# Sign Regulations in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lake Havasu City, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/lake-havasu-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-15
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lakehavasucity/latest/lakehavasu_az/0-0-0-1389)

## At a glance

Lake Havasu City, Arizona regulates 80 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign (Standard Nonresidential Areas)s in the Mixed Use and Special Purpose (MU-N, MU-G, MU-CRW, MU-UMS) zoning district are capped at 8 ft for parcels with 50–100 ft frontage; 15 ft for parcels with ≥ 100 lf frontage tall and Base: 30 sf (sign face); overall aggregate sign area per frontage up to 200 sf by formula, with a Minimum 5 ft from any interior property boundary; may not project into/over public ROW. setback (Sec. § 14.04.08(E)(1)-(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Freestanding” and “Freestanding signs, other conditions”). Most commercial signs in Lake Havasu City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 30 | 30 ft above ground; not on top of a roof. | Up to 50% of each window area | — |
| Residential (R-A, R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, RMH, R-M, R-UMS, R-CHD, R-SGD) | 6 | 15 ft | 30 sf when parallel to ROW | — |
| Mixed Use and Special Purpose (MU-N, MU-G, MU-CRW, MU-UMS) | 19 | First sign: 15 ft; second sign: 8 ft | Up to 200 sf by formula | — |
| Commercial (C-CHD, C-SGD, I-B, C-1, C-2) | 7 | First sign: 15 ft; second sign: 8 ft | 200 sf aggregate per lot frontage by formula; base area 30 sf | — |
| Industrial (LI, I) | 2 | Up to 30 ft above the highest centerline elevation of the 2‑lane portion of Highway 95 adjacent to the property | 250 sf (counts toward business’s overall aggregate sign area) | — |
| A-P Agriculture/Preservation | 2 | Freestanding: 8 ft for 50–100 lf frontage; 15 ft for ≥100 lf frontage. | Up to 200 sf aggregate per frontage for freestanding and wall signs; center/complex/other types per Table 4.08‑2. | — |
| P-1 Public Lands and Facilities | 1 | Freestanding 8–15 ft per Table 4.08‑2; others as applicable. | Up to 200 sf aggregate per frontage for standard freestanding/wall signs; public signs may deviate as allowed by law. | — |
| GC Golf Course | 1 | 8–15 ft for freestanding per frontage; wall sign heights per building design. | Up to 200 sf aggregate per frontage for freestanding/wall signs. | — |
| AP-O Airport Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| NK-O North Kiowa Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| PD-O Planned Development Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| MU-UMS District | 7 | Must be either: (a) no more than 12 ft above sidewalk level, or (b) below the cornice line of the building. | Up to 200 sf aggregate per applicable frontage (by formula). | — |
| C-SGD District | 3 | 4 ft | 24 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs on Public Property / in Public Right-of-Way | 12 ft above adjacent road centerline grade for signs allowed under large‑ROW exception | — | — | Large‑ROW exception: sign must be set back at least 50 ft from centerline of ROW (§ 14.04.08(B)(10)(b)(ii)(B)). | Max. 1 site per site ingress/egress under large‑ROW exception (§ 14.04.08(B)(10)(b)(ii)(D)). | Public property and public rights‑of‑way citywide. | — | § 14.04.08(B)(10) |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Balloons | 30 ft above ground; not on top of a roof. | No greater than 16 inches in size (individual balloon); no explicit total area limit; height limit 30 ft above ground. | — | — | 100 balloons (max.). | On commercial uses in special purpose and mixed‑use zoning districts only. | — | § 14.04.08(D)(1)-(2), Table 4.08‑1 “Balloons” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Construction Signs (Non‑Registrar Signs) | — | 32 sf | — | — | 1/site | On the construction site for which a valid building permit has been issued. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “Construction signs” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Directional/Instructional Signs | — | 6 sf | — | — | No more than 2 per property entrance point. | Entirely on the respective property; at entrances or on‑site locations as needed. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “Directional/instructional signs” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Grand Opening Sign | — | 30 sf | — | — | 1/site | On the site of a new business. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “Grand opening sign” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – No‑Trespassing / No‑Dumping Signs | — | 1.5 sf per sign | — | — | 4/parcel by right; additional with approval. | On parcels where trespass or dumping is regulated; any zoning district. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “No‑trespassing or no‑dumping signs” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Open House Directional Signs | — | Overall sign: 24 in x 24 in (4 sf); text area: 3.5 sf max | 24 in by 24 in physical dimensions | — | 4/residence for sale | Within 1 mile of residence for sale; placed along routes directing traffic to residence; must be at least 100 ft apart; not illuminated. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “Open house directional signs” |
| Permit-Exempt Signs – Garage Sale Signs | — | 4 sf | — | Must not be placed on street right(s)‑of‑way. | 2 | On private property with owner’s prior permission; explicitly not on street rights‑of‑way. | — | § 14.04.08(D), Table 4.08‑1 “Garage sale sign” |

### Mixed Use and Special Purpose (MU-N, MU-G, MU-CRW, MU-UMS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign (Standard Nonresidential Areas) | 8 ft for parcels with 50–100 ft frontage; 15 ft for parcels with ≥ 100 lf frontage | Base: 30 sf (sign face); overall aggregate sign area per frontage up to 200 sf by formula | — | Minimum 5 ft from any interior property boundary; may not project into/over public ROW. | 1 freestanding sign per parcel with frontage ≥ 50 ft. | On single business parcels with frontage of 50 ft or more along a public right‑of‑way, in mixed‑use/special purpose zones when used for nonresidential uses. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(1)-(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Freestanding” and “Freestanding signs, other conditions” |
| Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign – Center/Complex Identification | — | 80 sf maximum | — | ≥ 5 ft from interior property boundary; may not project into ROW. | 1 per each street frontage. | 1 per street frontage of the center/complex. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Center/complex” |
| Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign – Auto/RV/Marine Dealerships | First sign: 15 ft; second sign: 8 ft | Up to 200 sf aggregate per frontage (same as standard freestanding). | — | ≥ 5 ft from interior property boundary; no projection into ROW. | 1 sign for 50–250 lf frontage; 2 signs if frontage > 250 lf. | On parcels used as auto, RV, or marine dealerships with specified frontage lengths. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Auto, RV, marine dealerships” |
| Temporary Nonresidential – A-Frame Sign (Standard) | — | 2 ft x 3 ft (6 sf per face maximum) | 2 ft width, 3 ft height (panel) | Not within ROW without encroachment permit; not in parking areas; must maintain clear pedestrian walkways. | 1 per business | On the parcel of the business it advertises; within storefront area of center/complex; not within right‑of‑way unless an encroachment permit is approved; not in parking area; must not interfere with pedestrian walkways. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(3), Table 4.08‑3 “A-frame” |
| Temporary Nonresidential – Vertical/Teardrop/Blade Banners | 8 ft | 24 sf per banner | — | Not in ROW; must be placed so they do not interfere with traffic. | 1 per 50 lf of frontage, max 2 per business in a center/complex | On the parcel near the business advertised; not in public ROW; must be separated by at least 10 ft from another banner; may not interfere with traffic. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(3), Table 4.08‑3 “Banners, vertical, teardrop, blade” |
| MU-UMS – Building Mounted Signs (Business Signs) | Sign must be either (i) ≤ 12 ft above sidewalk level, or (ii) located below the building cornice line (whichever applies). | By Table 4.08‑2 formula, up to 200 sf per frontage aggregate. | — | — | 2 per frontage; if 2+ frontages, max 3 total building‑mounted signs | On building façade in MU‑UMS District along frontages; must respect height limits relative to sidewalk and cornice line. | — | § 14.04.08(G), Table 4.08‑5 “Building mounted” |
| MU-UMS – Projecting/Hanging Signs | Minimum 8 ft clearance from sidewalk; maximum height same as building‑mounted sign height limit (≤ 12 ft above sidewalk or below cornice line). | 10 sf | — | — | 1 | Perpendicular to building face or at building corner within MU‑UMS District. | — | § 14.04.08(G), Table 4.08‑5 “Projecting/ hanging” |
| MU-UMS – Portable Sign (A-Frame) | 4 ft | 9 sf per face | — | Must maintain at least 4 ft clear pedestrian walkway; must not block ADA access points. | Single business: 1; center/complex: 1 per 25 ft frontage, max 4 | Must be located in front of property to which sign applies; in MU‑UMS pedestrian area; must maintain at least 4 ft clear pedestrian walkway; cannot obstruct ADA‑required access points or features. | — | § 14.04.08(G), Table 4.08‑5 “Portable (limited to A-frame)” |

### Commercial (C-CHD, C-SGD, I-B, C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign (Standard) | 8 ft for 50–100 ft frontage; 15 ft for ≥ 100 lf frontage | 200 sf aggregate per lot frontage by formula; base area 30 sf | — | Minimum 5 ft from interior property boundary; may not project into/over abutting ROW. | 1/parcel with frontage ≥ 50 ft | On commercial and mixed nonresidential parcels with frontage ≥ 50 ft along public ROW. | — | § 14.04.08(E)(1)-(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Freestanding”, “Freestanding signs, other conditions” |
| Nonresidential Use – Freestanding Sign – Auto/RV/Marine Dealerships | First sign: 15 ft; second sign: 8 ft | Up to 200 sf aggregate per frontage by formula. | — | ≥ 5 ft from interior property boundary; no projection into ROW. | 1 (50–250 lf) or 2 (>250 lf) | On commercial parcels used as auto, RV, or marine dealerships with frontage along public ROW (including Highway 95 area where combined with Highway 95 rules if applicable). | — | § 14.04.08(E)(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Auto, RV, marine dealerships” |
| Nonresidential Use – Wall Signs | — | Up to 200 sf per qualifying frontage. | — | — | — | On exterior walls of commercial buildings with frontage on public ROWs; each frontage treated separately (excluding alleys/service ways). | — | § 14.04.08(E)(2), Table 4.08‑2 “Wall signs” and “Wall sign, other conditions” |
| Temporary Nonresidential – A-Frame, Banners, Commercial Flags, Pennants | Vertical/teardrop/blade: 8 ft; MU‑UMS portable: 4 ft (if C‑CHD portions fall within MU‑UMS overlay, that table applies); others not specified. | A‑frame: 2 ft x 3 ft; vertical/teardrop/blade banners: 24 sf; outdoor storage banners: 30 sf; wall banners: 1% of ground‑floor area or 30 sf, whichever greater, up to 100 sf; commercial flags/pennants: no specific area but constrained by strand counts and frontage. | — | A‑frames not in ROW without encroachment permit; banners/pennants must not interfere with traffic or extend beyond property width; others per general ROW rules. | Per Table 4.08‑3 (A‑frame: 1; vertical/teardrop/blade: 1/50 lf, max 2; outdoor storage banners: 1 per adjacent ROW; pennants: 1 strand/15 ft frontage). | On commercial parcels (C‑1, C‑2, C‑CHD, C‑SGD, I‑B) consistent with general nonresidential temporary standards (on parcel, not in ROW unless allowed by encroachment permit, not in parking, etc.). | — | § 14.04.08(E)(3), Table 4.08‑3 |
| C-SGD District – Wall Sign Facing Residential (Standard) | — | No wall signs allowed facing residential except one small sign per development (see separate variation). | — | — | 0 (prohibited), except allowed small identification sign variation | On building walls in C‑SGD District that face adjacent residential zoning districts. | — | § 14.04.08(H)(1) |
| C-SGD District – Wall Sign – Business Identification Facing Residential (Exception) | — | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per development | On a wall facing adjacent residential zoning district, in C‑SGD District only. | — | § 14.04.08(H)(1) |
| C-SGD District – Additional Monument Sign (Option to Standard Freestanding) | 4 ft | 24 sf | — | Shall not extend beyond front property line; otherwise within front landscape buffer parallel to ROW. | 1 per development (additional to other allowed signs) | In the front landscape buffer parallel to the front right‑of‑way of the development in C‑SGD District; must not extend beyond front property line. | — | § 14.04.08(H)(2)(a)-(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Lake Havasu City

- Abandoned signs that advertise a business, lessor, owner, product, service, or activity no longer located on the site are prohibited and must be removed no later than 90 days after the close of the business, service, or activity.
- Animated or moving signs using flashing, scintillating, blinking, traveling lights, or any other means not providing constant illumination are prohibited, except for public service information signs and other electronic message centers classified as changing signs.
- Off-premise signs that advertise goods, products, entertainment, services, or facilities at a different location from that of the sign are prohibited except as specifically allowed in Table 4.08-1 under division D.
- Parking of vehicles with advertising signs attached to or painted on them is prohibited when they are parked on property for more than 48 consecutive hours and the principal purpose is to attract attention to a product, business, person, or event shown on the vehicle.
- Pole signs with exposed poles, masts, or exposed structural supports are prohibited.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited, except for signs allowed on motor vehicles.
- Tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing miscellaneous signs on 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 the sign standards section.
- Projecting signs with visible iron frames or structures are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, and painting or changing of existing roof sign panels is not allowed.
- Signs are prohibited on curbs, sidewalks, posts, poles, hydrants, bridges, trees, or other surfaces located on public property or on or over a public right-of-way, except as expressly allowed for bench and trash receptacle signs and certain Commission-approved signs meeting specific criteria.
- Swinging signs that exceed 6 square feet in area are prohibited.
- Temporary signs such as pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons, and other gas-filled figures are prohibited on a permanent basis except as allowed under division D (signs not requiring a permit).
- Signs bearing or containing statements, words, or pictures that are obscene, pornographic, or immoral, or that contain untruthful advertisements, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to a fence or a wall that is not structurally a part of a building are prohibited, except in the case of residential properties.
- Signs that employ slide or motion picture projection or other media in conjunction with an advertisement, or that have visible moving parts, or give the illusion of motion, are prohibited except as otherwise allowed in the sign standards.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble or imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or that bear the words “Stop,” “Go Slow,” “Caution,” “Warning,” or similar words, are prohibited.
- Signs that, by reason of 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 that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal device, are prohibited.
- Placing any banner or sign upon a street light pole, traffic signal pole, or utility pole within the city without first obtaining authorization from the City Council and the owner of the pole is unlawful.
- Damaging, attempting to damage, or tampering with any official signs or signals belonging to the city is unlawful.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lake Havasu City

- Signs identified in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from sign permit requirements provided they comply with all applicable standards in the sign standards section, including any restrictions and conditions related to the exemption.
- Signs not requiring a permit under division D are not included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or the total allowable sign area for a site.
- The sign permit requirement does not apply to balloons used as exempt signs when they meet all Table 4.08-1 conditions, including size, height, timing, and zoning limitations.
- Construction signs (except those required by the State Registrar of Contractors) are exempt from permit requirements when they meet all Table 4.08-1 conditions related to timing, location, and valid building permit.
- Directional/instructional signs are exempt from permit requirements when they are on the respective property, limited in size, and mostly non-identifying in content as specified in Table 4.08-1.
- Flags that exhibit the emblem or insignia of a nation, political subdivision, or corporation are exempt from sign permit requirements under Table 4.08-1.
- Government and utility signs related to public health, safety, and welfare, erected by or on the order of a public officer in performance of public duty, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Grand opening signs meeting the size and duration limits in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- House numbers and name plates within the size limits in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Interior signs are exempt from sign permit requirements, though they are not exempt from applicable structural, electrical, or material codes.
- Memorial signs that meet the material requirements in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Notice bulletin boards on the premises of institutional uses identified in the permitted use table are exempt from permit requirements when they meet the area limit in Table 4.08-1.
- No-trespassing or no-dumping signs that meet the number and size limits in Table 4.08-1 (or as otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Occupant name or occupation signs meeting the number and size limits in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Permanent window signs within the allowed window coverage limits and conditions in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Plaques and name plates attached directly to a building and within the size limits in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Public signs may be exempt from other sign requirements, including size, height, and illumination, provided they comply with applicable law, order, rule, or regulation as noted in Table 4.08-1.
- Real estate signs that meet the maximum number, area, and removal-time requirements in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs on park benches and on waste receptacles that comply with the donor, letter-size, and logo-size restrictions in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Neighborhood or tract identification signs that utilize existing signs, masonry walls, landscaping, or similar features are exempt from permit requirements in accordance with Table 4.08-1.
- Symbols or insignia limited to certain religious or commemorative purposes, within specified size limits and placed flat against a building, are exempt from permit requirements under Table 4.08-1.
- Temporary signs pertaining to civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization events, and conforming to the size limit in Table 4.08-1, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Warning signs that warn of public dangers and are removed when the danger subsides are exempt from permit requirements as specified in Table 4.08-1.
- Vehicle dealership display lot signage meeting the banner area limits and location conditions in Table 4.08-1 is exempt from permit requirements.
- Open house directional signs that conform to all number, size, location, duration, and construction requirements in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Garage sale signs that meet number, size, location, duration, and permission conditions in Table 4.08-1 are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to raise, construct, enlarge, move, alter, or rebuild a sign, except for those signs specifically listed as not requiring a permit in division D (Table 4.08-1).
- Applications for sign permits must follow the procedures in § 14.05.04B (general sign permit application process).
- Freestanding signs for businesses located on parcels that contain more than one business are only allowed when either the parcel has at least 100 feet of street frontage, the signs are authorized by a city-approved parking-in-common plan, or the parcel/portion containing the business has been excepted from compliance with an approved parking-in-common plan by later action of the Commission.
- Signs proposed on public property in the limited circumstances allowed (wide right-of-way, setback, height limits, etc.) must be approved by the Commission and the owner must enter into a hold harmless agreement with the city.
- An encroachment permit is required for A-frame temporary signs and similar temporary signs when they are proposed within the public right-of-way.

## 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 13 zoning districts in Lake Havasu City — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Lake+Havasu+City+AZ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-lake-havasu-city

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