Ankeny, IA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Ankeny Code of Ordinances § 195.03(9)(A) allows temporary political campaign signs to be placed no more than 12 months before an election and requires their removal within 10 days after the election to which they apply, without a sign permit, under the chapter's list of signs allowed without a permit. Section 195.03(9)(B) gives the City authority to remove any campaign sign left up past that 10-day window, after notice, and to charge the removal cost to the person named on the sign, meaning the candidate or committee identified on the sign face is billed directly.

Political signs share the dimensional standards Appendix C to Chapter 195 sets for garage sale, political and promotional signs: a 5-foot minimum setback from the public street right-of-way, a 5-foot minimum setback from other yard lines, and a 6-foot maximum height. Because political signs need no permit, the Department Director's enforcement role is limited to confirming timing, setbacks and height rather than reviewing an application; a sign that violates the setback or height limit, or that stays up outside the 12-month-before to 10-day-after window, is treated as an unpermitted, noncompliant sign the City can remove under § 195.03(9)(B).