SIGNS IN OR OVER PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Tucson Unified Development Code § 7A.6.10
in effect7A.6.10. SIGNS IN OR OVER PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
A. Except as provided below, a sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
or sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
structure
Structure
A physical element constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground or attached to another physical element having a fixed location at, below, or above grade. Structures include such elements as, but are not limited to, buildings, paved areas, walls, fences, posts, and patios.
shall not project
Project
A development, consisting of one or more contiguous lots, planned and constructed to function as a single entity, utilizing common or shared facilities, structures, parking, and vehicular and pedestrian access.
over a public right-of-way
Right-of-Way
An area reserved for a public or private use, such as, but not limited to, street or alley rights-of-way and utility easements.
or public property unless the mayor and council grant a special license. Signs
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
licensed pursuant to this section may be displayed for up to 60 days
Days
Days of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. To apply days to a review schedule, the day of the event or act from which the designated period of time begins shall not be included. The last day of the designated period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, in which event the period runs to the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. When a designated period of time is less than ten days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall not be included. Holidays are those recognized by the City of Tucson.
or over an alternate approved time frame. The licensee may require the removal of the sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
within 48 hours after the advertised event or other temporary occurrence concludes.
B. The City Manager may grant a special license for building
Building
A structure having a roof supported by columns, posts, or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any person, entity, animal, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind or nature.
and curbside banners
Banners (7A)
A type of portable sign that is constructed of a piece of fabric or similar material attached to the ground or to a wall by one or more edges to a pole, rod or cord.
and for across-the-street banners
Banners, Across the Street (7A)
See Section 7A.6.10 Signs In or Over the Public Right of Way.
that project
Project
A development, consisting of one or more contiguous lots, planned and constructed to function as a single entity, utilizing common or shared facilities, structures, parking, and vehicular and pedestrian access.
or extend over a public right-of-way
Right-of-Way
An area reserved for a public or private use, such as, but not limited to, street or alley rights-of-way and utility easements.
or over public property. Signs
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
in the right-of-way
Right-of-Way
An area reserved for a public or private use, such as, but not limited to, street or alley rights-of-way and utility easements.
may be reviewed and granted under the Department of Transportation's temporary revocable easement procedure.
C. Permits shall be obtained through the Department of Transportation.
D. The Mayor and Council and/or City Manager may grant special license for signage such as on buses, bus benches, bus shelters, and street cars.
E. No sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
shall be attached to electric wiring or be energized by electricity.
F. No sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
shall be placed upon traffic signal posts or signs
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
, and no sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
shall obstruct a motorist's view of traffic signals.
G. Any application for a license for a sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
attached to utility poles or lamp poles shall include the written approval of the Department of Transportation of the City
City
Same as City of Tucson.
and the authorized official of the public utility company owning the poles to which the devices would be attached as to the size and weight of the sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
and the manner of attachment to the poles. Building
Building
A structure having a roof supported by columns, posts, or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any person, entity, animal, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind or nature.
and curbside banners
Banners (7A)
A type of portable sign that is constructed of a piece of fabric or similar material attached to the ground or to a wall by one or more edges to a pole, rod or cord.
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Article 7A. No sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
shall be attached to any utility pole carrying primary circuits or to any wooden pole or public property.
H. Signs
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
licensed pursuant to this section may be displayed for up to 60 days
Days
Days of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. To apply days to a review schedule, the day of the event or act from which the designated period of time begins shall not be included. The last day of the designated period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, in which event the period runs to the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. When a designated period of time is less than ten days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall not be included. Holidays are those recognized by the City of Tucson.
. The licensee shall remove the sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
within 48 hours after the advertised event.
I. In no event may signs
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
relating to more than one event be attached to any single pole.
J. The license shall state the location where the sign
Sign (7A)
Every advertising message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in a location outside any building and visible to the public for identification, advertising or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product or service.
may be placed.
K. By accepting any license granted under this section, the licensee and its heirs, successors and assigns shall agree to indemnify the City
City
Same as City of Tucson.
and shall provide proof to the City
City
Same as City of Tucson.
of liability insurance.
L. The City Manager may impose such additional administrative requirements as may be necessary.
M. The time frame for a permanent sign
Permanent Sign (7A)
A sign that is not a portable or temporary sign.
and an A-Frame
A-frame sign (7A)
A type of portable sign.
sign are regulated separately as part of the temporary revocable easement process.
Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-26168Fetched: 10/28/2026