Sign Permit Information

Step 1.Temporary signs in Private Property (construction, Real Estate, model homes, etc.)

In addition to Banners, A-frames and other sign types listed on this webpage, the Zoning Code allows the following temporary signs

• Construction/Development Signs
• Real Estate, Lease, Rent and For Sale Signs
• Road Construction Sign
• Model Home Complex signage

Details can be found at this link: Temporary Signs

Provide the following information about the proposed sign(s):

• Site plan of the property where the sign will be placed

• Mark where the sign will be located
• Show the nearest property line. 

• If the sign will be a freestanding sign include the following on a separate PDF document:
  • Include what type of material the sign will be made of i.e.: ¾” plywood, plastic, fabric, etc
  • Size of posts
  • Depth of posts
  • Will posts be buried directly in the ground or in concrete
  • Height of sign from ground to top
  • Show how the panel is attached to the posts

Step 2.Prepare your project for electronic submittal by doing the following:

• All documents must be in PDF format.
• The security level in the PDF must allow the Town to apply stamps, markups and ultimately approvals on the document.
• Do not mix portrait and landscape pages in the same document. Rotate all pages the same direction.

Notice:  It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met.  Contact the property owner or manager to determine if your sign will be allowed.

Step 3.Submittals are accepted online through the customer portal. 

 You will receive an email letting you know the submittal has been received. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.

Step 4.Plan review is 10 business days

Step 5.Permit fees are generally $50 for each sign

Step 1.Permanent Signs on Private Property (wall, monument, entryway, etc.)

Step 2.Review the specific sign standards for the commercial development where the sign will be located

Notice: It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met. Contact the property owner or manager to determine if your sign will be allowed

Step 3.Provide the following information:

• Site plan of the property where the sign will be placed
• Mark where the sign will be located
• Show the nearest property line

Detailed Drawings of Proposed Sign(s)

• Profile (side view)
• Depth of letters and/or graphics
• Show views and details of all structural members and attachment methods
• Dimensions of whole sign or each component
• Identify materials of sign construction
• Color of each component (face, returns, trim cap, etc.) Ensure the color meets the standards of the specific commercial development.
• Identify sign/letter type (pan channel, RPC, etc.)Building Mounted Wall Signs

Building Mounted Wall Signs 

• Show each building elevation(s) of sign(s) 

Monument/Freestanding Signs

• Provide details of the following:
• Footing size
• Reinforcement
• Anchors
• Hold downs

Sealed engineering calculations required for:

• Site walls over 6’ in height (measured from top of footing)
• Retaining walls over 4’, measured from  bottom of footing
• Any wall height with applied surcharge loads (e.g. driveways, slopes, etc.)

Electrical

• NEC 2017: Article 600
• IBC 2018: Appendix H
• Show # and size of branch circuits
• Grounding/bonding
• Disconnects
• Panel of origin
• Amperage load
• Required voltage
• Lighting type:  Internal, external, LED, Neon, Fluorescent, etc. 
• Night view showing illumination effect.
• Cut sheet of the LED component manufacturer showing the LED lighting is in compliance with code standards (see Zoning Code Chapter 28):
  • 4,400 Kelvin for internally illuminated signs 
  • 200 Nits for exposed LED (gas prices)  
• Inspections will confirm a label has been affixed to the outside of the sign (at least on one letter) in an area visible to the inspector, confirming compliance with appropriate lighting levels as demonstrated below. 

Step 4. Prepare your project for electronic submittal by doing the following:

• All documents must be in PDF format.
• The security level in the PDF must allow the Town to apply stamps, markups and ultimately approvals on the document.
• Do not mix portrait and landscape pages in the same document. Rotate all pages the same direction.

Step 5.Submittal are accepted online through the customer portal. 

You will receive an email letting you know the submittal has been received. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.

Step 6.Plan review is 10 business days

Step 7.Permit fees are based on the square footage of the sign

• Sign square footage totals up to 25 square feet = $225.00
• Each additional square foot $2.00
• Electrical and structural review and Inspection fees are =$48.10 plus 25% 

Step 1.A-Frame Signs

The Zoning Code provides the following allowances for A-frame signs:

• Quantity: 1 per business
• Size: 6 square feet
• Height: 43 inches tall
• Location: On private property where the business is located within a commercial development
  • The sign shall not be placed in such a manner as to attract vehicular traffic from public roads
  • The sign shall not be displayed in a manner that will create a public safety hazard.
  • The sign shall not be placed on access ramps and vehicular sight lines shall not be obstructed.

• Duration:  The sign permit is valid for the lifetime of the business. However, it may only be displayed during hours of operation.

• Design:

  i. The sign shall be self-supporting and not be <a has-preview"="" href="https://orovalley.town.codes/ZC/31__41f0e4643baa1a38c319cb96c9deaa99" data-original-title="" title="">attached to railings, posts, fencing or other structures.

  ii. Carts, wheels or other devices that will make the A-frame mobile shall not be attached to the sign.

  iii. Attachments such as flags, pennants, balloons or additional signs shall not be affixed to the A-frame.

  iv. The sign appearance shall be professional and may not contain cloth or paper surfaces.

  v. The sign shall be neat and legible.

  Notice:  It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met.  Contact the property owner or manager to determine if your sign will be allowed. 

Step 2.Submit for the permit our online through the customer portal. 

Step 3.Permit fees:  $50 one-time fee

Step 1.Prepare your project for electronic submittal by doing the following:

• Site Plan: We will need a site plan showing the location of the banner. The banner must be on private property. Staff can print a map of your business location if needed.
• All documents must be in PDF format.
• The security level in the PDF must allow the Town to apply stamps, markups and ultimately approvals on the document.
• Do not mix portrait and landscape pages in the same document. Rotate all pages the same direction.

Notice: It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met. Contact the property owner or manager to determine if your sign will be allowed.

Step 2.Submittals are accepted online through the customer portal. 

You will receive an email that your submittal has been received. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.

Step 3.Plan review is 10 business days

Step 4.Permit fees: $50 for applications defining all banner uses for 1 year. Otherwise $50 for applications submitted separately. 

Step 1.Window Signs

Step 2.Provide the following information:

• A site plan of the property where the sign will be placed (Google Maps or Pima Maps will be sufficient)
•  As a crime prevention measure, window sections shall remain visually unobstructed between 36 inches and 84 inches from the building floor in the following areas:

1. Main customer doorway
2. Sales transaction points if within sight of exterior

• A floor plan of the store showing the location of the main customer door and the location of the cash register or sales transaction place inside the store

• Letters, numbers or symbols no more than three inches high used for the business name, contact, hours or required public notices are exempt from the safety clear area and overall window sign size allowance.

• A business may have 30% of their total store windows covered in signs.  Except for the safety clear area mentioned above, if applicable. 

Step 3.Prepare your project for electronic submittal by doing the following:

• Convert all documents in PDF format
• The security level in the PDF must allow the Town to apply stamps, markups and ultimately approvals on the document
• Do not mix portrait and landscape pages in the same document. Rotate all pages the same direction

Step 4.Plans must be submitted through the online customer portal. 

Step 5.Plan review:  7 business days

Step 6.Permit fees:  $50 one-time fee

Step 7.Permit Issuance: Permits are issued through the online portal.  The person responsible for the permit (applicant or contractor), must print one full size set of: Stamped approved plans