# Sign Regulations in Cedar Falls, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cedar Falls, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/cedar-falls
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://www.cedarfalls.com/DocumentCenter/View/10/Zoning-Districts?bidId=)

## At a glance

Cedar Falls, Iowa regulates 31 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument/Main Entrance)s in the PC-2 Planned Commercial District, HWY-1 Highway Commercial District, HWY-20 Highway 20 Corridor Overlay District zoning district are capped at PC-2: up to 20 ft (main entrance), 8 or 12 ft for singles/multis; HWY-1: 40 ft; HWY-20: 25 ft or 40 ft max, variation by staff tall and 20 ft: 200 sq ft (HWY-20, PC-2). 40 ft: 250 sq ft (HWY-1). PC-2 also allows 8 ft: 40 sq ft single use; 12 ft: 60 sq ft multi-use signs., with a 10 ft from property line along ROW/accessways setback (Sec. Sec. 26-185(g); Sec. 26-186(i); Sec. 26-188(i)). Most commercial signs in Cedar Falls require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Agricultural District | 2 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| R-1SU Single-Unit Residence District, R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Multiple Residence District, R-5 Residence District | 3 | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| R-4 Multiple Residence District, R-P Planned Residence District | 2 | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| S-1 Shopping Center District | 2 | 40 ft (200 sq ft sign), 30 ft (100 sq ft sign) | Standard = 200 sq ft (per 500 ft frontage), Small = 100 sq ft (per <500 ft frontage) | — |
| C-1 Commercial District | 2 | 30 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District, M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District | 3 | 40 ft | Maximum 300 sq ft (minimum 60 sq ft if limited frontage) | — |
| M-P Planned Industrial District | 2 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| PC-2 Planned Commercial District, HWY-1 Highway Commercial District, HWY-20 Highway 20 Corridor Overlay District | 3 | 6 ft | 20% of wall | — |
| PO-1 Professional Office District, BR Business/Research Park District, MU Mixed Use Residential District | 2 | PO-1: main 15 ft, others 8 or 12 ft. BR/MU: main 20 ft; others 8 or 12 ft; directionals 6 ft. | PO-1: 10% of wall; BR/MU: 20% of wall | — |
| CD-DT Downtown Character District | 7 | 36 in | 40 sq ft per sign face | — |
| F-W Floodway Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| F-F Floodway Fringe Overlay District, F-P General Floodplain Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| HCG Highway Corridor and Greenbelt Overlay Zoning District | 5 | 40 ft | 250 sq ft maximum, or 2 sq ft/ft street frontage, whichever lower (single sign) | — |
| CHN College Hill Neighborhood Overlay Zoning District | 3 | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| MPC Major Thoroughfare Planned Commercial District | 3 | 6 ft (primary monument) | 10% of wall area (per wall, max 2) | — |
| P Public Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 6 sq ft (nonilluminated, 1 per premises) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### PC-2 Planned Commercial District, HWY-1 Highway Commercial District, HWY-20 Highway 20 Corridor Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of wall | — | — | No more than two walls per structure | As affixed to building wall(s) | — | Section in District Regulations; e.g. Sec. 26-185(g), Sec. 26-186(i), Sec. 26-188(i) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/Main Entrance) | PC-2: up to 20 ft (main entrance), 8 or 12 ft for singles/multis; HWY-1: 40 ft; HWY-20: 25 ft or 40 ft max, variation by staff | 20 ft: 200 sq ft (HWY-20, PC-2). 40 ft: 250 sq ft (HWY-1). PC-2 also allows 8 ft: 40 sq ft single use; 12 ft: 60 sq ft multi-use signs. | — | 10 ft from property line along ROW/accessways | Typically 1 per site entrance, see district for more | Along major thoroughfare or site entrance/accessway | — | Sec. 26-185(g); Sec. 26-186(i); Sec. 26-188(i) |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | As required for traffic flow | At appropriate traffic locations | — | Sec. 26-185(g)(2)(c); Sec. 26-186(i)(3); Sec. 26-188(i)(4) |

### CD-DT Downtown Character District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Urban General/Storefront Frontages) | Sign to be between 11-20 ft (sign band) | Length 20 ft max or per shopfront | — | — | 1 per shopfront (plus possibly 1 on 1st St if allowed) | Storefront facade, sign band area | — | Sec. 26-194.L(4); Sec. 26-193.2, 26-193.3 |
| Blade Sign (Projecting) | 8 ft minimum above sidewalk | 6 sq ft | 42 in projection | — | 1 per shopfront | Perpendicular to building, sign band/awning/canopy | — | Sec. 26-194.L(5)(a) |
| Marquee Sign (Theater) | — | — | — | — | 1 per theater (marquee style) | Above theater entrance canopy | — | Sec. 26-194.L(5)(b) |
| Corner Sign | Below third story or below cornice (per bldg. height) | 40 sq ft per sign face | Projects up to 5 ft from building | — | 1 per block corner | Building corner above sign band | — | Sec. 26-194.L(5)(c) |
| Window Sign | — | Calculated as % of window area | — | — | — | On/within window glass | — | Sec. 26-194.L(6) |
| Awning/Canopy/Sign Band Sign | — | Awning: 6 in high; Canopy: 20 in high, 90% canopy length | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On vertical face of awning or upright above canopy | — | Sec. 26-194.L(7)(b), (c) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (A-Frame, Temporary) | 36 in | — | — | — | — | Dooryard or on sidewalk with city approval | — | Sec. 26-194.L(7)(a) |

### HCG Highway Corridor and Greenbelt Overlay Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (C-1 Zone) | 20 ft | 40 sq ft per face, max 2 faces (additional faces reduce area proportionately) | — | — | 1 per use | On-premises only, within front yard or yard furthest from HCG boundary; may be on closer yard to HCG if meets requirements (see below). | — | Sec. 26-180(g)(2)(a), (4) |
| Wall Sign (C-1 Zone) | — | 10% of wall area | No more than 2/3 of building wall length | — | Max 2 sides | Mounted flat against building, not on awning. | — | Sec. 26-180(g)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (C-2 and all other zones) | 40 ft | 250 sq ft maximum, or 2 sq ft/ft street frontage, whichever lower (single sign) | — | — | 1 per use, multiple needs sitewide compliance | On-premises only, front or furthest yard from HCG; if closer, max 25 ft/40 ft height and pole covering required. | — | Sec. 26-180(g)(3)(a), (4) |
| Wall Sign (C-2/Other) | — | 10% of wall area | No more than 2/3 of wall length | — | Max 2 sides | Building wall(s) | — | Sec. 26-180(g)(3)(b) |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | As needed for traffic | As needed for traffic flow on property | — | Sec. 26-180(g)(3)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Cedar Falls

- Signs that advertise a product, place, activity, person, service, institution or business no longer conducted on the premises where the sign is located must be removed.
- Signs and poles with reflectors or lights that flash, strobe, or chase, or appear to do so, are prohibited. This includes flashing or animated lighting.
- Signs that are not permanently anchored or secured to a building or the ground are prohibited.
- Signs erected in a manner that obstructs vision of streets, alleys, or driveways, or that interfere/confuse with authorized traffic signs or signals, or could mislead traffic, are prohibited.
- Signs posted on public property, including utility poles, lighting fixtures, street signs, benches, etc., are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except for billboard signs (subject to applicable restrictions).
- Signs placed within the public right-of-way are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the city council.
- Billboards are not permitted in certain districts, including the C-3 Commercial District and some overlay/character districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited in many zones; mural signs are prohibited in certain locations or must receive approval.
- Portable signs are prohibited unless specifically authorized for temporary use by the city council.
- Wall fascia and projecting wall signs are prohibited in certain residential and agricultural districts.
- No sign shall be permitted within ten-foot and thirty-foot sight triangles at intersections or driveways, nor where it could obstruct required lines of sight.
- No billboard, freestanding sign, or roof sign may face a residential lot within 100 feet unless also permitted in that district.
- Lighting for signs must be arranged to reflect away from adjoining premises—not create glare.
- Signs must be contained entirely on private property and set back from the right-of-way unless permitted by special approval.
- Freestanding or roof signs and billboards may be limited according to zoning district and proximity to residences, churches, parks, or protected uses.
- Any sign, except required by law, that is not in conformance with this ordinance may not be enlarged, extended, or structurally altered, except to bring into compliance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cedar Falls

- Traffic and municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing and danger signs, and other necessary, temporary, emergency, or nonadvertising signs approved by the city council, are exempt.
- Signs required to be posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, unless specifically prohibited in this article, are exempt.
- Portable signs, banners, pennants and other temporary advertising devices for public events, promotions, holidays, etc. are allowed, provided city council approval is obtained.
- Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical markers, and similar are permitted in all districts.
- Monumental signs identifying residential, commercial, or industrial developments are permitted in accordance with the ordinance.
- Mural wall signs, company logo signs, hand-painted art, or similar painted signs are allowed, subject to district regulations.
- Temporary directional signs for special circumstances (such as road construction), subject to city guidelines and removal after event, are allowed.
- Signs advertising sale, rental or lease of premises (one nonilluminated sign up to 6 sq ft per premises) are permitted.
- Signs announcing contractors or details of construction or remodeling (one nonilluminated sign per premises, up to 100 sq ft, for limited time period) are allowed.
- Political signs for candidates or public issues (subject to private property and applicable law) are allowed.
- Address signs by doorbells or mailboxes, showing only address/occupant, are allowed (one nonilluminated per address).
- Home occupation signs (permitted/limited as stated).
- Accessory signs identifying hospitals or civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations are allowed, with city council review for larger signs.
- Signs primarily using banners, balloons, pennants, ribbon, streamers, or similar moving devices are allowed for up to 60 days in a 12-month period.
- One official flag of the institution or business located on the premises is allowed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan must be submitted for any site with multiple businesses under diverse ownership that seek more than one freestanding sign on a single lot in Commercial C-2 and other designated districts in the HCG Highway Corridor and Greenbelt Overlay District. The sign plan must show proposed sign square footage for each parcel for the entire site before any sign permit can be approved.
- All signage within the S-1 Shopping Center District, MPC Major Thoroughfare Planned Commercial District, PO-1 Professional Office District, BR Business/Research Park, MU Mixed Use Residential District, HWY-1, PC-2, and HWY-20 districts must be included as part of a development site plan submitted at the time of rezoning or new district application. The development site plan must include a signage plan for approval.
- Changes to signage in these districts (including shopping centers and planned districts) that are significant in nature, as deemed by planning staff, may require resubmission or review by planning and zoning commission and city council per the original process.
- For Character Districts, all signage for new development, redevelopment, or proportionate compliance projects must conform to the sign standards established for the applicable building frontage (i.e., Storefront, Urban General, Neighborhood Medium/Small). In Downtown Character Districts, sign types, sizes, placement and lighting must meet section 26-194.L and other sign codes. Multi-frontage or multi-tenant properties must coordinate sign plans as part of site or proportionate compliance plan review.
- For Multi-business sites in Character Districts, sign allocation and design must be reconciled in a master plan before permits are issued, especially when bonus signage is granted for removal of non-conforming freestanding signs.
- For planned districts (S-1, MPC, PO-1, BR, MU, HWY-1, PC-2, HWY-20), the original or amended site plan must include landscaping, open space, lighting, architectural renderings, and a 'signage plan' showing details for all signage to be located on the site. Sign permits cannot be granted without compliance with this sign plan.

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

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