A. Purpose. This section regulates the use of signs and billboards in the city in order to protect its aesthetic environment, provide standards for communication by means of outdoor graphics, and safeguard the health and safety of its residents.
B. Prohibited signs. The following signs are inconsistent with the purposes and standards of this section and are prohibited in all zoning districts unless otherwise indicated:
1. Abandoned signs. Signs that advertise a business, lessor, owner, product, service, or activity no longer located on the site are prohibited and shall be removed no later than 90 days after the close of the business service or activity being advertised.
2. Animated signs or moving signs. No sign shall be allowed that is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination. Public service information signs and other electronic message centers classified as “changing signs” are allowed.
3. Off-premise signs. Signs that advertise goods, products, entertainment, services, or facilities at a different location from that of the sign shall not be allowed except as identified in Table 4.08-1 under division D. below.
4. Parking of advertising vehicles. Vehicle signs attached to or painted on motor vehicles that are parked on property for more than 48 consecutive hours when the principal purpose is to attract attention to a product sold or a business, person, or event shown on the vehicle shall be prohibited.
5. Pole signs. Pole signs with exposed poles, masts, or exposed structural supports are prohibited.
6. Portable signs. Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited, except for signs allowed on motor vehicles.
7. Posters and miscellaneous signs. Tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing signs of a miscellaneous character on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, trees, posts, fences, or other structures or objects so as to be visible from a public right-of-way is prohibited unless otherwise allowed by this section.
8. Projecting signs. Projecting signs with visible iron frames or structures are prohibited.
9. Roof signs. Roof signs shall not be allowed and the painting or changing of existing roof sign panels shall not be allowed.
10. Signs in public areas.
a. General. Signs shall not be allowed on a curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, or other surface located on public property or on/over a public right-of-way.
b. Exceptions.
i. Signs on benches and trash receptacles may be placed in a public right-of-way in accordance with division D. below.
ii. Signs may be located on public property subject to the following criteria and approved by the Commission:
(A) The right-of-way width is 200 feet or greater.
(B) Signs are set back a minimum of 50 feet from the centerline of a right-of-way.
(C) Sign heights do not exceed 12 feet above the adjacent road centerline grade.
(D) Only one site per site ingress/egress is permitted.
(E) The location of a sign is approved by the city.
(F) The owner enters into a hold harmless agreement with the city.
11. Swinging signs. Swinging signs that exceed 6 square feet in area are prohibited.
12. Temporary signs. Pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons, and other gas-filled figures shall not be allowed on a permanent basis except as allowed by division D. below.
13. Unclassified signs. Signs exhibiting the following characteristics are prohibited:
a. Signs that bear or contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, pornographic, immoral character, or that contain advertisements that are untruthful.
b. Signs that are painted on or attached to a fence or a wall that is not structurally a part of a building, except in the case of residential properties.
c. Signs that employ a slide or motion picture projection or form of media in conjunction with an advertisement, or have a visible moving part, or give the illusion of motion, except as otherwise allowed in this section.
d. Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
e. Signs that resemble or imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or bear the words “Stop,” “Go Slow,” “Caution,” “Warning,” or similar words.
f. Signs that, by reason of their size, location, movement, content or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal device.
C. Sign permit required.
1. A sign permit is required to raise, construct, enlarge, move, alter, or rebuild a sign, except for signs that do not require a permit in compliance with division D. below.
2. An application for a sign permit shall be made in accordance with the procedures identified in § 14.05.04B.
D. Signs that do not require a permit.
1. Sign permits shall not be required for the signs identified in Table 4.08-1, provided the sign complies with all applicable standards in this section including, but not limited to, any restrictions and conditions related to the exemption in this division D.
2. Signs not requiring a permit shall not be included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or total allowable sign area for a site.
TABLE 4.08-1 SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS | |||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | OTHER CONDITIONS |
TABLE 4.08-1 SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS | |||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | OTHER CONDITIONS |
Balloons | 100 | N/A | • No more than 30 ft. above ground • Not on top of a roof • Permitted for commercial uses in special purpose and mixed-use zoning districts • Shall be no greater than 16 inches in size • Permitted Friday - Sunday and on holidays • Shall be taken down at night • Shall not be cut loose and allowed to float away • Shall be inflated with nonflammable gas |
Construction signs (except those required by the State Registrar of Contractors) | 1/site | 32 sf. | • Shall be erected no more than 30 days prior to the start of construction • Shall be removed 30 days after the completion of construction and prior to occupancy • Must be on construction site • A valid building permit must be obtained for the site |
Directional/instructional signs | 6 sf. | • Must be located entirely on respective property • No more than 2 per property entrance point • No more than 25% of total sign area shall contain words or symbols identifying a business | |
Flags | • Shall be a flag exhibiting the emblem or insignia of a nation, political subdivision, or corporation | ||
Government/utility signs relative to public health, safety, and welfare | • Sign shall be erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her public duty | ||
Grand opening sign | 1/site | 30 sf. | • Must be removed within 30 days after opening of a new business |
House numbers/name plates | 2 sf./ residential unit | ||
Interior signs | • Interior signs are not exempt from the structural, electrical, or material specifications identified in any applicable codes of Mohave County or the State of Arizona | ||
Memorial signs | • If not an inscription, memorial signs shall be constructed of bronze or another incombustible material | ||
Notice bulletin boards | 24 sf. | • Permitted on the premises of institutional uses identified in Table 3-1 (Permitted Use Table) | |
No-trespassing or no- dumping signs | 4/parcel | 1.5 sf./sign | • Additional signs may be approved by the Zoning Administrator based on anticipated risks or threats to public health and safety |
Occupant name or occupation sign | 1/ dwelling unit | 1 sf. | |
Permanent window signs | 50% of each window area | • Limited to parcel frontage or tenant space main entrance • Not permitted on residential land uses | |
Plaques/name plates | 2.5 sf. | • Shall be attached directly to building | |
Public signs | • May be exempt from other sign requirements, including size, height, illumination, etc., provided the sign complies with the applicable law, order, rule, or regulation | ||
Real estate signs | 1/parcel | Residential districts: 6 sf. Mixed-use and special purpose districts: 16 sf. | • Shall be removed seven days after the sale, rental, or lease of the property |
Signs on park benches | • If placed in the public right-of-way, donors are limited to service clubs, business associations, or other nonprofit organizations • Sign letters shall not exceed 1 inch in height, or • Sign logo shall not exceed 12 inches in diameter | ||
Signs on waste receptacles | • Shall indicate purpose of receptacle and/or name of the donor • If placed in the public right-of-way, donors are limited to service clubs, business associations, or other nonprofit organizations • Sign letters shall not exceed 1 inch in height, or • Sign logo shall not exceed 12 inches in diameter | ||
Neighborhood or tract identification | • Existing signs, masonry walls, landscaping, or other similar features may be used to display the neighborhood or tract name | ||
Symbols or insignia | 4 sf. | • Limited to religious symbols and emblems, commemorative plaques, or historical event/agency identification • Shall be placed flat against a building | |
Temporary signs | 4 sf. | • Shall pertain to events of civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations | |
Warning signs | • Shall warn of public dangers • Shall be removed when the danger subsides | ||
Vehicle dealership display lot signage | Single banner:30 sf. Aggregate banner: 100 sf. | • Banners shall be allowed on vehicle/watercraft display lot fences and gates, for parcels with a minimum frontage of 250 ft. | |
Open house directional signs | 4/ residence for sale | 24 in. x 24 in. Text area: 3.5 sf. | • Shall direct traffic to a residence for sale • Shall only state “Open House” and include a directional arrow • Shall be space a minimum of 100 ft. apart • Shall be placed within 1 mi. of the residence for sale • Shall only be used during the time of the open house • Shall not be illuminated • Shall be of durable material, anchored to withstand wind gusts, and maintained in a visually pleasing condition • Open house directional signs not meeting all of these bulleted conditions can be removed and discarded without notice. |
Garage sale sign | 2 | 4 sf. | • Permitted during the sale only for a duration of 3 days • Shall be freestanding and removed after completion of the sale; • Shall not be placed on the street right(s)-of-way; • Shall not be larger than 4 square feet; and • When placed on private property shall have the owners’ prior permission. |
E. Nonresidential use signs. The provisions of this division E. apply to all non-residential uses of land in all zone districts, except for those located in the MU-UMS (addressed in division G. below), MU-SGD (addressed in division H. below), or along Highway 95 (addressed in division I. below).
1. General.
a. Design. Signs shall be designed and constructed of a building material compatible with the primary structure(s) on the site.
b. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be internally illuminated or shall be illuminated with the light source completely screened from view and as otherwise required in § 14.04.05.
2. Permanent signs. Permanent signs for nonresidential uses shall comply with the standards in Table 4.08-2.
TABLE 4.08-2 PERMANENT SIGN STANDARDS FOR NONRESIDENTIAL AREAS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | BUSINESS TYPE | NUMBER OF SIGNS (MAX.) | BASE AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.)(MAX.) |
TABLE 4.08-2 PERMANENT SIGN STANDARDS FOR NONRESIDENTIAL AREAS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | BUSINESS TYPE | NUMBER OF SIGNS (MAX.) | BASE AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.)(MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.)(MAX.) |
Freestanding | Single business parcel | 1/parcel with a frontage of 50 ft. or more | 30 | 1 sf/linear foot (lf) of building frontage for first 50 linear feet, plus 0.5 sf/for each additional 1 lf, up to 200 sf (max.) of aggregate sign area for each lot frontage | 8 ft. for parcels with lot frontages between 50 and 100 ft. 15 ft. for parcels with lot frontages of 100 lf or greater |
Business with center/complex | 30 | 1 sf/linear foot of building frontage for first 50 linear feet of frontage, plus 0.5 sf/for each 1 lf up to 200 sf (max.) of aggregate sign area (in the case of tenant spaces with more than 1 frontage, only the main entrance frontage shall be considered) | |||
Center/complex | 1/each street frontage | 500 sf/100 lf of building frontage, plus 0.5 sf/each additional 1 lf up to a maximum sign area of 80 sf (Area of sign shall be in addition to the total allowed sign area for individual businesses provided above) | |||
Business w/alley frontage | 1 sf/lf of building frontage on an alley for first 20 lf, plus 0.5 sf/each additional lf/up to a maximum sign area of 40 sf | ||||
Auto, RV, marine dealerships | 1/parcel with 50 - 250 lf of frontage 2/parcel with more than 250 lf of frontage | See business parcel standards above | See business parcel standards above | 1st sign: 15 ft. 2nd sign: 8 ft. | |
Freestanding signs, other conditions | • Businesses within a parcel that contains more than 1 business are not entitled to freestanding signs for individual businesses unless the businesses (a) are on parcels with at least 100 ft. of street frontage, (b) the signs are authorized by a city-approved parking-in-common plan, or (c) the parcel or portion of a parcel containing the business has been excepted from compliance with an approved parking-in-common plan by later action of the Commission.
• Sign base must be at least 50% as wide as the full sign width • Changeable copy and electronic reader board sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet or the allowable sign area, whichever is less. • Changeable copy and electronic reader board displays shall remain static for at least 8 seconds. • No freestanding sign shall be located closer than 5 ft. to an interior property boundary. • No freestanding sign may project into or over an abutting public right-of-way. • Address numbers at least 4 inches and no more than 8 inches in height shall be included on all sign structures. | ||||
Wall signs | Same as indicated above for freestanding signs | ||||
Wall sign, other conditions | • Wall signs are allowed for each parcel having frontage on a public right-of-way. • Where a parcel fronts on more than 1 public right-of-way or street, including PIC areas, but excluding alleys and service ways, these provisions shall apply to each frontage. • Wall signs may be directly or indirectly illuminated, except for signs on building frontages, on alleys, or parking-in-common areas where signs would be visible from residential uses.
• Changeable copy and electronic reader board sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet or the allowable sign area, whichever is less. • Changeable copy and electronic reader board displays shall remain static for at least 8 seconds. | ||||
3. Temporary signs. Temporary signs for nonresidential uses are shall meet the standards in Table 4.08-3.
TABLE 4.08-3 TEMPORARY NONRESIDENTIAL SIGN STANDARDS | ||||||
SIGN TYPE | PERMIT | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (FT.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION | OTHER CONDITIONS |
A-frame | Yes | 1 | 2 ft. x 3 ft. | • On parcel advertising • Not within ROW unless encroachment permit approved • Not in parking area • Within storefront area of a center/complex • Placement shall not interfere with pedestrian walkways | • Shall be separated by at least 10 ft. in a center/complex • Shall be of professional appearance and constructed of durable, weather resistant materials • Attachments to the sign are prohibited • Display hours shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
3. Temporary signs. Temporary signs for nonresidential uses are shall meet the standards in Table 4.08-3.
TABLE 4.08-3 TEMPORARY NONRESIDENTIAL SIGN STANDARDS | ||||||
SIGN TYPE | PERMIT | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (FT.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION | OTHER CONDITIONS |
TABLE 4.08-3 TEMPORARY NONRESIDENTIAL SIGN STANDARDS | ||||||
SIGN TYPE | PERMIT | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (FT.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION | OTHER CONDITIONS |
A-frame | Yes | 1 | 2 ft. x 3 ft. | • On parcel advertising • Not within ROW unless encroachment permit approved • Not in parking area • Within storefront area of a center/complex • Placement shall not interfere with pedestrian walkways | • Shall be separated by at least 10 ft. in a center/complex • Shall be of professional appearance and constructed of durable, weather resistant materials • Attachments to the sign are prohibited • Display hours shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | |
Banners, outdoor storage areas without primary building | 1/adjacent ROW | 30 sf. | • May be attached to a fence | |||
Banners, vertical, teardrop, blade | Yes | 1/50 lf of lot frontage adjacent to a ROW, but no more than 2 banners 1/business if in a center/ complex | 24 sf. | 8 ft. | • On the parcel of land near to the business advertising • Shall be separated by a minimum of 10 ft. from another banner • Not in the ROW • Shall not interfere with traffic | • Permitted if other wall banners are not already approved • Shall not be illuminated |
Banners, wall | Yes | 1% of the ground floor area of the building or 30 sf, whichever is greater, but no larger than 100 sf. | • Building mounted | • Not permitted in conjunction with vertical, tear drop, or blade banners • Shall remain taut and not move in response to atmospheric changes | ||
Commercial flags | Yes | • Permitted for commercial uses with approved outdoor sales | ||||
Pennants | Yes | 1 strand per 15 feet of parcel frontage | • Permitted for commercial uses with approved outdoor sales • May not exceed width of property | |||
F. Residential use signs. The provisions of this division F. apply to all residential uses of land in all zone districts, except for those located in the MU-UMS (addressed in division G. below), MU-SGD (addressed in division H. below), or along Highway 95 (addressed in division I. below). Table 4.08-4 identifies the specific types of signs allowed to residential uses of land and the standards that apply to that sign type.
TABLE 4.08-4 RESIDENTIAL AREA SIGN STANDARDS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION | OTHER CONDITIONS |
TABLE 4.08-4 RESIDENTIAL AREA SIGN STANDARDS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION | OTHER CONDITIONS |
Identification Sign | |||||
Multi-family dwellings | 1 | 20 sf. | Building wall | • Shall only identify the building name and address • Shall be indirectly or not illuminated | |
Manufacture d home parks | 1 | 30 sf. if parallel to ROW 15 sf. if perpendicular to ROW | • Sign may be lit or unlit | ||
Model home signs (no model home sign may be illuminated) | |||||
Freestanding | 1/parcel frontage | 24 sf. combined total for all frontages | 8 ft. | • 1 additional removable sign with a maximum areas of 3 sf. identifying the premises as “open” or “closed” and/or hours of operation shall be allowed as an attachment to the principal freestanding sign | |
Flag | 2 | 3 ft. x 5 ft. | 15 ft. | ||
Temporary | Banners: 30 sf. Pennants: 3 strands | Front yard behind the required setback | • Permitted for grand openings for a maximum of 45 consecutive days • Banners are permitted for up to 4 events/year • Sign permits shall be required for each calendar year • Signs shall be maintained in good condition | ||
G. MU – UMS District sign standards. Table 4.08-5 sets forth standards for business signs permitted in the UMS – MU District. Where the standards of this division G. conflict with other standards in this section, the standards of this division G. shall apply.
TABLE 4.08-5 MU-UMS SIGN STANDARDS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION [1] | OTHER CONDITIONS |
TABLE 4.08-5 MU-UMS SIGN STANDARDS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION [1] | OTHER CONDITIONS |
Building mounted | • 2/frontage • If 2 or more frontages, 3 signs (max.) | Shall comply with Table 4.08-2 above. | • 12 ft. from sidewalk level, or • Below the cornice line of building | ||
Awning/ canopy | • May be used in addition to wall signs • Shall only be allowed at ground level and on the portion of the building occupied by the business | ||||
Projecting/ hanging | 1 | 10 sf. | • 8 ft. (min.) • See building mounted for max. | • Perpendicular to building face or corner • Shall hang at least 6 inches away from building wall • Shall extend no further than 6 feet from building wall | • May be used in addition to wall signs |
Wall Mounted | |||||
Building identification | 1 | 24 sf. | • On second level • Centered along horizontal plane of building | • Allowed for buildings exceeding 1 level | |
Directory | 6 sf. | • Adjacent to sidewalk level door or entry • 8 ft. from ground level (max.) | • Shall not include any advertisements | ||
Fronting on a pedestrian walkway | 6 sf. | • 8 ft. from ground level (max.) • Shall only be located on portion of building occupied by the business that fronts a pedestrian walkway | |||
Portable (limited to A-frame) | Single business: 1 sign Center/comple x: 1 per 25 ft. of building frontage, up to a max. of 4 signs | 9 sf. per face | 4 ft. | • Must be located in front of property to which sign applies • 10 ft. min. spacing between portable signs • Must maintain min. clear pedestrian walkway of 4 ft. • May not obstruct access points or features required by ADA | • Must be constructed of durable, weather resistant materials • Must be of sufficient weight or anchored to withstand wind gusts. • May not include attachments such as flags or ribbons. • May be removed when business not open. |
H. C-SGD District sign standards. In the C-SGD District, signs shall comply with the provisions of this section, unless otherwise provided in this division H.
1. Wall signs. No wall signs shall be allowed facing any adjacent residential zoning district except for 1 business identification sign per development, not to exceed 6 square feet in area per development.
2. Monument signs.
a. In addition to the sign area allowed in Table 4.08-2 (Nonresidential Sign Standards), each development shall be allowed one additional monument sign measuring up to 24 square feet located in the front landscape buffer parallel to the front right-of-way.
b. The sign shall not exceed 4 feet in height and shall not extend beyond the front property line.
c. The sign shall be designed using one of the options shown in Figure 4.08-2 below.
d. The property shall comply with § 14.04.04 prior to the monument sign approval.
I. Highway 95 sign standards. A freestanding sign is permitted on parcels with commercial and industrial land uses along Highway 95 from Lake Drive to the northern city limits in compliance with the standards in Table 4.08-6.
TABLE 4.08-6 HIGHWAY 95 SIGN STANDARDS | |||||
SIGN TYPE | NUMBER (MAX.) | SIGN AREA (SF.) (MAX.) | HEIGHT (FT.) (MAX.) | LOCATION [1] | OTHER CONDITIONS |
Freestanding sign | 1/parcel with at least 200 lf of frontage along Highway 95 | 250 sq. ft. (this area counts towards the business’ overall aggregate sign area) | • 30 ft. above the highest centerline elevation of the 2 lane portion of HWY 95 adjacent to the property | • Shall be on the intended property • Setback at least 5 ft. from any property line • Cannot overhand into ROW | • Sign base must be architecturally enhanced • Base must be at least 40% as wide as the full sign width |
J. Political signs.
1. Political signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts in accordance with the following:
a. Filing. Any person or organization planning to erect political signs relating to a candidate or issue on the ballot of a primary, general, or special election shall first file with the City Clerk the name, address, and telephone number of a person who shall be responsible for the proper erection and timely removal of the signs.
b. Duration. Signs shall not be erected any earlier than 71 days prior to a primary election and shall be removed within 15 days after a general election, except for a sign for a candidate in a special election or primary election who does not advance to a general election, the period ends 15 days after the primary or special election.
c. Additional conditions. The sign shall support or oppose a candidate for public office, or support or oppose a ballot measure. The sign shall contain the name and telephone number of the candidate or campaign committee contact person.
d. Size. Signs located in an area zoned for residential use shall have a maximum area of 16 square feet. Signs located in any other area shall have a maximum area of 32 square feet.
e. Sign free area. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Code, political signs may be placed within the public right-of-way, except in the commercial tourism, commercial resort, and hotel sign free zone designated by the city pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-1019F. and illustrated in Figure 4.08-3.
f. Location. Signs shall not be erected on public property, utility poles, railings, or similar devices, medians, or in a location that is hazardous to public safety, obstructs clear vision in the area, or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Signs may be erected on a lot or property with permission from the legal property owner.
g. Removal. The person or organization who erects the signs is responsible for compliance with the city and state regulations, on-going maintenance, and removal of the political signs and any sign supports.
h. Violation. If the placement location of a political sign constitutes an emergency, the city may immediately relocate the sign. The city shall notify the candidate or campaign committee that placed the sign within 24 hours after the relocation. For all other violations, the city shall notify the candidate or campaign committee that placed the sign of the violation. Signs that remain in violation at least 24 hours after the city notified the candidate or campaign committee, the city may remove the sign. The city shall contact the candidate or campaign committee and shall retain the sign for at least 10 business days to allow the candidate or campaign committee to retrieve the sign.
Figure 4.08-3: Political Sign Free Zone
Figure 4.08-3: Political Sign Free Zone
(Ord. 22-1296, passed 10-25-2022; Ord. 22-1285, passed 4-12-2022; Ord. 16-1141, passed 2-23-2016)