# Sign Regulations in Prescott, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Prescott, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/prescott
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/AZ/Prescott/#!/PrescottLDC/PrescottLDC06.html#6.12)

## At a glance

Prescott, Arizona regulates 69 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential (Speed ≤ 25 mph)s in the Nonresidential Districts (except NOS and RS) - MU, RO, NOB, BG, BR, DTB, IT, IL, IG, SPC (nonresidential portions) zoning district are capped at 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) tall and 24 sq ft per sign; up to 30 sq ft per sign for commercial/industrial centers (24 + 6), with a Pole or center of support structure must be minimum 5 ft from adjacent property line; no portion of sign may project over property line. setback (Sec. Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.a–c, d–e, g–h, i; Table 6.12.14 (Center definition)). Most commercial signs in Prescott require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft; also limited to no more than 50% of allowable freestanding sign area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones - Prohibited and Exempt Signs | 13 | — | 2 sq ft for directional/safety signs | — |
| Nonresidential Districts (except NOS and RS) - MU, RO, NOB, BG, BR, DTB, IT, IL, IG, SPC (nonresidential portions) | 10 | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 100 sq ft per sign (including any center bonus) | — |
| Residential Districts (Single-family) - RE-2, SF-35, SF-18, SF-12, SF-9, SF-6, RT (single-family portions) | 3 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential Districts (Multi-family) - MF-M, MF-H, RT (multi-family portions), SPC (residential portions) | 8 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| Private Property in NOS and RS Districts | 5 | 12 ft | 24–100 sq ft depending on speed: 24 sq ft (≤25 mph), 36 sq ft (30–40 mph), 48 sq ft (45–55 mph), 100 sq ft (>55 mph) | — |
| Airport Vicinity Overlay (AVO) - Airside Frontages (applies where overlaid on base zones) | 4 | — | Up to 150 sq ft total, subject to formula and cap | — |
| Natural Open Space (NOS) - Base Zoning District (excluding private property provisions already captured) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Recreational Space (RS) - Base Zoning District (excluding private property provisions already captured) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Rural Estate 2 (RE-2), Single-family 35 (SF-35), Single-family 18 (SF-18), Single-family 12 (SF-12), Single-family 9 (SF-9), Single-family 6 (SF-6) | 2 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential Transition (RT) | 2 | 12 ft for freestanding | 24–100 sq ft for freestanding (speed based); wall signs per frontage formula 0.5–1.5 sq ft/ft | — |
| Multi-family Medium Density (MF-M), Multi-family High Density (MF-H) | 3 | 12 ft | 24–100 sq ft per sign (speed-based tiers) | — |
| Specially Planned Community (SPC) | 2 | 12 ft (standard freestanding); 16 ft (centers) | As per single-family or multi-family standards depending on use | — |
| Mixed Use (MU), Residential Office (RO), Neighborhood Oriented Business (NOB), Business General (BG), Business Regional (BR), Downtown Business (DTB), Industrial Transition (IT), Industrial Light (IL), Industrial General (IG) | 4 | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 32 sq ft per drive-through lane | — |
| [Single-family or Multi-family Districts] - Manufactured Housing (-MH) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Corridor Overlay (CCO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones - Sign Permits and Enforcement | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones - Prohibited and Exempt Signs

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign - Traffic and Safety / Directional / Address | — | 2 sq ft for directional/safety signs | — | — | — | Traffic signs in public right-of-way; directional and safety signs on private property; other locations as needed for safety. | — | Sec. 6.12.3.A, C |
| Exempt Sign - Interior / Window | — | — | — | — | — | Inside a building; inside windows. | — | Sec. 6.12.3.B, D |
| Exempt Sign - Fuel Pump Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On operable fuel dispensing pumps; not visible from any public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 6.12.3.E |
| Exempt Sign - Governmental Flag | — | — | — | — | — | Where flagpoles are permitted. | — | Sec. 6.12.3.F |
| Prohibited Sign - Roof-Mounted / Above Roofline | — | — | — | — | — | On or above roof, parapet, or fascia. | — | Sec. 6.12.9.A |
| Prohibited Sign - Above Canopy or Awning | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy or awning. | — | Sec. 6.12.9.B |
| Prohibited Sign - Sandwich Board / Portable (private property) | — | — | — | — | — | On private property; limited allowance potentially in public right-of-way per separate City Code. | — | Sec. 6.12.9.C |
| Prohibited Sign - Vehicle/Trailer/Boat Advertising | — | — | — | — | — | On trailers, boats, or motor vehicles used as advertising devices at or near a business or activity. | — | Sec. 6.12.9.D |

### Nonresidential Districts (except NOS and RS) - MU, RO, NOB, BG, BR, DTB, IT, IL, IG, SPC (nonresidential portions)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential (Speed ≤ 25 mph) | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 24 sq ft per sign; up to 30 sq ft per sign for commercial/industrial centers (24 + 6) | — | Pole or center of support structure must be minimum 5 ft from adjacent property line; no portion of sign may project over property line. | One freestanding sign per street frontage with vehicular access | On private property in nonresidential districts (except NOS and RS), along each street frontage with vehicular access. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.a–c, d–e, g–h, i; Table 6.12.14 (Center definition) |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential (Speed 30–40 mph) | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 36 sq ft per sign; up to 42 sq ft per sign for commercial/industrial centers (36 + 6), capped by 100 sq ft overall maximum | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line to pole/center of support; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in nonresidential districts (except NOS and RS) along each street frontage with vehicular access and posted speed 30–40 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.a–c, d–e, g–h, i |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential (Speed 45–55 mph) | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 48 sq ft per sign; up to 54 sq ft per sign for commercial/industrial centers (48 + 6), capped by 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line to pole/center of support; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in nonresidential districts (except NOS and RS) along frontages with speed 45–55 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.a–c, d–e, g–h, i |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential (Speed > 55 mph) | 12 ft (16 ft for commercial/industrial centers) | 100 sq ft per sign (including any center bonus) | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line to pole/center of support; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in nonresidential districts (except NOS and RS) along frontages with speed >55 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.a–c, d–e, g–h, i |
| Menu Board - Nonresidential Drive-Through (Freestanding) | — | 32 sq ft per drive-through lane | — | — | One menu board per drive-through lane | Within drive-through lanes for nonresidential uses in nonresidential districts (except NOS and RS). | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.1.h |
| Wall Sign - Nonresidential (Setback 0–25 ft) | — | 0.5 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall sign per qualifying wall per business | Mounted on exterior walls of nonresidential buildings (except in NOS and RS districts) that face a street or contain a customer entrance. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.2.a–b(1), c |
| Wall Sign - Nonresidential (Setback 26–50 ft) | — | 1.0 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall sign per qualifying wall per business | Mounted on qualifying exterior walls of nonresidential buildings (except NOS and RS). | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.2.a–b(2), c |
| Wall Sign - Nonresidential (Setback > 50 ft) | — | 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall sign per qualifying wall per business | Mounted on qualifying exterior walls of nonresidential buildings (except NOS and RS). | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.2.a–b(3), c |

### Residential Districts (Multi-family) - MF-M, MF-H, RT (multi-family portions), SPC (residential portions)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family District (Speed ≤ 25 mph) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — | Pole or center of support structure must be minimum 5 ft from property line; no portion of sign may project over property line. (Sec. 6.12.5.A.3.d) | One freestanding sign per street frontage with vehicular access | On private property in multi-family districts along each street frontage with vehicular access, where the fronting street speed is up to 25 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.3.b(1)–(4), c, e, f |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family District (Speed 30–40 mph) | 12 ft | 36 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft minimum from property line to support; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in multi-family districts with street speed 30–40 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.3.b(2)–(4), c, e, f |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family District (Speed 45–55 mph) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft minimum from property line; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in multi-family districts with street speed 45–55 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.3.b(3)–(4), c, e, f |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family District (Speed > 55 mph) | 12 ft | 100 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft minimum from property line; no projection over property line. | One freestanding sign per qualifying frontage | On private property in multi-family districts with street speed over 55 mph. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.3.b(4), c, e, f |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Family District (Setback 0–25 ft) | — | 0.5 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall-mounted sign per building | Wall-mounted on buildings in multi-family districts. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.4.b(1), c |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Family District (Setback 26–50 ft) | — | 1.0 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall-mounted sign per building | Wall-mounted on multi-family buildings with this setback. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.4.b(2), c |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Family District (Setback > 50 ft) | — | 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of wall frontage | — | — | One wall-mounted sign per building | Wall-mounted on multi-family buildings with this setback. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.A.4.b(3), c |
| Temporary Sign - Multi-Family Residential Use | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On private property for residential uses within multi-family districts. | — | Sec. 6.12.5.B.2.a–e |

## Prohibited signs in Prescott

- Signs may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained only in conformance with Sec. 6.12; any sign not conforming to this section is prohibited.
- Adjustments to these sign standards may not be approved through Administrative Adjustments under Sec. 9.16.
- Signs not specifically authorized by the code are prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs or signs that project above the highest point of the roofline, parapet, or fascia are prohibited.
- Signs that project above the canopy or awning upon which the sign is attached are prohibited.
- Sandwich signs or portable signs are prohibited, except as specifically within rights-of-way permitted by the City Code.
- Signs mounted, attached or painted on trailers, boats, or motor vehicles for advertising purposes when used in place of or as additional advertising at or near the business or activity are prohibited.
- Any sign emitting sound is prohibited.
- Any sign with intermittent or flashing illumination, animated or moving signs, or signs creating the illusion of movement are prohibited, except time and temperature signs.
- Signs attached to and projecting from the roof or wall of a building perpendicular to a wall surface more than 36 inches are prohibited, except signs mounted perpendicular to a wall entirely under an awning or roof overhang.
- Signs constructed of open light bulbs are prohibited, not including exposed neon.
- Billboards and other off‑premises signage are prohibited unless approved as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- No signs shall be erected, and there shall be no lighting of signs or premises, so as to obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic signal, notice or control device.
- Any sign or light source that obstructs or is confused with an authorized traffic control device must be removed at the direction of the Community Development Director.
- No sign shall obstruct visibility in the required sight triangle at intersections.
- No illuminated sign structure shall be placed at or behind the existing or required setbacks, whichever is greater, of an adjacent residential lot.
- All signs must comply with applicable City building and electrical codes.
- Except for permitted banners, flags, temporary signs and window signs, all signs must be constructed of permanent materials and directly attached to the ground, a building, or another structure.
- A sign may not have more than 20 percent of its surface area covered with disfigured, cracked, ripped or peeling paint, poster paper or other material.
- A sign may not stand with bent or broken facing, broken supports, loose appendages or struts, or lean more than 15 degrees from vertical.
- A sign may not have weeds, trees, vines, or other vegetation growing upon it or obscuring its view from the street or right‑of‑way from which it is to be viewed.
- Damaged or dangerous conditions caused by temporary signs must be immediately remedied, or the City may revoke the temporary sign permit or take enforcement action.
- Failure to obtain a required temporary sign permit or to remove a temporary sign upon expiration of its permit constitutes a blighting condition and is subject to enforcement and penalties under the City Code.
- Failure to maintain a residential temporary sign constitutes a blighting condition and is subject to enforcement and penalties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Prescott

- Traffic signs on public rights‑of‑way, such as Stop, Yield and similar signs that meet Department of Transportation standards, and other commercial signage as permitted by the City Code, are exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards.
- Any sign inside a building is exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards.
- Directional signs assisting in the flow of traffic, street addresses, or signs necessary for safety (e.g., stop engine, no smoking) that do not exceed 2 square feet in area are exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards.
- Signs located inside windows are exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards, but this exemption does not permit signs that are otherwise prohibited.
- A non‑illuminated sign located on the top or side of an operable fuel‑dispensing pump that is not visible from any public right‑of‑way is exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards.
- Governmental flags, where flagpoles are permitted, are exempt from Sec. 6.12 sign standards.
- Temporary signs on private property for residential uses are exempt from permitting, provided they comply with size, height, installation, and maintenance standards.
- Real estate (“for sale” or “for lease”), finance, and construction signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements of Sec. 9.7 (but must still comply with applicable sign standards unless otherwise stated).
- Traffic control signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements of Sec. 9.7.
- Governmental signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements of Sec. 9.7.
- Cleaning, painting, repainting and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign do not require a sign permit, provided no structural or size change is made and the sign face is not replaced.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required prior to the installation, relocation, expansion, or structural alteration (including any change to a sign face) of any sign, unless specifically exempted in Sec. 9.7.2.
- All sign permits are issued by the Community Development Director in conformity with the sign standards of Sec. 6.12.
- Sign permit applications must include information regarding location, materials, size, color, and illumination, and may be required as part of a final site plan or final plat submittal as determined by the Community Development Director.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan may be requested by the owner of properties containing multi‑tenant buildings or multi‑occupant, multi‑product, or multi‑service commercial development.
- Where a Comprehensive Sign Plan is requested, the development must comply with that plan once it is approved under Sec. 9.7 and other applicable code requirements.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan requires review by the Planning and Zoning Commission in a public meeting, with a recommendation of approval, approval with modifications, or denial.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan requires final action by the City Council in a public meeting, which may approve, approve with modifications, or deny the plan.
- For proposed development, a requested Comprehensive Sign Plan must be submitted in conjunction with the required site plan.
- For existing development, a Comprehensive Sign Plan must be submitted when the owner seeks such a plan in conjunction with any addition of gross floor area by 20 percent or more, or interior/exterior remodeling exceeding 20 percent of the building’s pre‑remodel value.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan must show size, location, height, color, lettering, lighting, and orientation of all proposed signs, plus any other information the City deems necessary.
- City Council may approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan only if it ensures consistent size, lettering style, color scheme, and materials among similar sign types and meets applicable size and location limits, or if it provides an improved sign design in exchange for a greater number of signs or larger sign area than otherwise permitted.
- After approval of a Comprehensive Sign Plan or amendment, no sign may be erected, placed, painted, or maintained within the covered development except in accordance with the approved plan, and the plan is enforceable as part of the Code.
- All owners, tenants, subtenants and purchasers of individual units within a development that has an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan must comply with that plan.
- Billboards and other off‑premises signs are allowed only if approved as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- Under airport airside signage rules, if the Airport Director determines freestanding signage is appropriate, the applicant must obtain a Conditional Use Permit for such signs; this is a separate entitlement process related to signs.

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

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