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A. This chapter shall not apply to a sign, constructed with a valid permit, existing on April 1, 1986, which does not comply with this chapter, except as provided below.
B. Change of Use: A nonconforming sign shall comply with this chapter before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy which creates a change of use.
C. Damaged or Destroyed Sign: A nonconforming sign damaged to the extent of requiring a new building permit shall be replaced with a conforming sign.
D. Relocation: A nonconforming sign shall not be relocated without compliance with this chapter.
E. Alteration: A nonconforming sign shall not be altered to the extent of requiring a new building permit without being brought into compliance with all the regulations of this chapter.
1. Exception: A freestanding sign remaining in the same location may be altered, subject to the following conditions:
a. Maximum sign area may be the greatest of:
1) That permitted in the zone;
2) Sixty-four square feet in commercial or industrial zones only; or
3) Fifty percent of the area of the nonconforming sign;
b. Maximum sign height may be the greatest of:
1) That permitted in the zone;
2) The height of the roof line of the tallest main building on the site;
c. Setback. Ten feet from the front property line;
d. All structural components and braces (such as pipes, angle iron, cables, internal or back framing) shall be concealed with a pole cover or architectural embellishment.
F. Landmark Sign. A sign erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be given the status of a landmark sign and shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter if the design review committee finds it has significant cultural or historical character as a landmark.
G. Two-for-one Replacement of Billboard Support Structure. A billboard with a wooden support structure may be replaced with a metal support structure for a billboard of the same sign area provided it meets the following requirements:
1. Illumination: None;
2. Maximum height: 24 feet; and
3. A second existing billboard with a wooden support structure is removed within 30 days of the issuance of a permit for the replacement support structure.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)
A. Each single-family, residential property is allowed an on-site, cumulative sign area of six square feet, not exceeding six feet in height unless attached to a wall or structure, with no limit on the number of signs. Illumination of signage is prohibited.
B. Measurement:
1. Sign area measurement:
a. Background panel: A sign placed on a background panel is measured as the area contained within the outside dimensions of the background panel.
b. Individual letters or symbols: A sign with individual letters or symbols placed separately on a building wall, awning or other structure without a background panel, is measured as the sum of the smallest rectangular shape needed to enclose each letter or symbol;
c. Illuminated panel: A sign in an illuminated panel is measured as the entire illuminated surface area;
d. Multiple components: A sign displayed in more than one component e.g., a service station identification and price sign, is measured as the area enclosed by the smallest rectangle encompassing all the components.
2. Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the average finished grade beneath the sign to the topmost feature of the sign; except that if the sign location has an average finished grade lower than the adjoining grade of the road, the sign height is measured from the top of the curb (or crown of the road nearest the property if no curb exists) to the topmost feature of the sign.
C. Multiple components: A sign which is subject to more than one classification shall meet the requirements for the classification to which each portion is subject.
D. Illumination.
1. Signs may be illuminated, except where expressly prohibited in this chapter.
2. A sign shall comply with the standards of the Outdoor Lighting Code (Chapter 15.12).
3. A light source of a sign shall not be visible from:
a. Above except as allowed in the Outdoor Lighting Code (Chapter 15.12), and,
b. An adjacent property or street.
E. Permitting.
1. The sign-property owner or the sign-property owner's representative may apply for a sign permit. A sign-property owner's representative shall provide an authorization letter from the owner of the property on which the sign is to be installed.
2. Except as expressly allowed in subparagraph 3 below, a sign permit is required prior to constructing, installing, placing, altering, or relocating any sign.
3. A sign permit is not required for any of the following:
a. Change of sign copy;
b. An exempt sign as defined in this chapter;
c. A sign allowed by a state or federal law preemption of this chapter; or,
d. Sign maintenance that does not change the design of the sign.
4. Permit fees. In accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
5. Application.
a. The sign portion of a permit application shall be submitted for all signs requiring a permit.
b. The sign portion of a permit application must be accompanied by all items required by the application checklist.
6. Permit suspension or revocation. In addition to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 18.95 (COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT), the zoning inspector may suspend or revoke a sign permit issued as a result of the applicant's material omission or misstatement of fact. The planning official shall give notice of any suspension or revocation to the applicant and to the sign-property owner.
F. Address identification. A sign shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 18.83 (ADDRESSING STANDARDS) and the Official Address Guide for Pima County, Arizona.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)
A. Billboard. A billboard is allowed in the CB-2, CI-1, CI-2, and CI-3 zones subject to:
1. General:
a. Minimum clearance: Ten feet.
b. Maximum faces per sign: Two.
c. No illumination.
d. Maximum number: None.
e. Landscaping ratio: None.
f. No on-site business identification sign shall be a part of or attached to a billboard.
g. No sign face area or object shall extend beyond the surface or rectangular perimeter of the billboard face.
h. All visible portions of the supporting structure shall be an earthtone shade of brown or green.
2. CB-2 and CI-1:
a. Maximum area: 75 square feet;
b. Maximum height: 16 feet;
c. Setbacks: 20 feet from any property line.
d. Location: Not within 660 feet of another billboard.
3. CI-2 and CI-3:
a. Maximum area: 300 square feet;
b. Maximum height: 24 feet;
c. Maximum faces: Two;
d. Setbacks: 20 feet from any property line, except a 30-foot front setback is required for a billboard with an area of more than 75-square feet; and
e. Location: A billboard with an area of 75 square feet or less shall not be within 660 feet of another billboard and a billboard with an area more than 75 square feet shall not be within 1,320 feet of another billboard.
4. A billboard shall not be located:
a. Within 200 feet of a residential zone or 100 feet of a building erected prior to the issuance of the billboard permit.
b. On a designated scenic route, excepting:
i. Interstate 10.
ii. Interstate 19.
iii. Those portions of State Highway 85 and 86 between the Tohono O'dham Reservation, the Pinal County line and the boundary of the Organ Pipe National Monument.
c. On a lot or parcel with a building or structure. A billboard constructed after November 19, 1985, shall be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a building on the same lot or parcel.
d. A billboard within 300 feet of a county road constructed after January 1, 1984, or within a CB-2 zone shall require a sign use permit issued by the board of supervisors. The permit shall be: issued after a public hearing for which all owners of property within 600 feet of the proposed billboard have been notified by mail, subject to the requirements of Section 18.79.080(A)(1)(f)-(A)(1)(h), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4)(a)-(c); and, in conformance with the purpose statement in Section 18.79.080(A)(4)(d)(i) of this chapter.
i. It is the purpose of this subsection to establish a framework of comprehensive sign standards for Pima County that reflect the community decision to preserve and enhance the natural, scenic desert environment of Pima County and to promote the health, safety and welfare of the community. It is the intent of this subsection to authorize the use of signs that:
a) Encourage an aesthetic appearance compatible with the surrounding human and natural environment along street frontages;
b) Encourage the clear visibility of the mountain and desert environment and improve the quality of the visual appearance of the community;
c) Promote signs that are appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain;
d) Encourage legibility of sign information along street frontages;
e) Protect astronomical observation and minimize light intrusion onto adjacent property; and
f) Reduce visual clutter and glare in order to promote traffic and pedestrian safety and encourage the clearest possible visual perception of existing adjacent businesses and existing signs.
ii. The application fee for a public hearing before the board of supervisors concerning a CB-2 zone billboard sign use permit shall be in accordance with the development services fee schedule.
B. Building Entryway. A building entryway sign is allowed subject to a maximum sign area of 40 square feet, a maximum height of 8 feet, a minimum setback of 40 feet, and the sign face shall not be oriented to the street.
C. Canopy. A canopy sign is allowed subject to a maximum sign area of 60 square feet for the entire canopy.
D. Freestanding. A freestanding sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; non-residential areas only.
Interstate style:
a. Within 250 feet from the edge of the interstate right-of-way and within 1,000 feet parallel to the interstate (this area is measured toward the exit or entrance ramp from a point where the centerline of a ramp meets with the edge of the right-of-way of a contiguous road which is part of the interstate interchange);
b. Not within 300 feet of another freestanding sign.
2. Maximum number of signs per site: One sign, with the exception of a development complex having a street frontage of at least 500 feet is allowed one sign per vehicular access point.
Interstate style: One per site including any style of freestanding sign.
3. Maximum area per sign:
a. Nonresidential uses in the ML, SR, SR-2, SH, CR-1, CR-2, CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, CMH-1, CMH-2 zones: 32 square feet;
b. For all other zones, a site with:
i. Less than 300 feet of street frontage: 50 square feet;
ii. From 300 - 549 feet of street frontage: 64 square feet;
iii. Greater than 549 feet of street frontage: 90 square feet;
iv. Development complexes with 500 feet or greater of street frontage: 50 square feet per vehicular access point.
c. Hospital: 100 square feet each.
d. Interstate style: 150 square feet.
4. Maximum height per sign:
a. Nonresidential uses in the ML, SR, SR-2, SH, CR-1, CR-2, CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, CMH-1, CMH-2 zones: 6 feet;
b. For all other zones: 10 feet;
c. Hospital: 15 feet.
d. Interstate style: 25 feet above the interstate grade.
5. A 25 percent increase in the area and height of an internally or externally illuminated sign is allowed if the illumination measures of the Dark Sky Protection Option in Section 18.79.100(A)(4) are met.
6. Landscaping ratio per sign: 4:1.
7. Minimum setbacks:
a. Front:
i. Zero feet from property line if sign height is less than or equal to 10 feet.
ii. 10 feet from property line if sign height is greater than 10 feet.
b. Side: 10 feet from property line.
8. May include a change of sign copy component.
9. May include additional drive-through lane signs subject to:
a. Maximum number of signs: Two; one additional for more than one drive-through lane;
b. Maximum area per sign: 36 square feet;
c. Maximum height per sign: 7 feet;
d. Sound emitted shall not be audible from any nearby residential property.
e. Sign faces shall be oriented only to the drive-through lanes and located a maximum of 6 feet from the edge of the lanes.
10. Interstate style freestanding sign faces shall be perpendicular to or substantially oriented to the through travel lanes of the interstate.
11. Freestanding signs located along scenic routes shall be monument style as defined in Section 18.77.040(B)(2).
E. Minor. A minor sign is allowed subject to a maximum sign area of 6 square feet, a maximum height of 4 feet, and a minimum setback of 25 feet.
F. Subdivision entryway. A subdivision entryway sign is allowed subject to a maximum sign area of 40 square feet, a maximum height of 8 feet, and limited to one per entryway with a maximum of two per subdivision.
G. Suspended. A suspended sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; non-residential areas only; near the tenant space.
2. Maximum number of signs: One per tenant space.
3. Maximum area: Calculated as part of the wall sign area allotment (reference 18.79.080(H)).
4. Maximum height: Building height.
5. Minimum clearance: Eight feet.
6. If a projecting sign, maximum projection allowed: Five feet.
H. Wall. A wall sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; non-residential areas only; located on tenant space with the multi-tenant building maximum sign area exception of Section 18.79.080(H)(4)(b).
2. Maximum number of signs per tenant or building: Five.
3. Maximum sign area per site for nonresidential uses in the ML, SR, SR-2, SH CR-1, CR-2, CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, CMH-1, CMH-2 ones: 30 square feet.
4. For all other zones, maximum sign area per building:
a. Single tenant building:
i. 30 square feet or 1.5 square feet of area for every lineal foot of each building frontage for two building frontages plus .5 square feet for every lineal foot of building frontage for a third building frontage, whichever is greater, but no more than 200 square feet for building frontages less than or equal to 500 feet;
ii. For building frontages greater than 500 feet: no more than 300 square feet, on two building frontages. 150 square feet is permitted on a third building frontage.
b. Multi-tenant building: Thirty square feet or 1.5 square feet for each linear foot of building frontage up to 200 square feet per tenant for a maximum of two building frontages. Exception: If sign is not located on tenant space, maximum sign area is 30 square feet each.
5. Maximum height: First and top stories of a multi-story building; no projection above the roofline. Allowed on parapet walls that are structurally integrated into the original building design; not extensions added to an existing building.
6. A 25 percent increase in the area and height of a sign is allowed if the illumination measures of the Dark Sky Protection Option in Section 18.79.100(A) are met.
7. May include a change of sign copy component.
8. May include drive-through lane signs subject to:
a. Maximum area: 36 square feet;
b. Sound emitted must not be audible from any residential property.
I. Window. A window sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; non-residential areas only;
2. Maximum area per sign: No more than 30 percent of the window on which the sign is displayed. Sign copy on a permanent window sign with letters or symbols no more than three inches high shall not be counted as part of the sign area allotment;
3. Maximum height: First and second floor building windows only;
4. Maximum number of illuminated signs: One per frontage and two total per site. If illuminated, window signs shall only be internally illuminated.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)
A. General requirements. Temporary sign types shall not:
1. Interfere with the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles.
2. Be placed upon any other sign assembly, utility pole, authorized traffic control device, utility box, boulder, tree, planter, or similar structure.
3. Be placed in a manner that allows displacement during adverse weather conditions and results in a safety hazard to the public.
4. Include amplified sound, animation, motion or attachments such as balloons, flags, streamers, pinwheels, or ribbons.
5. Be illuminated other than by ambient light present on the property or by existing illumination intended for other uses.
6. Be off-site, except as expressly allowed by this chapter.
7. Advertise off-site commercial activities, except as expressly allowed by this chapter.
B. Temporary signs must be clearly labeled with the name and telephone number of the sign owner.
C. Banner sign. A temporary banner sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; shall be rigidly affixed at all four corners;
2. Maximum number per site: One per street frontage within site;
3. Maximum area: 60 square feet;
4. Maximum height: Below the roofline for building-mounted banners;
5. The maximum, cumulative display time for a banner sign attached to an existing building is 90 days per calendar year with the 90 days to be divided into no more than two time periods.
D. Political signs: Reference Arizona Revised Statutes.
E. Portable "A" and "T" - frame signs:
1. Location: On-site; non-residential areas only; within 30 feet of the building entrance; a minimum four-foot horizontal clearance on sidewalks. Shall not be permitted in parking areas, including islands and spurs, and shall have a minimal clearance of three feet from the perimeter of parking areas;
2. Maximum number per site: One sign per tenant;
3. Maximum area: 6 square feet;
4. Maximum height: 3.5 feet;
5. Displayed typically on a daily basis. Shall be removed during the time between close of business to the next opening of business.
F. Window sign. A temporary window sign is allowed subject to:
1. Location: On-site; first and second floor windows; not permitted on the exterior side of windows;
2. Maximum area: 25 percent of window.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)
A. Dark sky protection option.
1. Purpose: To allow increased sign area and height and promote the use of illumination measures to protect dark skies.
2. Application: Applies to conventional internally-illuminated signs and externally-illuminated signs. Does not apply to billboard signs.
3. Incentives: A 25 percent increase in the area and height of a sign is allowed subject to meeting the requirements of this section. Submittals are reviewed by and subject to approval, approval with conditions, or denial by the planning official.
4. Illumination measures. In addition to meeting the Outdoor Lighting Code, a sign shall meet the following:
a. An illuminated sign shall be turned off by 9 PM;
b. Only the sign copy shall be illuminated;
c. A maximum correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000K for the illumination source;
d. A maximum luminous intensity of 100 nits (candela per square meter).
e. Externally illuminated signs:
i. Full shielding of luminaires;
ii. Top-down illumination only;
iii. Light trespass onto any other property prohibited;
iv. Sign surface contains all of the light;
f. Conventional internally illuminated signs: Light text on dark backgrounds only, where "dark" does not include white, off-white, light gray, cream or yellow colors.
B. Master sign program.
1. Purpose:
a. To allow flexibility in the standard provisions of this chapter to respond to a special need, event, or activity in exchange for better design while still meeting the general intent of the chapter;
b. To promote:
i. A unifying, consistent and aesthetic design theme in the form of architectural style, shapes, textures, colors and materials used on a scale from an individual lot to a development complex;
ii. A well-organized visual environment with signs located and spaced or grouped together to reduce a disorganized appearance and improve the appearance of affected street frontage;
iii. Proportionality in sign area and height to integrate with the buildings, architecture, and landscape of the site;
iv. The use of high quality materials.
c. To protect Dark Skies through the use of illumination measures (Section 18.79.100(A)(4));
d. To maintain sign legibility and promote traffic and pedestrian safety;
e. To avoid obstructing significant scenic views from the right-of-way.
2. Application. The Master Sign Program may apply to:
a. On-site signs;
b. Off-site signs equal or less than 32 square feet in sign area including any signs in the right-of-way.
The program does not apply to billboards, off-site signs that exceed 32 square feet in sign area, or sign types not otherwise allowed by the chapter. The program applies to Tier 1 and Tier 2 requests according to Section 18.79.100(B)(3) below. One application per site or project shall be submitted.
3. Review.
i. Allowing off-site signs equal or less than 32 square feet in sign area;
ii. Increasing the number of signs on a site by 10 percent or less;
iii. Increasing the maximum sign area per site by 10 percent or less;
iv. Allowing a variation of 10 percent or less in the location of signs on a site; or,
v. Allowing a variation of 10 percent in the time period that signs may be displayed on a site.
The planning official may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request based on this section. The applicant may appeal the decision by the planning official to the Board of Supervisors.
i. Increasing the number of signs on a site by a maximum of 25 percent;
ii. Increasing the sign area per site by a maximum of 25 percent;
iii. Allowing a variation in the location of signs by a maximum of 25 percent;
iv. Allowing a variation in the time period signs may be displayed on a site to a maximum of 25 percent, and,
v. Increasing the maximum height of a sign per site by a maximum of 25 percent.
The Design Review Committee may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request based on this section. The applicant may appeal the decision by the Design Review Committee to the Board of Supervisors.
4. The applicant shall submit a complete master sign program request according to departmental requirements and fees.
5. If a sign is proposed for location within the right-of-way, review and approval by the Pima County Department of Transportation shall be required.
6. Written permission by the property owner for any sign on private property shall be required.
7. Each sign must be clearly labeled with the permit number and the name and contact information of the sign permit applicant.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)