Linn County, IA Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max size
- 32 sq. ft.
- Max height
- 12 ft
- Removal deadline
- 30 days after sale
- Illumination
- not allowed
Summary
Unincorporated Linn County treats garage sale signs as temporary signs: 32 square feet max, under 12 feet tall, and pulled down within 30 days of the sale.
Temporary signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area or exceed 12 feet in height or eight feet in width on a lot in any zoning district. There shall be no more than five such signs for each lot street frontage, and such signs shall be removed no later than 30 days following the accomplishment of activities indicated by such sign. Such signs may be located in a required setback in any district, except that none shall be within the required corner vision clearance provisions of section 107-94(h). b.Portable signs are only permitted as temporary signs. c.Temporary signs shall not be illuminated. d.Vehicles may not be used as temporary signs. e.Wall signs are permitted as temporary signs. (11)Roof signs. The following regulations apply to roof signs. a.Roof signs shall only be permitted for properties with land use areas that are assigned to abide by Class 5 accessory sign regulations. Roof signs may be permitted as advertising signs in HC, GC, and I zoning districts. b.Roof signs shall not project or extend beyond or overhang any exterior wall or parapet line of any roof. c.No roof sign shall exceed the district height limit established for principal structures. (12)Illuminated signs. Illuminated sign shall conform to the following regulations. a.Shielding. Illuminated signs shall be shielded so that no direct light or significant glare shall be cast onto surrounding properties or contribute light pollution.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Garage sale signs fall under the county's temporary sign rule at Sec. 107-94(j)(10)a. They can't exceed 32 square feet in surface area, 12 feet in height, or 8 feet in width, and no more than five may go up per lot street frontage. They must come down no later than 30 days after the sale activity ends. Temporary signs can sit in a required setback, but not inside the corner vision clearance triangle at a road intersection. They also can't be illuminated, and a vehicle can't be used as a sign. This is the rule for unincorporated county parcels; Cedar Rapids and Marion regulate yard-sale signage under their own codes.
Violations & Fines
A garage sale sign left up past the 30-day window, oversized, illuminated, or placed inside the intersection sight triangle is subject to removal by county code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a garage sale sign stay up in Linn County?
Can I put my sign near a road corner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Linn County
Compare Linn County to another location·View the Iowa sign regulations overview
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