Page 45 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

DRAFT 134-5. SiGNS

general

134-5.1 General appealing environment, to provide ample, meaningful
opportunities for persons who desire to display
5.1.1 PUrPOSe information by means of a sign to have their information
The sign regulations of this article are intended to seen and understood, and to provide for the orderly and
balance the following differing, and at times, competing reasonable display of advertising and other messages
goals: for the benefit of all persons.
A. To support the desired character of the city, as 5.2.3 These regulations do not apply to every form
expressed in adopted plans, policies and regulations; and instance of visual speech that may be displayed
B. To promote an attractive visual environment; anywhere within the zoning jurisdiction of the city.
c. To accommodate the effective use of signs as a Rather, they are intended to regulate those forms and
means of identification and communication for instances that are most likely to meaningfully affect one
businesses, organizations and individuals; or more of the purposes set forth in 134-5.1.1.
D. To provide a means of way-finding for visitors and 5.2.4 These regulations do not entirely eliminate
residents; all of the harms that may be created by the
e. To prohibit signs of such excessive size and number installation and display of signs. Rather, they strike an
that they obscure one another to the detriment of appropriate balance that preserves ample channels of
the economic and social well-being of the city and its communication by means of visual display while still
residents, property owners and visitors; reducing and mitigating the extent of the harms caused
F. To protect the public health, safety and welfare by by signs.
minimizing hazards for motorized and nonmotorized 5.2.5 Some signage has a single targeted function that
traffic; makes identifying such signs by name or description
G. To minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on difficult if not impossible without referring to the sign’s
nearby public and private property; and function. Whenever a sign is described, in part, by
H. To provide broadly for the expression of individual referring to the function it serves, the provisions of this
section that limit such a sign are designed to be neutral
opinions through the use of signs on private with respect to the content of the speech appearing on
property. the subject sign.

134-5.2 Findings 5.2.6 These regulations are neither intended nor

In conjunction with the adoption of the regulations of designed to restrict or control signs for the purpose of
promoting or stifling any messages that might appear on
this article and the purposes set forth in 134-5.1.1, the them.
city council makes all of the following findings:
5.2.7 ScOPe AND APPlicABilitY
5.2.1 unlike oral speech, signs may cause harm by All signs on private property are subject to the
taking up space, obstructing views, distracting motorists, regulations of this article and all other applicable
displacing alternative uses of land, and endangering the provisions of this zoning ordinance. Signs in the public
safety of persons or property. The city has a substantial right-of-way are not subject to the regulations of this
and compelling interest in all of the purposes set forth article.
above and has a substantial and compelling interest
in regulating signs in a way that avoids or reduces the 5.2.8 cONteNt NeUtrAlitY
harms caused by signs.
A. Any sign allowed under this article may contain,
5.2.2 Regulation of the size, height, number and in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful
spacing of signs throughout the city is necessary to noncommercial message that does not direct
protect the public safety, to assure compatibility of attention to a business operated for profit, or to a
signs with surrounding land uses, to enhance the product, commodity or service for sale or lease, or
business and economy of the city, to protect the to any other commercial interest or activity, as long
public investment in the streets and highways, to as the sign complies with all size, height, location and
maintain the tranquil environment of residential areas, other applicable requirements of this article.
to promote industry and commerce, to eliminate B. The purpose of this “content neutrality” provision
visual clutter and blight, to provide an aesthetically is to avoid any inadvertent favoring of commercial

CITY OF DES MOINES CHAPTER 134: ZONING DRAFT 134-5-3