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Dubuque News

Posted on: September 19, 2023

City of Dubuque Reminds Residents of Political Yard Sign Policies

The City of Dubuque is reminding campaigns and residents of the regulations governing the placement of political signs as election season approaches.

The City’s Unified Development Code (UDC) regulates all exterior signage on property, including political signage, within the community.

In accordance with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the City of Dubuque cannot and does not regulate the content of political signs. However, the City can legally regulate the size, manner, and placement of political signs for safety and visibility.

The City of Dubuque has the following regulations on political signs:
• Political signs cannot exceed 32 square feet in area.
• Political signs cannot be placed in any public right-of-way or visibility triangle.
• Political signs cannot be placed on objects in the right-of-way such as trees and utility poles, or in medians.

If a sign is inadvertently placed on the public right-of-way, the City’s Public Works Department may move the sign back on to private property and attach a green slip noting the violation. The City may follow with a notice of violation letter specifying a time frame to correct any violations. The right-of-way area varies throughout the community.

Complete details, including diagrams, are available online at www.cityofdubuque.org/politicalsigns.

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