# Sign Regulations in Tucson, Arizona

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tucson, Arizona (AZ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arizona/tucson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-23
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-25951)

## At a glance

Tucson, Arizona regulates 20 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Low Profiles in the Institutional Reserve (IR), Rural Homestead Zone (RH), Suburban Ranch Zone (SR), Suburban Homestead Zone (SH), Residence Zone (RX-1), Residence Zone (RX-2), Residence Zone (R-1), Mobile Home Zone (MH-1) zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 2 x sign height from curb. setback (Sec. 7A.10.2 Table 1, C.2.a.(ii), Table 2). Most commercial signs in Tucson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open Space Zone (OS) | 4 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Institutional Reserve (IR), Rural Homestead Zone (RH), Suburban Ranch Zone (SR), Suburban Homestead Zone (SH), Residence Zone (RX-1), Residence Zone (RX-2), Residence Zone (R-1), Mobile Home Zone (MH-1) | 5 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Residence Zone (R-2), Residence Zone (R-3), Mobile Home Zone (MH-2) | 5 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Office Zone (O-1), Office Zone (O-2), Office Zone (O-3) | 6 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. (local street); 64 sq. ft. (collector); 128 sq. ft. (arterial) | — |
| Parking Zone (P), Recreational Vehicle Zone (RV) | 3 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. (local street), 64 sq. ft. (collector), 128 sq. ft. (arterial) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC), Rural Village Center Zone (RVC), Commercial Zone (C-1), Commercial Zone (C-2), Commercial Zone (C-3), Mixed Use Zone (MU), Office/Commercial/Residential Zone (OCR-1), Office/Commercial/Residential Zone (OCR-2), Planned Area Development (PAD), Planned Community Development (PCD) | 6 | 20 ft max or 2 ft below parapet | 50 sq. ft. per face (monument/low-profile); 72 sq. ft. per face (pole sign); 360 sq. ft. (freeway sign). | — |
| Park Industrial Zone (P-I), Light Industrial Zone (I-1), Heavy Industrial Zone (I-2) | 3 | 10 ft (monument); 8 ft (low-profile); 12 ft (pole); 48 ft (freeway sign) | 50 sq. ft. (monument); 60 sq. ft. (low-profile); 72 sq. ft. (pole); 360 sq. ft. (freeway sign). | — |
| Historic Preservation Zones (HPZ) | 4 | 30 in. | 20 sq. ft. max | — |
| Pedestrian Business District | 3 | 20 ft from grade or 2 ft below parapet | 30% of wall area per wall | — |
| Scenic Corridor Zone (SCZ) | 2 | 10 ft. | Up to 250 sq. ft. per tenant | — |
| Major Street and Routes Setback Zone (MS&R), Gateway Corridor Zone (GCZ), Airport Environs Zone (AEZ), Environmental Resource Zone (ERZ), Hillside Development Zone (HDZ), Neighborhood Preservation Zone (NPZ), Downtown Area Infill Incentive District (IID), Urban Overlay District (UOD), Drachman School Overlay Zone (DSO) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Institutional Reserve (IR), Rural Homestead Zone (RH), Suburban Ranch Zone (SR), Suburban Homestead Zone (SH), Residence Zone (RX-1), Residence Zone (RX-2), Residence Zone (R-1), Mobile Home Zone (MH-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Low Profile | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 2 x sign height from curb. | One per premises. | On private property, minimum setback from curb to leading edge: two times sign height. | — | 7A.10.2 Table 1, C.2.a.(ii), Table 2 |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On wall of nonresidential use. | — | 7A.10.2 Table 2; 7A.10.2.C.2.d.(1) |
| Dwelling Unit Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | One | Visible from exterior; only one allowed. | — | 7A.10.2.C.2.e.(1) |
| Access Point Sign | 3 ft. (up to 4 ft. if above conditions met) | Up to 6 sq. ft.; up to 12 sq. ft. if frontage ≥ 125 ft or lot ≥ 1 acre | — | 10 ft. from SVT. | — | At or near access point, must be outside SVT; minimum 10 ft. setback. | — | 7A.10.2.C.1.a. |
| Portable Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. local street; 32 sq. ft. collector; 64 sq. ft. arterial | — | 10 ft. | Max four for first 300 ft, then one per additional 75 ft, max eight for a street frontage. | Min. 10 ft setback; not allowed in right-of-way except by revocable easement/permit | — | 7A.10.3; 7A.10.3.B&C |

### Office Zone (O-1), Office Zone (O-2), Office Zone (O-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Low Profile | 4 ft. (O-1); 8 ft. (O-2/O-3) | 20 sq. ft. (O-1), 3 ft per lineal ft street frontage (O-2 & O-3, See next entry) | — | O-1: 12 ft. from curb to leading edge. | O-1: One per site; two if multi-tenant. | On arterial or collector street frontage. O-1: Monument and low profile only. | — | 7A.10.2 Table 2 |
| Freestanding Monument Low Profile | 8 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per lineal ft. street frontage | — | 2 x sign height. | One per street frontage. | Minimum two times sign height from curb. | — | 7A.10.2 Table 2; 7A.10.2.C.2.a.(ii), General Business Category |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. (O-1); O-2 and O-3: 3 sq. ft. per lineal ft. street frontage (subject to max sign area Table 2); Or max 30% of wall area | — | — | — | On wall. | — | 7A.10.2.C.2.d., Table 2 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to building over window/door. | — | 7A.10.2.C.1.b. |
| Access Point Sign | 3-4 ft. | Up to 6 sq. ft.; up to 12 sq. ft. with conditions | — | 10 ft. | — | At or near entrance, 10 ft. minimum setback. | — | 7A.10.2.C.1.a. |
| Portable Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. (local street); 64 sq. ft. (collector); 128 sq. ft. (arterial) | — | 10 ft. | Four per 300 ft., then one per 75 ft., max 8. | Setback 10 ft.; not in right-of-way without permit/easement. | — | 7A.10.3 Table 4, B, C |

### Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC), Rural Village Center Zone (RVC), Commercial Zone (C-1), Commercial Zone (C-2), Commercial Zone (C-3), Mixed Use Zone (MU), Office/Commercial/Residential Zone (OCR-1), Office/Commercial/Residential Zone (OCR-2), Planned Area Development (PAD), Planned Community Development (PCD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument (includes low-profile, pole only as specified) | 10 ft. (monument); 8 ft. (low-profile); 12 ft. (pole); 48 ft. (freeway sign). | 50 sq. ft. per face (monument/low-profile); 72 sq. ft. per face (pole sign); 360 sq. ft. (freeway sign). | — | Monument/low-profile: 2x sign height; Pole: 30 ft. | One per street frontage; see rules for additional signs. | Setbacks: monument/low-profile 2x sign height from curb; pole 30 ft. from curb; freeway sign within 250 ft of freeway ROW. | — | 7A.10.2.C.2.a.; Table 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 30% of wall area per wall; or up to 40% if within 250 ft of freeway | — | — | — | Wall. | — | 7A.10.2.C.2.d. |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to awning/canopy. | — | 7A.10.2.C.1.b. |
| Projecting Sign (Pedestrian/Commercial district only) | 20 ft max or 2 ft below parapet | Variable; see 7A.10.2.C.3.c | — | — | — | Protruding from building (subject to clearance/min distance from grade) | — | 7A.10.2.C.3.c; 7A.10.2 Table 1 note 6 |
| Portable Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq. ft. (local), 64 sq. ft. (collector), 128 sq. ft. (arterial) | — | 10 ft. | Four per 300 ft; +1 per 75 ft, to max 8. | Setback 10 ft min. from property line. | — | 7A.10.3 Table 4, C.1-2 |
| Billboard | 16 ft general; 35 ft (freeway). | 6 ft x 12 ft general; 378 sq. ft. within 250 ft of freeway. | — | 200 ft from residential zone. | — | Not on developed property, must be at least 200 ft from residential zone line. | — | 7A.10.2.C.1.c. |

## Prohibited signs in Tucson

- No person shall erect, alter, or relocate any sign of a prohibited type, including animated or intensely lighted signs, unless regulated elsewhere such as signs in the right-of-way or heritage landmark signs. (7A.8.2.B)
- No sign shall be permitted that is animated by any means, including flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights, except as allowed as a heritage landmark sign (HLS). (7A.8.2.B)
- No sign shall be permitted that because of its intensity of light constitutes a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians or adjacent properties. (7A.8.2.C)
- Tacking, painting, pasting, or otherwise affixing of miscellaneous signs or posters visible from a public way, on buildings, trees, poles, posts, fences, or other structures, is prohibited. No signage is permitted on satellite dishes or disks. (7A.8.2.D)
- Moving signs (non-stationary or non-fixed) are prohibited, except as allowed as a heritage landmark sign (HLS). (7A.8.2.E)
- Roof signs are prohibited except as specifically provided; generally, signs erected upon, against, or above a roof or parapet are not allowed (exceptions apply for certain circumstances). (7A.8.2.F)
- Signs or devices emitting audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited. (7A.8.2.G)
- No sign shall be permitted at street intersections so as to obstruct free and clear vision of motor vehicle operators or interfere/confuse with traffic signs, signals, or devices. No use of words, symbols, shapes, or colors that interfere, mislead, or confuse traffic. (7A.8.3)
- No sign is permitted on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, or other surface located on public property or across/over any street or public thoroughfare, except as expressly authorized. (7A.8.4)
- No off-site sign is permitted if it faces the front or side yard of any lot within residential or multi-family zones and is within 150 feet of such lot line. (7A.6.8)
- No person may maintain or permit to be maintained any sign that is in a dangerous or defective condition. (7A.4.7.C)
- All signs must be erected, altered, repaired, reinstalled, relocated, permitted, and inspected in compliance with permitting requirements. (7A.4.1.A)
- No sign shall be constructed, maintained, or installed without the consent of the property owner or authorized representative. (7A.4.1.B)
- Digital signs (electronic message centers) are not allowed to have animated, flashing, or transitioning displays and changes are limited to once per minute. (7A.6.4.C)
- Billboards and other off-site signs are prohibited in certain zones, including all residential and office zones, rural village center, neighborhood commercial, C-1, parking, RV, park industrial, scenic corridor, airport environs, and historic districts. (7A.10.2 Table 1)
- Billboards may not change sign copy by any type of electronic process or by use of rotating panels whereby sign copy is changed by rotation. (7A.10.2.C.1.c.(10))

## Signs exempt from permit in Tucson

- Non-commercial flags, emblems or insignias are exempt from the sign standards, including permitting. (7A.8.1.A.1)
- Permanent signs cut into the surface of a façade or building are exempt from the sign standards. (7A.8.1.A.2)
- Non-commercial murals are exempt from the sign standards. (7A.8.1.A.3)
- Commercial murals that are in pedestrian districts are exempt from the sign standards. (7A.8.1.A.4)
- Manned hot air balloons are exempt from the sign standards. (7A.8.1.A.5)
- Interior signs (those not facing or readable from the public right-of-way) are exempt from sign standards beyond building code compliance, except as otherwise provided. (7A.10.1.B)
- Emergency, warning, and governmental signs necessary for public safety, civil defense, or government use are permitted in all zones. (7A.10.1.A)
- In the event an exempt sign is located in a Historic Preservation Zone (HPZ), it is subject to Historic Zone design review procedures. (7A.8.1.B)
- Political election signs are allowed and shall comply with A.R.S. § 16-1019; up to 32 sf in commercial/industrial zones and 16 sf in rural/residential zones. (7A.10.4.A.4)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Program is available as a formal process for all permanent exterior signs at a premise, allowing variance from standards for the entire property and requiring Sign Design Review Committee review and approval by the Planning and Development Services Director. (7A.7.1)
- A Master Sign Program may be submitted before, after, or concurrently with a rezoning, special exception, planned area development, development package, or site plan. Each sign requires an individual permit after approval of the Master Sign Program. (7A.7.1.C)
- The Master Sign Program covers all exterior permanent signs at a premise; billboards may not be proposed as part of the program. (7A.7.1.B)
- A Master Sign Program for portable signs is also available to allow a design option for all portable signs and variation from standard provisions, subject to design requirements and findings by the Director. (7A.7.2)
- An applicant may amend an approved Master Sign Program according to the standards of Article 7A.7. (7A.7.1.D.2)
- A singular sign design option exists for a new, modified, or replacement individual sign, using the Master Sign Program review process. (7A.7.3)
- All signage for Planned Area Development (PAD) districts must comply with the sign standards of the PAD or the underlying model zone, or submit a Master Sign Program; billboards are prohibited in PADs. (7A.11.4)
- Urban Overlay Districts (UOD) may add design review for certain signs, with single signs ≥50 sq ft or total sign area >50 sq ft requiring UOD design review procedure as established in the specific UOD. (7A.10.2.B, note for UODs)
- Historic Preservation Zones require design review for all signs; see HPZ advisory board approval requirements. (7A.11.1.D; 5.8.8)
- For signs within a Scenic Corridor Zone, all signs must comply with the Unified Development Code and must be approved through the applicable review process. (7A.11.3.C)
- Sign Design Review Committee assists by reviewing and recommending design options for Master Sign Programs and individual sign design requests. (7A.13)

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

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