# Sign Regulations in Tombstone, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tombstone, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/tombstone
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Tombstone, Arizona regulates 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Billboards in the B-2 Zone (B-2), I-1 Zone (I-1), I-2 Zone (I-2) zoning district are capped at 16 ft. (sign face) tall and 47 ft. wide, with a At least 3 ft. clear space below sign; 20 ft. from intersection of street lot lines at vacant corner. setback (Sec. 10-14-14-4C, 10-14-16). Most commercial signs in Tombstone require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 2 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| R-1 Residence Zone (R-1), MH-1 Residence Zone (MH-1), R-2 Residence Zone (R-2) | 4 | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — |
| R-3 Residence Zone (R-3), R-4 Residence Zone (R-4) | 5 | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — |
| B-1 Business Zone (B-1) | 7 | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — |
| B-2 Zone (B-2), I-1 Zone (I-1), I-2 Zone (I-2) | 7 | 16 ft. (sign face) | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### R-3 Residence Zone (R-3), R-4 Residence Zone (R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. aggregate up to 50 ft. frontage; +1 sq. ft. every additional 10 ft.; max 25 sq. ft. | — | May project max 2 ft. from building line into yard. | — | On property being sold/rented. May project/set 2 ft. from building line into required yard. | — | 10-14-14-1A, 10-14-14-2A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (General Use) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached flat against building. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (Public, Charitable, Religious Institution) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | If not attached flat, must be 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | For own use of institution; if not attached flat against building, must be at least 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A |
| Wall Sign (Nonconforming Business Use) | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — | — | — | On the premises, pertains to nonconforming business use only. | — | 10-14-14-1C, 10-14-14-2A |
| Announcement Sign (Hotel/Inn/Lodging/Trailer Court) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | If not attached, 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | If not attached to building, must be at least 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-2B |

### B-1 Business Zone (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. aggregate up to 50 ft. frontage; +1 sq. ft. every additional 10 ft.; max 25 sq. ft. | — | May project max 2 ft. from building line into yard. | — | On property being sold/rented. May project/set 2 ft. from building line into required yard. | — | 10-14-14-1A, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (General Use) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached flat against building. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (Public, Charitable, Religious Institution) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | If not attached flat, min 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | For own use; if not attached flat against building, must be at least 12 ft. from lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A |
| Wall Sign (Nonconforming Business Use) | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — | — | — | On the premises, pertains to nonconforming business use only. | — | 10-14-14-1C, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A |
| Announcement Sign (Hotel/Inn/Lodging/Trailer Court) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | If not attached, 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | If not attached to building, must be at least 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-2B, 10-14-14-3A |
| Sign Bearing Firm Name | — | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of lot frontage, min 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises; shows name of firm/business or character of goods/services. | — | 10-14-14-3B |
| Wall Sign or Ground Sign (Projection) | — | — | — | Maximum projection 24 inches beyond building line. | — | — | — | 10-14-14-3C |

### B-2 Zone (B-2), I-1 Zone (I-1), I-2 Zone (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. aggregate up to 50 ft. frontage; +1 sq. ft. every additional 10 ft.; max 25 sq. ft. | — | May project max 2 ft. from building line into yard. | — | On property being sold/rented. May project/set 2 ft. from building line into required yard. | — | 10-14-14-1A, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A, 10-14-14-4A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (General Use) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached flat against building. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A, 10-14-14-4A |
| Identification or Announcement Sign (Public, Charitable, Religious Institution) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | If not attached flat, min 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | For own use; if not attached flat against building, must be at least 12 ft. from lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-1B, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A, 10-14-14-4A |
| Wall Sign (Nonconforming Business Use) | — | 20 sq. ft. per street frontage (aggregate) | — | — | — | On the premises, pertains to nonconforming business use only. | — | 10-14-14-1C, 10-14-14-2A, 10-14-14-3A, 10-14-14-4A |
| Announcement Sign (Hotel/Inn/Lodging/Trailer Court) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | If not attached, 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | If not attached to building, must be at least 12 ft. from all lot lines. | — | 10-14-14-2B, 10-14-14-3A, 10-14-14-4A |
| Sign Bearing Firm Name | — | 5 sq. ft. per linear foot of lot frontage; max 750 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises; shows firm name/goods/services. | — | 10-14-14-4B |
| Billboard | 16 ft. (sign face) | — | 47 ft. | At least 3 ft. clear space below sign; 20 ft. from intersection of street lot lines at vacant corner. | — | Attached or unattached to a building. | — | 10-14-14-4C, 10-14-16 |

## Prohibited signs in Tombstone

- It is unlawful to tack, paste, place or fasten any card, bill, poster or other written or printed matter upon any pole or post used for carrying telegraph, telephone or electric light wires, any signpost, or tree in the City, except for official municipal notices.
- It is unlawful to tack, paste, place or fasten any card, bill, poster or other written or printed matter upon any building, wall, fence, signboard or other structure in the City without first obtaining permission from the owner or person in control.
- No sign or advertising structure or any part thereof shall extend above the maximum building height for the zone in which it is located.
- No person shall erect, construct or cause or permit to be erected or constructed, any advertising structure or sign upon or over any public sidewalk, street, alley or public place or property, except as may be permitted in the ordinance or as required by law or ordinance. (Exceptions apply to certain temporary signs.)
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to interfere in any way with, or confuse traffic, or present any traffic hazard.
- No sign within the scope of this chapter shall be erected in the City after the effective date unless it complies with the requirements of the chapter.
- Existing nonconforming signs must be removed when the use of the premises changes and in any case not later than five years from the effective date of the chapter; after that time, no nonconforming sign may be erected, maintained, or used.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tombstone

- Any sign placed or painted on the inside of a building or on the inside or outside of any bus or vehicle is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
- Miscellaneous traffic or other Municipal signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, trespassing signs or signs of public service companies indicating danger or aids to service or safety are exempt.
- Cornerstones or tablets built into or attached to the walls of a building or structure bearing only names, uses, and events pertaining to the building are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A building permit is required for every sign and advertising structure regulated by this chapter.
- Two copies of plans and specifications shall be submitted with the application for a permit for each sign regulated by the chapter. Plans must show all details including size, method of attachment/support, location, materials, and designer information.
- Plans for supports of all roof signs and other signs subject to excessive stresses must demonstrate that supporting surfaces and structural members are in good condition and adequately strong.
- Signs are subject to inspection by the Building Inspection Department at any time to ensure compliance with safety and structural requirements.
- No sign may be erected, constructed, or maintained except in conformity with this ordinance and after obtaining all required approvals and permits.

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

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