SIGNS FOR LEGAL NONCONFORMING USES
Tucson Unified Development Code § 7A.9.1
in effect7A.9.1. SIGNS FOR LEGAL NONCONFORMING USES
A. Subject to the provisions of this section, 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.
for a legal nonconforming use
Nonconforming Use
An existing land use activity lawfully established and maintained which no longer complies with land use standards of the Unified Development Code (UDC) applicable to the zoning category in which the land use activity is located.
, as defined in the Unified Development Code
Unified Development Code (UDC)
Chapter 23B of the Tucson Code as adopted by the Mayor and Council establishing zoning regulations governing the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and structures within the corporate limits of the City. Such regulations are applied on individual properties through the use of zoning districts. The boundaries of these districts are depicted on the adopted City Zoning Maps. For the purposes of convenience and ease of use, the UDC is also published as a separate book from the Tucson Code.
, are allowed. Such 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.
shall be allowed only so long as the nonconforming use
Nonconforming Use
An existing land use activity lawfully established and maintained which no longer complies with land use standards of the Unified Development Code (UDC) applicable to the zoning category in which the land use activity is located.
is allowed. A final determination by the zoning administrator that a nonconforming use
Nonconforming Use
An existing land use activity lawfully established and maintained which no longer complies with land use standards of the Unified Development Code (UDC) applicable to the zoning category in which the land use activity is located.
has been discontinued
Discontinued (7A)
A sign or sign structure is discontinued where it is not used for a consecutive period of six months or more, and where the period of non-use is attributable in whole or in part to the owner of the sign or premises, regardless of whether the owner intends to abandon the sign.
or abandoned
Abandoned (7A)
A sign structure that has ceased to be used to display or support a sign and regarding which the owner has manifested an intention to permanently cease the use of the sign structure.
shall also be the final determination of the nonconforming status of the related 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.
.
B. 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.
legally existing on the effective date 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.
standards
Standards
Design principles, criteria, and specifications that describe the manner in which development and related improvements are accomplished in order to obtain development approval.
but that does not comply with the regulations 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.
standards
Standards
Design principles, criteria, and specifications that describe the manner in which development and related improvements are accomplished in order to obtain development approval.
adopted after 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.
was legally permitted shall be deemed to be a nonconforming sign
Nonconforming Sign (7A)
A sign lawfully erected or altered in conformance with applicable regulations, including a sign lawfully existing in the county at the time of annexation, that no longer complies with the sign standards due to amendments to this sign code adopted subsequent to the approved permit for the sign or the annexation.
and shall be subject to the provisions of this article.
C. Except for reasonable repairs
Repair (7A)
To mend, renovate, or restore a sign structure to its original existing condition.
and alterations
Alteration
Any aesthetic, architectural, mechanical, or structural change to the exterior surface of any part of an existing structure.
, no nonconforming sign
Nonconforming Sign (7A)
A sign lawfully erected or altered in conformance with applicable regulations, including a sign lawfully existing in the county at the time of annexation, that no longer complies with the sign standards due to amendments to this sign code adopted subsequent to the approved permit for the sign or the annexation.
shall be moved, altered, removed and reinstalled, or replaced, unless it is brought into compliance with the requirements 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.
standards
Standards
Design principles, criteria, and specifications that describe the manner in which development and related improvements are accomplished in order to obtain development approval.
. The updating of electrical components for a non-conforming 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 considered an approved alteration. The alteration cannot change the sign copy
Sign Copy (7A)
Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, or other symbolic representations incorporated onto the face of a sign.
from static sign copy
Sign Copy (7A)
Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, or other symbolic representations incorporated onto the face of a sign.
to digital sign
Digital Sign (7A)
A sign component whose informational content such as symbols, logos, graphics, and words can be changed or altered by electric, electro-mechanical or electronic means.
copy.
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/0-0-0-26325Fetched: 10/28/2026