Scottsdale sign permit requirements

Permit required before erection of all signs; no permit for signs 6 sq ft or less, temporary window signs, or signs not visible from a separate lot or street.

“Except as provided below, a sign permit shall be required before the erection, re-erection, construction, alteration, placing, or installation of all signs regulated by this ordinance.”

Category C (commercial districts): 1.5 sq ft of sign area for every 1 linear foot of the longest business front; business front <200 ft from street line 1 sq ft per lineal ft, business front >=200 ft 1.5 sq ft per lineal ft, not to exceed sum total per business

Commercial (Category E) monument sign: 24 sq ft per face; mid-size monument up to 30-60 sq ft and tower up to 50-120 sq ft depending on gross floor area and street classification

Commercial (Category E): monument sign 5 feet; mid-size monument 6-12 feet; tower sign up to 15-25 feet depending on gross floor area and street classification

Set out in the same table as freestanding sign — maximum area above.

Minimum 15 feet from back of curb, unless a lesser setback is approved

“All permanent freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from back of curb, unless a lesser setback is approved.”

Projecting signs (allowed in PRC district via master sign program): same as building wall sign area, not to exceed 36 sq ft

“Maximum sign area: Same as the building wall sign area allowed for a business on Table 8.502.A., not to exceed thirty-six (36) square feet.”

Minimum clearance 8 feet from bottom of sign to grade; maximum projection 48 inches from building wall (PRC district)

“Minimum Clearance: Eight (8) feet from the bottom of the sign to the grade or finished surface below the sign.”

25 percent of any window pane greater than 4 sq ft; 100 percent of any window pane 4 sq ft or less

“25 percent of any window pane that is greater than four (4) square feet.”

Permanent signs may be illuminated only by internal, internal indirect, or indirect lighting; indirect lighting must be shielded. Flashing, blinking, rotating lights, exposed neon, exposed incandescent/fluorescent/etc., and exposed LEDs (except indirect) are prohibited.

“Permanent signs may be illuminated only by internal, internal indirect or by indirect lighting unless otherwise specified.”

Commercial banners: 1 sq ft per linear foot of building wall, max 250 sq ft, max height 36 ft not above roof line, one per business; maximum duration 35 consecutive days within a calendar year

“Maximum duration: 35 consecutive days within a calendar year.”

Animated/moving signs (except flags); signs attached to vehicles (except painted directly on surface); signs on City structures except by City; signs interfering with traffic; prohibited illumination types (flashing, exposed neon, exposed LEDs, etc.)

“No sign shall be permitted that moves by any means or has animation, except flags.”

Rules vary materially by district. Building sign categories A-F; commercial districts (Table 4.100.B) fall in Category C for wall signs (1.5 sq ft per linear ft of longest business front). Freestanding signs for commercial (Category E) vary by gross floor area and street classification under Sec. 8.515.

“Category C, includes zoning districts shown on Table 4.100.B. Commercial Districts, 4.100.C. Industrial Districts, and 4.100.D. Mixed Use Districts, Western Theme Park (W-P), and Special Campus (S-C)”