Sign Permit in Prescott Valley, Arizona

When you need this permit

• Except as otherwise provided in Town Code Article 13-09, it is unlawful for any person to display, install, alter, relocate, or replace any sign without first obtaining a permit for the work (Town Code Sec. 13-09-120.A)
• Sign permits are NOT required for name plate signs, temporary signs (except inflatable objects under Sec. 13-09-040.C), flags (though separate zoning and/or building permits are required to install flagpoles), copy changes on reader panels, or minor repairs or repainting of any permitted sign (Sec. 13-09-120.B)
• The permit application is a written application on a form furnished by the Planning and Zoning Department, signed and submitted by the owner, tenant, lessee, authorized agent, or licensed contractor of the property for which the sign is proposed (Sec. 13-09-120.C.1) Contractor
• The application must include a site plan indicating the location of the sign in relation to right-of-way, easements, buildings and driveways; drawings indicating the dimensions of the sign, sign copy, and materials, the method of construction, and the manner of attachment to the building or premises; and the address of the proposed sign location, the owner of the sign, the owner of the property, the person or firm erecting the sign, and an estimate of the cost of the work (Sec. 13-09-120.C.2)
• SEQUENCING: per the Town's Sign Permit Application Checklist (updated 12/2024) - if you are changing your tenant use, start the sign permit only after a Commercial T.I. permit has been submitted; on a new building, submit only after the New Commercial permit has been applied for
• GoPost submittal packaging (Sign Permit Application Checklist, updated 12/2024): 'Permit Packet | Town Forms' as one file containing the Sign Application page and proof of valid contractor's license, plus 'Plans' as one file containing elevations or renderings of the sign in its proposed location, drawings showing dimensions, sign copy, materials, method of construction and attachment to the building, lighting specifications and details if lit, and a site plan - freestanding signs must show distance to property line Contractor
• The Town's signage application collects linear feet of building frontage (only the portion utilized by the occupant), valuation of labor and materials, existing sign square footage, and the square footage and height of building-mounted, free-standing, and other signage, and asks whether the work is new/additional signage, replacement signage, and whether new electrical is involved
• Every sign and its supporting structure must be designed and constructed to conform to the provisions of all applicable technical codes, and no sign may be erected, relocated or maintained in a way that prevents free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor may any sign be attached to a standpipe or fire escape (Sec. 13-09-030.A.2 and A.3)
• No sign may obstruct free and clear vision of traffic or cause a traffic hazard, violate the sight visibility triangle provisions of Sec. 13-07-120, be confused with or obstruct the view of an authorized traffic sign or signal or a device mounted on a police or fire protection vehicle, or use the words 'stop', 'look', 'danger', 'caution' or similar in a way that interferes with, misleads or confuses traffic (Sec. 13-09-030.A.4)
• No sign may be erected or painted upon or attached to any tree, rock or other natural feature, utility pole, utility structure, or authorized traffic sign, signal or device, and no sign may be placed or maintained in any public right-of-way except signs required by a government agency for public health, safety or welfare, including traffic control signs and banners installed under the Town banner program (Sec. 13-09-030.A.5 and A.7)
• Every illuminated sign must be placed to prevent any light or reflection from being cast directly on any adjoining residential zoning district, in addition to the outdoor lighting standards of Sec. 13-12-040 (Sec. 13-09-030.A.6)
• Design criteria: signs are regarded as an integral and complementary element of the Town's overall architectural character and must be integrated with the building and landscaping design; all signs must have edge treatment or a border, except signs consisting of individual letters mounted against a non-differentiated surface (Sec. 13-09-030.B)
• Sign area measurement: the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the display, excluding structural supports or uprights outside the display; for a two-faced sign with an interior angle of 45 degrees or less the area is one face only, and above 45 degrees (or with three or more faces) the areas are summed; freestanding sign height is measured from nearest adjacent ground level to the top of the sign, including any monument base, earthen works or other supporting or ornamental structure (Sec. 13-09-030.C)
• Building permit exemptions do not exempt signs from zoning permits: Town Code Sec. 7-01-140.D repeats the sign-permit exemption list (name plate signs, temporary signs except banners and inflatable objects, copy changes on reader panels, and minor repairs or repainting of any permitted sign)