard.
- Billboards in excess of two hundred eighty-eight square feet are prohibited in the city.
- Swinging signs shall not be permitted.
- Signs shall not be so placed as to obstruct or interfere with a required doorway, window, fire escape, passageway to a fire escape, or other means of egress.
- No person, firm or corporation shall place or cause to be placed any sign in or on any street, sidewalk, parking, park or other public space or area, without first obtaining the written permission of the council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Algona

- Boards, signs, or surfaces used to display any official notices issued by court or public duty are exempt from the definitions of billboards and general advertising signs.
- Bulletin boards used to display announcements of meetings to be held on the premises on which such signs are located are exempt from the definitions of billboards and general advertising signs.
- Real estate signs advertising for sale or rent the property upon which they stand are exempt from the definitions of billboards and general advertising signs, provided such signs do not exceed one hundred square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any person, firm or corporation shall attain a permit from the building inspector before erecting a projecting sign, roof sign, wall sign (excluding signs painted on walls), billboard or either a posterboard or ground sign which is over twenty square feet in area.
- A permit may be issued for a larger wall sign not to exceed ten percent of the building face in certain zones if specific provisions are met, subject to demonstration of need to the building official.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Algona, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Algona+IA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-algona

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/algona