7A.11.1. HISTORIC DISTRICT

   A.   Location

      Historic districts include property established as historic preservation zones pursuant to Section 5.8 Historic Preservation Zone  and designated with the preface "H" which is added to the assigned residential, office, commercial, or industrial zone designation, i.e., R-1 becomes HR-1. For purposes of the sign  standards , historic districts are treated as specific mapped districts and are not treated as overlay zones . Note: historic preservation zone maps are located on the official City of Tucson's zoning maps .

   B.   Regulation of Signs

      All signs located in a "H" Historic Preservation Zone are regulated under Section 5.8.9.M, Signs, and subject to review under 5.8.8, Design Review Required.

   C.   Maximum Area of Any Sign

      Eight square feet in a residential zone ; 40 square feet in a commercial zone . The sign shall be appropriately sized, result in minimal damage to historic fabric, and avoid adverse effects on qualities that make a building eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

   D.   Historic District Advisory Board Approval

      All sign permit applications must be approved by the appropriate historic district advisory board.

   E.   No signs may extend above the top of the nearest facade , eaves or firewall of a building or structure .

   F.   Illumination

      Signs within the historic district may be illuminated by remote light sources that are shielded from adjacent properties.

   G.   Prohibited Features

      Visible bulbs, neon tubing, luminous paints, and plastics are prohibited, except as provided in Section 5.8.9 HPZ Design Standards  and approved in accordance with Section 5.8.8 Design Review Required.

   H.   Permitted Signs

      1.   Signs generally permitted and sign types listed in Section 7A.10, except as modified by this subsection for this district , and signs exempt under Section 7A.8 Exempt and Prohibited Signs.

      2.   Awning signs .

      3.   Banners , building and curbside.

      4.   Freestanding signs , monument and low profile only.

         a.   Maximum number: One per premises .

         b.   Freestanding signs that include or consist of a three-dimensional representation of a figure or object are prohibited.

      5.   Portable signs .

         a.   May be permitted in this district only after review and approval by the planning and development services director , the applicable historic district advisory board and the Tucson Pima County Historical Commission.

         b.   Use is subject to the provisions of Section 7A.10.3 Sign Types and General Standards.

      6.   Projecting signs .

         a.   Allowed use: Limited to commercial uses only.

         b.   Maximum height: 20 feet from grade (pedestrian surface) to top of sign or two feet below the parapet , whichever is more restrictive.

         c.   Minimum clearance : Eight feet between grade and bottom of sign .

         d.   Maximum projection from building : Five feet.

      7.   Temporary signs .

      8.   Wall signs .

      9.   Canopy signs , limited to properties zoned HO-2, HO-3, HNC, HC-1, HC-2, HC-3, HOCR-1 and HOCR-2.

      10.   Historic landmark  signs (HLS), all types. The first HLS on a premise does not count toward the maximum total sign area.

(Am. Ord. 11803, 12/8/2020)