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Sign Permit in Glendale, Arizona

A sign permit is required for commercial signage in Glendale, including wall signs, monument/freestanding signs, and face changes. Plans are reviewed by the Building Safety Division against the sign requirements in Glendale Municipal Code Section 7.100 (Sign Ordinance). New tenants must have an approved tenant improvement permit or an issued Certificate of Occupancy before a sign permit can be issued. All submittals require landlord approval on company letterhead.

Verified 2026-07-23 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Submit a completed fillable Permit Application (available on the Submit Electronic Plans page) with business tenant name, property address, description of work, applicant contact information, and total square footage and valuation of all proposed signs
  • Sign Contractor's name, address, AZROC license number, and City of Glendale business license (if applicable)
  • Glendale Business License Number and expiration date for the business
  • One set of color plans drawn to scale (no free-hand sketches) showing elevations, dimensions, design, materials, and location of each proposed sign
  • Cross-section detail plan showing connections, supports, returns, electrical details, and trim caps
  • Footing detail plan and measurements for freestanding/monument signs
  • Site plan with North arrow, surrounding street names, and full building view showing placement of all existing and proposed signage
  • Landlord approval letter on company letterhead with a valid signature, printed name, management company name, and title (signature approvals on plans or by email alone are not accepted)
  • New tenants must have an approved tenant improvement permit or an issued Certificate of Occupancy with a name change in the same occupancy before a sign permit will be issued
  • All signs must comply with Glendale Municipal Code Section 7.100 (Sign Ordinance) — e.g., individual pan channel letters required for wall and monument signs (raceways/cabinets/can signs prohibited absent a Master Sign Package), roof signs and A-frame signs prohibited, no signs in the public right-of-way

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Sign Plan ReviewCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019); page rendered to PNG and read visually to confirm figures 2026-07-23.
75% of the building permit fee (1/2 hour minimum at $61.44)
Building Permit — Subdivision Advertising/Directional SignCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$76.04 per sign
Building Permit — Construction/Development SignCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$76.04 per sign
Building Permit — Promotional Pennants, Balloons, Banners, DisplaysCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$31.67 per occasion (10 days)
Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, Face Change OnlyCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$31.67 per sign
Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, No ElectricCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$76.04 per sign
Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, With ElectricCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$114.35 per sign
Building Permit — BillboardsCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$76.04 per sign, plus EMB fee based on value per Table 3A, plus $114.35 additional per sign if illuminated
Building Permit — Flag PolesCity of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$50.00 per pole
Electric Permit (for illuminated signs)City of Glendale Fee Schedule, Sign Permits (effective May 10, 2019).
$76.04 per sign

Review timeline

Plan reviewGlendale’s published plan-review target
10–10 business days

How long did your Sign Permit permit actually take in Glendale?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Sign Final Inspection

    Final inspection of the installed sign, including structural attachment and electrical connections if illuminated

See the full Glendale inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Wall signs require individual pan channel letters mounted directly to the wall — raceways, cabinets, backgrounds, and can signs are prohibited unless a Master Sign Package for the building allows otherwise.
  • Monument signs require individual pan channel letters/logos directly mounted to the sign face; monument cabinet signs are not allowed, and signs must be set back at least 16 feet from any curb.
  • Roof-top signs, A-frame signs, and signs painted or drawn on any surface are prohibited citywide.
  • New tenants must have an approved tenant improvement permit or a Certificate of Occupancy in place before a sign permit will be issued.
  • A permit is required for promotional banners, pennants, balloons, and other displays; placement is reviewed case-by-case.

Frequently asked questions

Glendale requires a sign permit for: Submit a completed fillable Permit Application (available on the Submit Electronic Plans page) with business tenant name, property address, description of work, applicant contact information, and total square footage and valuation of all proposed signs; Sign Contractor's name, address, AZROC license number, and City of Glendale business license (if applicable); Glendale Business License Number and expiration date for the business; One set of color plans drawn to scale (no free-hand sketches) showing elevations, dimensions, design, materials, and location of each proposed sign; Cross-section detail plan showing connections, supports, returns, electrical details, and trim caps; Footing detail plan and measurements for freestanding/monument signs; Site plan with North arrow, surrounding street names, and full building view showing placement of all existing and proposed signage; Landlord approval letter on company letterhead with a valid signature, printed name, management company name, and title (signature approvals on plans or by email alone are not accepted); New tenants must have an approved tenant improvement permit or an issued Certificate of Occupancy with a name change in the same occupancy before a sign permit will be issued; All signs must comply with Glendale Municipal Code Section 7.100 (Sign Ordinance) — e.g., individual pan channel letters required for wall and monument signs (raceways/cabinets/can signs prohibited absent a Master Sign Package), roof signs and A-frame signs prohibited, no signs in the public right-of-way. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Glendale Development Services at 623-930-2800 before starting work.

In Glendale, the published Sign Plan Review is: 75% of the building permit fee (1/2 hour minimum at $61.44). Additional published fees: Building Permit — Subdivision Advertising/Directional Sign — $76.04 per sign; Building Permit — Construction/Development Sign — $76.04 per sign; Building Permit — Promotional Pennants, Balloons, Banners, Displays — $31.67 per occasion (10 days); Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, Face Change Only — $31.67 per sign; Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, No Electric — $76.04 per sign; Building Permit — Permanent Commercial Sign, With Electric — $114.35 per sign; Building Permit — Billboards — $76.04 per sign, plus EMB fee based on value per Table 3A, plus $114.35 additional per sign if illuminated; Building Permit — Flag Poles — $50.00 per pole; Electric Permit (for illuminated signs) — $76.04 per sign. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Target turnaround for 'Permit Processing (Pools, Signs, Misc.)' is 10 business days for both the 1st review and any subsequent review, per the City's Plan Review Target Turnaround Times guide. This is a target, not a guarantee; expedited review (50% of normal time) is available at 300% of the plan review fee with Building Safety Official approval.

You'll need: Permit Application (fillable); Sign Submittal Requirements plans package; Landlord approval letter. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Glendale requires 1 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Sign Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Glendale Development Services (623-930-2800).

Apply through City of Glendale Development Services at 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Phone: 623-930-2800, email: permits@glendaleaz.com. Office hours: Counter assistance hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Development Services Center, per the Building Safety Contact Information page; verified 2026-07-16). Official information: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Business/Building-Safety-Codes-Services.

Glendale, Arizona has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and I, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices BB, BC, BF, BO and CF, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), including Appendices A and B, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-52, effective January 9, 2026; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026; 2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC), as published by ICC — adopted by Ordinance O25-51 (voluntary compliance), effective January 9, 2026; 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines; Arizonans with Disabilities Act (A.R.S. §§ 41-1492.03); ICC A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; City of Glendale Revised Sound Attenuation Standards; Maricopa Association of Governments Fireplace Standard; Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, March 6, 1991). Local amendments apply — see the Glendale overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-23.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Glendale building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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