# Sign Regulations in Williams, Arizona

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

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

## At a glance

Williams, Arizona regulates 40 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Business Zones (CBD, CR, HC), Central Business District (CBD), Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall, 75 sq. ft. (including base), and 10 ft. wide, with a Set back from property line as needed for safety setback (Sec. § 158.198(Q)). Most commercial signs in Williams require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones (RR, AR, ER, R1-43, R1-7, RMH-1, R2, R3) | 9 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Business Zones (CBD, CR, HC), Central Business District (CBD), Highway Commercial (HC) | 17 | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Zones (I-1, I-2), Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 15 | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| Historic Preservation (HPD), Historic Overlay District | 8 | 16 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| I-40 Overlay (I-40) | 10 | 75 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 6 ft. (residential), n/a or per zone otherwise | 32 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Business Zones (CBD, CR, HC), Central Business District (CBD), Highway Commercial (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Business) | No higher than the building facade. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 8 ft. above grade when within 25 ft. of street or above sidewalk. Not to project beyond property lines. | 1 per street frontage (+1 rear if rear parking exists) | On building wall, 1 sign per public street frontage; additional sign at rear if rear parking lot exists. | — | § 158.198(H)(1), (H)(3)-(5), Table § 158.197 |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Businesses - Building Sign) | No higher than the building facade. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 8 ft. above grade when within 25 ft. of street or above sidewalk. | Max 2 per building | One per public street, private driveway, or rear parking lot frontage (max 2 per building) | — | § 158.198(H)(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Businesses - Per Business) | No higher than building facade. | 20 sq. ft. | — | 8 ft. above grade when within 25 ft. of street or above sidewalk. | 2 per business | Per business, per public street or rear parking lot frontage (max 2 per business) | — | § 158.198(H)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft. from property line; min. 30 ft. to any residential district. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per public street frontage | — | § 158.198(G)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. (including base) | 10 ft. | Set back from property line as needed for safety | 1 per street frontage (in lieu of freestanding) | 1 per public street frontage | — | § 158.198(Q) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At entrance to facility or multi-tenant property | — | § 158.198(B)(1) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Lease/Rent | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per sign, up to 24 sq. ft. total | — | — | One per street frontage (freestanding), plus one wall | On property advertised | — | § 158.198(E)(1)(b) |
| Off-site Sign | 12 ft (top of sign) | 48 sq. ft. (6 ft high x 8 ft wide); each panel: 24 in. x 36 in. | 8 ft. | No more than 10 ft from property/right-of-way line. Not closer than 300 ft from another off-site sign. | — | Only where property line of Comm or Ind zone is contiguous with right-of-way of specified streets. | — | § 158.198(M) |

### Industrial Zones (I-1, I-2), Industrial District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Business) | No higher than the building facade. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 8 ft. above grade within 25 ft. of street/2 ft. of sidewalk. | 1 per street frontage (+1 rear if parking exists) | On building wall, 1 per public street frontage; additional at rear if rear parking lot exists. | — | § 158.198(H)(1), (H)(3)-(5), Table § 158.197 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from property line; min 30 ft to residential | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | § 158.198(G)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. (including base) | 10 ft. | As needed to maintain site safety | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | § 158.198(Q) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Nonresidential multi-tenant at entrance | — | § 158.198(B)(1) |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Where required for traffic | — | § 158.198(C) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Lease/Rent | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per sign, up to 24 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per street frontage (freestanding), plus wall | On property advertised | — | § 158.198(E)(1)(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Subdivision/Development | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | No closer than 50 ft to existing outside subdivision | 1 per entrance | Entrance to subdivision | — | § 158.198(E)(2) |
| Off-site Sign | 12 ft (top of sign) | 48 sq. ft. (6 ft high x 8 ft wide); each panel: 24 in x 36 in. | 8 ft. | No more than 10 ft from property/right-of-way; min. 300 ft from another off-site sign. | — | Only where property line of Industrial is contiguous with allowed road. | — | § 158.198(M) |

### I-40 Overlay (I-40)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 75 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from property line; not closer than 30 ft to residential | 1 per street frontage | Non-residential, 1 per street frontage | — | § 158.198(G)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Non-residential, 1 per street frontage | — | § 158.198(B)(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | — | 35% of sign area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | As part of allowed sign types | — | § 158.198(N); Table § 158.197 |
| Manual Reader Board (MRB) | — | 35% of allowed signage | — | — | — | As permitted | — | § 158.198(P); Table § 158.197 |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | As required | — | § 158.198(C); Table § 158.197 |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | As required in multi-tenant development | — | § 158.198(D); Table § 158.197 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | 10 ft. | — | 1 per street frontage (in lieu of freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | — | § 158.198(Q); Table § 158.197 |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Lease/Rent | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per sign, max 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (freestanding), plus wall | On property | — | § 158.198(E)(1)(b); Table § 158.197 |

## Prohibited signs in Williams

- All signs not specifically allowed herein.
- Animated signs.
- Audible signs with audible devices except for freestanding drive-through menu boards.
- Confusing signs that interfere with or confuse traffic or present a traffic hazard.
- Dangerous signs.
- Signs that obstruct any door or fire escape of any building.
- Portable signs except as allowed per this chapter.
- Portable signs mounted, attached or painted on trailers, boats, or motor vehicles when parked, stored or displayed in a manner intended to attract the attention of the public for advertising purposes.
- Signs located within, on, or projecting over any public right-of-way.
- Roof signs.
- Temporary signs except as allowed in this chapter.
- Temporary signs such as pennants, banners, balloons, flags and similar displays except as provided for approved temporary signs.
- Billboards and off-premise signs except as specifically allowed in this chapter.
- Menu signs exceeding 36 square feet for drive-through restaurant lanes or exceeding six square feet in any other location.
- Obscene signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Williams

- Nameplate and address signs.
- Official signs of a public or governmental agency.
- On premise agriculture signs not exceeding six square feet.
- On premise bulletin boards for charitable or religious organizations provided the signs do not exceed 32 square feet.
- On premise real estate signs not exceeding six square feet.
- Open signs, mounted inside a window (may include lighting).
- Political signs as provided in this chapter.
- Private and commercial name plates and street address identification signs or no trespassing signs when such signs do not exceed two square feet.
- Public utility signs.
- Signs not visible beyond the lot or parcel on which they are located.
- Signs on a vehicle operated in the normal course of business.
- Holiday signs and decorations no more than 30 days prior to the holiday and removed within ten days following that holiday except for Christmas when the decorations may be erected on October 15; holiday decorations shall be removed not more than 15 days after the pertinent holiday.
- Temporary on-site signs such as window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign building permit shall be obtained from the city prior to the construction of a new sign, or alteration of the size, shape or location of an existing sign, and/or display of any sign.
- All signage within the Historic Preservation District must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission, including illuminated signs and neon lighting.
- The reconstruction of a historic sign is allowed upon approval of the Historic Preservation Commission; such reconstruction may be subject to conditions approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- A permit is required for banners for promotional displays related to grand openings, change in business name, or change in business ownership.

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

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