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Given Scottsdale’s longstanding approach to minimizing visual blight, the city utilizes the sign code to balance multiple community goals – aesthetics, public safety and informing the electorate. The following summary of city code requirements and safety standards is intended to provide guidance/direction to you and your campaign representatives to ensure compliance with city regulations.
No Fee Stickers Required for Each Sign
Each campaign must designate a contact person for the purpose of addressing any conflict that may arise regarding the placement of a campaign sign and be responsible for placement and removal of a sign. The name, fax number and phone number of that point person as well as the purpose of the sign is provided to the city’s One Stop Shop permit counter as part of the no-fee process which requires a sticker be placed on each sign. The sticker provides a means to track the installation period which cannot exceed 120 days. Once all signs are place, the city requires that a map indicating the location of all sign placements be filed with Code Enforcement (480-312-2546). Any temporary sign that does not include the required information or remains beyond the 120 days may be removed by the city.
Temporary Sign Regulations Modified in April 2007
All temporary non-commercial signs, including campaign signs, are prohibited in the public right-of-way and on construction fencing
The Scottsdale City Council approved modifications to its sign code related to temporary signs in April 2007. Since campaign signs are considered temporary signs, they are required to meet these new regulations which prohibit temporary signs in the public right-of-way.
Section 8.600 of the Scottsdale's Sign ordinance regulates temporary signs.
Placement and Removal of Signs
Section 8.601 of Scottsdale's Sign ordinance regulates temporary campaign signs to be placed on private property for a period of time not to exceed 120 days. Due to their construction and material, temporary signs are prone to creating concerns related to maintenance, litter and blight. For this reason, temporary signage is limited to 120 days. Signs that exceed permissible time limits are subject to citations and fines.
Campaign signs are limited to 16 square feet in size and 10 feet in height (32 sq.ft. behind dedicated scenic corridor easements); there are no other "signage calculations" for campaign signs.
Candidates and their representatives are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to the placement and understand the placement regulations. Because the Zoning Ordinance restricts placement of temporary (including candidate signs) to private property, the city can only ensure that placement meets ordinance requirements.
Sign Installation
All temporary signs are required to be placed on private property outside the public right-of-way. Actual right-of-way dimensions vary depending on improvements and street designs. Because of this variation, all signs must be a minimum 15’ from back of street improvement of edge of curb (see drawing A) and must be outside the 25-foot safety triangle (drawing B).
Signs must be placed on private property at least 15 ft back from the edge of improvements.
On corners, signs over 2 feet in height are not allowed in the 25 ft safety triangle.
City Contacts
- One Stop Shop - obtain temporary signage stickers
480-312-2500
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 100
- Code Enforcement
480-312-2546