Phoenix, AZ sign rules: permits, sizes and fees (quick reference for sign shops)

Last checked: October 2026. Sources: Phoenix Zoning Ordinance §705 Signs (the city's online Zoning Ordinance says it is current through Ordinance G-7461, passed December 3, 2025) [1]; Phoenix City Code Appendix A.2, Parts 6–9, sign fees (the online City Code says it is current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026) [2][3][4][5]; Planning & Development Department fee schedule, approved 12/17/2025, effective 1/20/2026 [6]

At a glance

Outdated fees in the city's Sign FAQ. The current sign fees are the City Code App. A.2 amounts above (the online City Code says it is current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026): wall-type sign permit $98 per sign; ground sign permit $195 per sign; design review $195 per hour; sign engineering plan review $195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours); electric component inspection $195 per sign. The city's Sign FAQ (TRT/DOC/00615, rev. 08/22) itself says "All sign fees are found in Appendix A.2 of the Phoenix City Code," but the fee list printed in that FAQ is outdated: $150 for office review and $150 field check; wall, window and directional sign permit $75; ground sign permit $150; sign design review $150 per hour; structural engineering $150 per hour (minimum 2 hours, $300); electrical sign inspection $150; electrical component inspection $150 per sign. If you have seen the $75/$150 amounts, they come from that FAQ. [2][4][9]

Where city documents disagree

These city documents conflict. Both are shown; this page does not pick one. Ask the Sign Section which applies.

• When a ground sign needs engineering. The Sign FAQ (rev. 08/22) says ground signs that exceed six feet in height and thirty-two square feet in area require structural engineering sealed by an Arizona registered architect or structural engineer. ZO §705.B.1.d(1)(d) requires engineered plans for ground or pole signs when sign area exceeds thirty-five square feet and the structure exceeds six feet in height. [9][1]

1. Which rules apply to a property

Phoenix sorts zoning districts into land-use designations for Table D-1 (ZO §705.D.1.a):

• Single-family: S-1; S-2; RE-43; RE-35; RE-24; R1-18; R1-14; R1-10; R1-8; R1-6; R-2; and P.A.D.-1 through 11 (activities meeting the definition of residential use). [1]
• Multiple-family: R-3; R-3A; R-4; R-4A; R-5; and P.A.D.-12 through 15 (activities meeting the definition of residential use). [1]
• Nonresidential activity in a residential area: any activity in the R-O district, or in the single-family and multiple-family districts above, that does not meet the definition of residential use. [1]
• Commercial: all activities in the C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, PSC, RSC, Commerce Park, A-1, A-2, Resort, P-1 and P-2 districts. [1]

Ground sign limits also depend on the street classification (ZO §705.D.1.b): [1]

• Freeway: the freeway/expressway street classes. [1]
• High volume street: major arterial, arterial and collector street classes. [1]
• Low volume street: minor collector and local street classes. [1]

A sign on a high volume street is limited to the low volume street standards if residential development or undeveloped residentially zoned property has frontage on that street within 150 feet of the sign (Table D-1, note 6). [1]

2. Commercial and industrial limits (Table D-1)

Numbers in parentheses are the height and area possible through design review (Table D-1, note 1). [1]

Wall signs

• Area: 1 sq ft per linear foot, per elevation; minimum 50 sq ft, maximum 500 sq ft (Table D-1). [1]
• Every property or use with frontage is entitled to a wall sign of the minimum size in Table D-1 (§705.D.3.d(2)). [1]
• Height: 25 ft, or no closer to the roofline than one-half the vertical dimension of the sign (Table D-1). [1]
• Number: no limit on the number of wall signs on a facade, as long as the permitted wall sign area is not exceeded (§705.D.3.c). [1]
• Above the roofline: design review is required, and no sign may break the silhouette of the building (§705.D.3.g). [1] Painted wall signs require design review approval (§705.D.3.j).
• Wall signs over 56 feet high (§705.D.3.i): [1]
  • area no more than 1% of the area of the elevation; [1]
  • placed in the top 10% of the wall and no more than 80% of the width of the building face; [1]
  • internally illuminated or backlit; [1]
  • comprehensive sign plan approval required; limited to either identification of the building or one occupant per building (not different tenants on different facades of the building); two identification signs per building; requests for up to four may be considered under Section 506.B.3, based on one or more of the criteria listed in §705.D.3.i(4) (such as building identification for people reaching the site from arterials or freeways, or limited visibility caused by other buildings). [1]

Ground signs (Table D-1)

• How many: primary signs, 1 permitted per 300 ft of street frontage (minimum 1); secondary signs, 1 permitted per 150 ft of street frontage, less the primary signage (Table D-1). [1]
• Secondary sign on a low volume street: the height cell of Table D-1 prints only "(10)", and note 1 says numerals in parentheses are height and area possible through design review. The street label in that cell carries footnote 8, which reads: "Spacing of ground signs for multi-family and non-residential uses in a residential district may be reduced to 100 feet from ground signs on an adjacent commercially zoned property." [1]
• Spacing (commercial and industrial ground signs): 100 ft minimum (Table D-1 spacing column). [1]
• Freeway signs: only on property with freeway frontage, within 300 feet of and oriented to a freeway, expressway or parkway (Table D-1, note 5). [1]
• Multiple-use parcels: one sign must include center identification, i.e. the name of the center (Table D-1, note 4). [1]
• Single-use parcels (§705.D.2.b): 100 ft or less of frontage, one secondary sign; between 100 and 300 ft, one primary sign; more than 300 ft, the same number and sizes of signs as a multiple-use parcel. [1]
• Corner parcels (§705.D.2.d):
  • less than 100 ft of frontage on either street: one ground sign up to 20 ft high and 150 sq ft, or one ground sign on each street front up to 5 ft high as of right (8 ft through design review) and 32 sq ft; [1]
  • more than 100 but less than 300 ft on both streets: one corner sign up to 20 ft high and 150 sq ft, or one sign on each street front up to 15 ft and 110 sq ft on a low volume street or 18 ft and 130 sq ft on a high volume street. [1]
• Location: front yard, or side yard of a corner lot next to a street; at the property line or two feet from the back side of a curb or sidewalk, whichever is greater (§705.D.2.f). [1]
• Separation from buildings: a freestanding ground sign over 8 ft high must be at least one times the sign's widest width from a building or structure (§705.D.2.g). [1]
• Content: no more than ten items of information (§705.D.2.h). [1] Ground signs (except on corner parcels) must show the address in numerals at least six inches high, not over six square feet, not counted in sign area (§705.D.2.j).
• Clocks and time/temperature devices up to 32 sq ft are not counted in ground sign size (§705.D.2.e). [1]

3. Multifamily and residential districts (Table D-1)

• Multifamily residential, and nonresidential activity in a residential district: wall signs 15 ft high, 1 sq ft for each 4 linear ft (minimum 24, maximum 120); ground signs 1 per driveway, 5 ft (8 ft through design review), 16 sq ft (32 sq ft through design review), spacing 150 ft (numbers in parentheses are height and area possible through design review, Table D-1 note 1). [1]
• Table D-1, note 8: "Spacing of ground signs for multi-family and non-residential uses in a residential district may be reduced to 100 feet from ground signs on an adjacent commercially zoned property." [1]
• Single-family residential: wall signs 15 ft high, 2 sq ft; ground signs 5 ft (8 ft through design review, Table D-1 note 1), 16 sq ft, 300 ft between entrances (Table D-1). [1] Only subdivision identification signs may use design review to reach 8 ft (note 3). Two subdivision identification signs are permitted at each subdivision entrance (note 2).

4. Other common sign types

• Window signs: aggregate area up to thirty percent of each ground-floor window area; panels separated by muntins or mullions count as one windowpane; not assessed as wall signs; not allowed on glass doors (§705.D.5). [1] Temporary window signs need no permit (§705.B.2.g).
• Marquee, canopy and awning signs: treated as wall signs; lettering up to seven inches high on the edge of a canopy or awning hanging perpendicular to the ground is not counted; no part of a canopy or awning less than eight feet above the surface below; awning signs may be lit indirectly or internally (§705.D.6). [1]
• Projecting signs: bottom at least eight feet above grade; no more than forty-eight inches thick if solid (§705.B.3.b). [1]
• Directional signs: no more than two per driveway entrance, only one with business identification; no more than six square feet and three feet high (§705.D.4). [1] The no-permit rule in §705.B.2.a covers a sign visible from a public street only "if the sole purpose of the sign is to provide on-site directional or locational information."
• Pedestrian signs: not counted as wall or window sign area; lettering no more than four inches high (§705.D.7). [1]
• Construction signs (Table D-2): residential 32 sq ft; nonresidential activity in a residential district and commercial 100 sq ft; 12 ft high; 1 per street front. [1]
• Sale, lease or rental signs, nonresidential/commercial (Table D-2): 32 sq ft if less than 10 acres, 100 sq ft if more than 10 acres; 12 ft high; 1 per 300 ft of street front. [1]
• Temporary signs (§705.D.10):
  • grand openings / temporary ID while awaiting permanent signage: one sign per street front, up to fourteen days; permits for grand openings are issued only if a valid building permit for the building or suite has been issued, or a valid application for a certificate of occupancy has been made, if required (§705.D.10.c); [1]
  • temporary event signs (for temporary events permitted under Section 708 of the Zoning Ordinance): up no more than two days before the event and removed no more than one day after; no more than four events at one site per calendar year (§705.D.10.b); [1]
  • during adjacent right-of-way construction: one per street front, sixteen square feet, no more than five feet high (§705.D.10.d); [1]
  • banners: attached to a solid structure, eight feet clearance over public areas, vented, not above the roofline (§705.D.10.a(5)); [1]
  • balloons: set back from the property line at least one foot for each foot of balloon height, including the cord (§705.D.10.a(4)); [1]
  • temporary signs under §705.D.10.c may include banners and balloons but not portable "A" frame signs, pennants or streamers (§705.D.10.a(1)). [1]

5. Lighting and electronic message displays

Illumination (§705.C.6)

• Indirect light sources must be oriented or shielded so they are not visible from any residential use or public thoroughfare (a). [1]
• Direct incandescent illumination: no more than eleven watts per bulb without a dimming device or sunscreen, and no single bulb over forty watts (b). [1]
• Directly lit signs with more than 150 watts of light sources on a face: no illumination from 11:00 p.m. until sunrise (c). [1]
• No illuminated sign closer than sixty feet to single-family residential use or undeveloped single-family zoned property, unless it does not face that property or a use permit is obtained (d). [1]
• Not permitted: flashing, blinking or rotating lights; metal halide over seventy-five watts; high or low pressure sodium; mercury vapor for direct or internal illumination (e). [1]
• Must satisfy the Phoenix Dark Sky Ordinance, City Code Section 23-100 (f). Exposed neon is permitted as an integral part of a sign (g). [1]

Electronic message displays (§705.C.13)

• Permitted in Commercial/Industrial land use designations and for nonresidential uses in Residential Districts, with a use permit. [1]
• Copy changes only by immediate transition, with no moving text or images and no flashing (a). [1]
• Each message displays for a minimum of eight (8) seconds (b). [1]
• Photocell dimming required; no more than three hundred (300) nits from dusk until dawn (c). [1]
• Off from 11:00 p.m. to sunrise when within one hundred fifty (150) feet of, and visible from, Single Family Residential zoned property (d). [1]
• Only on property adjacent to a freeway, major arterial, arterial or collector street, and at least one hundred (100) feet from flashing warning signs (g). [1]
• On a ground sign within fifty (50) feet of a traffic signal, the display's maximum height is eight (8) feet, increasing one (1) foot for every twelve (12) feet of additional setback (h). [1]
• Animated signs are allowed only in commercial land use designations with a use permit (§705.C.1); rotating signs need a use permit (§705.C.12). [1]

6. What's prohibited (§705.B.3)

• Signs on or over the right-of-way. Wall signs may project up to eighteen inches if the bottom is at least eight feet above grade (a). [1]
• Sight triangles at street intersections: no sign between three (3) and ten (10) feet high inside the triangle, other than a single post or column no more than twelve (12) inches across (e). [1] Table B-1 sizes: 33' along each street for Local-Local, Local-Collector, Collector-Collector, Collector-Major and Major-Major; Major-Local 33' along the major street and 15' along the local street; street-driveway 33' along a major street or 15' along a local street, and 10' perpendicular to the street.
• Signs that pose a traffic hazard, such as signs that may be confused with an official traffic sign or signal, or that misuse words like "stop" or "danger" (c). [1]
• Signs on or above the roof: unless otherwise provided, no sign on or through a roof or above the roofline (f). [1]
• Portable ground signs, including A-frame signs, unless specifically permitted elsewhere (g). [1]
• Signs for home occupations (h). [1]
• Glass doors: only pedestrian signs (i). [1]

7. Signs that don't need a permit (§705.B.2)

These need no permit or annual sign regulation charge, but must still meet §705.C and applicable Building Code sections. [1]

• Signs not visible from public streets or from one property to another, and signs whose sole purpose is on-site directional or locational information (a). [1]
• Temporary window signs (g). [1]
• Political signs of thirty-two square feet or less, provided the person or organization first files with the Planning and Development Department the name, address and telephone number of a person responsible for erecting and removing them, and the signs are removed within ten days after the election; primary-election signs may remain only if they continue to be valid for the next general election (h). [1]
• Nameplates and street address signs containing no advertising copy: up to two square feet and one per street front per use for residential uses (j); street address signs and wall-mounted nameplates up to six square feet for commercial and industrial uses (k). [1]
• Changing copy, or maintenance with no structural changes (n). Repainting a painted wall sign after more than fifty percent of the copy has been removed requires written notice to the Planning and Development Department at least three days before. "Change on any sign when an increase in square footage occurs, shall require a permit." [1]
• Temporary, nonilluminated real estate signs up to six square feet (o), and temporary, nonilluminated construction signs up to sixteen square feet (p). [1]
• Signs on operating, registered vehicles and equipment actively used in the business, subject to conditions (f). [1]
• Business names or logos on the face of fuel pumps (r). [1]

8. Permit process: what to submit and what happens after

1. Check for special approvals and districts. The code provides comprehensive sign plans (§705.E.2) and the Downtown Redevelopment Area sign district (§705.F.1). [1]
2. Prepare plans. Applications need plans showing the scope and structural detail of the work, details of connections, guy lines, supports and footings, and a plot layout showing sign locations relative to buildings and lots (§705.B.1.d(2)). [1] For ground signs, the city's submittal checklist (TRT/DOC/00298, rev. 5/13), under "A. Ground Sign Location", asks for the shortest distance from the sign's leading edge to the property line, the distance from any driveway, sign height from street grade, and the sight distance triangle if at an intersection or driveway. [10]
3. Engineering. Plans and calculations sealed by an Arizona-registered engineer or architect are required for (§705.B.1.d(1)): [1]
   • roof, canopy and marquee signs over twenty-five square feet; [1]
   • combination signs over fifty square feet; [1]
   • projecting signs over fifty square feet or twelve feet wide; [1]
   • ground or pole signs over thirty-five square feet when the structure exceeds six feet in height (see the conflict note above); [1]
   • wall signs over one hundred square feet, except cut-out letters (no letter over one hundred square feet) and signs painted on the wall. [1]
   • Alternatives: a fabricator may file an approved standard design (§705.B.1.d(3)), and a sealed contractor certification for faces, cabinets and attachment may be accepted in lieu of formal engineering (§705.B.1.d(4)). [1]
4. Apply. The Sign FAQ (rev. 08/22) says applications are submitted at the signs counter in the Development Center, second floor of Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St. The Planning & Development fee schedule (effective 1/20/2026) lists the department at "200 W Washington St. - 3rd Floor", so the FAQ's floor may be out of date; confirm where the sign counter is before going in. [9][6] The submittal checklist notes that multiple copies are not required when submitting through the Electronic Plan Review system. [10] Over-the-counter approvals are possible solely at staff discretion (Sign FAQ). [8]
5. Pay fees (App. A.2 Pt. 7–8; PDD fee schedule):
   • plan review: $195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour), including over-the-counter review of 1 to 2 signs; sign engineering plan review minimum $390 (2 hours); [4]
   • permits: $98 per wall-type sign; $195 per ground sign plus $98 per additional cabinet on the same structure; a permit fee for each separate structure of double face and "v" shape signs; billboards $780 per face; [2]
   • electric signs: add $195 per hour; [2]
   • electric component inspection: $195 per sign, charged to applications that do not include a UL Listing and warrant staff review of electrical components; [2][3]
   • temporary event sign permit $195 per event; directional signs $98 per sign; [2]
   • optional expedited plan review (availability limited, subject to the Planning & Development Director's approval): initial review 3 times the basic plan review fee; 2nd review only, 1 time the basic plan review fee; [11]
   • one-time permit extension or reinstatement: 50% of the current permit fee, applied and paid for before the permit expires; [12]
   • re-inspection: $195 each when called before work was ready, when there is no access, or for second and later re-inspections. [13]
6. Pick up the permit. If a permit is not obtained within ninety days after the applicant is notified that plans are approved, the application is considered withdrawn (§705.B.1.h). [1]
7. Start work. A permit is void if work does not start within one hundred eighty days of issuance or is suspended for sixty days (§705.B.1.f). [1]
8. Tag the sign with the city's permit tag; electric signs also need an electrical component tag or an approved testing-laboratory tag (§705.B.1.j). [1]
9. Charge accounts: sign contractors may pay permit and inspection fees on a charge account after filing a one thousand dollar ($1,000) bond (§705.H.2.d). [1]

9. Getting more than the standard allowance

• Design review is available to increase ground sign area and height (§705.E.1); fee $195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour) (App. A.2 Pt. 7, §71). [1][4]
• Comprehensive sign plans are use permits issued by the Zoning Administrator or Board of Adjustment (§705.E.2). Fees: application $1,710; major amendment $1,080; minor amendment $270 (PDD fee schedule). [1][11]
• Community sign districts for business areas with multiple parcels under separate ownership (§705.E.3). [1]
• Variance and use permit applications: $1,080 (PDD fee schedule). [14]
• Downtown: the Downtown Redevelopment Area sign district has its own rules (§705.F.1). [1]

10. Old or existing signs

• A nonconforming sign may continue as it existed when it became nonconforming; reasonable repairs and alterations are allowed (§705.G.2.a). [1]
• If a nonconforming sign's structure is changed, excess height and/or area must be reduced at least fifty percent; after the third structural change it must conform (§705.G.3.b). [1]
• A nonconforming sign damaged or deteriorated so that repair costs fifty percent or more of replacement must be removed or rebuilt to code (§705.G.3.d). [1]

Sources

Each numbered marker on this page points to the source entry with the same number below.

1. Phoenix Zoning Ordinance, Section 705 Signs (online code). Code page footer: "current through Ordinance G-7461, passed December 3, 2025". phoenix.municipal.codes/ZO/705
2. Phoenix City Code, Appendix A.2, Part 8 (online code). Code page footer: "current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026". phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/A.2_Part8
3. Phoenix City Code, Appendix A.2, Part 6 (online code). Code page footer: "current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026". phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/A.2_Part6
4. Phoenix City Code, Appendix A.2, Part 7 (online code). Code page footer: "current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026". phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/A.2_Part7
5. Phoenix City Code, Appendix A.2, Part 9 (online code). Code page footer: "current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026". phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/A.2_Part9
6. City of Phoenix Planning & Development fee schedule, PDF page 1. Printed: "Approved 12/17/2025 Per Ordinance G-7465 (Effective 1/20/2026)". phoenix.gov/…/fee-schedule.pdf
7. City of Phoenix, Signs web page. No date is printed on this page; our copy was saved in October 2026. phoenix.gov/…/signs.html
8. City of Phoenix, Signs Frequently Asked Questions (TRT/DOC/00615), PDF page 2. Printed: "Rev. 08/22". phoenix.gov/…/dsd_trt_pdf_00615.pdf
9. City of Phoenix, Signs Frequently Asked Questions (TRT/DOC/00615), PDF page 1. Printed: "Rev. 08/22". phoenix.gov/…/dsd_trt_pdf_00615.pdf
10. City of Phoenix, sign permit submittal checklist (TRT/DOC/00298), PDF page 1. Printed: "Rev. 5/13". phoenix.gov/…/dsd_trt_pdf_00298.pdf
11. City of Phoenix Planning & Development fee schedule, PDF page 15. Printed: "Approved 12/17/2025 Per Ordinance G-7465 (Effective 1/20/2026)". phoenix.gov/…/fee-schedule.pdf
12. City of Phoenix Planning & Development fee schedule, PDF page 18. Printed: "Approved 12/17/2025 Per Ordinance G-7465 (Effective 1/20/2026)". phoenix.gov/…/fee-schedule.pdf
13. City of Phoenix Planning & Development fee schedule, PDF page 17. Printed: "Approved 12/17/2025 Per Ordinance G-7465 (Effective 1/20/2026)". phoenix.gov/…/fee-schedule.pdf
14. City of Phoenix Planning & Development fee schedule, PDF page 16. Printed: "Approved 12/17/2025 Per Ordinance G-7465 (Effective 1/20/2026)". phoenix.gov/…/fee-schedule.pdf

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? Email SignRuleSheet@proton.me.