# Sign Regulations in Davenport, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Davenport, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/davenport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35581436#35581436)

## At a glance

Davenport, Iowa regulates 29 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Parking Lot/Structure Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft (freestanding) tall, 2 ft x 2 ft (entry sign), and 2 ft wide, with a 5 ft (freestanding, abutting street) setback (Sec. 17.12.050C.9). Most commercial signs in Davenport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 8 ft (freestanding only) | 64 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-3, C-D, C-V, I-MU | 16 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| IC District | 1 | — | — | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 1 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-T | 1 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| AG | 1 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial Districts | 2 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attention-Getting Device - Freestanding | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per 75 ft frontage | Nonresidential uses; 1 per 75 ft street frontage; minimum 15 ft separation; minimum 5 ft from lot line | — | 17.12.050C.2 |
| Construction Activity Sign | 8 ft (freestanding only) | 64 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On lot with active construction | — | 17.12.050C.3 |
| Memorial or Historic Event Sign | 4 ft (frees.) | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per street frontage | Any district; on structure or lot related to historic event/person | — | 17.12.050C.6 |
| Multiple Tenant Building Entryway Sign | 5 ft (frees.) | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (frees.) | 1 per building entry | Entryways for multifamily, nonresidential/mixed-use | — | 17.12.050C.7 |
| Noncommercial Message Sign - Freestanding/Wall | 6 ft (frees.) | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (frees.) | No limit | Any district; on private property with owner's permission | — | 17.12.050C.8 |
| Parking Lot/Structure Sign | 5 ft (freestanding) | 2 ft x 2 ft (entry sign) | 2 ft | 5 ft (freestanding, abutting street) | 1 per access point | At entrance/exit, drive-thru, circulation points | — | 17.12.050C.9 |
| Real Estate Activity Sign - Residential | 6 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale, lease or rent; residential | — | 17.12.050C.10 |
| Real Estate Activity Sign - All Other | 6 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale, lease or rent; non-residential | — | 17.12.050C.10.d |

### C-1, C-2, C-3, C-D, C-V, I-MU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per establishment | Within 15 feet of primary entrance, sidewalk/parkway in accordance with 12.36 | — | 17.12.050C.1, Table 17.12-1 |
| Canopy Sign - Structural (freestanding) | 25 ft | — | — | District setback or 10 ft from lot line, greater applies | — | Gas stations, drive-throughs | — | 17.12.060B.2.c |
| Freestanding Sign - Standard | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; 5 ft min from lot line; C-T, C-1, C-D, C-V, AG: 10 ft max height | — | 17.12.060D |
| Freestanding Sign - Multitenant Commercial Center | 10 ft in C-T, C-1, C-D, C-V, AG; 25 ft elsewhere | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per street frontage, more for additional access | 1 per street frontage; 75 ft separation between signs; additional sign per additional access | — | 17.12.060D.4 |
| Freestanding Sign - Residential Subdivision | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entry point | At entry to subdivision; 100 ft separation between signs | — | 17.12.060D.5 |
| Menu Board | 8 ft | 80 sq ft plus 10 sq ft temporary signs | — | 15 ft from residential district lot line | 2 per drive-thru lane | Drive-through facilities | — | 17.12.060F |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft in C-T, C-1, C-V; 24 sq ft elsewhere | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Commercial, I-MU districts; 1 per establishment per frontage; May encroach up to 2/3 distance from lot line to curb or 4 ft from building façade | — | 17.12.060G |
| Roof Sign | 15 ft (from roof to top of sign) | — | 75% of roof width, measured along façade parallel | 3 ft from exterior roof walls | 1 per building | C-D District only; only on flat roof | — | 17.12.060H |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Standard | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per lot | Multifamily & nonresidential uses in residential districts | — | 17.12.060D.3.b |
| Freestanding Sign - Residential Subdivision | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entry | At each entry point to subdivision; min 100 ft separation | — | 17.12.060D.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Davenport

- No sign may be erected in a location that violates the building code, fire code, and other applicable City codes or ordinances.
- No sign may obstruct designated visibility triangles at intersections with streets, alleys, or driveways.
- Only signs placed by or authorized by federal, state, or the City may be installed on public property. Unauthorized signs will be removed by the City without notice.
- No permanent sign may be erected on private property without consent of the property owner or authorized agent.
- No sign may obstruct access to ingress or egress, fire escapes, fire hydrants, fire department connections, or standpipes and similar fire safety connections.
- No sign may be painted on a wall or structure, except for existing 'ghost signs' as defined.
- Audio components are prohibited on signs, with the exception of menu boards and permitted gas station pump video screens.
- All signs not expressly permitted by this ordinance are prohibited.
- Prohibited sign types: banners wrapped around permanent sign structures; balloon signs (including inflatable advertising displays); feather flags/sails; flashing signs; moving signs (except clocks/barber poles); temporary off-premise commercial signs (push/snipe signs); portable reader-board signs; roof signs (except in the C-D District); strobe lights, moving or fixed spotlights, floodlights/searchlights; video display signs; signs placed on vehicles for the primary purpose of attracting attention to occupants (with exceptions); signs constituting traffic hazards as defined by interference, confusion, or using certain words/colors.
- No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials (mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles) increasing glare.
- Freestanding signs may not project into, over, or encroach on a public right-of-way or public easement.
- No wall sign may project beyond the ends or top of the wall or higher than the roofline of the structure to which it is attached.
- Wall signs constructed of canvas or similar material and painted wall signs are prohibited.
- All signs, canopies and marquees extending over any public sidewalk, street, alley or public place must not be placed so as to obstruct the view of any traffic control signal, sign or device.
- No person shall post or attach any sign, poster, announcement or advertisement on buildings, sidewalks, fences, trees, utility poles, sign poles, traffic signal poles, water hydrants or similar fixtures not designed for display of signs, without written consent of the owner.
- No signs or other matter advertising any brand of alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer shall be erected or placed upon the outside of any premises occupied by a licensee authorized to sell liquor, wine or beer at retail.
- No signs advertising alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer shall be erected inside such premises within 300 feet of any licensed day care center or elementary/secondary school if visible from the school or day care.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display any sign or device imitating or resembling an official parking, traffic, or railroad sign/signal, or containing commercial advertising, without authorization by the City traffic engineer.
- No nonconforming sign/structure may be relocated, altered, or enlarged in a way that increases nonconformity, except for normal maintenance and cleaning, or changing the sign face.
- No nonconforming sign that’s damaged or destroyed by 50% or more of its value, or is removed, may be restored except in full compliance with current regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Davenport

- Painting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes or changes in electrical components, including removal and replacement of electrical components (but not increasing sign area, height, dimension, or location; changing the sign face requires a permit).
- Changing the copy of a changeable message sign or electronic message sign.
- Logos and labels located on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, and similar equipment as manufactured/installed.
- Window signs (with size and illumination limitations) for all nonresidential uses in all districts.
- A-frame signs per standards in specified commercial/industrial districts.
- Attention-getting devices (as defined and per limitations) for nonresidential uses.
- Construction activity signs on lots with active construction after building permit approval.
- Government signs installed by federal, state, or local governments or taxing bodies, in the public interest, including temporary electronic work/emergency signs.
- Light pole banners on private property per size and height limits.
- Memorial or historic event signs per limits.
- Multiple-tenant building entryway signs.
- Noncommercial message signs (with noted limits and requirements).
- Additional parking lot/structure signs at entry/exit/drive points.
- Temporary real estate activity signs (for sale/lease/rent) as specified.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the IC District, educational facilities and hospital campuses may apply for a Master Sign Plan to set alternative sign standards; approval by the Zoning Administrator is required and the Plan must be submitted and approved in conjunction with a sign permit.
- A comprehensive sign plan for a campus in the IC District must describe all planned signs, including any exceptions to standard requirements.
- A Master Sign Plan may not allow off-premise signs.
- Application for a Sign Master Plan is available only to educational facilities or hospital campuses in the IC District with a minimum of two acres (not required to be contiguous).
- Sign landscape requirements must be integrated into the overall site landscape plan, and sign landscaping shown on the landscape plan.
- Sign permit applicants must submit a complete application with required submittals. If proposing to install a sign on property not owned by the applicant, written permission from the property owner or agent is required.

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

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