# Sign Regulations in Burlington, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Burlington, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/burlington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IA/Burlington/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=ZONING_SUBDIVISION_CH170.75SI)

## At a glance

Burlington, Iowa regulates 28 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Electronic Message Sign (Institutional Use Only)s in the Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at Per institutional sign allowance tall and 30 sq ft, with a 100 ft from residential lot setback (Sec. 170.75.104.1.f; 170.75.110). Most commercial signs in Burlington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 9 | 25 ft (if at least 50 ft from residential), 6 ft (if cannot meet setback) | Up to 250 sq ft total per property; no freestanding sign > 25 ft in height | — |
| Multi-family Residential Zoning District (R-4) | 3 | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit (up to 32 sq ft per building, 100 sq ft per complex) | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 4 | 40 ft (within 50 ft of residential, max 25 ft) | Max 300 sq ft; 350 sq ft if extra frontage | — |
| Central Business District (C-3) | 5 | 40 ft (max 25 ft if within 50 ft of residential boundary) | 200 sq ft per frontage | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 3 | 40 ft (within 50 ft of residential, max 25 ft) | 300 sq ft | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts on Roosevelt Avenue Corridor (C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2, Roosevelt Avenue and other specified streets) | 4 | 60 ft | 375 sq ft | — |
| Special Airport (SP-1) | 3 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 20 ft above grade | 300 sq ft (350 sq ft on Roosevelt corridor) | — |

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

### Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per property | On property for permitted, conditional, or special uses | — | 170.75.104.1.a |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use, within 100 ft of residential) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | Includes all signs for institutional property | On institutional properties (church, school, public buildings), within 100 ft of residential use | — | 170.75.104.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use, >100 ft from residential) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | Includes all signs for institutional property | Institutional properties more than 100 ft from residential lots | — | 170.75.104.1.b |
| Identification Sign (Principal Building - Institutional) | — | Part of total 100 sq ft per property | — | — | Part of total 100 sq ft allowed signage | On or attached to institutional building | — | 170.75.104.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (State-licensed school, see special area) | 25 ft (if at least 50 ft from residential), 6 ft (if cannot meet setback) | Up to 250 sq ft total per property; no freestanding sign > 25 ft in height | — | 50 ft from residential lot for max height; otherwise, max 6 ft | — | State licensed public or private school in designated area | — | 170.75.104.1.b |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft sign copy, 50 sq ft max including supports | — | — | 2 per entrance | Entrance to subdivision | — | 170.75.104.1.c |
| Mobile Home Park Identification Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Each entrance | — | 170.75.104.1.d |
| Electronic Message Sign (Institutional Use Only) | Per institutional sign allowance | 30 sq ft | — | 100 ft from residential lot | One per allowed freestanding sign | On institutional property | — | 170.75.104.1.f; 170.75.110 |

### Central Business District (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Shall not exceed height of wall | 200 sq ft per frontage | — | — | Per frontage and max sign area | Attached to building wall | — | 170.75.104.4.a,b,d,f |
| Projecting Sign | Min 8 ft above grade | — | — | — | One per street frontage | Projecting from building; may encroach ROW with agreement | — | 170.75.104.4.c; 170.75.107 |
| Freestanding Sign | 40 ft (max 25 ft if within 50 ft of residential boundary) | — | — | See 170.75.105 for spacing/setback | One per frontage plus extras per lot size | On property | — | 170.75.104.4.d,e,f |
| Sandwich Board (A-frame) Sign (Exempt) | 4 ft | — | 30 inches | — | One per lot or property | On property or directly in front of property (not in ROW, not obstructing pedestrian paths) | — | 170.75.103.5 |
| Electronic Message Sign | Per sign allowance | 50 sq ft | — | — | Per allowed sign (see 170.75.110) | On property, no special residential setback in C-3 | — | 170.75.104.4.f; 170.75.110 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 20 ft above grade | 200 sq ft (see general sign table) | — | 25 ft from ROW, 50 ft from residential | One per lot or property | Not within 50 ft of residential, not within 25 ft of ROW lines | — | 170.75.112 |
| Freestanding Sign (General Spacing/Setback) | — | — | — | 100 ft from other signs, 10 ft from property lines | — | On property | — | 170.75.105 |
| Roof Sign | Not to exceed building height limit for district | 300 sq ft (350 sq ft on Roosevelt corridor) | — | — | — | Roof of building | — | 170.75.108; 170.75.118 (sign table) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft (see general sign table) | — | If overhanging ROW: 2 ft from curb | — | Projecting from building | — | 170.75.107; 170.75.118 (sign table) |
| Canopy, Marquee, Awning Sign | — | 50 sq ft (see general sign table) | — | — | — | On face of canopy/marquee/awning | — | 170.75.109; 170.75.118 (sign table) |
| Promotional (Temporary) Sign | — | 200 sq ft per temporary sign permit; up to 10 signs per permit | — | — | Up to 10 signs per permit | On property; may be over ROW with encroachment permit (8 ft min clearance, 14 ft over vehicle travelways) | — | 170.75.111 |

## Prohibited signs in Burlington

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, or display any sign or advertising structure within the City without first obtaining a sign permit, unless exempt.
- Signs that are unsafe, insecure, a nuisance, or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of this chapter or any City ordinance are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to obstruct free and clear vision to, from, or upon any public roadway, including at any driveway or where it may interfere with visibility for entering a roadway.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained where its position, shape, or color interferes with or is confused with an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or uses words/symbols that mislead or confuse traffic.
- Illuminated signs and their light sources shall not blink, flash, or distract automobile traffic so as to create a traffic hazard; lights must be shaded/concealed to prevent interference with drivers or neighbors.
- Mechanical components of a sign may not move, and the electrical components may not simulate movement, except textual messages may change instantaneously or sequentially (not blinking/flashing).
- Signs attached to utility poles, traffic signs, poles, control stations, trees, or natural features are prohibited, unless otherwise allowed.
- Placement of signs within the public right-of-way, on public sidewalks, or on other City owned property is prohibited, unless expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Signs located within the 'Clear Zone' are prohibited unless expressly approved by the City.
- Signs that physically move by means of mechanical moving parts are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except as billboards, which must follow the requirements of Section 170.75.112 and all other applicable requirements.
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property are prohibited, except for normal business identification and certain exemptions (must be operational and use lawful parking); municipal buses and taxis are exempt.
- No person may enlarge, alter, or add illumination to nonconforming signs to increase their nonconformity.
- Nonconforming signs may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity.
- No new signs may be erected on lots containing nonconforming signs until nonconforming signs are removed.
- Obsolete signs (advertising activity no longer conducted, or illegible/blank, etc.) must be removed within 30 days after notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Burlington

- Building numbers and nameplates identifying the address and/or occupant of a property, not used in conjunction with a Home Occupation or advertising a business.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, rental, or lease of premises, within area/placement limits.
- Signs denoting architect, engineer, contractor, lending institution, or future occupant of a property under construction, with limits on number, size, and duration.
- Occupational signs in commercial or public institutional buildings denoting only name and profession (size and placement limits).
- Sandwich board (A-frame) signs in C-3 (Central Business District) within specified dimensions and location limitations.
- Memorial signs or tablets, building names, date of erection, cut into masonry, or constructed of bronze or similar materials.
- Traffic or municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, 'danger'/emergency/non-advertising signs as approved by City Council.
- Signs or notices required by law or government order.
- Official flags or emblems of a nation, state, city, educational institution, or non-profit; plus one private flag (with area and height limits) per lot.
- Signs directly applied to vehicles operated in the normal course of business (not primarily to display the sign); such vehicles must not be parked statically as advertising.
- On-premise directional/traffic flow signs up to 5 square feet each, up to 5 feet in height, with business info limited to non-changeable and up to 20% of sign area.
- Political campaign signs, within size, placement, and timing limits.
- Holiday lights/decorations (not including promotional signs); may require encroachment permit if over ROW.
- Yard sale and auction signs within size, placement, and timing limits.
- Temporary civic, philanthropic, charitable, educational, or religious event signs (up to 5 sq ft, timing limits, max two per property).
- Works of art not including any commercial messages or directly advertising the business.
- Congratulatory signs (one per property, up to 32 sq ft, maximum display 72 hours).
- Athletic field/recreation area signage intended to be viewed mainly from field/spectator area (not from ROW), with size/height limits and not counted toward lot sign maximum.
- Signs located within buildings not intended to be viewed from public right-of-way, including stadiums, arenas, etc.
- On-premises 'drive-up' service/menu board signs not intended for public right-of-way view (not counted toward sign maximums).
- Traffic, street, and other governmental signs by government entities.
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot/property or from public right-of-way.
- Existing historic signs (e.g., plaques/painted words) on pre-1959 buildings.
- Community special event signs or banners approved by city council, and commemorative signs/plaques/flags/monuments by historical/civic organizations (non-commercial message), with City staff approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must show compliance with the chapter and other ordinances; City staff reviews plans/specifications before issuing a permit.
- Freestanding signs, wall signs projecting over public right-of-way, projecting signs, and canopy/marquee/awning signs projecting over public right-of-way require an encroachment permit if extending over ROW beyond allowed distances.
- All signs must follow applicable guidelines of signage allotment plan if in place.
- Temporary promotional signs (for grand openings, nonresidential uses) require a temporary sign permit prior to installation.
- Requests for variances or appeals from this chapter are to be filed with the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- For substantive enforcement or removal actions (unsafe, nonconforming, or obsolete signs), property owners have appeal rights to the Construction Board of Appeals or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- Review and approval of sign plans and issuance of permits require compliance with this chapter and all city ordinances.

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

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