# Sign Regulations in Ankeny, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ankeny, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/ankeny
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-09
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-9731)

## At a glance

Ankeny, Iowa regulates 56 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Gasoline Pump Island Canopy Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Height of canopy fascia; sign itself within canopy band. tall, 20 sq ft per canopy sign; maximum length 10 ft, and 10 ft max sign length wide, with a By canopy location within site; canopy itself must meet zoning setbacks. setback (Sec. 195.04(6)). Most commercial signs in Ankeny require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 One-Family Residence District; R-2 One-Family and Two-Family Residence District; R-3 Multiple-Family Residence District; R-3A Planned Multiple-Family Residence District; R-5 Mobile Home Park Residence District; Residential SF; Residential MF | 5 | 15 ft max height | 40 sq ft max ground sign area | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Retail Commercial District; Neighborhood Commercial | 2 | 15 ft max height | Up to 100 sq ft per building face used | — |
| C-2 General Retail, Highway Oriented, and Central Business Commercial District; C-2A Central Business Commercial District; C-3 Limited Highway Oriented Commercial District; Uptown; General Business (Single occupant); General Business (Multi-occupant); Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Under 50,000 sq. ft.); Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Over 50,000 sq. ft.), PUD | 13 | Highest outside wall; subject to Uptown-specific overhang/overhanging-exception if authorized (195.05(5)). | 150 sq ft max ground sign area | — |
| M-1 Light Industrial District; M-2 Heavy Industrial District; M-3 Limited Industrial District; Light Industrial; Heavy Industrial | 6 | Highest outside wall; with extra multi-story options in 195.04(2) for taller buildings. | 100 sq ft max ground sign area | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development District; Planned Development | 1 | As for corresponding district and sign type, including Appendix C table. | Determined by most applicable zoning district per Appendix B and chapters 195.03–195.04 | — |
| U-1 Conservation and Public Utility District; U-1 Conservation; Institutional; Agricultural (institutional uses) | 2 | Highest outside wall; subject to 195.04(1),(2). | 40 sq ft max ground sign area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 27 | Not specified; default small-scale; must not violate visibility triangle rules (>30 inches in triangle). | 64 sq ft max (Appendix A: Development 64 in any district) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### C-2 General Retail, Highway Oriented, and Central Business Commercial District; C-2A Central Business Commercial District; C-3 Limited Highway Oriented Commercial District; Uptown; General Business (Single occupant); General Business (Multi-occupant); Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Under 50,000 sq. ft.); Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Over 50,000 sq. ft.), PUD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - General Business (Single occupant) | 15 ft max height (freestanding ground sign); 30 ft if part of major anchor/center sign subject to 195.04(5) | 80 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 5 ft from public street ROW; 5 ft from other yards; 300 ft from any major anchor/shopping center sign; minimum building setback for advertising components if any. | 1 primary ground sign per lot; 1 additional second ground sign on qualifying lots | Freestanding along street frontage for single-occupant general business/commercial sites. | — | Appendix B – General Business Single occupant; 195.04(3),(7); 195.04(8) Second Ground Signs; Appendix C Ground Sign |
| Ground Sign - General Business (Multi-occupant) | 15 ft max (unless incorporated into major anchor/center sign) | 100 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; spacing as per Appendix C notes. | 1 ground sign per center; possible second ground sign on qualifying lots | Freestanding ID sign for multi-occupant general business/commercial centers. | — | Appendix B – General Business Multi-occupant; 195.04(3); Appendix C Ground Sign |
| Ground Sign - Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Under 50,000 sq. ft.) | 15 ft max as ground sign; 30 ft if designed as major anchor/center sign adjacent to I‑35; 25 ft in other locations for major anchor/center sign. | 120 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 10 ft from ROW and at least 250 ft from nearest freestanding sign on same side of ROW; 50 ft from corner intersections; 5 ft from other yards. | 1 major anchor/center sign for center <150,000 sq ft; see 195.04(5)(A) | Freestanding ID sign for regional/shopping centers under 50,000 sq ft building area. | — | Appendix B – Regional/Shopping Center Multi-occupant Under 50,000 sq. ft.; 195.04(5); Appendix C Major Anchor/Shopping Center |
| Ground Sign - Regional/Shopping Center (Multi-occupant Over 50,000 sq. ft.) | As above: 30 ft along I‑35; 25 ft elsewhere for major anchor/center sign structures | 150 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 10 ft min from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; 250 ft separation from other freestanding signs on same side of ROW; at least 50 ft from corners. | Up to 2 major anchor/center signs for centers >150,000 sq ft; otherwise 1 | Freestanding sign(s) for larger regional/shopping centers over 50,000 sq ft. | — | Appendix B – Regional/Shopping Center Multi-occupant Over 50,000 sq. ft.; 195.04(5)(B)-(C); Appendix C Major Anchor/Shopping Center |
| Pylon Sign - General Business and Regional Centers (Interstate Frontage Only) | 30 ft max height | As per applicable ground sign area for the district (e.g., 80, 100, 120, or 150 sq ft sign area; copy area ≤75% of sign area; video component ≤50% of copy area if used). | — | 5 ft from public street ROW; 5 ft from other yards; 100 ft from other pylon signs; 300 ft from any major anchor/shopping center sign. | Per Appendix B allowed count (e.g., 1 or 2 per center, as indicated for pylon column with “*”) | Freestanding modified pylon signs only on properties abutting Interstate 35; subject to Plan and Zoning Commission authorization. | — | 195.04(3)(A),(C); 195.04(11); Appendix B notes (* Pylon signs will only be considered on sites with interstate frontage.); Appendix C Pylon Sign and table note; 195.04(12) Video Signs |
| Building Sign - General Business (Single occupant) (0–40 ft Setback) | Highest outside wall / parapet / roof overhang; normally at or below first floor ceiling except as permitted for multi-story buildings. | Up to 100 sq ft per principal building elevation | — | Building itself must meet district building setbacks; signs affixed to wall. | At least 1 building sign allowed; total number controlled by signage plan. | On exterior wall of single-occupant general business building set back up to 40 ft from front property line. | — | Appendix B – General Business Single occupant; 195.04(1); 195.06; 195.07 |
| Building Sign - General Business (Single occupant) (41–100 ft Setback) | Same as other building signs | Implied increase over 100 sq ft; treat as 1.5 × frontage subject to any general maximums in chapter and signage plan | — | Building setback 41–100 ft; sign on wall. | Controlled by signage plan. | Single-occupant buildings set back 41–100 ft from front property line. | — | Appendix B – General Business Single occupant (1.5 sq. ft./lin. ft. for buildings set back 41 to 100 ft.) |
| Building Sign - General Business (Single occupant) (Setback >100 ft or abutting I‑35) | As other building signs | 2 × frontage, subject to chapter limits and signage plan | — | Building setback >100 ft or abutting I‑35 | Controlled by signage plan. | Single-occupant buildings set back more than 100 ft or abutting I‑35 ROW. | — | Appendix B – General Business Single occupant (2 sq. ft./lin. ft. for buildings set back greater than 100 ft. or abutting I-35 right-of-way.) |

### M-1 Light Industrial District; M-2 Heavy Industrial District; M-3 Limited Industrial District; Light Industrial; Heavy Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Light Industrial | 15 ft max height | 100 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; pylon/ground to be 300 ft from major anchor signs if applicable. | 1 ground sign per lot; possible 2nd under 195.04(8) | Freestanding along street frontage in Light Industrial. | — | Appendix B – Light Industrial; 195.04(3),(8); Appendix C Ground Sign |
| Building Sign - Light Industrial (0–40 ft Setback) | Highest outside wall; with extra multi-story options in 195.04(2) for taller buildings. | Up to 100 sq ft per building face | — | Building must meet industrial setbacks. | 1 building sign per building (single-tenant) or per tenant in multi-occupancy, subject to plan. | On industrial building façades facing public streets or industrial/business districts. | — | Appendix B – Light Industrial; 195.04(1),(2); 195.06 |
| Building Sign - Light Industrial (41–100 ft Setback) | As above. | Per formula and plan, up to general max 100 sq ft unless variance. | — | Building setback 41–100 ft. | Per signage plan. | Industrial buildings set back 41–100 ft. | — | Appendix B – Light Industrial (1.5 sq. ft./lin. ft. for buildings set back 41 to 100 ft.) |
| Building Sign - Light Industrial (Setback >100 ft or abutting I‑35) | As above. | Per formula; larger sign area permitted. | — | Building >100 ft setback or abutting I‑35. | Per signage plan. | Industrial buildings set back >100 ft or abutting I‑35. | — | Appendix B – Light Industrial (2 sq. ft./lin. ft. for buildings set back greater than 100 ft. or abutting I-35 right-of-way.) |
| Ground Sign - Heavy Industrial | 15 ft max height | 100 sq ft max ground sign area | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards. | 1 per lot; second under 195.04(8) if eligible. | Freestanding sign in Heavy Industrial districts. | — | Appendix B – Heavy Industrial; 195.04(3); Appendix C Ground Sign |
| Building Sign - Heavy Industrial (all setback tiers) | Highest outside wall; multi-story may add 2 additional signs under 195.04(2). | Up to 100 sq ft for closer setbacks; larger per formula for greater setbacks subject to plan. | — | Per industrial setbacks. | Per plan. | On heavy industrial buildings. | — | Appendix B – Heavy Industrial (same area formula block as Light Industrial); 195.04(1),(2); 195.06 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Project Sign - On-Site Residential | 10 ft max height for development signs (Appendix C: Development; Residential, Commercial and Industrial) | 64 sq ft max (Appendix A: Development 64 in any district) | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; minimum 50 ft from a residence per Appendix C (development signs); text of 195.03(1)(A) also requires 30 ft from any dwelling. | 1 per residential plat | On-site within a residential plat or multiple dwelling project in any residential zoning district; at least 30 ft from any existing or to-be-occupied dwelling unit. | — | 195.03(1)(A); Appendix A – Development; Appendix C – Development; Residential, Commercial and Industrial |
| Development Project Sign - On-Site Commercial and Industrial | 10 ft max height | 64 sq ft max | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; 50 ft from any residence. | 1 per commercial/industrial subdivision | On vacant lots within commercial or industrial plats (no sign on developed lot). | — | 195.03(1)(B); Appendix A Development; Appendix C Development; Residential, Commercial and Industrial |
| Construction Sign - One-Family and Two-Family Residence Districts | 8 ft max | Per sign 32 sq ft max; total 100 sq ft per street frontage | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; at least 50 ft from a residence (per Appendix C, Construction) | Max 1 per 20 ft of lot frontage | On-site in one-family and two-family residence districts during development or construction activity only. | — | 195.03(1)(C)(1); Appendix A Construction (* reference); Appendix C Construction |
| Construction Sign - Multi-Family, Commercial, and Industrial Districts | 8 ft max | Per sign 64 sq ft max; total 200 sq ft per frontage | — | 5 ft from ROW; 5 ft from other yards; minimum 50 ft from a residence. | Max 1 per 50 ft of frontage | On-site in multi-family, commercial, and industrial districts during active development or construction. | — | 195.03(1)(C)(2); Appendix A Construction; Appendix C Construction |
| Informational Building Sign | Must meet building sign height requirements (no higher than building sign band/first floor rules). | 6 sq ft per sign | — | On building in compliance with building setback. | 1 per bay/door/window | Attached to building at locations identifying building functions (e.g., car wash bay, drive-in window). | — | 195.03(2) |
| Directional Sign - On-site | Not specified; default small-scale; must not violate visibility triangle rules (>30 inches in triangle). | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Not in driveway medians within 10 ft of public ROW; should respect visibility triangle. | No explicit numeric limit | On private property in multi-family, commercial, industrial, or institutional districts to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic. | — | 195.03(3)(A) |
| Gasoline Pump Island Canopy Sign | Height of canopy fascia; sign itself within canopy band. | 20 sq ft per canopy sign; maximum length 10 ft | 10 ft max sign length | By canopy location within site; canopy itself must meet zoning setbacks. | Max 2 canopy signs per pump island canopy | On canopy fascia over gasoline pump islands. | — | 195.04(6) |
| Pedestrian Awning or Canopy Sign - Face of Awning | Mounted on awning attached to building; awning must meet building setbacks. | Up to 6 sq ft (1 ft height × 6 ft length) | 6 ft max length; 1 ft max height | Awning must meet minimum building setbacks. | Not specified; typical 1 per business frontage. | On front face of building or canvas awning attached to building; or under canopy perpendicular to pedestrian walkway. | — | 195.03(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Ankeny

- No sign shall be erected, installed, constructed, painted, or maintained in the City except in compliance with Chapter 195 and unless it conforms to and meets the requirements of Chapter 195.
- Signs shall not be painted directly on any exterior building surface; they must be on a separate frame. Letters and symbols may be attached to a wall only by adhesive or mechanical means.
- No paper, cardboard, or similar signs, notices, or flyers may be pasted, tacked, or otherwise affixed to the exterior wall or window of any building.
- Revolving beacons, sequential flashers, flashing signs, and similar devices are prohibited.
- Portable or movable signs, including changeable message signs, reader boards, trailers, panel trucks, semi‑truck trailers, or other devices whose function is to be stationary and serve as a sign, are prohibited except as allowed under Section 195.04(9) – Other Signs.
- No permanent or temporary signs shall be upon or overhang the public right‑of‑way or the boundary of adjacent property, except traffic signs erected by the City, County, or State and except for signs in special areas such as Uptown or Prairie Trail Town Center as specifically authorized by the Plan and Zoning Commission and City Council.
- Open house, for sale, and garage sale signs, and similar signs, may not be placed within street rights‑of‑way, easements, roadway surface, sidewalks, medians, decorative surfaces, or within 300 feet of major arterial street intersections.
- No sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment shall be placed or located within any street right‑of‑way.
- No sign shall be located on property other than the premises on which the business, commodity, service, or entertainment is located (off‑premise commercial advertising prohibited, subject to nonconforming billboard provisions).
- No sign shall be installed or allowed to exist which, by reason of position, shape, color, or wording, would interfere with the proper functioning of any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No permanent or temporary sign shall be located upon a driveway median for a distance of at least 10 feet from a public street right‑of‑way.
- All illuminated signs must be designed so as not to direct rays of light onto public streets or adjacent property in a manner that creates a nuisance or safety hazard.
- Flashing signs or flashing messages or pictures of any type, including electronic message signs and video signs, are not permitted in any district; only smooth transitions (such as fading or slow scrolling) and non‑dramatic video changes are allowed.
- Digital advertising signs must not include animation, movement, optical illusion of movement, flashing, scintillating lighting, or varying light intensity; images must be static and transitions instantaneous without special effects.
- Advertising or billboard signs may not exceed the minimum required building setbacks and 25 feet in height as set forth in Appendix C.
- When an illegal sign exists on a parcel or business property, the City may refuse to issue a permit for any other sign on that property until the illegal sign is removed.
- All signs and their exposed structural components (including backs) must be maintained in good condition, painted a neutral color, and kept free from debris, bushes, and high weeds; outdated or non‑maintained signs are prohibited and subject to removal.
- All business signs must be removed within 10 days after the business or use is terminated, except for framework expected to be reused for a future business sign.
- All signs must contain current information; outdated signs or signs with outdated information must be removed.
- No new off‑premise advertising signs (billboards) are permitted; only conversion and regulation of pre‑existing nonconforming billboards to digital advertising signs is allowed under strict criteria.
- No sign may violate minimum setback and maximum height standards applicable to that type of sign, as provided in Appendix C.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ankeny

- The following signs are allowed without a permit or payment of permit fees, provided the standards and restrictions in Section 195.03 are met: development project signs (on‑site residential and on‑site commercial/industrial) subject to their size, timing, and location limits.
- Construction signs are allowed without a permit in residential, multi‑family, commercial, and industrial districts within the numerical, area, and timing limits of Section 195.03(1)(C).
- Informational signs attached to a building that identify building functions (e.g., car wash bay, drive‑in window), not exceeding six square feet each and meeting building sign height requirements, are allowed without a permit and are in addition to other business signs.
- On‑site directional signs not exceeding two square feet per sign in multi‑family, commercial, industrial, or institutional districts are allowed without a permit.
- Off‑site directional signs to emergency facilities may be allowed without a sign permit when permitted by the City Council.
- Real estate signs (for sale/for rent and open house) that comply with Section 195.03(3), including removal deadlines and placement restrictions, are allowed without a permit.
- Promotional signs for special civic events recognized by the City Council, not exceeding 32 square feet and limited to 60 days before and removed upon completion of the event, are allowed without a permit in any zoning district with the property owner’s permission.
- Pump island signs (up to three square feet per face, not intended to be viewed from off‑site) are allowed without a permit.
- Pedestrian awning or canopy signs, limited to one foot in height and six feet in length on the awning/canopy (with specified clearances and setback compliance), are allowed without a permit.
- Rear entrance identification signs up to six square feet in copy area at rear entrances for deliveries are allowed without a permit and are not counted toward maximum permitted business sign area.
- Temporary political campaign signs that meet the timing limits in Section 195.03(11) are allowed without a permit.
- Non‑commercial signs in residential districts (up to three signs per lot, up to six square feet each) are allowed without a permit.
- No trespass/no hunting and similar restrictive signs up to two square feet in area may be placed on private property without a permit.
- Garage sale signs that meet size, duration, and placement limits in Section 195.03(13) are allowed without a permit.
- Bench signs located on sitting benches at DART‑designated bus stops are permitted in any district without a sign permit.
- City, County, or State signs (government‑erected signs) are allowed without a permit.
- Park and Ride site signs installed by the Des Moines Area Regional Transit authority with the property owner’s permission are allowed without a sign permit.
- Address numbers with less than six square feet in total copy area are exempt from the maximum sign area provisions and do not require a sign permit.
- Public interest landmark signs on property owned or controlled by the City that receive City Council approval are allowed (treated as exempt from the normal permit process) subject to Council approval.
- Flags in residential districts (up to four per lot, up to 15 square feet each, with required setbacks and height limits) are allowed without a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to issuance of a sign permit for building signs, the owner of the building must designate a signage plan for all sides of single‑ or multi‑occupant buildings, including maximum height and width of signs, materials, colors, and location and dimensions of sign areas; all building signs must conform to this plan.
- Additional building or business identification signs are permitted only if the owner/agent submits a master signage plan that includes: a dimensioned site plan and elevations, computations of maximum total sign area and number/height of freestanding signs, and accurate indication of the proposed location of each present and future sign; the master sign plan controls the maximum number of signs per business.
- Signs proposed to be located on a building face abutting a residentially zoned property must be approved by the Plan and Zoning Commission as part of the Sign Plan review when additional lighted signs are requested on that side of the building.
- For multi‑story buildings of three stories or more requesting additional upper‑story building signs, the two additional building signs are only permitted after approval by the Ankeny Plan and Zoning Commission.
- Video signs require a 12‑month permit and are only allowed after review and approval by the Plan and Zoning Commission; the City may refuse extension of the permit in case of abuse of requirements.
- Prior to issuance of a sign permit for any sign other than the replacement of sign faces within an existing cabinet, the site and/or building owner must submit a comprehensive signage plan for all signs on the site and building, covering building sign areas, freestanding sign locations, dimensions, materials, colors, and maximum heights/widths; all owners’ or authorized agents’ signatures are required.
- The required signage plan must contain all information required for a master signage plan and must specify standards for consistency among all signs (color scheme, lettering/graphic style, lighting, locations on buildings, materials, and sign proportions).
- A signage plan must be submitted and reviewed concurrently with any building permit, site plan review, nonresidential PUD, exterior remodel, or other official plan required for the proposed development; no sign permits are issued without an associated signage plan in these cases.
- A signage plan may be amended only by filing a new plan that conforms to the City’s then‑current Code; if a new or amended signage plan is filed for a property with existing signs, it must include a schedule to bring all non‑conforming signs into compliance within five years.
- After approval of a signage plan, no sign may be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with the plan; the plan is enforceable the same as any provision of Chapter 195, and in any conflict between the plan and Chapter 195, the ordinance controls.
- All digital advertising signs (converted nonconforming billboards) require applicable City permits and payment of permit fees and must comply with all standards in Section 195.07(5) and other City ordinances.
- Where a variance from sign regulations is requested, an application (using City forms and fees) must be submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with all information required for a sign permit; the Board may grant sign variances only upon specific findings of unique conditions or public‑service function of the proposed additional signage.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Ankeny — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ankeny+IA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ankeny

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