# Sign Regulations in Sahuarita, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sahuarita, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/sahuarita
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/AZ/Sahuarita/#!/Sahuarita18/Sahuarita1879.html)

## At a glance

Sahuarita, Arizona regulates 45 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Major Resort Zone (MR); Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC); Mixed-Use Zone (MX) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 40 sq ft per sign, with a 10 ft setback (Sec. STC 18.79.080(C)(1) and Table 18.79-7). Most commercial signs in Sahuarita require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per sign | — |
| Rural Homestead Zone (RH); Rural Residential Zone (GR-1); Suburban Ranch Zone (SR) | 9 | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Single Residence Zone (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 8 | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-Dwelling Type Zone (R-4); Multiple Residence Zone (R-5); Manufactured Home Zone (MH) | 7 | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Major Resort Zone (MR); Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC); Mixed-Use Zone (MX) | 17 | 48 ft above base grade and not to exceed 55 ft above centerline of adjacent freeway travel lanes | 460 sq ft total sign copy; no single tenant panel >180 sq ft or <45 sq ft | — |
| Local Business Zone (B-1); General Business Zone (B-2) | 17 | Based on frontage: <330 ft: 8 ft; 330–660 ft: 10 ft; >660 ft: 12 ft | 460 sq ft total copy; 45–180 sq ft per tenant panel | — |
| Campus Park Industrial Zone (CPI); Light Industrial/Warehousing Zone (I-1); General Industrial Zone (I-2) | 17 | Based on frontage: <330 ft: 8 ft; 330–660 ft: 10 ft; >660 ft: 12 ft | 460 sq ft total; 45–180 sq ft per tenant panel | — |
| Airport Environs and Facilities (AE) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Golf Course Zone (GC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Specific Plan Zones (SP) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Major Resort Zone (MR); Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC); Mixed-Use Zone (MX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per sign | — | Front/street side: 0 ft and ≥5 ft from sidewalk; interior side: 10 ft | Max 1 per street frontage | Freestanding | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(1) and Table 18.79-7 |
| Internal Sign - Drive-Through Lane Sign | 6 ft (primary signs) | 30 sq ft per sign (plus 1 additional per lane up to 6 sq ft and 4 ft height) | — | If adjoining rural/residential: ≥20 ft; Otherwise: ≥15 ft from any property line (per internal sign setbacks) | Up to 2 per lane (+1 additional small sign per lane) | Adjacent to drive-through lane(s) within development | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(a) |
| Internal Sign - Multitenant Development Complex Directory | 8 ft (primary) | 40 sq ft per sign (primary) | — | ≥20 ft from adjoining rural/residential zone; ≥15 ft from any other property line | 1 primary per acre or fraction; unlimited additional small internal signs | Within development complexes with >5 tenants and ≥3 acres | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(b)-(d) |
| Freeway Style I Sign | 20 ft above freeway grade; may increase 0.5 ft per foot of setback from freeway ROW up to 25 ft above freeway grade | 150 sq ft at 0 setback from freeway ROW for single-tenant panel signs; up to 240 sq ft with setback or multi-tenant panels | — | 0 ft from freeway ROW; ≥25 ft from all other property lines; entire sign within 280 ft of freeway ROW | 1 per development complex or commercial sign district | Property wholly or partially within 250 ft of freeway ROW; sign must be located within 280 ft of freeway ROW; oriented primarily to freeway | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(4) |
| Freeway Style II Sign (Type II CUP required) | 48 ft above base grade and not to exceed 55 ft above centerline of adjacent freeway travel lanes | 460 sq ft total sign copy; no single tenant panel >180 sq ft or <45 sq ft | — | ≥30 ft from all other lot lines; within 100 ft of freeway ROW | No more than 1 per commercial quadrant of freeway interchange | Within 100 ft of freeway ROW; oriented primarily to freeway | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(5) |
| Temporary Post Sign | 12 ft | Aggregate per site with buildings: 64 sq ft; All other properties: 128 sq ft aggregate | — | 0 ft from property line and ≥5 ft from sidewalk | Up to 2; max 1 per frontage | On-site, private property | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-12 (business column) |
| Temporary A-Frame or Upright Sign | Min 2.5 ft; Max 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | None (within 5 ft of facade) | 1 per tenant | Within 5 ft of main building facade | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-13 |
| Special Sign Display (Temporary) | Each feather sign: up to 8 ft height and 2 ft width; inflatable: up to 8 ft height; balloon bobbers: up to 6 ft height | Up to 150 aggregate sq ft of temporary signage per display | — | ≥5 ft from any property line | Aggregate program limits apply | On-site in business zones; must not impede pedestrian/vehicular circulation or emergency access | — | STC 18.79.080(E) |

### Local Business Zone (B-1); General Business Zone (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | Based on frontage: <330 ft: 8 ft; 330–660 ft: 10 ft; >660 ft: 12 ft | 55 sq ft per street frontage OR 55 sq ft per each 330 ft of frontage, whichever is greater (aggregate per frontage as computed) | — | Front/street side: 0 ft and ≥5 ft from sidewalk; interior side: 30 ft or 1/4 of lot frontage, whichever is less | 1 per frontage or per each 330 ft of frontage (whichever greater) | Freestanding along street frontage(s) | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(1) and Table 18.79-8 |
| Internal Sign - Drive-Through Lane Sign | 6 ft (primary signs) | 30 sq ft per sign (plus 1 additional per lane up to 6 sq ft and 4 ft height) | — | ≥20 ft from adjoining rural/residential; ≥15 ft from other property lines | Up to 2 per lane (+1 small sign per lane) | Adjacent to drive-through lane(s) within development | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(a) |
| Internal Sign - Multitenant Development Complex Directory | 8 ft (primary) | 40 sq ft per sign (primary) | — | ≥20 ft from adjoining rural/residential; ≥15 ft from other property lines | 1 primary per acre or fraction; unlimited additional small internal signs | Within development complexes with >5 tenants and ≥3 acres | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(b)-(d) |
| Freeway Style I Sign | 20 ft above freeway grade; up to 25 ft with setback | 150 sq ft at 0 setback; up to 240 sq ft with setback or multiple tenant panels | — | 0 ft from freeway ROW; ≥25 ft from all other property lines; within 280 ft of freeway ROW; ≥100 ft from rural/residential zones | 1 per development complex or sign district | Within proximity to freeway per STC | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(4) |
| Freeway Style II Sign (Type II CUP required) | 48 ft above base grade; ≤55 ft above freeway centerline | 460 sq ft total copy; 45–180 sq ft per tenant panel | — | ≥30 ft from other lot lines; not within 250 ft of rural/residentially zoned or used parcel | ≤1 per commercial quadrant of freeway interchange | Within 100 ft of freeway ROW; oriented primarily to freeway | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(5) |
| Temporary Post Sign | 12 ft | Aggregate per site with buildings: 64 sq ft; All other properties: 128 sq ft aggregate | — | 0 ft from property line and ≥5 ft from sidewalk | Up to 2; max 1 per frontage | On-site private property | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-12 (business column) |
| Temporary A-Frame or Upright Sign | Min 2.5 ft; Max 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | None (within 5 ft of facade) | 1 per tenant | Within 5 ft of main building facade | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-13 |
| Special Sign Display (Temporary) | Per element (feather signs up to 8 ft; inflatable up to 8 ft; balloon bobbers up to 6 ft) | Up to 150 aggregate sq ft per display | — | ≥5 ft from property line | Aggregate limits apply | On-site; must not impede circulation/emergency access | — | STC 18.79.080(E) |

### Campus Park Industrial Zone (CPI); Light Industrial/Warehousing Zone (I-1); General Industrial Zone (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | Based on frontage: <330 ft: 8 ft; 330–660 ft: 10 ft; >660 ft: 12 ft | 55 sq ft per street frontage OR 55 sq ft per 330 ft of frontage (aggregate per frontage computed) | — | Front/street side: 0 ft and ≥5 ft from sidewalk; interior side: 30 ft or 1/4 of lot frontage, whichever less | Per frontage budget | Freestanding along frontage(s) | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(1) and Table 18.79-8 |
| Internal Sign - Drive-Through Lane Sign | 6 ft (primary signs) | 30 sq ft per sign (+1 additional small sign per lane ≤6 sq ft, ≤4 ft height) | — | ≥20 ft from rural/residential; ≥15 ft from other property lines | Up to 2 per lane (+1 small per lane) | Adjacent to drive-through lane(s) within development | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(a) |
| Internal Sign - Multitenant Development Complex Directory | 8 ft (primary) | 40 sq ft per sign (primary) | — | ≥20 ft from rural/residential; ≥15 ft from other property lines | 1 primary per acre or fraction; unlimited small | Within complexes with >5 tenants and ≥3 acres | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(3)(b)-(d) |
| Freeway Style I Sign | 20–25 ft above freeway grade (with setback) | 150–240 sq ft depending on setback/panels | — | 0 ft from freeway ROW; ≥25 ft from all other property lines; within 280 ft of freeway ROW; ≥100 ft from rural/residential zones | 1 per development complex or district | Within proximity to freeway per STC | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(4) |
| Freeway Style II Sign (Type II CUP required) | 48 ft above base grade; ≤55 ft above freeway centerline | 460 sq ft total; 45–180 sq ft per tenant panel | — | ≥30 ft from all other lot lines; not within 250 ft of rural/residentially zoned or used parcel | ≤1 per commercial quadrant of freeway interchange | Within 100 ft of freeway ROW; oriented to freeway | — | STC 18.79.080(C)(5) |
| Temporary Post Sign | 12 ft | Aggregate per site with buildings: 64 sq ft; All other properties: 128 sq ft aggregate | — | 0 ft from property line and ≥5 ft from sidewalk | Up to 2; max 1 per frontage | On-site private property | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-12 |
| Temporary A-Frame or Upright Sign | Min 2.5 ft; Max 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | None (within 5 ft of facade) | 1 per tenant | Within 5 ft of main building facade | — | STC 18.79.080(D) and Table 18.79-13 |
| Special Sign Display (Temporary) | Per element limits (feather signs 8 ft, etc.) | Up to 150 aggregate sq ft per display | — | ≥5 ft from property line | Aggregate limits apply | On-site; must not impede circulation/emergency access | — | STC 18.79.080(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Sahuarita

- Signs within a public right-of-way are prohibited, except where specifically allowed by this chapter or authorized by the town council and town engineer, or as part of an approved temporary off-site sign plan.
- Signs within a sight visibility triangle are prohibited unless placed in accordance with town technical standards and kept lower than 30 inches in height.
- Signs within, on, or projecting over a property line are prohibited, except as specifically provided in this chapter.
- Signs attached to any public utility pole, street light, tree, fence, fire hydrant, or other location on public property are prohibited, except those approved as part of a special event permit on town property.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or mounted on tanks, storage containers, and solid waste receptacles or their enclosures are prohibited, except for a manufacturer’s or installer’s identification, required warning signs/placards, and information required by law.
- Signs may not be located so as to obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or other traffic control device.
- Off-site signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall resemble an official traffic signal or sign.
- No sign shall extend above the roofline of the building upon which it is mounted.
- No sign shall emit odor, smoke, or sound other than as needed for taking orders in a drive-through.
- No sign shall be animated by any means (including fixed aerial displays, balloons, spinners, strings of flags and pennants, feather signs, streamers, tubes, or other devices affected by air movement or mechanical means), except those specifically permitted through a special sign display clearance.
- No sign shall be painted onto a building, except an awning sign or a window sign.
- Sign lighting with intermittent, flashing, rotating, blinking, or strobe illumination; animation; motion picture or laser projection; or any device creating the illusion of light motion is prohibited.
- Strings of lights arranged in the shape of a product, arrow, or any commercial message are prohibited.
- Exposed sign light sources visible from above or from an adjacent property or street are prohibited, except as permitted by the town lighting and zoning codes.
- Abandoned signs (including vacant or unused sign support structures or remnants) are prohibited and must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sahuarita

- Address displays less than 14 inches in height in rural and residential zones and less than 24 inches in height in business and industrial zones.
- Content displayed on an entry door, not to exceed four square feet.
- Permanent sign etched into a facade or building (up to eight square feet) or a plaque/tablet attached flat to a building (up to four square feet); such signs shall not be illuminated.
- Signs or displays not visible from any property line, provided they are permitted sign types.
- Signs located within town-operated recreation facilities and installed by the town.
- Governmental signs placed, installed, or required by law by the town, county, or state/federal agencies (including emergency and warning signs, traffic signs, signs required by law, directional signs to points of interest, and signs showing the location of public facilities).
- Noncommercial mural.
- On-site signage up to four square feet for each business or other entity with an approved business license (including home-based), provided there is no other on-site signage for that business, no more than three such signs per property are exempt, such signs are not illuminated, and setbacks meet the main building setback for the zone (setback may be waived for flag lots/other lots not visible from right-of-way with planning and building director approval).
- Signs internal to a recorded residential subdivision posted and maintained by the homebuilder, developer, HOA, or similar organization, subject to: maximum height 12 feet for flags and 6 feet for all other signs; maximum area 24 square feet per sign; location situated to be read by persons within the subdivision, set back a minimum of 15 feet from subdivision boundaries, placed on private property and not in the public right-of-way; illumination prohibited.
- Signs necessary to warn of danger, limited to the minimum height/size required to give adequate warning.
- Political signs in compliance with ARS 16-1019, with maximum sign area of 32 square feet in business and industrial zones and 16 square feet in rural and residential zones.
- Noncommercial flags, emblems, or insignias.
- Signage on vehicles (permanently painted/wrapped, vinyl on windows, or magnetically attached), and signage on vehicles/equipment engaged in active construction projects and on-premises storage of equipment/vehicles offered for rent or lease; vehicles must be operable, properly licensed, and lawfully parked/stored when not in use; signage mounted to the bed of a truck is not permitted.
- A sign that is an integral part of a dispensing mechanism (e.g., beverage machine, newspaper rack).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Comprehensive sign plan (CSP) is optional and provides tailored, unified sign criteria for a site; it must be submitted to and approved by the planning and building director before permits for signs proposed in the CSP are issued (STC 18.79.050.C.1).
- A CSP may allow deviations from standards for types and numbers of signs, sign locations and distribution of the sign area budget; increases to maximum freestanding sign height and sign area may be allowed only with planning and zoning commission approval as provided in the section (STC 18.79.050.B.1).
- With planning and zoning commission approval at a noticed public hearing, a CSP may increase total sign area budgets per sign type and freestanding sign heights by 5% per qualifying design criterion, up to a maximum of 20% (STC 18.79.050.D.5).
- Once approved, a CSP becomes the governing document for signs in the development; individual sign permits/clearances are still required (STC 18.79.050.D.2–D.3).
- Exceptions to certain internal sign regulations and other placement rules may be considered and approved as part of a CSP (e.g., internal signs; building wall sign frontage placement) (STC 18.79.080.B.5.f, C.3.d).
- Light Pole Banner Program is allowed only through a CSP for sites larger than 10 acres and must meet specific size, clearance, number, and setback limits (STC 18.79.050.G).
- Property owners in business or industrial areas may form a Commercial Sign District to propose and maintain a CSP; all included owners must petition, properties must be adjacent (street separation allowed unless by freeway), and size limits apply (STC 18.79.050.H).
- Temporary off-site signs require approval of a Temporary Off-Site Sign Plan by the planning and zoning commission at a public hearing before any zoning clearance is issued (STC 18.79.060.B.1 and B.7).
- A Temporary Off-Site Sign Plan may deviate in types, numbers, and locations of temporary off-site signs; illumination is prohibited; if placement in the right-of-way is proposed, town engineer approval and a right-of-way use permit are required; ground penetration greater than five inches requires blue staking and a right-of-way use permit (STC 18.79.060.B.2–B.4, D.1, B.3–B.4).
- Approval of a Temporary Off-Site Sign Plan is valid for up to 18 months, with a one-time 12-month extension possible upon director approval (STC 18.79.060.F.2).
- Electronic message signs in residential zones may be permitted only with a Type 1 conditional use permit (CUP) per Chapter 18.97 (STC 18.79.040.H.1.b).
- Freeway Style II signs require a Type II CUP, including a viewshed analysis, a 1,000-foot notification radius, and possible additional conditions by the planning and zoning commission (STC 18.79.080.C.5.b).
- Projecting signs may not extend into the public right-of-way unless authorized by the town council through a temporary revocable easement (STC 18.79.080.B.4.b).
- Modification of a sign setback follows the procedures of Chapter 18.85 STC (STC 18.79.070.D).
- Town Sign Structure program allows certain off-site signs within the right-of-way on town-approved structures administered by a contractor; right-of-way permits are required and program rules apply (STC 18.79.080.G).

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

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