Page 46 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

134-5. SiGNS DRAFT

Prohibited Signs and Sign Characteristics

speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of 5.3.12 Signs located in or obstructing a required
any particular noncommercial message over any parking or loading space, or that otherwise obstruct
other noncommercial message. vehicular or pedestrian access or circulation, or that
c. This provision does not create a right to increase pose any other hazard to motorized or nonmotorized
the total amount of signs on a lot or allow the travel;
substitution of an off-premise advertising sign for 5.3.13 Signs that obstruct any fire escape, required exit,
hire for an on-premise sign. window or door opening used as a means of egress;

134-5.3 Prohibited Signs and Sign 5.3.14 Signs that interfere with an opening required
characteristics for ventilation, except that signs may cover transom
The following signs and sign characteristics are windows when not in violation of applicable building and
fire safety codes;
prohibited:
5.3.15 Signs affixed directly to a tree, utility pole or
5.3.1 Signs for which a required permit has not been traffic control device;
issued;
5.3.16 Signs that obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere
5.3.2 Signs located and maintained in such a manner with the view of, or that may be confused with, any
as to constitute a nuisance as provided in the municipal authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device;
code;
5.3.17 Sign displays with a brightness of such intensity
5.3.3 Signs that advertise an activity, business, or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the
product or service no longer conducted on the lot on safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person
which the sign is located; operating a motor vehicle;

5.3.4 Signs or other attention-getting devices that 5.3.18 Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or
contain or consist of banners, balloons, posters, unlicensed vehicle (motorized or non-motorized);
pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similarly
moving devices, except as expressly allowed in this 5.3.19 Signs attached to or painted on a licensed motor
article; vehicle if the sign:
5.3.5 Signs that swing or otherwise noticeably move A. Directs attention to a business, service, commodity,
as a result of wind pressure because of the manner of or activity offered or sold on the premises and
their suspension or attachment; B. The vehicle is parked within 25 feet of the street
right-of-way;
5.3.6 Off-premise advertising signs;
5.3.20 Pole signs except as expressly allowed by the
5.3.7 Signs that encroach more than 18 inches on or regulations of this article;
over a street right-of-way or a required setback;
5.3.21 Non-historic painted signs;
5.3.8 Signs that extend more than 4 feet above the
roofline of the building to which they are attached, 5.3.22 Signs located within the public right-of-way
except in cases where roof signs are expressly allowed; unless an obstruction permit is obtained pursuant to
Chapter 102; and
5.3.9 Electronic display signs and multi-vision
signs that do not comply with applicable operational 5.3.23 Signs located on public property that are not
regulations; owned by or otherwise permitted by the city.

5.3.10 Electronic display signs used as window signs in 134-5.4 regulations of General
violation of 134-5.8.9; Applicability

5.3.11 Search lights, strobe lights, rotating beacon 5.4.1 SetBAcKS, SePArAtiON AND SPAciNG
lights, flashing lights that are visible from public right-of-
way, except as otherwise expressly allowed by this article A. unless otherwise expressly stated in the sign
or required by law; regulations of this article, all freestanding signs must
be set back at least 20 feet from all lot lines.

134-5-4 DRAFT AuguST 3, 2017