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Sign Permit in Phoenix, Arizona

Required before any sign is erected, displayed, relocated, or altered in Phoenix. The Phoenix Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 705 (Signs) states that, unless otherwise provided in that section, all signs shall require a sign permit from the Planning and Development Department (PDD). Sign permits are administered by PDD's Sign Section and are billed in two parts: a Sign Plan Review fee (hourly, with a stated minimum) and a Sign Permit fee (a flat per-sign amount that covers the initial inspection). Fees are set by Phoenix City Code Chapter 9, Appendix A.2 (PDD Fee Schedule adopted per Ordinance G-7465, effective January 20, 2026).

Verified 2026-08-15 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705(B)(1) — 'Unless otherwise provided in this section, all signs shall require a sign permit from the Planning and Development Department before being erected, displayed, relocated or altered.'
  • Written approval from Planning and Development Department personnel is required before any change, modification, alteration, or other deviation from the terms and conditions of an issued sign permit, and before any change in the use of the sign as originally permitted (Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705)
  • Applications may be filed by the owner, tenant, or lessee of the property on which the sign is located, or an authorized agent or contractor (Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705, 'Qualifications to apply for a permit')
  • Submit one application plus three copies of all attachments to PDD, 200 West Washington Street, 2nd Floor; multiple copies are not required when submitting through the Electronic Plan Review (EPR) system (Sign Permit Submittal Checklist, TRT 00298)
  • Ground sign submittals must show the shortest distance from the leading edge of the sign to the property line and to any driveway, nearby utilities, sign height from adjacent street grade, the sight-distance triangle at any street or driveway intersection, the property's linear frontage, and — if using an existing structure — the prior building and/or sign permit number(s)
  • Wall sign submittals must show the length of the elevation or tenant space where the sign will be placed, an elevation view indicating sign location, the distance from the top of roof and side of building, height to top of sign from grade, and building height (all heights if the roofline varies)
  • Sign face/structure details must show height and length of the sign structure (individual letters enclosed within the smallest regular geometric figure), height and length of all wording with horizontal spacing and insignia, colors and materials of the structure and background, and must predominantly display the business name with uniform leading letter height
  • Multi-tenant complexes must consult the site's Comprehensive Sign Plan for type, color, and style regulations; an approved site plan is required, plus a floor plan for the tenant space in a multiple-tenant building and an installation detail/section drawing of the sign
  • A completed, signed Sign Permit Submittal Checklist certification must be attached to the plans at first review; PDD returns plans without formal review if checklist items are not addressed
  • Billboards and off-premise signs are regulated separately under Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705.2 and are billed at higher plan review and permit rates

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Sign plan review — over the counter, 1 to 2 signsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465, effective 1/20/2026), Appendix A.2, page 15, 'SIGN PLAN REVIEW FEES' item 1.a. Figure read from a rendered image of page 15, not from extracted text.
$195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour)
Sign plan review — office or field, non-billboard signsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, items 1.b and 1.c.
$195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour)
Sign plan review — office or field, billboard signsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, items 1.d and 1.e.
$195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours)
Sign Design Review (plan review)PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 1.f.
$195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour)
Sign engineering plan reviewPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 1.g.
$195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours)
Expedited sign plan review — initial reviewPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 2.a. Availability is limited and subject to the Planning & Development Director's approval. A second-review-only expedite is 1 times the basic plan review fee (item 2.b).
3 times the basic plan review fee
Comprehensive Sign Plan applicationPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 3.a.
$1,710
Major amendment to a Comprehensive Sign PlanPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 3.b.
$1,080
Minor amendment to a Comprehensive Sign PlanPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 15, item 3.c.
$270
Basic sign permit — wall, marquee, projecting, roof, painted wall, flag and gasoline pump (per complex), and window signsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, 'SIGN PERMIT FEES' item 1.a.1. Figure read from a rendered image of page 17.
$98 per sign
Ground and combination signs — base ground signs (includes subdivision temporary construction and real estate signs)PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.a.2. A permit fee is charged for each separate structure used in the erection of double-face 'v' shape signs.
$195 per sign
Each additional sign cabinet on the same sign structurePDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.a.2.
$98 each
BillboardsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.a.3.
$780 per face
Electric signs (added to the basic sign permit fee)PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.b.
Add $195 per hour
Electric component inspectionPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.c.
$195 per sign
Temporary event sign permitPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.d.
$195 per event
Directional signsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.e.
$98 per sign
Sign inspection — initial, and first re-inspection to verify correctionsPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 2.a.
No additional charge (included with permit fee)
Sign re-inspection — called before work was ready, no access, or second and subsequent re-inspection for failure to correct deficienciesPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 17, item 2.b. Re-inspection fees are payable before re-inspections will be made.
$195 each

Review timeline

Plan reviewPhoenix’s published plan-review target
30–60 business days

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

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Initial Sign Inspection

    Included with the sign permit fee; the first re-inspection to verify corrections is also included at no additional charge (PDD Fee Schedule, Appendix A.2, page 17, item 2.a).

  2. 2

    Electric Component Inspection

    Separate inspection of the electrical components of an electric sign, billed at $195 per sign (PDD Fee Schedule, Appendix A.2, page 17, item 1.c).

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

Tips

  • A Phoenix sign permit is billed in two separate pieces: an hourly Sign Plan Review fee ($195/hour, minimum 1 hour for ordinary on-premise signs) and a flat Sign Permit fee ($98 for a wall sign, $195 for a base ground sign). Budget for both — the $98 or $195 figure alone is not the total cost.
  • Illuminated signs cost meaningfully more: 'For Electric Signs' adds $195 per hour to the permit, and the Electric Component Inspection is a further $195 per sign.
  • Billboards are the expensive path in every column — $195/hour with a 2-hour ($390) minimum for both office and field plan review, and $780 per face for the permit itself.
  • In a multi-tenant complex, check the site's Comprehensive Sign Plan before designing: it governs sign type, color, and style. Establishing a new Comprehensive Sign Plan costs $1,710, a major amendment $1,080, and a minor amendment $270.
  • The first re-inspection to verify corrections is free, but a second or subsequent re-inspection — or any inspection called before the work was ready, or that could not be made because of no access — is $195 each and must be paid before the re-inspection is performed.
  • Ground and Wall/Window sign plan review cannot be logged in until zoning use approval for the site is verified, per the Project Sequence Guide — resolve the use approval first or the sign clock never starts.
  • Contact the PDD Sign Section at 602-495-0301 or pdd.signservices@phoenix.gov; the underlying sign regulations are in Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Chapter 7, Section 705.

Frequently asked questions

Phoenix requires a sign permit for: Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705(B)(1) — 'Unless otherwise provided in this section, all signs shall require a sign permit from the Planning and Development Department before being erected, displayed, relocated or altered.'; Written approval from Planning and Development Department personnel is required before any change, modification, alteration, or other deviation from the terms and conditions of an issued sign permit, and before any change in the use of the sign as originally permitted (Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705); Applications may be filed by the owner, tenant, or lessee of the property on which the sign is located, or an authorized agent or contractor (Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705, 'Qualifications to apply for a permit'); Submit one application plus three copies of all attachments to PDD, 200 West Washington Street, 2nd Floor; multiple copies are not required when submitting through the Electronic Plan Review (EPR) system (Sign Permit Submittal Checklist, TRT 00298); Ground sign submittals must show the shortest distance from the leading edge of the sign to the property line and to any driveway, nearby utilities, sign height from adjacent street grade, the sight-distance triangle at any street or driveway intersection, the property's linear frontage, and — if using an existing structure — the prior building and/or sign permit number(s); Wall sign submittals must show the length of the elevation or tenant space where the sign will be placed, an elevation view indicating sign location, the distance from the top of roof and side of building, height to top of sign from grade, and building height (all heights if the roofline varies); Sign face/structure details must show height and length of the sign structure (individual letters enclosed within the smallest regular geometric figure), height and length of all wording with horizontal spacing and insignia, colors and materials of the structure and background, and must predominantly display the business name with uniform leading letter height; Multi-tenant complexes must consult the site's Comprehensive Sign Plan for type, color, and style regulations; an approved site plan is required, plus a floor plan for the tenant space in a multiple-tenant building and an installation detail/section drawing of the sign; A completed, signed Sign Permit Submittal Checklist certification must be attached to the plans at first review; PDD returns plans without formal review if checklist items are not addressed; Billboards and off-premise signs are regulated separately under Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Section 705.2 and are billed at higher plan review and permit rates. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department at 602-262-7811 before starting work.

In Phoenix, the published Sign plan review — over the counter, 1 to 2 signs is: $195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour). Additional published fees: Sign plan review — office or field, non-billboard signs — $195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour); Sign plan review — office or field, billboard signs — $195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours); Sign Design Review (plan review) — $195 per hour, minimum $195 (1 hour); Sign engineering plan review — $195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours); Expedited sign plan review — initial review — 3 times the basic plan review fee; Comprehensive Sign Plan application — $1,710; Major amendment to a Comprehensive Sign Plan — $1,080; Minor amendment to a Comprehensive Sign Plan — $270; Basic sign permit — wall, marquee, projecting, roof, painted wall, flag and gasoline pump (per complex), and window signs — $98 per sign; Ground and combination signs — base ground signs (includes subdivision temporary construction and real estate signs) — $195 per sign; Each additional sign cabinet on the same sign structure — $98 each; Billboards — $780 per face; Electric signs (added to the basic sign permit fee) — Add $195 per hour; Electric component inspection — $195 per sign; Temporary event sign permit — $195 per event; Directional signs — $98 per sign; Sign inspection — initial, and first re-inspection to verify corrections — No additional charge (included with permit fee); Sign re-inspection — called before work was ready, no access, or second and subsequent re-inspection for failure to correct deficiencies — $195 each. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Phoenix's published plan-review target for a sign permit is 30–60 business days.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application (TRT 00159); Sign Permit Submittal Checklist (TRT 00298, Rev. 5/13). Depending on your project, Phoenix may also ask for: General Sign Information (TRT 00422); Sign Installation Notification, Applicant Certification Statement (TRT 00616); Sign Design Review Application (TRT 00093) and Handout (TRT 00091); Temporary Sign Permit Application (TRT 00160). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Phoenix requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Initial Sign Inspection, Electric Component Inspection. Schedule each through City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department (602-262-7811).

Apply through City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department at 200 West Washington Street, 2nd/3rd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 602-262-7811, email: pdd@phoenix.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (City business hours), except major holidays. Official information: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd.html.

Phoenix, Arizona has adopted: 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC) — adopted by Phoenix City Council June 18, 2025, effective August 1, 2025 (Ordinance G-7397); 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendix E, with Phoenix amendments (IBC Chapter 1 Administrative Provisions adopted); 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, NB, and NE, with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E, with Phoenix amendments; 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), including Appendices A, B, C, I and M, with Phoenix amendments; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — optional; 2022 ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators; 2023 ASME A17.3; 2022 ASME A17.6; 2023 ASME A18.1; ADA: referenced ICC A117.1-2017 as scoped in the amended 2024 IBC, plus the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Local amendments apply — see the Phoenix overview page for the full list.

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Sign Permit in other cities

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