# Sign Regulations in Cherokee, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cherokee, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/cherokee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-31
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cherokeeiowa.net/media/511#page=498)

## At a glance

Cherokee, Iowa regulates 20 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Event)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft above grade tall and 32 sq ft, with a General district setbacks apply; see Sec. 165.33(2)(G) setback (Sec. Sec. 165.33(2)(P) (Ord. 681 – Jul. 20 Supp.)). Most commercial signs in Cherokee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 50 ft above roadway grade at the closest point to the sign | 160 sq ft total area of any sign containing an EMC (EMC area counts toward premises’ total allowed signage) | — |
| A-1 Agricultural and Conservation District | 2 | 5 ft above finished grade | 24 inches x 30 inches | — |
| R-1 Single- and Two-family Residential District; R-2 Multiple-family Residential District; RPUD Residential Planned Unit Development; M-R Modified Residential District (Mobile Home Park) | 3 | 5 ft above finished grade | 24 inches x 30 inches | — |
| C-1 General Retail Business District; CBD Central Business District | 8 | 35 ft | 160 sq ft (up to 200 sq ft by conditional use; extensions up to 15% of sign area allowed if 200 sq ft conditional use granted) | — |
| C-1 General Retail Business District (Cherokee Commercial Historic District); CBD Central Business District (Cherokee Commercial Historic District) | 2 | — | 4 ft x 4 ft (includes hardware) | — |
| C-M Commercial – Light Industrial District; M-1 Light Industrial District; M-2 Heavy Industrial District | 7 | 25 ft | 160 sq ft (up to 200 sq ft by conditional use; extensions up to 15% of sign area allowed if 200 sq ft conditional use granted) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Event) | 4 ft above grade | 32 sq ft | — | General district setbacks apply; see Sec. 165.33(2)(G) | One per street frontage | On private property | — | Sec. 165.33(2)(P) (Ord. 681 – Jul. 20 Supp.) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | 50 ft above roadway grade at the closest point to the sign | 160 sq ft total area of any sign containing an EMC (EMC area counts toward premises’ total allowed signage) | — | Must not protrude onto the sidewalk or right-of-way | — | On any sign type permitted for the premises, provided it does not protrude onto sidewalk or right-of-way | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(6)(a)-(c), (b)(i)-(v), (c)(i)-(v) |
| Wall Sign - General Restrictions | — | — | — | Side setbacks do not apply to wall signs where specified in district tables; otherwise general district setbacks govern ground-mounted components | — | Attached parallel to building wall | — | Sec. 165.33(2)(K), (L), (F) |
| Projecting/Awning/Marquee Sign - General Clearance | — | — | — | Must comply with district setbacks and not extend onto public property unless authorized | — | Projecting from building face; awning or marquee attachment | — | Sec. 165.33(2)(H) |
| Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 4 sq ft each | — | General district setbacks apply | One entrance and one exit sign | At entrance and exit drives | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (Directional/Entrance/Exit entries) |
| Wall Sign (Businesses Not Having Street Frontage) | — | Computed per formula | — | — | One | On building face visible from street (without direct street frontage) | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(1) |
| Motor Fuel Price Sign | — | Up to 8 sq ft per fuel type; total additional price sign area not to exceed 16 sq ft | — | Follow host sign’s district setback requirements | — | On an existing ground sign, wall sign, or canopy support | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(3) |

### C-1 General Retail Business District; CBD Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 ft x 8 ft (32 sq ft) | — | 0 ft from front property line; 10 ft from any other property line (measured to closest point of sign) | One | On-premises | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD); Sec. 165.33(2)(O) |
| Directory Sign | Top of sign ≤6 ft above grade | 25 sq ft | — | 0 ft setback from front property line; 10 ft from other property lines; plus 10 ft from any side property line specifically for directory signs | One | On-premises; ground-mounted in compliance with setbacks | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD) |
| Directional Sign (Entrance) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 0 ft front; 10 ft other property lines | One | At entrance drive(s) | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD) |
| Directional Sign (Exit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 0 ft front; 10 ft other property lines | One | At exit drive(s) | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD) |
| Freestanding Ground/Pole Sign (Principal Use) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 0 ft front; 10 ft other property lines; measured to closest point of sign | One (Auto dealerships see separate allowance) | On-premises ground, in compliance with setbacks | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD); Sec. 165.33(2)(H), (L) |
| Freestanding Ground/Pole Sign (Principal Use - Auto Dealerships) | 35 ft (each) | 100 sq ft (each) | — | 0 ft front; 10 ft other property lines | Two | On-premises ground, in compliance with setbacks | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(4) |
| Wall Sign | Not above second story/parapet/eave line (lowest governs) | 150 sq ft or 10% of building face (smaller governs) | — | Side setbacks do not apply; front and other setbacks apply to ground components if any | No numeric limit; total area limited | On building wall, parallel to face | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-1, CBD); Sec. 165.33(2)(K), (L) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 160 sq ft (up to 200 sq ft by conditional use; extensions up to 15% of sign area allowed if 200 sq ft conditional use granted) | — | Minimum setback from each property line shall not be less than the height of the sign | Max one per lot/parcel | On lots in C-1 (by special use permit only) | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(5)(a)-(b) |

### C-M Commercial – Light Industrial District; M-1 Light Industrial District; M-2 Heavy Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 ft x 8 ft (32 sq ft) | — | 10 ft from any property line and beyond any flood plain; measured to closest point of sign | One | On-premises | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2); Sec. 165.33(2)(O) |
| Directory Sign | Top of sign ≤6 ft above grade | 25 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line and beyond any flood plain | One | On-premises; ground-mounted | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2) |
| Directional Sign (Entrance) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line and beyond any flood plain | One | At entrance drive(s) | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2) |
| Directional Sign (Exit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line and beyond any flood plain | One | At exit drive(s) | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2) |
| Freestanding Ground/Pole Sign (Principal Use) | No higher than the height of the highest principal building on the site | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line and beyond any flood plain | One | On-premises ground | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2); Sec. 165.33(2)(H), (L) |
| Wall Sign (Per Street Frontage) | Not above second story/parapet/eave line (lowest governs) | Computed per formula (per street frontage) | — | Side setbacks do not apply to wall signs; general setbacks apply to ground-mounted components | One set per street frontage | On building wall, parallel to face | — | Sec. 165.33(3) Permitted Signs Table (C-M, M-1, M-2); Sec. 165.33(2)(K), (L) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 160 sq ft (up to 200 sq ft by conditional use; extensions up to 15% of sign area allowed if 200 sq ft conditional use granted) | — | Minimum setback from each property line shall not be less than the height of the sign | Max one per lot/parcel | Permitted in M-1 and M-2; permitted in C-M by special use permit | — | Sec. 165.33(3)(A)(5)(a)-(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Cherokee

- Erecting, constructing, or maintaining any sign without the written consent of the property owner or their authorized representative is prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure may obstruct or interfere with the free use of any door, window, or fire escape, or impair any opening required for light or ventilation.
- Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are confusingly similar to authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices are illegal.
- Obscene, indecent, or immoral matter is prohibited on any sign.
- No sign may be located on or extend over public property unless approved by the City Council; limited projections (≤12 inches) or signs on awnings may be approved by the zoning official.
- Sign lighting may not flash, move, chase, or otherwise be intermittent unless expressly permitted; intensification of illumination by reflecting lamps or external reflectors is prohibited.
- Exposed lamps over 11 watts, inert gas tube lighting over 60 milliamps, or internal/covered lamps over 25 watts are prohibited.
- Wall signs may not be mounted above the second story, parapet line, or eave line (whichever is lowest), and may not project more than 12 inches from the building face.
- Signs may not have more than two faces, and faces must be perpendicular or radial to the street right-of-way, not exceeding a 45-degree angle.
- Signs may not emit audible sound, noticeable odor, smoke, or other visible matter.
- On lots with frontage on two or more streets, unused sign area from one frontage may not be transferred to another, and sign copy must be identical on all frontages except for necessary directional information and address.
- For sale or lease signs must be removed upon sale or lease and may not include information regarding facilities available on the property or within the building.
- Temporary signs must not constitute a safety or traffic hazard, including hindering a driver’s line of sight.
- Unlawful signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned, damaged, or unmaintained signs must be removed in their entirety (including poles and structural members); any unused structural supports after alteration are deemed abandoned and must be removed.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited; murals require a special use permit.
- Portable signs, pennants, spinners, streamers, string lights, and flags other than those of the United States or State of Iowa are not allowed on any public right-of-way.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs (attached to trees or utility poles, or placed on public property without City permission) are prohibited, except official government notices.
- Animated or flashing signs, including flashing, chasing, intermittent lights, animation, sound, odor, emission of visible matter, or other attention-drawing effects, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cherokee

- No permit is required for a change of copy on any sign.
- No permit is required for repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, provided the sign or structure is not modified.
- No new permit is required for signs that already have permits and conform to this Code on the date of its adoption, unless and until the sign is altered or relocated.
- Window signs displayed for less than six weeks are exempt from being counted toward allowable wall sign area.
- For legally nonconforming signs, copy on off-premises signs and changeable copy boards may be changed without affecting legally nonconforming status.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must include clear and legible drawings showing the proposed sign location and all other existing signs on the same premises, as well as drawings detailing dimensions, construction supports, sizes, electrical wiring and components, materials, method of attachment, and the structural members to which attachment is made; engineering certification may be required.
- Electronic message centers require an application with a site plan demonstrating compliance, a maintenance contract with a licensed sign company, identification of a responsible party, payment of the fee, review by the Board of Adjustment, and final approval by the City Council.
- Special Use Permit: Variations from strict size, location, and type standards may be granted by the Board of Adjustment when hardship exists, following procedures in Section 165.20.
- Planned Unit Developments or other developments are encouraged to establish special sign districts with design-oriented regulations; these must be submitted to and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council and, if approved, are binding.
- Additional signage beyond permitted totals requires a special use permit; franchised auto dealerships may be allowed additional ground/pole signs only by a variance granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council.
- Murals require a special use permit approved by the Board of Adjustment.
- Appeals: Denial of a sign permit or failure of the Administrator to act within 30 days may be appealed to the 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 7 zoning districts in Cherokee — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cherokee+IA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cherokee

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