# Sign Regulations in Bullhead City, Arizona

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bullhead City, Arizona, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bullhead City, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/bullhead-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AZ/Bullhead_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.42SIRE)

## At a glance

Bullhead City, Arizona regulates 32 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Sign (Freestanding/Monument/Wall)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft (freestanding), 5 ft (monument) tall and 64 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line; no projection over right-of-way setback (Sec. 17.42.045). Most commercial signs in Bullhead City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 15 ft (freestanding), 5 ft (monument) | 64 sq ft | — |
| R1L, R1, R1MH | 2 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| R2MF, RS | 2 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| C1, C2, C3, M1, M2, PL | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| R2MF, RS, C1, C2, C3, GC, M1, M2, PL | 12 | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| P/OS, R1L, R1S, R1FB, R1MH | 3 | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| C2, C3, M1, M2, PL | 2 | 30 ft (freestanding), 15 ft (monument) | 200 sq ft per sign area | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | Affixed to residence on which the sign is located | — | 17.42.040(A) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Freestanding/Monument/Wall) | 15 ft (freestanding), 5 ft (monument) | 64 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line; no projection over right-of-way | 2 per entry | Within subdivision boundaries or adjacent to entry arterial street | — | 17.42.045 |
| Temporary Sign - Event of General Interest (No Permit Required) | — | 16 sq ft (standard); 32 sq ft (with special/event permit); banner up to 70 sq ft on city property event with permit | — | — | — | Private property with owner's permission | — | 17.42.050(A)(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Sale, Lease, or Rent of Property (River or Street Frontage) | — | 16 sq ft (river frontage <100 ft), 32 sq ft (river frontage ≥100 ft per 100 ft), 7 sq ft (street frontage <100 ft), 16 sq ft (100-500 ft), 32 sq ft (>500 ft per 500 ft) | — | — | — | On property being advertised (river or street side) | — | 17.42.050(A)(2) |
| Temporary Open House Sign | — | 7 sq ft | — | — | 5 per home | On premises or with written consent elsewhere; may be in public right-of-way during daylight hours only | — | 17.42.050(A)(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Model Home | 8 ft for sign, 25 ft for flag poles | 16 sq ft for sign; 15 sq ft per flag (up to 4 flags) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 sign and 4 flags per home | For each model home; must be in new condition | — | 17.42.050(A)(9) |
| Promotional Display Sign - Banner | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 2 per business | Attached to exterior building wall or freestanding/monument sign | — | 17.42.060(H)(2) |
| Promotional Display Sign - Portable Sign | 5 ft | 4 ft x 4 ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | 17.42.060(H)(6) |

### R2MF, RS, C1, C2, C3, GC, M1, M2, PL

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Landscape Wall Sign | 5 ft | 50 sq ft per parcel | — | — | — | Architecturally integrated screening device | — | 17.42.065(E) |
| Business Sign - Monument Sign | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage (if on arterial street) | — | — | 17.42.065(F) |
| Business Sign - Freestanding Sign (5,000 sq ft or less lot) | 30 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage (if on arterial street) | — | — | 17.42.065(H), Table 17.42.065 |
| Business Sign - Freestanding Sign (5,001 to 10,000 sq ft lot) | 30 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage (if on arterial street) | — | — | 17.42.065(H), Table 17.42.065 |
| Business Sign - Freestanding Sign (10,001 to 20,000 sq ft lot) | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | — | — | 17.42.065(H), Table 17.42.065 |
| Business Sign - Freestanding Sign (20,001 to 40,000 sq ft lot) | 30 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | — | — | 17.42.065(H), Table 17.42.065 |
| Business Sign - Freestanding Sign (Over 40,000 sq ft lot) | 30 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | — | — | 17.42.065(H), Table 17.42.065 |
| Business Sign - Shopping Center/Mall Sign | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per shopping center/mall | Only for shopping centers/malls with ≥50,000 sq ft gross floor area | — | 17.42.065(G) |

### P/OS, R1L, R1S, R1FB, R1MH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Church/School/Nonprofit - Wall Sign (Same as business) | — | See business wall sign regulations | — | — | — | — | — | 17.42.070(B) |
| Church/School/Nonprofit - Monument or Landscape Wall Sign (Same as business) | — | See business monument and landscape wall sign regulations | — | — | — | — | — | 17.42.070(C) |
| Church/School/Nonprofit - Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage (if on arterial street) | — | — | 17.42.070(D) |

## Prohibited signs in Bullhead City

- Signs located within, on or projecting over any public right-of-way.
- Signs located on a roof or those that do not create a parapet or a parapet wall as defined.
- Any sign which interferes with or confuses traffic or presents a traffic hazard, and those which imitate or resemble official traffic or government signs or signals.
- Signs with flashing or intermittent illumination and those illuminated of such brilliance or position as to blind or dazzle the vision of travelers.
- Animated signs.
- Abandoned sign structures and obsolete signs.
- Dangerous or defective signs that are not maintained or kept in good repair.
- Signs erected, placed, constructed, or maintained in violation of this chapter.
- Signs which are misleading, erroneous, or provide false information and advertising, words or pictures which are obscene or indecent.
- Signs mounted on vehicles or equipment except as provided for or specifically exempted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Signs advertising or promoting a business without an active city business license.
- Off-premises signs advertising or promoting a business without an active conditional use permit.
- Signs shall not be located within, on, or projecting over any public right-of-way unless authorized by the city council with a lease agreement or other similar approval.
- On a corner lot in any zoning district, no sign or other obstruction to vision more than three feet in height shall be placed or maintained within the triangular area bounded on two sides by front lot lines, and on the third side by a straight line connecting points on said lot lines (or their projections) each of which points is twenty-five feet from the point of intersection of said lot lines.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bullhead City

- Flags used as a symbol of a recognized government or political subdivision are not subject to compliance with the regulations set forth in this chapter.
- Temporary signs—open house signs—which direct traffic to a home for sale are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit.
- Temporary signs—garage/yard sale signs—which direct traffic to a garage/yard sale are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit.
- Miscellaneous signs authorized by Section 17.42.040 of this chapter (including name plate signs, building directory signs, guard/security service signs, signs on vehicles meeting certain conditions) do not require permits.
- Window signs authorized by Section 17.42.065.I. do not require permits.
- Political and campaign signs are subject to Arizona Revised Statutes § 16-1019 and may not be installed or placed on any structure owned by the city.
- A business may request an exemption from specified sections of the city code if these provisions do not meet the signage needs of the business.
- A developer may request an exemption from specified sections of the city code if these provisions do not meet the signage needs of a subdivision project.
- The director or their designee may grant exemptions from the regulations of this chapter based on lot size and dimensions, square footage of signage, length of use, or surrounding uses.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Former sections 17.42.075 (comprehensive sign plans for subdivisions) and 17.42.080 (comprehensive sign plans for businesses) were repealed. The current ordinance does not require the submission of a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan.
- For off-premises signs, a conditional use permit is required, including submittal of drawings and a site plan describing the sign's design, materials, and location.
- Requests for exemptions from certain sign regulations require submission of a fully dimensioned site plan, square footage totals for all signs, and written justification for the exemption.
- Nonconforming sign relocation (for signs over 48 square feet) requires a conditional use permit.
- If a nonconforming sign is located within the boundaries of a zone change or conditional use permit request, it must be brought into conformance as a stipulation of approval.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 9 zoning districts in Bullhead City — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bullhead+City+AZ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bullhead-city

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