Sign Regulations in Johnston, Iowa
Johnston, Iowa has specific sign regulations covering 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Monument Sign, Wall Sign, Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: February 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Johnston, Iowa
Sample Sign Requirements in Johnston
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a side yard setback of 10 feet from the property line |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of the total square footage of any wall area or 30 square feet, whichever is less | — |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Part of the maximum building sign area | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
10
- Monument Sign
- Wall Sign
- Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign
- Window Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Johnston
Other Cities in Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
In Johnston, monument signs are limited to 10 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Johnston, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Johnston, regulated sign types include Monument Sign, Wall Sign, Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign, Window Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Johnston, monument signs typically require a Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a side yard setback of 10 feet from the property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Johnston are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Johnston has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Johnston, Iowa Sign Rules at a Glance
Johnston, Iowa regulates 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Non-Residential Zoning Districts (A-R, CD, C-1, C-2, C-3, E-1, E-2, M-1, M-2, MU-1, MU-2) zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 80 square feet, with a Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a setback of 10 feet from all other property lines setback (Sec. Section 187.05.3.A). Most commercial signs in Johnston require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Johnston, Iowa
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Johnston (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Zoning Districts (RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 8 | 10 feet | 40 square feet | Yes |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts (A-R, CD, C-1, C-2, C-3, E-1, E-2, M-1, M-2, MU-1, MU-2) | 8 | 10 feet | 80 square feet | Yes |
| C-3 | 10 | 65 feet | 150 square feet | Yes |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Johnston
Residential Zoning Districts (RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a side yard setback of 10 feet from the property line | — | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a side yard setback of 10 feet from the property line | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.05.1.D |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of the total square footage of any wall area or 30 square feet, whichever is less | — | — | — | Principal building facing street frontage | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.2.A |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Part of the maximum building sign area | — | — | — | On marquee, awning, or canopy | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.1.A |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of the surface area of any individual ground floor window | — | — | — | On windows | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.2.D |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.1.A |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Affixed to a principal structure or fence | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Ground-mounted | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 32 square feet or 25% of the building’s window square footage, whichever is less | — | — | — | In a window | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
Non-Residential Zoning Districts (A-R, CD, C-1, C-2, C-3, E-1, E-2, M-1, M-2, MU-1, MU-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 80 square feet | — | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a setback of 10 feet from all other property lines | One monument sign per street frontage; additional sign for every 300 feet of street frontage exceeding 600 feet | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a setback of 10 feet from all other property lines | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.05.3.A |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of the total square footage of any wall area | — | — | — | Principal building facing street frontage | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.3.B |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Part of the maximum building sign area | — | — | — | On marquee, awning, or canopy | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.1.A |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of the surface area of any individual ground floor window | — | — | — | On windows | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.3.D |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.1.A |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Affixed to a principal structure or fence | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Ground-mounted | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 32 square feet or 25% of the building’s window square footage, whichever is less | — | — | — | In a window | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
C-3
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 80 square feet | — | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a setback of 10 feet from all other property lines | One monument sign per street frontage; additional sign for every 300 feet of street frontage exceeding 600 feet | Minimum front yard setback of 15 feet from the right-of-way line, and a setback of 10 feet from all other property lines | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.05.3.A |
| Interstate Oriented Monument Sign | 65 feet | 150 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 50 feet from all property lines | One interstate oriented monument sign per lot | Within 1,000 feet of the centerline of Interstate 35/80 right-of-way | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.05.3.B |
| Highway Oriented Monument Sign | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet from all property lines | One highway oriented monument sign per lot | Direct frontage onto State Highway 141 | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.05.3.C |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of the total square footage of any wall area | — | — | — | Principal building facing street frontage | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.3.B |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Part of the maximum building sign area | — | — | — | On marquee, awning, or canopy | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.1.A |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of the surface area of any individual ground floor window | — | — | — | On windows | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.06.3.D |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Affixed to a principal structure or fence | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setbacks: 1 foot from any property line, 2 feet from the back of sidewalk or trail | — | Ground-mounted | Yes | Unlock | Section 187.07.2 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Johnston are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Johnston
- No sign shall be allowed except as permitted by this Chapter.
- No sign shall be located so that the safety of a moving vehicle or pedestrian will be impaired by obscuring a driver’s or pedestrian’s vision.
- No amplified sound, animation, dynamic elements, or attachments, including, but not limited to, balloons, inflatables, ribbons, streamers, pennants, or speakers, shall be allowed.
- Hazardous signs, including those that are structurally unsafe, constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, are not kept in good repair, or are capable of causing electrical shocks.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard, such as those obstructing free and clear vision at intersections or confusing traffic signals.
- Signs that constitute an obstruction to free ingress or egress through any door, window, or fire escape.
- Signs that display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- Signs on or over public right-of-way without City approval.
- Prohibited attachment to a standpipe or fire extinguisher.
- Signs with visible moving parts or mechanical movement.
- Signs with moving, flashing, pulsating, or high-intensity lights.
- Temporary signs except those specifically allowed by this Chapter.
- Off-premise signs except those permitted in Section 187.05.
- Pole signs.
- Roof signs.
- Vehicle signs.
- Unlawful signs installed, erected, or maintained in violation of this Chapter.
Exempt Signs in Johnston
- Signs affixed to a building wall that do not exceed one (1) square foot in area, provided there are not more than three (3) such signs located on any building wall.
- Signs located within the confines of a building, except those defined as window signs.
- Bulletin boards not over eight (8) square feet in area.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and such temporary emergency or non-commercial signs as may be installed or approved by the City.
- Property address information visible from the street for public safety purposes.
- Temporary signs which meet the regulations contained within this Chapter.
- Flags or flagpoles which meet the regulations contained within this Chapter.
Source: other municipal code