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A. Sign Types. The following sign types are allowed in Fountain Hills:

1. A-Frame and T-Frame Signs.

a. Description. A self-supporting, temporary, lightweight, portable sign made of durable, nonpliant material such as wood, sheet metal, or plastic that is designed to rest atop the ground without penetrating the ground.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Single-family and multifamily residential zoning districts, PAD zoning with a residential land use, and residential developments in commercial zoning districts only when in compliance with subsection C of this section;

ii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iii. PADs with commercial or industrial uses.

c. Size/Height.

i. Maximum sign area for any sign is six square feet.

ii. When multiple signs are used, the maximum aggregate area is nine square feet.

iii. Maximum sign height is three feet.

d. Number.

i. In single-family and multifamily districts, as allowed by subsection C of this section.

ii. One per business per public entry in commercial or industrial districts with a maximum of two per business.

e. Location. Shall not be used as an off-site sign, except as provided below:

i. On property held in common by members of a property owner’s association or on property owned by the business owner’s landlord, but not within any designated parking or loading area.

ii. As provided in subsection C of this section for residential zoning and land uses.

iii. In the public right-of-way, including Shea Boulevard, under the following conditions:

1.All commercial and industrially zoned areas and in the right-of-way adjoining these zoning districts.

2.Signs placed in the public right-of-way must adhere to the following requirements:

A.Shall not be located on the paved portion of any public street or in any median;

B.Shall not be located within a designated parking or loading area;

C.Shall not be located in a manner that poses a traffic vision hazard;

D.Shall not be located on a public sidewalk except in the Town Center pedestrian area when there is at least four feet of clear passage around at least one side;

E.Shall be at least two feet from any curb or edge of pavement; and

F.Shall be removed between the hours of official sunset and official sunrise, except in the Town Center pedestrian area.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Attachments to A-frame signs are limited to not more than four balloons or flags, no more than one square foot in size, each flown with the top of the balloon no higher than ten (10) feet from the ground.

ii. Landscaping cannot be modified or damaged to accommodate an A-frame sign.

2. Awning or Canopy Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign that is applied to, placed on, affixed to, or painted on an awning or canopy.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Permitted nonresidential uses in a residential zoning district;

ii. An apartment building in a multifamily zoning district;

iii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iv. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height.

i. A sign placed on the side or face of an awning or canopy may not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the area of the face of the awning or canopy on which the sign is placed.

ii. A sign placed on top of a canopy may not exceed one square foot of area for each linear foot of the length of the canopy on the side containing the sign for single occupancies and for the length of the occupancy for multiple occupancy buildings.

d. Number. One sign per occupancy.

e. Location. On an approved canopy.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. When placed on top of a canopy, must consist of individual alphanumeric characters only.

3. Balloons.

a. Description. A temporary sign professionally made from a bag or similar flexible, nonrigid enclosure that holds gas or air and is attached by a tether to a fixed place.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts;

ii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iii. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. No balloon shall be bigger than twenty-four (24) inches in diameter and can be no higher than six feet from the ground.

d. Number. N/A.

e. Location.

i. When part of a business, within the area leased by the business.

ii. When adjacent to a building, not more than four feet from the face of the building and within twenty (20) feet of the main building entrance.

iii. When attached to an authorized temporary sign, in locations where the temporary signs are allowed.

iv. Shall not be displayed within the perimeter landscape area.

v. Shall not encroach within on-site fire lanes.

vi. Shall not be attached to or hung from a tree or shrub.

vii. Shall not be erected at the intersection of any street or pedestrian walkway in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by its position, shape or color, it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic signal, sign or device.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Balloons must be tethered to a secure location that prevents high winds from removing the balloon or causing it to create an obstruction.

ii. May be displayed for a maximum of thirty (30) days per calendar year. Additional days may be approved through approval of a temporary use permit.

4. Banners.

a. Description. A temporary sign made of canvas, plastic, vinyl, or other pliable material attached to a wall, frame, stakes, or other support structure by at least the four corners of the banner.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts;

ii. Multifamily developments containing more than ten (10) units in multifamily or commercial zoning districts;

iii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iv. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area shall be thirty-two (32) square feet.

d. Number. One per occupancy.

e. Location.

i. Within the area owned or leased by the business or use.

ii. Shall not be displayed in any parking space, drive aisle or the required perimeter landscape area.

iii. Shall not encroach within on-site fire lanes.

iv. Shall not be attached to or hung from a tree or shrub.

v. Shall not be erected at the intersection of any street or pedestrian walkway in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by its position, shape or color, it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic signal, sign or device.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. A banner permit must be obtained from the Development Services Department prior to display of a banner sign. Except for new businesses as allowed in subsection (A)(4)(f)(iii)(2) of this section, each permit shall be for a maximum of thirty (30) days.

ii. Banners must be affixed to a secure location that prevents high winds from removing the banner or causing it to create an obstruction.

iii. Display of banner signs is subject to the following time allowances:

1.A maximum of thirty (30) days at a time for a total maximum of one hundred fifty (150) days per calendar year. Additional days may be approved through approval of a temporary use permit.

2.New businesses, as documented through the issuance of a new business license, may be approved for display of a banner sign for up to one calendar year from the date the business opens or until a permanent sign is erected, whichever occurs first. Sign must be maintained in good repair. Message on the sign may be changed up to four times.

5. Building Wall Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign mounted flat against or painted on the wall of a building with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the face of the wall.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts;

ii. Apartment complexes containing more than twenty (20) units in multifamily or commercial zoning districts;

iii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iv. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height.

i. One and one-half square feet of sign area is allowed for each lineal foot of occupancy frontage along a street. All occupancies with an exterior wall are allowed a minimum of twenty-four (24) square feet of signage. The maximum allowed sign area for an individual sign is one hundred (100) square feet.

ii. Corner buildings may transfer up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the area from one building frontage to the other if the angle of the building at the corner is between forty-five degrees (45˚) and ninety degrees (90˚). Each side of corner buildings with building frontages less than forty-five degrees (45˚) and between ninety degrees (90˚) and one hundred eighty degrees (180˚) shall be considered as one frontage and may not transfer sign area.

iii. Sign area must allow a minimum of a two-foot border from the edge of the building or suite frontage, or a minimum two-foot separation between signs, whichever is greater.

d. Number. One sign for each fifty (50) feet of occupancy per street frontage, or portion thereof.

e. Location. Shall not be located in a manner that is prohibited in Section 6.07(B)(2)(c).

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Each wall sign may project no more than twelve (12) inches from the surface of the wall to which is it attached.

ii. Reverse pan channel letters with halo illumination must not exceed a one and three-quarters inch separation from the wall.

iii. In the C-2, C-3, and TCCD zoning districts, a building wall sign may be added to a secondary entrance in addition to total aggregate sign area if the following criteria are met:

1.Sign area shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the primary total aggregate sign area.

2.The secondary entrance must not be visible from the main public entrance.

3.The secondary entrance must face a rear parking area, common area or public use frontage.

6. Drive-Through Sign.

a. Description. A permanent, freestanding sign adjacent to a drive-through, typically placed in or near an area where orders are taken from occupants of a vehicle.

b. Zoning/Use. Commercial or industrial zoning districts or PAD with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area shall be twenty (20) square feet. Maximum sign height is five feet.

d. Number. Maximum of one per drive-through lane.

e. Location.

i. Within five feet of a drive-through lane.

ii. Cannot be readable from any public street or alley.

iii. Must be at least one hundred fifty (150) feet from any residential zoning district or fully screened from residential view by a masonry wall.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Minimum of four square feet of landscaping per one square foot of sign area shall be provided at the base of the sign.

7. Flags.

a. Description. A fabric sheet of square, rectangular, or triangular shape that is designed to be mounted by a cable or rope to a pole at one end.

b. Zoning/Use. Allowed in all zoning districts.

c. Size/Height.

i. The maximum size of a flag is twenty-four (24) square feet in residentially zoned property or property zoned PAD with residential uses and sixty (60) square feet in all other zoning districts.

ii. The maximum flagpole height is the height allowed in the zoning district and Section 5.07(B).

d. Number.

i. If hung from the side of a building, one per unit or tenant space.

ii. Each flagpole may contain up to two flags.

e. Location. Flagpoles must be located so that if the pole should fall, it will remain on the property containing the pole.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Developed single-family lots may contain one flagpole.

ii. Model home complexes may have two flagpoles on one lot and one flagpole on additional lots up to a maximum of five flagpoles.

iii. All other properties may have up to two flagpoles.

iv. The length of the flag, which is the longer side of the flag that is perpendicular to the flagpole, shall not exceed one-third of the in-ground pole height.

v. May be hung on the side of a building only on national or state holidays.

8. Freestanding Wall/Fence Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign that is applied to, placed on, affixed to, or painted on a wall or fence that is not part of the building(s) on the property.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Subdivision entry feature for single-family and multifamily developments in all residential zoning districts;

ii. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

iii. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area is twenty-four (24) square feet. Maximum sign height is six feet.

d. Number. One per development entry.

e. Location. Part of or attached to a perimeter wall surrounding a development.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. A minimum of two square feet of landscape area per one square foot of sign area shall be provided at the base of the sign.

ii. Sign area may be back-lit such that the source of illumination is not visible; provided, however, that back-lit, nonopaque panels are not allowed.

iii. The text area of the sign may be illuminated by fully shielded, ground mounted directional lighting.

9. Hanging or Under-Canopy Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign suspended from and located entirely under a covered porch, covered walkway, awning, or canopy.

b. Zoning/Use. Any commercial or industrial zoning district and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign width is twenty-four (24) inches, maximum sign height is twelve (12) inches. Minimum clearance is at least eight feet from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or surface beneath the sign.

d. Number. One per occupancy.

e. Location. Under an awning or canopy associated with the business or activity.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. If located over an abutting Town right-of-way, must obtain an encroachment permit from the Town.

10. Monument Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign mounted on or incorporated into a solid, self-supporting base that is not part of a building or wall.

b. Zoning/Use.

i. Permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts;

ii. Entry feature into a subdivision in single-residence zoning districts;

iii. Apartment or condominium complex containing more than twenty (20) dwellings in multifamily zoning districts;

iv. Commercial or industrial zoning districts; and

v. PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height.

Table 6.08(B). Size and Height Allowances for Monument Signs

Zoning District

Maximum Size

Maximum Height

Single Residential

32 sq. ft.

6 feet

Multiresidential

32 sq. ft.

8 feet

Commercial/Industrial

50 sq. ft. for an individual sign

12 feet

d. Number. One monument sign per lot or parcel for each full three hundred (300) feet of street frontage.

e. Location.

i. Along a street frontage, but not within a public right-of-way.

ii. Must be separated from any other monument sign on the same property by at least one hundred fifty (150) feet.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. A minimum of two square feet of landscaping per one square foot of sign area provided at the base of the sign.

ii. Sign may be internally illuminated.

iii. Sign area may be back-lit such that the source of illumination is not visible; provided, however, that back-lit, nonopaque panels are not allowed.

iv. The text area of the sign may be illuminated by fully shielded, ground mounted directional lighting.

11. On-Site Directional Sign.

a. Description. A small permanent sign located adjacent to a driveway or drive aisle.

b. Zoning/Uses. Commercial or industrial zoning districts and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area is four square feet. Maximum sign height is five feet.

d. Number. As needed.

e. Location. At least twenty (20) feet from a public street and within five feet of a driveway or drive aisle.

12. Post and Board Sign.

a. Description. A temporary sign constructed of plywood, sheet metal, thick plastic, or similar material attached to one or two posts fixed in the ground.

b. Zoning/Uses. Allowed in all zoning districts.

c. Size/Height.

i. Developed properties and undeveloped properties five acres or less in size, the maximum sign area is six square feet. Maximum sign height is five feet in residentially zoned property and eight feet in nonresidentially zoned property.

ii. Undeveloped property more than five acres in size, maximum sign area is thirty-two (32) square feet. Maximum height is eight feet.

d. Number. One per lot per street front. For two- and three-unit condominium developments, may have one per unit.

e. Location.

i. Shall not be used as an off-site sign, except on property held in common by members of a property owner’s association, a condominium association, or on property owned by the business owner’s landlord, but not within any designated parking or loading area.

ii. A property owner may place a sign within the public right-of-way, provided all portions of the sign structure and sign face are at least two feet from the curb or edge of pavement and do not overhang a sidewalk, and the sign is not within a sight visibility triangle for a street intersection or driveway.

13. Projecting Sign.

a. Description. A permanent sign attached to a building in a manner such that its face is not parallel to the building to which it is attached.

b. Zoning/Uses. Commercial or industrial zoning districts and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign width is three and one-half feet. Maximum sign height is six feet. Minimum clearance is eight feet from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or surface beneath the sign.

d. Number. One per building.

e. Location. On the building outside the tenant space for which the sign is located.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. If encroaching over an abutting Town right-of-way line, must obtain an encroachment permit from the Town.

14. Sign Walkers.

a. Description. A person who wears, holds, waves, or balances a sign in order to convey a commercial message.

b. Zoning/Uses. Commercial or industrial zoning districts and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area is five square feet.

d. Number. One sign per business.

e. Location.

i. If located in the right-of-way, a sign walker shall be positioned behind the curb, or, if no curb is present, ten (10) feet behind the edge of pavement.

ii. Sign walkers shall be positioned so as to not obstruct vehicle sight lines and road “clear zones” established by the Town Engineer in accordance with traffic engineering standards.

iii. Sign walkers shall not obstruct the free movement of pedestrians on sidewalks.

iv. Sign walkers are not allowed in the medians of public or private streets.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. Sign walkers shall not erect or place tents, temporary structures, umbrellas, chairs or stools anywhere within the public right-of-way or on adjacent property.

15. Vehicle Sign.

a. Description. A sign painted, attached, or affixed to a trailer, watercraft, truck, automobile, or other form of motor vehicle.

b. Zoning/Uses. Commercial and industrial zoning districts and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. N/A.

d. Number. N/A.

e. Location. Vehicle must be parked in an authorized location and in a lawful manner that is not distinct or different from the predetermined parking area design.

f. Miscellaneous Requirements.

i. The vehicle must be operable and currently registered per Town Code. The primary purpose of the vehicle shall be in the operation of the business, e.g., transporting goods or providing services, and not displaying a sign.

ii. Business or commercial vehicles displaying signage or advertising as a normal part of business activity may be parked in an off-street parking space adjacent to the business to which the vehicle relates as far from the public right-of-way as possible. If the vehicle is visible from the public right-of-way it shall not remain in the same parking space for more than forty-eight (48) hours.

iii. Unless otherwise permitted, signs mounted, attached or painted on trailers, boats, motor vehicles or any moveable object placed on premises specifically to serve as additional signage are prohibited; they shall not become additional, permanent freestanding signs.

iv. No sign shall be erected or attached to any vehicle except for signs that are magnetically attached to or permanently painted or wrapped on the surface of a vehicle.

16. Window Sign.

a. Description. Any poster, cut-out letters, painted text or graphics, or other text or visual presentation affixed to, or located within six feet behind, a windowpane and placed to be read from the exterior of a building. Such signs may be permanent or temporary.

b. Zoning/Uses. Commercial or industrial zoning districts and PADs with similar uses.

c. Size/Height. May not cover more than fifty (50) percent of any window.

d. Number. N/A.

e. Location. On a window or within six feet behind a window when intended to be viewed from outside the building.

f. Miscellaneous. May use neon signs for interior window displays in commercial and industrial districts. The total amount of neon signage for any one business shall be six square feet. No more than two neon signs shall be allowed for any business.

17. Yard Signs.

a. Description. An easily portable temporary sign up to six square feet in size that can be implanted in the ground without use of tools.

b. Zoning. Allowed in all zoning districts.

c. Size/Height. Maximum sign area is six square feet in single-family zoning districts and eight square feet in all other zoning districts. Maximum sign height is three feet in single-family zoning districts and five feet in all other zoning districts.

d. Number.

i. In single-family districts or uses, two signs per property.

ii. In multifamily districts or uses, two signs per property; if two- or three-unit condominium development, two per unit.

iii. In commercial or industrial districts, one sign per business.

e. Location.

i. On private property.

ii. On property held in common by members of a property owner’s association or on property owned by the business owner’s landlord, but not within any designated parking or loading area.

iii. Shall not be located within the public right-of-way in residential zoned areas, except when used as provided in subsection C of this section.

iv. In the public right-of-way adjoining commercial or industrial zoned property, except on Shea Boulevard. Shall be removed between the hours of official sunset and official sunrise, except in the Town Center pedestrian area.

B. Temporary Sign Allowance for Construction on Undeveloped Property. Undeveloped properties with valid building permits may display one temporary sign per street front not to exceed eight square feet in size and a maximum height of five feet. The sign must be on the construction site. The sign must be removed no later than the date when the final inspection is completed. Required government signs for construction projects are exempt from this requirement.

C. Other Signs for Residential Uses.

1. Each single-family lot, condominium unit, or model home may place one A-frame, T-frame, or yard sign anywhere on the property. Further, each single-family home, condominium complex, or model home cluster may place one additional A-frame, T-frame, or yard sign off-site at each turning movement beginning at the subject property out to a major street with a maximum of five additional signs.

2. Signs shall not be located within the public right-of-way associated with Shea Boulevard at any time, but may be located within the public right-of-way of any other street between the hours of official sunrise and official sunset. When located in the right-of-way, shall be placed at least two feet from the curb or edge of pavement.

3. Miscellaneous Requirements.

a. No sign may be attached to any utility pole or box, light pole, street sign, bus shelter, or any structure within the public right-of-way.

b. Signs shall not damage any vegetation or rest against other objects or vegetation. (23-04, Amended, 10/17/2023, Deleted and replaced; 21-13, Amended, 11/02/2021; 21-09, Amended, 05/18/2021, Deleted and replaced)