Mesa sign permit fees, review times and how to apply
Confirm with the city before you build or bid. This page is a plain-English summary for planning only. It is not legal advice and not the official code. Later amendments we did not read may have changed some of these rules. Questions: Mesa Development Services, 480-644-4273, permitservices@mesaaz.gov, Monday–Thursday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, 55 N. Center St. [1]
Sign permit fees
Fees (DS Fee Schedule, "Updated for July 2026"): [2][3]
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sign permit | $102.40 base, +3% of sign valuation, +$0.30 per sq ft of sign area (printed page 30) | [2] |
| Electrical for signs | $18.25 each (printed page 30) | [2] |
| Technology improvement fee | 4% of the permit and/or service fee total, max $800.00 per permit or service fee transaction (printed page 30) | [2] |
| Sales tax and other permits | "Transaction Privilege (Sales) Tax, where applicable"; sign permits are "charged in addition to applicable Building and Civil Engineering Permits" | DS Fee Schedule, printed page 30 [2] |
| General Use Permit | General Use Permit (per Title 11) $120.00 | [2] |
| Grand Opening Banners | Grand Opening Banners $120.00 each | [2] |
Review time and expedited review
| Rule | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Review time | "Sign permits are reviewed within 10 business days. Expedited services are available 5 business days per review cycle (100% of sign permit fee)." | City Sign Regulations page [1] |
| Super-expedited | The schedule also lists "Super-Expedited Premium 200% (2.00) of total permit fee." | [3] |
The city documents conflict on what the expedited premium is calculated on. Both are shown; ask the city which applies.
| Document | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Regulations page | The Sign Regulations page says expedited review is "(100% of sign permit fee)." | [1][3] |
| DS Fee Schedule (printed page 28) | The DS Fee Schedule (printed page 28) says "Expedited Premium 100% (1.00) of total permit fee" and that expedited fees are "calculated on the Total Permit Fee (Building Permit Fee and Civil Engineering Fee, if any)." | [1][3] |
How to apply
- Research first: zoning district and any previous sign variances or comprehensive sign plans ("10 Steps" guide). [4]
- Application (§11-47-3): all required fees; plan and elevation drawings with sign type, materials, dimensions and location; construction specifications including structural calculations; electrical specifications; method of attachment; scale drawings showing the distance from the sign's leading edge to property lines, the future width line and the right-of-way; zoning of the parcel and abutting parcels; and current photographs showing no unauthorized signs. [5]
- Checklist items: current and future right-of-way dimensions; dimensions from back of curb or sidewalk to all freestanding signs; distance between freestanding signs; electronic message panel certification letter from owner. [6]
- Monument signs: "Provide structural and electrical plans with calculations sealed by an Arizona registered engineer (P.E.)." [7]
- Existing unlawful signs: the City will not issue a permit for new signs while the site displays an unlawful or prohibited sign, unless the permit requires their modification or removal (§11-47-4(B)). The "10 Steps" guide says existing non-conforming signs "are required to comply with 11-48-1." [5][4]
- Submit and pay: "Review begins after payment and documents have been received." [1]
- Inspections (§11-47-5): footing inspections on detached signs, electric inspections, and a final inspection. The "10 Steps" guide: "The sign permit process is not completed until the final inspection is approved." [8][9]
- Expiration (§11-47-9): a sign permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance; the Building Official may extend it on written request. [10]
Signs that don't need a sign permit
| Sign | Condition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6 sq ft or less | Signs 6 sq ft or less, unless prohibited by Chapter 45. | [11] |
| Face changes | A change in sign face with no structural or electrical changes. | [11] |
| Portable signs | Unilluminated portable signs 32 sq ft or less that are specifically listed as permitted by Chapter 42. | [11] |
| Maintenance and relocation | Standard sign maintenance; relocation required by the City or another governmental agency. | [11] |
| Window signs, flags and vehicle signs | Window signs, flags, and vehicle signs. | [11] |
| Electric signs | The code adds: "An electric permit is still required for any exterior electric signs." | [11] |
Again: confirm with Mesa Development Services (480-644-4273, permitservices@mesaaz.gov) before you fabricate or submit. [1]
Section numbers (§) refer to the city's zoning ordinance unless noted. Each statement on this page is checked against a saved copy of an official city source, and where official sources disagree we show both. Spotted an error or an outdated fee? Report an error.