Signs in Phoenix

Signs in Phoenix

Signs in Phoenix

Due to recent Illegal Sign Enforcement Actions that have taken place in our Precinct, I have been asked all types of questions about signs.

Some of the questions focused on, signs that are nailed up on telephone poles, signs in cardboard boxes full of rocks on the sidewalk, yard sale signs that litter the streets for weeks after an event, A-frame or sandwich board signs and the signs, banners and streamers on businesses and in their windows.

Political signs were also a common topic but they are birds of a different feather that are governed by a completely different set of rules and regulations. The best information that I can give on them is to not touch them. If you have a problem with one of them, contact the local office of the party, candidate or cause that put it up.

Hopefully the following information will give you a better knowledge of some of Phoenix’s sign ordinances, but the absolute best suggestion that I can make to anyone with a question about signs is to contact the Development Services Department - Sign Section at (602) 495-0301 or 602-495-0284.

The following excerpts were obtained at http://phoenix.gov/DEVPRO/sgnidx.html where more info on Signs, and related topics, is available.

Temporary Signage Information

Development Services staff may issue permits for temporary events, grand openings/temporary business identification while awaiting permanent signage, temporary business identification during periods of right-of-way construction, and temporary signs for places of worship. Balloons and banners may be used as temporary signs, however, portable "A" frame signs, pennants, streamers, or other similar devices are not permitted. The following information should be used as a general guideline (Section 705.D.a,b,c,d and e).

A. General Requirements for All Temporary Signs

All temporary signage requires a sign permit prior to any installation. The permit fee is currently $75.

1. Signs permitted by Section 705.D.10.c. may include banners and balloons but shall not include portable "A" frame signs, pennants, streamers or other similar devices.

2. Temporary signs shall comply with all applicable codes and ordinances.

3. No temporary signs shall encroach into the public right-of-way or the traffic visibility zone at corners or driveways.

4. Balloons shall be subject to the following safety standards:

a. Balloons shall be securely fastened.

b. Balloons shall be setback from the property line at least one (1) foot for each of the height of the balloon, including the tethering cord.

c. Balloons shall not project above the roofline.

5. Banners shall be subject to the following safety standards:

a. Banners shall be attached to a solid structure in a secure manner.

b. Banners shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above grade when placed above an area open for the common or general use of the public.

c. Banners shall be vented to ensure they will withstand wind pressure from any direction applied to the projected exposed area.

d. Banners shall not project above the roofline.

Banners and balloons should NEVER be placed near power lines.

B. Event Signs

1. Signs may be erected no more than two (2) days prior to the event and shall be removed no more than one (1) day after the event.

2. The sign may be erected for five (5) consecutive days in accordance with Section 708 of the Zoning Ordinance.

3. Temporary signs are limited to no more than four (4) events at one site per calendar year.

C. Business Identification (During Construction)

1. This type of signage is permitted only during periods of construction in adjacent right-of-way; the signs must be removed immediately upon restoration of traffic flow on the affected right-of-way construction zone.

2. The lot or parcel on which the business is located must be immediately adjacent to the right-of-way construction zone.

3. Temporary signs are limited to one per street front and are limited to sixteen (16) square feet in area and can be no more than five (5) feet in height.

D. Business Identification (Grand Opening)

1. Temporary business identification is limited to one (1) sign per street front.

2. Temporary business identification/Grand Opening signage shall be erected for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days.

3. Permits for Grand Openings shall be issued only if a valid building permit for construction or alteration of the building or suite for that location has been issued, or a valid application for a Certificate of Occupancy has been made, if required, for the address (and suite number, if applicable) in question.

E. Places of Worship

1. Temporary signs shall be erected only on the future building site of a place of worship.

2. Signs are limited to one (1) per street front, thirty-two (32) square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height.

3. If signs are double-faced, the faces can be no more than six (6) inches apart.

4. Signs shall be set back ten (10) feet from the public right-of-way.

5. If the sign is double faced, faces shall be no further than six (6) inches apart.

6. The sign(s) shall be set back ten (10) feet from the public right-of-way.

7. The sign(s) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 705.G of the Zoning Ordinance regarding sign structural design.

8. The sign shall require a permit from Development Services Department.



Sign Permit Information

How long does it take to obtain a sign permit?

Typically, if complete, accurate information is received at the time the application is submitted and all ordinance requirements are met; a wall/window sign is usually approved within 7 days of submittal; while ground signs typically take 14 days. It may be possible to obtain a permit over the counter if you bring in complete photographs of the site and specifically the proposed sign location. Over-the-counter approvals are solely at staff’s discretion.

Where do I apply for a sign permit?

Sign permit applications are applied for at counter number 3 in the Development Center, located on the second floor of Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St. (northeastern corner of Third Avenue and Washington Street). Parking is available at the parking garage at 305 W. Washington St. (southwestern corner of Third Avenue and Washington Street). Please bring ticket for a reduced parking rate. Limited metered parking is also available on the street. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

What information should I bring to apply for a sign permit?

The more information you bring, the easier the process will be. The following information will be required to submit a permit application:

Drawing of the proposed sign with dimensions (height and length);
Wall signs – measurement of the length of the occupied space of the business and how the sign is attached (bolts, silicone, nails, etc);
Ground signs – Need to provide measurements from back of property line to the leading edge of the sign and from either the side property line or some other permanent item (driveway curb, etc.). In addition, the size of the posts/pole and footing depth and width is needed. Ground signs that exceed six feet in height and thirty-two square feet in area require structural engineering that is sealed by an Arizona State registered architect or structural engineer;
State law requires all electrical work be done by a licensed electrical contractor, the license number, name, address and telephone number is required;
If you have received a violation notice, please bring this with you.
How much will a sign permit cost?

Sign fees vary based on the request. You only pay for the services you receive. All sign fee are found in Appendix A.2 of the Phoenix City Code. Typically fees include the following:

$150 for office review and $150 field check.
Other fees include:
Sign permit fee for wall, window, and directional is $75;
Sign permit fees for ground signs including construction and real estate signs are $150;
Sign design review is $150 per hour;
Structural engineering is $150 per hour (minimum 2 hours - $300 required);
Electrical sign inspection is $150;
Electrical component inspection is $150 per sign.
How much sign area can I have?

Wall signs - Sign area is based on the length of wall occupied by the business. For example, if your business has 110 feet of building frontage, then 110 square feet of sign area is permitted. All businesses are entitled to a minimum 50 square feet of sign area, unless restricted by some type of zoning stipulation (comprehensive sign plan, rezoning, etc.). Wall signs in single family, multi-family and non-residential uses located in residential districts are subject to a different formula for sign area. Please refer to Table D-1 found in Section 705.D. of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance or contact the Sign Services Section, 602-495-0301.
Window signs – are permitted to cover up to 30% of the window area, however, there are some zoning districts such as the downtown core that only permit 20% and some comprehensive sign plans that prohibit them at all.
Ground Signs – For general information regarding ground sign entitlements please refer to Section 705.D.2 and Table D-1 of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. Due to spacing requirements and other ordinance requirements staff can only give general information, additional research is usually required for more specific information.
All code sections referenced are found in the City of Phoenix Zoning Ordinance.

For further sign information contact Sign Services at 602-495-0301 or 602-495-0284.











Officer Jeff Pfaffenbach #4617
92 Area Community Action Officer
Cactus Park Precinct 602-495-5009
Desk/Voicemail 602-534-0474