Sign Permit in Apache Junction, Arizona

Apache Junction requires a sign permit for: Unless specifically exempted (LDC § 1-11-6 and Table 11-1), no sign may be erected, installed, enlarged, or maintained without first obtaining an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) from the Development Services Department and paying the permit fee, per LDC § 1-11-11(A); Application must be made in writing on Development Services forms and must state the sign location, street name/address, and the name/address of the owner and sign contractor/erector; two copies of fully dimensioned plans and specifications (size, materials, method of support/attachment, designer's name/address, plot plan showing sign location) are required for each sign, per LDC § 1-11-11(A); Table 11-1 (Permitted Sign Standards) marks most permanent commercial sign types — freestanding/monument, wall signs and murals, hanging/projecting signs, awning signs, menu boards, gas station canopy signs, subdivision/multi-family entry signs — as requiring an AUP; it marks window signs, umbrella signs, banners/fin flags, A-frame signs, pennants, sign walkers, private light pole banners, garage sale signs, real estate open house/yard signs, statues, political/campaign signs, and vehicle signs as NOT requiring a permit; If work to install or construct an approved sign has not commenced within 100 to 180 days of AUP issuance, the permit becomes null and void, per LDC § 1-11-11(B); An AUP may be automatically revoked for noncompliance with the sign standards or the approved permit, after 14 calendar days' written notice from the Zoning Administrator, per LDC § 1-11-11(D); All signs must be designed and constructed in accordance with the City's adopted Building Code (LDC § 1-11-12); Apply via the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) online permit system for the Building Division construction-permit component; the AUP zoning-review component is processed by the Development Services Planning Division. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Apache Junction Development Services Department — Division of Building Safety and Inspection at 480-474-5156 before starting work.

There are typically two fee components: an AUP zoning-review fee ($900 for a Comprehensive Sign Package, $125 for a monument/wall or temporary sign, no charge for a projecting/blade sign) under Vol. I, Ch. 4, Art. 4-4, § 4-4-3, plus a Building Division construction-permit fee of $150 (no electrical) or $225 (with electrical) under § 4-4-1.

Apache Junction's published plan-review target for a sign permit is 0–20 business days.

You'll need: Administrative Use Permit (AUP) Application for Signage; Fully Dimensioned Sign Plans and Specifications (2 copies); Building/Sign Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apache Junction requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Rough-In (Electrical, if applicable), Final. Schedule each through City of Apache Junction Development Services Department — Division of Building Safety and Inspection (480-474-5156).

Apply through City of Apache Junction Development Services Department — Division of Building Safety and Inspection at 300 E. Superstition Blvd. (Building D), Apache Junction, AZ 85119. Phone: 480-474-5156, email: buildingpermits@apachejunctionaz.gov. Office hours: Building and Safety Manager/Building Official: Adrian Alegria (buildingpermits@apachejunctionaz.gov, 480-474-5156). All building permit applications must be submitted electronically through the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) online permit system; a public kiosk with an 11x17 flat scanner is available in the Development Services Lobby at the city complex, 300 E. Superstition Blvd. Building D, for applicants who need accommodation. Division main line 480-982-8002; inspections may be scheduled by phone at 480-474-5101 or via the MGO customer portal. Source: City of Apache Junction Division of Building Safety and Inspection staff directory page; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024).. Official information: https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/622/Permits.

Apache Junction, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has NO statewide mandatory building code floor for general construction — code adoption is a per-city/county authority under state enabling statutes (e.g., A.R.S. Title 9 for municipalities). The City of Apache Junction independently adopts and administers its own construction codes through its Development Services Department / Division of Building Safety and Inspection. Source: City of Apache Junction Division of Building Safety and Inspection (apachejunctionaz.gov/85/Building-Safety-and-Inspection); Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 7 (Buildings).; 2018 International Building Code (IBC), formally adopted by the Apache Junction City Council on June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Article 7-2: Building Code, § 7-2-2 Amendments to the 2018 International Building Code). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice (Division of Building Safety and Inspection, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.).; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Article 7-4: Residential Code), including a City-completed Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria and amendments to R301.5 (Live Loads), R302.1(1), R302.2.6, and R303 (mandatory heating/cooling). Confirmed as the applicable code on the City's own 'New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide' coversheet requirement ('Applicable code 2018 IRC'). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Residential Code & Design Criteria' notice; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024), p.2.; 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association, adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019 — one edition behind the 2018 ICC set (the City has not since adopted the 2020 or 2023 NEC per the City's own currently-adopted-codes notice and FAQ page). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; City of Apache Junction Building Division FAQ (apachejunctionaz.gov/faq.aspx?TID=20).; 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Article 7-6: Plumbing Code, § 7-6-2 Amendments to the 2018 International Plumbing Code). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, governs energy-efficiency requirements for new residential and commercial construction (Manual J/D/S calculations required per the City's Residential Building Application Guide). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024).; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, governs residential and public/semi-public pool and spa construction. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), adopted as the City's uniform fire code (Article 7-1 references the 'Technical Codes' collectively); administered in coordination with the Building Safety and Inspection Division. Source: Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Article 7-1: Division of Building Safety and Inspection Administrative Code.; Accessibility: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (appendices B and D to 36 CFR 1191 (2009) and 28 CFR part 35.151 (2011) for public entities; 28 CFR 36.401-36.406 (2011) for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; Fee schedules were revised in conjunction with the 2018/2019 code adoption, effective July 1, 2019, and the Development Services Fees (Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 4, Article 4-4) were most recently revised October 31, 2022. The ICC codes' own fee/valuation sections are superseded for practical billing purposes by Article 4-4, which is the City's operative fee authority (though commercial valuation itself is still calculated per the ICC Building Valuation Data table). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; Apache Junction City Code, Vol. I, Chapter 4, Article 4-4: Development Services Fees (rev. 10/31/22).. Local amendments apply — see the Apache Junction overview page for the full list.

Most permanent commercial sign types require an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) from the Development Services Department under Land Development Code Article 1-11, Table 11-1. Certain low-impact sign types (window signs, banners, A-frame signs, pennants, real estate signs, political signs, vehicle signs, and others) do not require a permit.