# Sign Regulations in Keokuk, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Keokuk, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/keokuk
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IA/Keokuk/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT20ZO_CH20.62SI)

## At a glance

Keokuk, Iowa regulates 35 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Construction Sign (Architect/Engineer/Contractor)s in the R-1, single-family dwelling district; R-2, single-family dwelling district; Special use areas zoning district are capped at 32 sq ft (Sec. 20.62.030(a)(4)). Most commercial signs in Keokuk require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, single-family dwelling district; R-2, single-family dwelling district; Special use areas | 14 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-3, two-family dwelling district; R-4, multiple-family dwelling district | 1 | — | — | — |
| F-1, townhouse district; F-2, condominium district; Residential zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-1, local commercial district | 9 | — | 300 sq ft | — |
| C-2, general commercial district | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-3, central business district | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-4, planned commercial district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| M-1, light industrial district; M-2, heavy industrial district | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 50 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### R-1, single-family dwelling district; R-2, single-family dwelling district; Special use areas

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises only; not in public right-of-way unless site prohibits normal placement | — | 20.62.030(a)(1) |
| Bulletin Board/Institutional Permanent Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution (public, educational, non-profit, charitable, fraternal, religious service clubs) | — | 20.62.030(a)(2) |
| Home Occupation/Institutional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached flat against building | — | 20.62.030(a)(3) |
| Construction Sign (Architect/Engineer/Contractor) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises where work is under construction | — | 20.62.030(a)(4) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet; Building Name | — | — | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible materials | — | 20.62.030(a)(5) |
| Public Service Directional Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | On property as necessary for directional purposes | — | 20.62.030(a)(7) |
| Residential Development Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | May be incorporated or affixed to fences or walls | — | 20.62.030(a)(13) |
| Celebratory Rental Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | 20.62.030(a)(14) |

### C-1, local commercial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises | — | 20.62.060(a)(2), 20.62.110(d) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | 2 ft from curb minimum | — | Attached to building | — | 20.62.060(a)(3), 20.62.110(b) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall, parallel to wall | — | 20.62.060(a)(4), 20.62.110(d) |
| Billboard | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | — | Off-premises | — | 20.62.060(a)(5), 20.62.020(12) |
| Marquee, Canopy, and Awning Signs | — | — | 12 in (height for advertisement) | — | — | On marquee, canopy, or awning | — | 20.62.060(a)(6), 20.62.110(e)-(f) |
| Banner (Temporary Sign) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 20.62.060(a)(7), 20.62.110(g) |
| Temporary Sign (non-banner) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises (except for sandwich signs, see below) | — | 20.62.060(a)(8), 20.62.110(g) |
| Sandwich Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Allowed in public right-of-way but must be removed at close of business | — | 20.62.060(a)(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Permitted Permanent/Temporary Signs (Size Formula) | — | 3 x lot frontage (in ft) | — | — | — | All lots | — | 20.62.110(a) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | 72 in projection, not closer than 2 ft to curb | 2 ft min from curb | — | Attached to building | — | 20.62.110(b) |
| Pole Sign | 50 ft | — | — | — | — | In ground | — | 20.62.110(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | 20.62.110(d) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | Not lower than 8 ft above sidewalk; sign hung from marquee max 18 in tall | — | — | Hung from marquee, within border of outer marquee edge | — | 20.62.110(e) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | Max 12 in height for advertising | — | — | On front/side of awning/canopy or suspended below (no lower than 8 ft above sidewalk) | — | 20.62.110(f) |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 20.62.110(g)(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Other | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 20.62.110(g)(1)-(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Keokuk

- Any sign installed so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No person shall attach any sign of any kind to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- Any sign installed at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of such intersection, or at any location where by reason of position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Any sign which is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights that interferes with the vision of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Any temporary or permanent sign which consists of or incorporates twirler lights, pinwheels, whirligigs or other displays or devices which are designed to be activated by atmospheric conditions so as to attract or distract the attention of the public by virtue of their movements, including high intensity 'strobe' lights located inside or outside a building, but which are intended to attract the public from the exterior.
- Any ground sign which extends to any degree over public property.
- Any signs which employ flashing, blinking or rotating lights, except time and temperature/message signs.
- Signs which are affixed to a motor vehicle, trailer, movable structure or other permanent or temporary surface parked, located upon, built, left or suffered to be upon any premises, excluding public streets or rights-of-way, for more than five consecutive days (without regard to whether it is moved about on said premises) which would be prohibited as defined by this chapter.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- No part of a pole sign shall be permitted to overhang the public domain.
- No wall sign shall be erected in a plane which is more than twelve inches over the surface of any public right-of-way, including alleys.
- No portion of an awning or canopy sign may be lower than eight feet above a sidewalk and where allowed by the State Building Code.
- Temporary signs are prohibited in residential and floating zones, except for special promotions or activities of public, educational, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal, religious or service clubs and organizations.
- Signs shall not be permitted at one business or industrial location for more than thirty days per permit, with a waiting period equal to the previous permit's duration before a new permit is issued.
- Signs must be constructed and maintained so as to be safe, structurally sound, and kept in a state of undeteriorated appearance. Failure is a municipal infraction.
- Any sign, existing or new, that for a period of three months no longer advertises an existing, legal business, product, or service must be removed within thirty days of written notice, or it is a municipal infraction.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be altered structurally or moved unless brought into compliance with this chapter (except routine maintenance such as changing movable parts or repainting).
- If the nonconforming use of a sign is discontinued for three months, any future use must be in conformity with this chapter.
- No sign damaged by over 50% may be restored except in compliance with this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect, structurally alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit, unless specifically exempted.
- Improper maintenance or unsafe conditions for signs constitute a misdemeanor and permit may be revoked.
- Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor and a municipal infraction.

## Signs exempt from permit in Keokuk

- Real estate signs.
- Public, educational, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal or religious on-premises signs.
- Home occupation signs.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction.
- Names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials.
- Public safety signs.
- Ancillary signs, i.e., 'in' or 'out' signs.
- Political or election signs.
- 'Garage,' 'auction' or similar signs.
- Temporary rental signs for celebratory occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births, etc., as described in Section 20.62.030(a)(14) (require annual license, not permit).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no mention of a master sign plan, sign plan, or variance process requirement for signage in the provided ordinance text.
- Permits are generally required for the erection, alteration or relocation of signs (unless specifically exempted), with the process administered by the building official.
- Stress sheets and wind calculations may be required for signs exceeding nine square feet.
- Permit applications must contain information as required by the building official to show compliance with regulations.

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

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