# Sign Regulations in Queen Creek, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Queen Creek, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/queen-creek
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.queencreekaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/39752/638623656312530000#page=216)

## At a glance

Queen Creek, Arizona regulates 23 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Commercial Centers in the Residential Commercial District (RC), Downtown Core District (DC), Light Commercial District (C-1) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 48 square feet, with a Not extend or project over street or alley line setback (Sec. 7.2.A.4.c.2). Most commercial signs in Queen Creek require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 6 feet (building-mounted); 8 feet (freestanding) | 100% of aggregate window area | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (excluding MDR and HDR) | 4 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Medium Density Residential District (MDR), High Density Residential District (HDR) | 2 | 6 feet | 250 square feet (total) | — |
| Residential Commercial District (RC), Downtown Core District (DC), Light Commercial District (C-1) | 6 | 8 feet | 150 square feet (total per business) | — |
| Agritainment District (AT) | 3 | 8 feet | 150 square feet (total) | — |
| General Commercial District (C-2) | 6 | 8 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Regional Commercial Center District (C-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Office/Industrial Park (EMP-A), General Industrial District (EMP-B) | 3 | 8 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Planned Community District (PCD), Mixed Use District (MU) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Public/Quasi Public District (P/QP) | 3 | 48 inches | 2 square feet | — |
| R-3, R-4 | 2 | 6 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| NC | 2 | 6 feet | 150 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 4 feet (freestanding) | 3 square feet | — | — | As needed | Internal to site | — | 7.2.H |
| Menu Board | 6 feet (building-mounted); 8 feet (freestanding) | 24 square feet (standard); 12 square feet (preview) | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | For drive-thru restaurants, not adjacent to public ROW | — | 7.2.I |
| Window Sign | — | 100% of aggregate window area | — | — | N/A | Street level, first story | — | 7.2.G |
| Interior Window Sign | 6 feet from finished grade | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Interior of window in non-residential districts | — | 7.2.A.10 |

### Residential Commercial District (RC), Downtown Core District (DC), Light Commercial District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Readily visible from the street | — | 7.2.A.5.b |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Building | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage (2 if 600+ ft separated by 300 ft; +1 per additional 300 ft) | Per street frontage | — | 7.2.A.5.d |
| Wall Sign - Individual Building | — | 150 square feet (total per business) | — | — | As per formula | Front, side, rear walls | — | 7.2.A.5.e-j,l |
| Freestanding Sign - Commercial Center | 8 feet | 48 square feet | — | Not extend or project over street or alley line | 1 per street frontage (2 if 600+ ft separated by 300 ft; +1 per additional 300 ft) | Ground-mounted per street frontage | — | 7.2.A.4.c.2 |
| Wall Sign - Commercial Center | — | 150 square feet (total per business) | — | — | 1 per use/building | Building mounted for each permitted use/principal building | — | 7.2.A.4.c.1; 7.2.A.4.b |
| Projecting Sign - DC Only | — | 12 square feet | — | No projection into public ROW except approved 12 inches | N/A | Attached to front face of building | — | 7.2.B.9 |

### General Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual or Center | 8 feet | 48 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage (2 if 600+ ft sep 300 ft; +1 per 300 ft) | Ground-mounted per street frontage | — | 7.2.A.6.b; 7.2.A.4.c.2 |
| Wall Sign - Individual or Center | — | 150 square feet | — | — | As per formula | Walls | — | 7.2.A.6.e-j; 7.2.A.4 |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 4 feet (freestanding) | 3 square feet | — | — | As needed | Internal to site | — | 7.2.H |
| Menu Board | 6 feet (building-mounted); 8 feet (freestanding) | 24 square feet (standard); 12 square feet (preview) | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | For drive-thru restaurants, not adjacent to public ROW | — | 7.2.I |
| Window Sign | — | 100% of aggregate window area | — | — | N/A | Street level, first story | — | 7.2.G |
| Interior Window Sign | 6 feet from finished grade | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Interior of window in non-residential districts | — | 7.2.A.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Queen Creek

- Animated signs are not allowed, except for approved pennants, banners, flags, revolving barber poles, and clocks that alternately display time and temperature with a maximum face area not exceeding three square feet.
- Flashing signs other than those which alternately display time and temperature, and are a maximum of three square feet in area.
- Signs emitting sound or any substance are not allowed.
- The tacking, painting, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs or posters visible from a public way to any trees, fences, utility poles or other structures, or upon vehicles where such vehicles are used primarily as support for such signs, is prohibited.
- Any form of remote signage, such as off-premises advertising signs or billboards, are prohibited.
- Signs with exposed raceways, except where determined by the Planning Administrator that it is not structurally feasible to install a sign without using an exposed raceway.
- Pole signs and/or roof signs except as specifically approved when it is determined that a ground or wall sign is not feasible due to site limitations and/or line of sight interruptions for vehicular traffic.
- Wall-mounted cabinet signs are prohibited, unless the sign utilizes a stylized cabinet shape or molded sign face with embossed copy or sign copy in relief.
- Signs identifying a business in a non-residential zoning district are not permitted on building facade adjacent to a shared zoning district boundary with a residential zoning district (not applicable when the zoning district boundary is a public right-of-way).
- Signs attached to a vehicle primarily for the purposes of advertising, with such vehicle placed adjacent to a roadway and not used for the typical conduct of the business so advertised.
- All forms of signage shall be prohibited from roadway medians including, but not limited to, bandit signs, political signs, and directional signs not related to Town traffic regulations or directions.
- No signs (temporary or permanent) shall be erected or maintained within the sight visibility triangle or at any location where, by reason of its position, shape, color or illumination, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall be erected or painted upon or attached to any tree, rock or other natural feature, or to any fence post, or utility pole or structure.
- Every illuminated sign shall be so placed as to prevent any light or reflection from being cast directly on any adjoining Residential district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Queen Creek

- Home occupation signs do not require a building permit.
- Temporary signs do not require a building permit.
- Minor repair or repainting of any permitted sign does not require a building permit, unless otherwise provided.
- Political and campaign signs do not require a sign permit.
- Interior window signs (non-electronic or neon, maximum two square feet, not higher than six feet from finished grade) do not require a sign permit.
- Window signs up to 100% of aggregate window area (street level, first story only) do not require a sign permit.
- On-site directional signs do not count against the total allowed sign area for a given site, building or occupancy, unless indicated otherwise.
- Signs or notices required or posted by a government agency shall not be counted towards the number of signs permitted and do not require a building permit.
- Historic signs certified by the Town Council may be utilized in all zoning districts subject to restoration guidelines.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Comprehensive Sign Plan is required prior to issuance of Sign Permits for any business or occupancy in a commercial center or complex (RC, AT, DC, C-1, C-2, C-3, EMP-A, EMP-B) with three or more stand-alone buildings, detailing size, type, location, and color of all signage.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan that proposes a deviation from requirements must be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Sign standards for developments in PCD, MU, and C-3 districts shall be established as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan is intended to provide flexibility for standards that may not meet specific requirements, promoting superior design while maintaining general conformance with zoning district requirements; deviations or electronic signage require Planning and Zoning Commission approval.
- Amendments to an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan: Minor amendments (up to 10% change without increasing number of signs) may be approved administratively by the Planning Administrator; major amendments are processed like the initial submittal.
- Sign standards in the Downtown Core (DC) district shall conform to DC Design Guidelines and Chapter 7 of the Design Standards; alternative standards meeting the intent may be considered by the Planning Administrator, who makes final determination in conflicts.
- Specialty signage (awning, canopy, neon, etc.) may be permitted subject to permit and design review as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- Projecting signs may be permitted in TC and AT districts or as part of an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan.

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

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