EXHIBIT A OF ORDINANCE 2026.XX_ZDC SIGN CODE TEXT AMENDMENT 051426.DOCX

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
EXHIBIT A 
to Ordinance No. O2026.XX
Zoning and Development Code Sign Text Amendment
Section 4-902 General Sign Standards 
A. Definitions. For definitions related to signs, refer to Section 7-120, "S" Definitions.
B. Prohibited Signs. Prohibited signs include:
1. Signs in public right of way that are not governed by state law;
2. Signs mounted on a building roof;
3. Signs that are mounted, attached, or painted on trailers, boats or vehicles that are parked 
immediately adjacent to a street frontage;
4. Signs having intermittent or flashing illumination, animated or moving parts, or that emit 
sound except as allowed under Section 4-903 (sign type C and F);
5. Freestanding changeable copy signs, except as allowed under Section 4-903 (sign type C, E, 
F, and I);
6. Banners, pennants, wind-driven spinners, streamers, balloons, flags, search lights, strobe 
lights, holographic projections, laser light displays, beacons, inflatable signs, except as 
otherwise provided in Section 4-903 (sign type K) and approved banner signs installed 
pursuant to the City's banner program;
7. Signs imitating official traffic control signs, or any sign or device obscuring such signs or 
devices;
8. Signs mounted on, or applied to trees, utility poles, or rocks;
9. Signs placed on private property without the property owner's written approval; and
10. Signs placed on City owned property.
C. Unauthorized Signs. An unauthorized sign is one (1) that is illegally displayed in the City right-of-
way, on City property, on private property without the property owner's consent, or is not in 
compliance with the regulations of Chapter 9, Signs within this Code. City staff may remove such 
signs. Unauthorized signs removed by the City shall be disposed of after the Department provides 
notice to the establishment identified on the sign. A notice shall be sent within thirty (30) days of 
removal notifying the establishment to claim the unauthorized sign at a location specified on the 
notice no later than thirty (30) days after the date appearing on the notice. If unclaimed after the 
time period, the Department will dispose of the unauthorized sign in an appropriate manner. If an 
establishment is not identified, the sign will be disposed of no sooner than thirty (30) days after 
removal, subject to prior written claim and proof of ownership delivered to the Community 
Development Department.
D. Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from this Code:
1. Traffic or other governmental street signs, such as railroad crossing signs and notices, as 
may be authorized by the City and do not require permits; and

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
2. Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or that serve as an aid to public safety, 
or that show the location of underground facilities or other public facilities and do not 
require permits.
E. Ceased Non-Conforming Signs. The owner, agent, tenant or person having beneficial interest in the 
business, property or premises on which such sign is located shall remove ceased non-conforming 
signs, including freestanding support structures, within one (1) year upon cessation of such business 
or sale of such product, as long as the one (1) year period of non-use is attributable at least in part to 
the previously designated persons or entities.
F. Sign Height Measurement. Sign height measurements are as follows:
"Freestanding Sign": Height is the distance from the top of the sign structure to the top of the 
adjacent street curb. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or 
ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height.
G. Sign Area Measurement. Sign area measurements are as follows:
1. Sign area includes the areas of all the following signs on site that pertain to any one (1) 
business: Section 4-903 (Sign Type A, B, E, F, and I).
2. The maximum total area for the above signs on the premises for any one (1) business may 
be equal to forty (40) square feet plus one (1) square foot of sign area for every lineal foot of 
business frontage beyond forty (40) lineal feet, as measured by the business frontage. 
Businesses with freeway frontage may have additional sign area, see Section 4-903 (sign 
type E)
A. FOR A TENANT OCCUPYING TWO (2) OR MORE FLOORS OF A MULTI-STORY 
BUILDING GREATER THAN THREE (3) STORIES, THE BUSINESS FRONTAGE 
SHALL BE CALCULATED FOR EACH FLOOR OCCUPIED, SUBJECT TO REVIEW 
OF AN APPROPRIATE SCALE AND SIZE THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SIGN 
PACKAGE.
3. Internal businesses and brands contained within a host business are allowed exterior 
signage. Sign area utilized by the internal business/brand shall be deducted from the sign 
area allowed for the host business sign area.
4.
One sign face: Area of the single face only;
a.
Sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctively painted, 
textured, illuminated, or constructed as a background for the sign copy, shall be 
measured as the area contained within the geometric shape of the background panel or 
surface; and

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
b. Sign copy mounted as individual letters, ADDRESS NUMBERS or graphics against a 
wall or fascia of a building or other structure that has not been painted, textured or 
otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background for the sign copy, shall be 
measured as the area enclosed by the smallest geometric shape that will enclose all sign 
copy.
5. Multiple sign faces:
a. Two (2) faces: If the interior angle between the two (2) faces is forty-five (45) degrees or 
less, the area will be the area of one (1) face only; if the angle between the two (2) sign 
faces is greater than forty-five (45) degrees, the sign area will be the sum of the areas of 
the two (2) faces;
b. Three (3) or more sides: Sign area will be calculated as fifty percent (50%) of the sum of 
all faces; and
c. Sign area for a sign with more than one (1) component will be measured as the area of 
the smallest geometric shape that encompasses the components of the sign.
6. Free form, spherical, sculptural and other non-planar signs:
a. Sign area is calculated as fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the area of the four (4) 
vertical sides of the smallest cube that will encompass the sign.
H. Sign Illumination. Signs may be illuminated internally or externally as provided by this Code (See 
also, Section 4-803 and 4-804, Lighting) and/or as specified by the applicable sign criteria:
1. Sign face shall function as a filter for an internally illuminated sign;
2. Sign illumination from above shall be fully shielded;
3. Sign illumination from below shall comply with Section 4-803(C)(5);
4. Illuminated signs, except address signs, shall require a sign permit and comply with the 
provisions of applicable electrical codes; and
5. Exposed electrical conduit or exposed raceways are allowed only with Development Plan 
Review approval.
I.
Sign Maintenance. Sign maintenance requirements are as follows:

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
1.
Signs on a property shall be maintained by the owner or person in possession of the property 
on which the sign is located. Maintenance shall be such that the signage continues to conform 
to the conditions imposed by the sign permit;
2.
A damaged sign, including signs vandalized or subjected to graffiti, shall be repaired within 
sixty (60) days;
3.
Metal pole covers and sign cabinets shall be kept free of rust and rust stains;
4.
Internally illuminated sign cabinets or sign panels that have been damaged shall remain un-
illuminated until repaired;
5.
Signs that have been damaged to such extent that it may pose a hazard to passersby, as 
determined by the Community Development Director, or designee, shall be repaired or 
removed immediately;
6.
Maintenance of legal non-conforming signs shall be consistent with applicable Arizona law. A 
legal nonconforming sign that has been damaged to the extent of more than fifty percent (50%) 
of its reproduction value shall be removed or altered so as to conform to the provisions of Part 
3, Chapter 5, Non-Conforming Use or Development; and
7.
Failure to comply with these sign maintenance requirements shall constitute a violation of this 
Code.
…

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
Section 4-903 - Permitted Signs.
For permitted signs, see individual requirements within the tables below. Table 4-903A identifies the 
permitted sign types for each zoning district classification. Table 4-903B establishes the sign types along 
with the location/use, size specifications, and other additional requirements.
Table 4-903A Permitted Signs Per District 
Sign Types 
Single-Family 
Districts 
Multi-Family 
Districts 
Commercial, 
Mixed-Use and 
Office/Industrial 
Districts 
Address 
P 
P 
P 
Directory 
N 
P 
P 
A 
N 
P 
P 
B 
P 
P 
P 
C 
N 
N 
P 
D 
N 
P 
P 
E 
N 
N 
S 
F 
N 
N 
P 
G 
P 
P 
P 
H 
P 
P 
P 
I 
N 
N 
P 
J 
P 
P 
P 
K 
N 
P 
P 
L 
P 
P 
P 
M 
N 
N 
P 
N 
P 
P 
P 
O 
P 
N 
N 
P 
N 
P 
N 
Q 
N 
N 
P 
R 
P 
P 
P 
S
N
N
Y
N = Not permitted 
P = Permitted 
S = Permitted with special standards and limitations

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
Table 4-903B Permitted Sign Types 
Type 
P/
T 
Location/Use 
Size Specifications 
Additional Requirements 
SIGN 
Permit 
Address
P
Any address; 
development, 
properties or sites 
with perimeter 
walls shall have 
the address number 
visible on the 
outside of the wall. 
Addresses shall be 
visible from public 
access. 
ADDRESSES SHALL 
ONLY BE LOCATED 
ON ELEVATIONS 
FACING THE STREET 
THAT THE BUILDING 
IS ADDRESSED.  
ADRESSES MAY BE 
REQUIRED TO BE 
ON ADDITIONAL 
BUILDING 
ELEVATIONS 
DEPENDING ON 
LOCATION/USE. 
ONE (1) AND TWO 
(2) FAMILY 
DWELLINGS 
ADDRESSES SHALL 
BE LOCATED ON 
THE FRONT 
ELEVATION AND ON 
THE REAR WALL 
ELEVATION WHEN 
ABUTTING AN 
ALLEY.
Addresses shall be at least A 
MINIMUM OF four (4) inches in 
height AND A MAXIMUM OF 
THREE (3) FEET IN HEIGHT PER 
NUMBER WITH EXCEPTIONS 
ALLOWED FOR BUILDING 
HEIGHT PROPORTIONALITY 
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT 
PLAN REVIEW PROCESS.
 NUMBERS SHALL and have a 
color contrast1 with the 
background color of at least fifty 
SEVENTY percent (5070%). 
NUMBERS Shall be self-
illuminated or located eighteen 
(18) to thirty-six (36) inches 
below a light fixture. One (1) 
and two (2) family dwellings 
shall provide four (4) 
inch address numbers on the 
front elevation and on the rear 
elevations when abutting an 
alley. All numbers and letters 
shall be illuminated from dusk to 
dawn, except for one (1) or two 
(2) family dwellings, 
rear addresses, alley gates, 
curbside mailboxes, or a 
commercial/industrial rear door 
suite.
The height, quantity, 
size, location, color and 
material 
of address letters and 
numbers on buildings, 
signs and directories 
shall be as required by 
the Community 
Development Director, 
designee, or through a 
Development Plan 
Review. 
No
Directory 
P 
Any sign with a 
directory on 
properties occupied 
by three (3) or more 
Shall not exceed six (6) feet in 
height or twenty-four (24) 
square feet in area. 
Shall have an internally 
illuminated directory 
showing street address, 
viewer location and 
unit designations within 
the complex. 
Yes

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
buildings, which is 
not a sign type C. 
Directories shall be 
sufficient in number 
and located to ensure 
law enforcement/ 
emergency personnel 
can easily locate an 
address or unit. 
A 
P 
Any sign attached 
to or part of a 
secondary covering 
or overhang. 
Size shall not exceed fifty 
percent (50%) of the secondary 
covering or overhang face. Total 
square footage shall be 
calculated against total allowed 
sign area. 
Only allowed on the 
ground floor or second 
floor of a building, 
illumination requires a 
Development Plan 
Review. 
Yes 
(a) 
B 
P 
Any sign mounted 
on a building that is 
not a sign type A OR 
C. 
Shall not exceed eighty percent 
(80%) of their horizontal/vertical 
backgrounds without approval 
through development plan 
review; shall not exceed building 
height; in a multi-family district 
it shall not exceed six (6) square 
feet or a height of ten (10) feet; 
for one (1) and two (2) family 
dwellings it shall not exceed one 
(1) square foot and does not 
need a permit; any non multi-
family or single family district 
type B signs shall not exceed a 
total area for any 1 (one) 
building equal to forty (40) 
square feet plus one (1) square 
foot of sign area for every lineal 
foot of business frontage 
beyond forty (40) lineal feet. 
Within three-hundred 
(300) feet of a freeway, 
on a property with no 
residential use, square 
footage is based on a 
two to one (2:1) ratio, 
two (2) square feet per 
one (1) lineal foot of 
the business frontage. 
Yes 
(a) 
C 
P 
Any freestanding 
sign within five (5) 
feet of a business's 
drive-through. 
Sign face shall not exceed forty-
five (45) square feet in area and 
shall not exceed eight (8) feet in 
height. Only one (1) sign face 
per sign allowed. Height and 
area include accessory clip-ons. 
May be illuminated, 
may transmit sound as 
part of a business 
transaction according 
to City Code 20-11; only 
two (2) sign type C's per 
site allowed, signs shall 
not be placed in a clear 
vision triangle and shall 
not conflict with ADA. 
Yes 
D 
P 
Any freestanding 
sign that is in a 
Single use buildings, complexes 
or centers with up to four (4) 
Shall have a 
monument-type base 
Yes

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
complex/center, lot, 
or on the property 
of a single use 
building that is not 
a sign type C, or E 
OR S. 
tenants are permitted a twenty-
four (24) square foot sign with 
four (4) tenant panels. If there 
are more than four (4) tenants 
on the parcel, the complex or 
center is permitted a forty (40) 
square-foot sign with six (6) 
tenant panels. A sign type D on a 
parcel less than five (5) acres 
shall not exceed eight (8) feet in 
height. A sign type D on a parcel 
greater than five (5) acres shall 
not exceed any of the following: 
ten (10) feet in height; forty (40) 
square feet in area; six (6) 
panels. 
of masonry or other 
architectural grade 
material approved 
through a Development 
Plan Review. Single use 
buildings and all 
complexes and centers 
on a single lot are 
allowed one (1) 
freestanding sign type 
D or F per street 
frontage, or one (1) 
freestanding sign type 
D or F for every three-
hundred (300) feet of 
lineal street frontage, 
whichever is greater. 
There must be an 
address, at least six (6) 
inches in height, on the 
sign base. Replacement 
of a tenant panel within 
a multi-tenant sign 
does not require a sign 
permit. The tenant 
panel must follow the 
specifications of the 
original permit. 
…
R 
T 
Any portable sign 
on a property with a 
vacancy at the 
following: home, 
business, parcel or 
undeveloped land, 
that is not a sign 
type L. 
Shall not exceed eight (8) feet in 
height or six (6) square feet in 
area. 
Only one (1) sign per 
street frontage, per lot. 
No 
S
P
ANY FREESTANDING 
SIGN THAT IS NOT 
SIGN TYPE C, D, E, 
OR F.
SHALL NOT EXCEED TWO (2) 
SQUARE FEET IN AREA OR THREE 
(3) FEET IN HEIGHT.
REQUIRES A 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN 
REVIEW.
YES
1. COLOR CONTRAST IS CALCULATED BY THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 
% CONTRAST = [(B1 - B2)/B1] X 100
B1 IS THE LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUE (LRV) OF THE LIGHTER COLOR

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Exhibit A of Ordinance No. O2026.XX
B2 IS THE LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUE (LRV) OF THE DARKER COLOR
General Notes:
* The P/T column indicates whether a sign is a permanent sign or a temporary sign.
* The permit column indicates whether a sign requires a SIGN permit.
* Signs are only allowed in their specified districts. Any sign type that is not 
permitted in a district as set forth in this table is prohibited.
* Any sign that does not specifically fit into a sign type category Address, Directory, 
or A-R is not allowed within the City of Tempe.
* Temporary signs and signs on residential use properties cannot be illuminated either 
internally or externally at any time.
(a) The allotted maximum sign square footage for a single business is forty (40) 
square feet plus a one-to-one (1:1) ratio (lineal footage: square footage) and is 
calculated only by the sum of all permitted sign types A and B.
(b) A structural permit is required.