Mesa's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Mesa, Arizona, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Political Signs

Mesa regulates signs under the Zoning Ordinance Article 5 (Sign Ordinance). Political signs on residential property are protected by A.R.S. Section 16-1019, which limits local government regulation. Mesa allows political signs in residential areas within 71 days before and 3 days after an election. Signs must not exceed 6 square feet in residential zones and cannot be placed in the public right-of-way.

Key details: Code Section: Mesa Zoning Ordinance Article 5. State Law: A.R.S. §16-1019 protects political signs. Max Size (Residential): 6 square feet. Timing: 71 days before to 3 days after election. Right-of-Way: Prohibited in public ROW.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Mesa allows large freeway-facing "Freeway Landmark Monument" signs only on commercial or industrial sites of at least 30 contiguous acres with freeway and arterial frontage, and only with Design Review Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Council Use Permit approval under Zoning Ordinance § 11-43-7.

Key details: Minimum site size: 30 contiguous acres. Max sign area: 750 sq ft. Standard max height: 60 feet. Height with modification: up to 90 feet. Max setback from freeway: 250 feet.

Installing an unapproved Freeway Landmark Monument, or one exceeding the 750-square-foot area cap, the 60-foot height limit (90 feet with an approved modification), or the spacing and setback standards of § 11-43-7, is a Sign Ordinance violation; the City requires all approvals, Design Review Board and Planning and Zoning Board recommendations plus a Council Use Permit and sign permit, before construction, and unmaintained or deteriorated FLMs that pose a safety hazard or visual blight must be promptly repaired under § 11-43-7(K).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Mesa actively enforces its freeway-facing signs requirements.

Digital Billboards

Electronic billboards in Mesa's Billboard Overlay District must hold copy for at least eight seconds, cannot animate, flash or simulate movement between messages, and must freeze on one image if the display malfunctions, under Title 11, Chapter 25.

Key details: Copy change interval: minimum 8 seconds. Animation/flashing: prohibited. Malfunction fail-safe: required, freeze display. Site minimum: 50 acres, 1,500 ft freeway frontage. Max sign face: 672 sq ft per face.

An electronic billboard that changes copy faster than every eight seconds, animates, flashes, or fails to freeze on malfunction violates Section 11-25-4(F); Code Compliance and the Building Safety Division enforce through the Title 4, Chapter 1 building-permit and maintenance provisions incorporated by Section 11-25-5.

Window Signs

Mesa caps window signs at 25% of the window area in most zoning districts and does not count them toward the maximum attached sign area allowed on the building, per Zoning Ordinance § 11-43-11.

Key details: General coverage cap: 25% of window area. Counts toward attached sign max?: No: excluded. Listed-district districts: Per Tables 11-43-3-E, 11-43-3-F. Governing section: Mesa City Code § 11-43-11.

A window sign that exceeds 25% of the window area in a district not covered by Tables 11-43-3-E or 11-43-3-F is out of compliance with § 11-43-11 and, along with reflective, animated, or unauthorized window displays barred generally by § 11-45-1, is treated as a prohibited sign under the Sign Ordinance, subject to code enforcement action by the City of Mesa Planning Division.

The Bottom Line

Mesa's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Mesa is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Mesa can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.