# Sign Regulations in Waukee, Iowa

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waukee, Iowa (IA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/iowa/waukee
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/waukeeia/latest/waukee_ia/0-0-0-7009)

## At a glance

Waukee, Iowa regulates 58 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Churches/Schools/Public Facilities)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall, 60 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed), and 12 ft wide, with a 15 ft minimum; side setback ≥ sign height setback (Sec. 167.14; 167.09(1)-(8)). Most commercial signs in Waukee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 15 ft | Public: up to 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft if setback >250 ft; up to 400 sq ft total if 2 frontages); Nonpublic: up to 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft if setback >250 ft) | — |
| Agricultural District (A-1) | 3 | 15 ft | Public: up to 100/200/400 sq ft depending on frontage/setback; Nonpublic: up to 100/200 sq ft | — |
| Single Family Acreage District (AR), Single Family Residential District (R-1), One and Two Family Residential District (R-2), Row Dwelling and Townhome Dwelling District (R-4), Planned Unit Development District (R-5) | 3 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Rental Multi-Family Residential District (R-3), Owner-Occupied Multi-Family Residential District (R-3A), Mobile Home Residential District (R-6) | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Community and Highway Service Commercial District (C-1), Large Scale Commercial District (C-1B) | 15 | 30 ft (min 15 ft above interstate/road grade) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1A), Office Park Commercial District (C-4) | 11 | 30 ft (min 15 ft) | 200 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Downtown District (C-2) | 7 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft (200 sq ft if setback >250 ft; up to 400 sq ft with 2 frontages) | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1), Limited Industrial District (M-1A), Heavy Industrial District (M-2) | 9 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Kettlestone Retail Neighborhood (K-RN), Kettlestone Retail Community (K-RC), Kettlestone Retail Regional (K-RR), Kettlestone Retail Office (K-OF) | 5 | 30 ft (min 15 ft) | 120 sq ft per face | — |
| Kettlestone Multi-Family Rowhouse (K-MF-Rowhouse), Kettlestone Multi-Family Stacked Medium (K-MF-Stacked Med), Kettlestone Multi-Family Stacked High (K-MF-Stacked High) | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Kettlestone Mixed-Use (K-MU) | 2 | See individual exemptions | See individual exemptions | — |
| Conservation and Open Space District (COS) | 2 | Per 167.09 for monument | Per 167.07 (wall) and 167.09 (monument) | — |
| PD-1 Planned Development District (Overlay) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Permit-Exempt) | 4 ft above grade | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line unless on wall | 1 per premises | On-premises only; minimum 10 ft from any property line unless located on the wall of a building | — | 167.05(1) |
| Construction Sign (Permit-Exempt) | 10 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per street frontage | — | 10 ft from property line unless on wall or barricade | 1 per street frontage | On-premises; minimum 10 ft from any property line unless located on building wall or protective barricade around construction | — | 167.05(2) |
| Ground Directional Sign (Permit-Exempt) (On-site traffic control) | 4 ft above grade | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property for on-site traffic; permitted in multiple-family residential, mobile home residential, commercial, office and industrial developments | — | 167.05(6)(A) |
| Special Event Sign (City-Sponsored; Permit-Exempt) | — | — | — | Minimum 5 ft from all right-of-way lines | 1 per event | Only within Centennial Park (University Ave & Ashworth Dr) and Triangle Park (6th St & Ashworth Dr); minimum 5 ft from right-of-way | — | 167.05(8) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Permit-Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Attached flat against dwelling | — | 167.03(14); 167.05(9) |
| Wall Sign (Churches/Schools/Public Facilities) | — | Public: up to 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft if setback >250 ft; up to 400 sq ft total if 2 frontages); Nonpublic: up to 100 sq ft (or 200 sq ft if setback >250 ft) | — | — | Max 3 per business (1 per wall) | Any district where church, school, or public facility use exists; on building facade(s) per frontage rules | — | 167.14; 167.07(1)-(6) |
| Monument Sign (Churches/Schools/Public Facilities) | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | 12 ft | 15 ft minimum; side setback ≥ sign height | 1 per lot or 1 per 300 ft of frontage (whichever greater); max 2 per lot if 2 street frontages | On-premises; min 15 ft setback; side setback not less than sign height | — | 167.14; 167.09(1)-(8) |
| Convenience Store Canopy Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 canopy sign | On canopy of convenience store/gasoline pump use | — | 167.07(6) |

### Community and Highway Service Commercial District (C-1), Large Scale Commercial District (C-1B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Public Street Facing (0–250 ft setback) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business (1 per wall) | On facade facing public street(s) | — | 167.07(1)(A)(1)-(4); 167.07(2)-(5); 167.04(5),(6),(7); Table 167A |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | 12 ft | 15 ft from all property lines; side setback ≥ sign height | 1 per lot or per 300 ft frontage; max 2 per lot if 2 street frontages | On-premises; min 15 ft setback from all property lines; side setback ≥ sign height | — | 167.09(1)-(8); Table 167A |
| Multiple Tenant Monument Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | 12 ft | 15 ft from property lines | 1 per lot or per 300 ft frontage; max 2 per lot if 2 street frontages | On-premises; min 15 ft setback | — | 167.10(1)-(8); Table 167A |
| Association Identification Sign - Commercial/Industrial | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed; faces parallel) | 12 ft | 15 ft | 1 per development | At development; min 15 ft setback; within outlot or sign easement | — | 167.13; Table 167A |
| Interstate Monument Sign | 30 ft (min 15 ft above interstate/road grade) | 120 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | — | 15 ft from interstate right-of-way | 1 per lot | Lots abutting interstate right-of-way; min 15 ft setback from interstate right-of-way | — | 167.15(1)-(7); Table 167A (Commercial districts only) |
| Electric Changeable Copy (Monument Sign Component) | — | 30 sq ft or 50% of max monument sign area (≤60 sq ft per face for standard monument; ≤100 sq ft per face for multi-tenant monument) | — | Monument sign setbacks apply (15 ft from property lines) | 1 per lot integrated into a monument sign | On monument signs in permitted districts | — | 167.16(1)-(3); Table 167A (Permitted Districts: C-1 and C-1B) |
| Temporary Sign - Opening and Closing (Business) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from property lines or affixed to building | 1 per business | On-premises | — | 167.17(2); Table 167A (Temporary Signs - Opening and Closing) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Events (Business/Public Advertising) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from property lines or affixed to building | 1 per business | On-premises | — | 167.17(3); Table 167A (Temporary Signs – Special Events) |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1A), Office Park Commercial District (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Public Street Facing (0–250 ft setback) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business (1 per wall) | On facade facing public street(s) | — | 167.07(1)(A); 167.07(2)-(5); Table 167A |
| Wall Sign - Public Street Facing (>250 ft setback) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business (1 per wall) | On facade facing public street(s) with setback >250 ft | — | 167.07(1)(A)(2) |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | 12 ft | 15 ft; side setback ≥ sign height | 1 per lot or per 300 ft frontage; max 2 per lot if 2 street frontages | On-premises; min 15 ft setback; side setback ≥ sign height | — | 167.09; Table 167A |
| Multiple Tenant Monument Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed) | 12 ft | 15 ft | 1 per lot or per 300 ft frontage; max 2 per lot if 2 street frontages | On-premises; min 15 ft setback | — | 167.10; Table 167A |
| Association Identification Sign - Commercial/Industrial | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face | 12 ft | 15 ft | 1 per development | On-premises; min 15 ft setback | — | 167.13; Table 167A |
| Interstate Monument Sign | 30 ft (min 15 ft) | 120 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from interstate ROW | 1 per lot | Lots abutting interstate ROW; min 15 ft setback from interstate ROW | — | 167.15(1)-(7); Table 167A |
| Temporary Sign - Opening and Closing (Business) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines or affixed to building | 1 per business | On-premises | — | 167.17(2); Table 167A |
| Temporary Sign - Special Events (Business/Public Advertising) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines or affixed to building | 1 per business | On-premises | — | 167.17(3); Table 167A |

## Prohibited signs in Waukee

- Only on-premises signs are allowed unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Obsolete signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited.
- Signs consisting of banners, balloons, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similarly moving devices are prohibited except where specifically allowed elsewhere in this chapter.
- Portable commercial signs not permanently anchored or secured to a building or the ground are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs located on public property used for public purposes are prohibited except as specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.
- Off-premises signs advertising a use not conducted on the lot where the sign is located are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, or rotating lights on signs (permanent or temporary) are prohibited, except time-and-temperature signs, brief public announcement signs, and where specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.
- Moving signs with mechanically or electronically moving parts are prohibited except as specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.
- Off-premises painted wall signs for commercial purposes are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except as specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.
- Pole signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted within the City.
- Vehicle signs that are not normally used in the day-to-day operations of a business and are parked to draw attention from a public place or street are prohibited.
- No sign shall emit audible sound, noticeable odor, smoke, or other visible matter.
- No obscene, indecent, or immoral matter shall be displayed on any sign.
- Signs may not interfere with or obstruct the view of authorized traffic control devices, nor imitate official traffic signs or include words or symbols (e.g., “stop,” “look,” “caution”) in a manner that misleads or confuses motorists.
- On corner lots, signs are prohibited where they materially impede vision between 2.5 and 10 feet above grade within the visibility triangle formed by street lines and a line joining points 25 feet from the intersection.
- Electrical equipment or apparatus of a sign that causes interference with radio or television reception is prohibited.
- Sign illumination that produces glare on the street or adjacent property or exceeds one foot-candle at the property bounds is prohibited; ground lighting must be concealed from view by landscape plantings.
- Electric changeable copy signs may not display commercial messages for products or services that are not offered on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Waukee

- Signs not exceeding 1 square foot bearing only property numbers, post office box numbers, names of occupants, or other identification of premises without commercial connotations are not subject to the sign regulations.
- Flags and insignia of any government (except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion) are not subject to the sign regulations.
- Legal notices and identification, informational, or directional signs erected, approved, or required by governmental bodies are not subject to the sign regulations.
- Integral, decorative, or architectural building features (excluding letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights) are not subject to the sign regulations.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, bearing no advertising and not exceeding 4 square feet, are not subject to the sign regulations.
- Real estate signs: one non-illuminated sign per premises (max 8 sq ft; max 4 ft high; min 10 ft from property lines unless on a building); remove within 7 days after disposition of the premises; no permit required.
- Construction signs (including advertising for new incoming businesses with an issued building permit): one non-illuminated sign per street frontage (max 50 sq ft; max 10 ft high; min 10 ft from property lines unless on a building or protective barricade); remove within 1 week after construction completion; no permit required.
- Political campaign signs confined to private property; remove within 1 week after the election; no permit required.
- Street banners advertising a public event with specific approval under Council regulations; no permit required under the sign code.
- Seasonal decorations pertaining to recognized national holidays and observances; no permit required.
- On-site directional signs for developments: ground directional signs (max 6 sq ft; max 4 ft high; only when necessary; no logos or commercial messages) and building directional signs (max 8 sq ft; affixed to principal building or accessory canopy; no logos or commercial messages); no permit required.
- Personal announcement and celebration signs (e.g., births, anniversaries, weddings); no permit required.
- Special event signs for City-sponsored events: limited to one sign per event; only at Centennial Park (University Ave/Ashworth Dr) and Triangle Park (6th St/Ashworth Dr); may be erected 14 days prior and must be removed within 2 days after; minimum 5 ft setback from all right-of-way lines; no permit required.
- Home occupation signs up to 2 square feet; no permit required.
- Garage sale signs up to 6 square feet; must be removed within 24 hours of the event; no placement on public property; no permit required.
- Public, noncommercial interest signs erected by or upon order of a public officer in performance of public duty (e.g., safety, danger, trespass, traffic signs, memorial plaques, historical signs, and similar); no permit required.
- Temporary directional signs placed by the City (max 4 ft by 4 ft) informing the public of access during highway construction; no permit required.
- Integral signs such as names of buildings, dates, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, and similar signs when carved into or made of permanent materials and made an integral part of the structure; no permit required.
- Institutional bulletin boards; no permit required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit signed by the owner and tenant and approved by the administrative official is required before erecting, constructing, altering, placing, or locating any sign, except for signs listed as not requiring a permit.
- For each sign requiring a permit, plans and specifications must be submitted to the administrative official showing size, location, materials, and any other data needed to determine compliance.
- Any person aggrieved by the administrative official’s decision to approve or disapprove a sign permit may appeal to the Board of Adjustment.
- Temporary signs for business openings/closings and for special events require approval by the administrative official.
- Street banners advertising a public event require specific approval under regulations established by the City Council.
- Interstate corridor signs require all applicable State and federal permits and regulatory approvals prior to issuance of a City permit.
- Electric changeable copy is allowed only when integral to and part of an approved monument sign, subject to copy-change and content limitations.
- Association identification sign materials are to be approved as part of the plans for a development, per the design standards in Table 167A.
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in this chapter; approvals are handled per sign via the permit process.

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

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