Sign Permit in Unincorporated Gila County, Arizona

Unincorporated Gila County requires a sign permit for: Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2017-02, Section 104(B), adopts the International Building Code, 2012 edition, 'including' Appendix C (Group U Agricultural Buildings), APPENDIX H (SIGNS) and Appendix I (Patio Covers) — Appendix H is expressly part of the adopted Gila County Building Code; The Gila County Zoning Ordinance defines STRUCTURE as 'Anything built or installed by arranging parts together, such as buildings, tanks, fences, signs, pools, towers, etc.' — signs are structures for zoning purposes; The permit trigger as republished in the County's own Building Code Handbook (page 8, 'PERMITS REQUIRED: (R105.1)'): any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure 'shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit'; Zoning Ordinance Section 103.6 sets the substantive sign standards: temporary advertising signs for recorded-subdivision lot sales (removal after 12 months or 30 days after sales complete, whichever is shorter; no sign over 36 sq ft within 300 feet of another such sign in the same subdivision); off-street sign placement rules (no signs other than traffic safety signage in any existing or projected street right-of-way or easement; 8-foot minimum bottom clearance in the 33-foot corner sight triangle; 20-foot maximum height above ground grade at the point of erection); Zoning Ordinance Section 103.6.C: unless a specific use district says otherwise, no sign may be illuminated, animated or audible (including banners, pennants, or devices set in motion by air). Where lighting IS permitted it must be indirect, non-flashing, hooded so no direct light is visible to the side, aimed only at the copy space, limited to bulbs of 100 watts or less and 1.5 watts per square foot of copy space combined, and controlled by an automatic switch timed to turn off no later than 11:00 PM; Zoning Ordinance Section 103.6.D (nonconforming signs): a lawful nonconforming sign may continue but may not be enlarged, altered to increase the nonconformity, have illumination added, or be moved or replaced except into full conformity; maintenance and repairs are allowed only up to 50% of the sign's value in any 12-month period; Application for construction permits must be made in person at the Globe or Payson Building Safety office — the County's FAQ states applications and plans cannot be accepted by fax or mail; Where the property lies in the Hellsgate, Pine/Strawberry or Tri-City Fire District, the County's FAQ lists fire department approval among the building permit application requirements. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Gila County Community Development Division — Building Safety at Globe: 928-402-4224 (press option for permitting); Payson: 928-474-7110 (press option for permitting) before starting work.

Gila County publishes no dedicated sign fee. The permit is billed as an ordinary building permit from the Building Valuation Data plus Table 1-A, with a plan review fee of 65% of the building permit fee charged in addition. An illuminated sign also needs an electrical permit: $25.00 to issue, plus $25.00 for the first branch circuit and $5.00 for each additional branch circuit in the same sign. Source: https://cms3.revize.com/revize/gilacounty/government/community_development/Docs/Docs/FEESCHEDULE%2012-2019.pdf

Unincorporated Gila County does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Gila County Community Development Division — Building Safety at Globe: 928-402-4224 (press option for permitting); Payson: 928-474-7110 (press option for permitting) for current turnaround.

You'll need: In-person permit application; Two sets of plans and two copies of the site plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Gila County requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Footing / foundation (freestanding signs), Final. Schedule each through Gila County Community Development Division — Building Safety (Globe: 928-402-4224 (press option for permitting); Payson: 928-474-7110 (press option for permitting)).

Apply through Gila County Community Development Division — Building Safety at Globe Office: 745 N. Rose Mofford Way, Globe, AZ 85501; Payson Office: 608 E. Hwy 260, Payson, AZ 85541. Phone: Globe: 928-402-4224 (press option for permitting); Payson: 928-474-7110 (press option for permitting), email: Contact via Globe or Payson office phone lines listed above; the county's Building Safety page lists an obfuscated contact-form email rather than a plain address. Office hours: County offices generally Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm (per county-wide footer hours at gilacountyaz.gov). Building applications must be made IN PERSON at either the Globe or Payson Building Safety office — applications and plans cannot be accepted by fax or mail. Plan review payments accepted by credit/debit card by phone (3% service fee added), cash, or check payable to Gila County. Chief Building Official: Randy Pluimer.. Official information: https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/government/community_development/building_safety/index.php.

Yes. Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2017-02, Section 104(B), adopts the 2012 International Building Code including Appendix H (Signs), and the Zoning Ordinance defines a 'structure' to include signs — so the adopted code's permit requirement for erecting a structure applies. Source: https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/government/community_development/Docs/Docs/Building%20Ordinance%20for%20Unincorporated%20Areas%20in%20Gila%20County%20-%20Ordinance%20No.%202017-02%20-%20Approved.pdf

Only where the specific use district allows it. Zoning Ordinance Section 103.6.C makes non-illuminated, non-animated, non-audible the default; where lighting is permitted it must be indirect and hooded, must not flash, may not use bulbs over 100 watts or exceed 1.5 watts per square foot of copy space in combined illumination, and must be on an automatic switch timed to turn off no later than 11:00 PM. Source: https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/government/community_development/Agendas/2022/Gila%20County%20Zoning%20Ordinance%20-%20%20Revised%2003-15-2022.pdf