# Sign Regulations in Ames, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ames, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/ames
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-25
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofames.org/files/assets/city/v/1/legal/ames-municipal-code/code-chapters/chapter-21-signs-2018-3-code-supplement.pdf)

## At a glance

Ames, Iowa regulates 27 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Subdivision Development Signs in the Residential Zoning Districts (RL, RM, RH, UCRM, RLP, FS, FS-RL, FS-RM, F-PRD, F-VR) zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and 96 square feet, with a 25 ft property line; 100 ft residence setback (Sec. Sec. 21.121(9)). Most commercial signs in Ames require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 50 feet; 100 feet within 1,500 feet of I-35 right-of-way | 64 square feet or 10% of the wall area to which affixed, whichever is smaller, if not internally lighted | — |
| Agricultural Zone (A) | 8 | 50 feet; 100 feet near I-35 | 300 square feet per side | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (RL, RM, RH, UCRM, RLP, FS, FS-RL, FS-RM, F-PRD, F-VR) | 13 | 12 feet | 96 square feet | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (NC, CCN, DSC, CSC, HOC, PRC, CCR, CVCN, CGS) | 9 | 50 feet; 100 near I-35 | 300 square feet per side | — |
| Industrial Zoning Districts (GI, PI) | 8 | 50 ft; 100 near I-35 | 300 sq ft per side | — |
| Planned Zoning Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Hospital-Medical District (S-HM) | 4 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Government/Airport District (S-GA) | 4 | 50 ft | 64 or 10% | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 64 square feet or 10% of the wall area to which affixed, whichever is smaller, if not internally lighted | — | — | — | Attached to building wall with face parallel to wall plane | — | Sec. 21.123 |
| Freestanding Sign | 50 feet; 100 feet within 1,500 feet of I-35 right-of-way | — | — | At property line minimum from street | Minimum 50 feet separation on same business location | Supported by uprights or braces in ground; not nearer street than property line | — | Sec. 21.122 |
| Projecting Sign | Not higher than roof or parapet line; up to 50 feet max, or 3 feet above if roof <15 feet | — | Thickness not to exceed 18 inches between faces | — | — | Attached to building, extending beyond building line; bottom at least 10 feet above sidewalk | — | Sec. 21.125 |
| Roof Sign | 20 feet above roof level | — | — | 5 feet from roof edge | — | Wholly upon or over roof; face at least 5 feet from roof edge | — | Sec. 21.124 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to awning on building | — | Sec. 21.128 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted on or supported by canopy | — | Sec. 21.128 |
| Temporary/Portable Sign | — | 32 square feet; banners up to 100 square feet | — | — | — | On premises; not attached to public fixtures | — | Sec. 21.126, 21.115(7), 21.132 |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | On or in relation to building; commercial or industrial districts only | — | Sec. 21.131 |

### Residential Zoning Districts (RL, RM, RH, UCRM, RLP, FS, FS-RL, FS-RM, F-PRD, F-VR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On premises advertised | — | Sec. 21.121(1) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | Sec. 21.121(2) |
| Contractor Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On work under construction | — | Sec. 21.121(4) |
| Subdivision Development Sign | 12 feet | 96 square feet | — | 25 ft property line; 100 ft residence | 1 per preliminary plat | In subdivision; on lots abutting collector/arterial; sole use of lot | — | Sec. 21.121(9) |
| Residential Subdivision Entrance Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet (message); structure ratio 7:1 to message | — | At ROW line | 2 per entrance | Private property; at ROW line min; no visibility triangle | — | Sec. 21.121(10) |
| Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet (message) | — | At ROW line | 1 per driveway | Private property; at ROW line; no visibility triangle | — | Sec. 21.121(11) |
| Commercial Ground Sign - Mixed-Use | 12 feet | 64 square feet | — | — | 1 | On residentially zoned property with commercial tenants | — | Sec. 21.121(12)(a) |
| Commercial Wall Sign - Mixed-Use | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 2 per tenant | On building; no above first floor | — | Sec. 21.121(12)(b) |

### Commercial Zoning Districts (NC, CCN, DSC, CSC, HOC, PRC, CCR, CVCN, CGS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Signage | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 21.121 |
| Off-Premises Ground Sign | 50 feet; 100 near I-35 | 300 square feet per side | — | Property line | — | Ground; 300 ft from others | — | Sec. 21.114(4-5), 21.122 |
| Wall Sign | — | 64 sq ft or 10% wall non-internal | — | — | — | Wall | — | Sec. 21.123, 21.121 |
| Freestanding Sign | 50 feet | — | — | Property line | 50 ft sep | On premises | — | Sec. 21.122, 21.121 |
| Projecting Sign | As general | — | 18 in thick | — | — | Building | — | Sec. 21.125, 21.121 |
| Roof Sign | 20 ft above roof | — | — | 5 ft edge | — | Roof | — | Sec. 21.124, 21.121 |
| Temporary/Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft; 100 banner | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 21.126, 21.121 |
| Temporary Portable Sign on Public Sidewalks | 4 feet | — | 2.5 feet | 4 ft pedestrian clearance; 2 ft curb | 1 per storefront; multiple if multi-tenant | Sidewalk in front of business in DSC/CSC; 4 ft clearance pedestrian, 2 ft from curb | — | Sec. 21.134 (DSC, CSC only) |

## Prohibited signs in Ames

- No permanent sign which consists of or incorporates pennants, twirler lights, pinwheels, whirligigs or other displays or devices which are designed to be activated by atmospheric conditions so as to attract or distract the attention of the public by virtue of their movements.
- No ground sign which extends to any degree over public property.
- No signs which employ flashing, blinking or rotating lights, except electronic message signs that conform to Section 21.131 and are located in a commercial or industrial zoning district.
- No off premises sign nearer than three hundred (300) feet radius to any other off premises sign.
- No off premises sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet or contain more than two (2) surfaces back to back.
- No off premises sign in the following zoning districts: RL, RM, RH, RLP, FS-RL, FS-RM, F-VR, and S-HM.
- No signs attached to or placed upon rocks, fences, trees or utility poles.
- No sign shall prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- No sign at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of such intersection, or 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.
- No sign illuminated by floodlights or spotlights that interferes with the vision of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No beacon-type beam of electric light (except common battery powered hand held lights) casting a concentrated beam of light generally skyward between sunset and sunrise as a means of attracting attention, except lights used in connection with the Ames Municipal Airport.
- No movable marquee signs that are not constructed or installed as a permanent structure but merely set upon the ground, consisting of a framework surrounding a vertical surface for display of messages by adding, removing or rearranging items.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ames

- Nonelectrical real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
- Nonelectrical signs denoting only the name and profession/business of an occupant in a commercial building, public institutional building, or dwelling house and not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
- Nonelectrical single sign denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area.
- Nonelectrical memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials.
- Publicly owned street name signs, traffic control signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and temporary warning or emergency signs; and emblems, names, logo, and symbols on motor vehicles and equipment being used for purposes other than the display of signs or advertising devices.
- Nonelectrical public service signs which give only directions “in and out” or signs which provide only information about directing people to ancillary facilities such as parking, entrance, etc.
- Nonelectrical temporary or portable sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs in the Planned Zoning districts are as permitted on the approved site plan.
- A sign is subject to the zoning regulations; appeals and applications for variances and exceptions to zoning regulations applicable to a sign or signs shall be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 8 zoning districts in Ames — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ames+IA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ames

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