Sign Permits and Variances in Arizona
An in-house permit specialist who knows Southern Arizona sign codes, handling permits and variances as part of every project.
Sign Permits Tucson: An In-House Permit Specialist Who Knows Southern Arizona Codes
Almost every exterior business sign needs a permit before it goes up.
Getting sign permits in Tucson and the surrounding communities takes knowledge of local sign codes, zoning rules and how each city’s plan review works. At Addisigns, permits are handled in-house by our permit specialist, backed by more than 60 years of company experience with Southern Arizona municipalities.
That experience saves our customers time and frustration. Instead of learning the process from scratch, you work with a sign company that handles permits and variances as part of every project.
Addisigns has been designing, building and installing signs in Tucson since 1955. Because our designers, fabrication shop and permit specialist work under one roof, permit requirements are part of the design conversation from the start.
Why Sign Permits Matter
Cities and counties regulate signs to manage size, placement, lighting and safety. A sign installed without a permit can lead to fines, delays or an order to take it down. A sign designed without checking the code may need to be redesigned after it is already priced or built.
Handling the permit correctly up front protects your investment.
No fines, no surprise redesigns and no order to take the sign down.
Our Sign Permit Process in Tucson and Southern Arizona
Every project is different, but the general workflow looks like this:
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Review the sign code and zoning
We check the rules that apply to your property, including the zoning district and any sign rules specific to the site.
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Landlord or HOA approval
Many properties require approval from the landlord, property manager or association before the city will review a sign. We help you gather what they need.
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Drawings and site plan
Our design team prepares sign drawings, and we put together a site plan showing where the sign will go. Measurements and photos from our site survey feed into these documents.
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Submittal
We submit the application and drawings to the city, town or county.
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Plan review corrections
Reviewers sometimes ask for changes or more information. We respond to comments and resubmit as needed.
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Permit issued
Once approved, the permit is issued and the sign can be built and installed.
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Inspection
After installation, the jurisdiction may inspect the sign. We coordinate that step.
Every Jurisdiction Has Its Own Sign Code
There is no single sign code for Arizona. The City of Tucson, Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley and the Phoenix-area cities each have their own rules, forms and review process. Requirements can change from one side of a street to the other when a property crosses a city or county line.
That is where experience counts. We also handle permits for projects in the Phoenix area and other communities we serve.
Addisigns has worked with Southern Arizona municipalities for more than 60 years, and our permit specialist knows how each office tends to handle sign submittals.
Common Sign Permit Issues
These are some of the issues that come up most often during sign permitting.
We keep these issues in mind during design so your sign has a smooth path through review.
- Size and height limits. Codes typically limit how large a sign can be and how tall a freestanding sign can stand, often based on building frontage, street type or zoning.
- Illumination limits. Many codes regulate how bright a sign can be, when it can be lit and what kind of lighting is allowed. Digital message centers often have their own rules.
- Setbacks. Monument signs and pylon signs generally have to sit a certain distance from property lines, driveways and sight lines.
- Master sign programs. Shopping centers and office parks often have a master sign program that sets rules for tenant signs, such as colors, letter styles, sizes and lighting. Your sign has to meet both the program and the city code.
- Dark-sky considerations. Southern Arizona values its dark night skies, and some local jurisdictions have outdoor lighting rules meant to protect them. Those rules can affect how an illuminated sign is designed and lit.
Monument and pylon signs that made it through review and onto the street.
Sign Variances When a Design Exceeds Code
Sometimes the sign a business needs does not fit within the standard code. The building may sit far back from the road, the frontage may be unusual, or visibility may be limited by the site. In those cases, a variance may be an option.
A variance is a request to the jurisdiction to allow a sign that goes beyond what the code normally permits. It involves a separate application and review, and approval is not guaranteed. Our permit specialist handles variance requests and can tell you whether one is worth pursuing for your project. If a variance is not the right path, we will work with you on a design that meets code and still gets your business noticed.
Permits Are Part of Every Addisigns Project
When you work with Addisigns, the permit is not a separate errand you have to manage. It is part of the project, from the site survey through final inspection. We have completed more than 3,000 projects for over 2,000 customers, and permitting has been part of that work for decades.
We handle sign permits for businesses in Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Vail, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, Nogales and across Southern Arizona, as well as Phoenix and the surrounding cities. Have questions? Read our business sign tips or call us at 520-748-1540.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for my business sign in Tucson?
Most exterior signs need a permit. The exact requirements depend on the jurisdiction, the zoning and the type of sign. Our permit specialist will review your project and let you know what is required.
Do you handle the permit, or do I?
We do. Our in-house permit specialist prepares and submits the application, responds to plan review comments and coordinates inspection.
What is a sign variance?
A variance is a request to allow a sign that exceeds what the sign code normally permits. It goes through its own review, and approval is up to the jurisdiction. We handle variance requests for our customers.
My shopping center has its own sign rules. Does that matter?
Yes. Many centers have a master sign program, and your sign must meet both those rules and the city or county code. We review both before your sign is designed.
Do you handle permits in the Phoenix area?
Yes. We handle permitting for the signs we design and install in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding cities.
Need a Sign Permit Handled?
Let our in-house permit specialist take care of the paperwork while we design, build and install your sign.