Scottsdale's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Scottsdale maintains 134 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Scottsdale falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Scottsdale doubles the height and area allowed for on-premise commercial post-and-panel signs sitting behind a dedicated scenic corridor easement or against the Loop 101 Pima Freeway frontage road: 10 feet and 32 square feet instead of the standard 5 feet and 16 square feet, under Sec. 8.600.

Key details: Standard height/area: 5 feet / 16 sq ft. Bonus zone height/area: 10 feet / 32 sq ft. Bonus trigger: scenic corridor easement or Loop 101 frontage road. Sign type covered: on-premise commercial post-and-panel signs. Illumination: prohibited on these signs.

Erecting an on-premise post-and-panel sign taller than 10 feet or larger than 32 square feet even in the scenic corridor or Loop 101 frontage road bonus zone, or claiming the bonus height/area outside that specific location, violates Sec. 8.600.A.1. Prohibited elements like illumination or reflective attachments on any qualifying sign are also a violation regardless of the height and area tier used.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Scottsdale gives residents more flexibility on freeway-facing signs.

Window Signs

Scottsdale caps window signs at one per use and nine square feet per window panel, and any sign placed within three feet of the glass counts as a window sign. Internal illumination is allowed only with exposed neon, and product advertising on a window sign is banned outright under Sec. 8.417.

Key details: Trigger distance: within 3 feet of the window pane. Max signs per use: 1 sign. Max area: 9 sq ft per window panel. Illumination: exposed neon only. Content limit: business ID and graphic symbol only.

Placing more than one qualifying window sign per business use, exceeding nine square feet on a panel, illuminating a window sign with anything other than exposed neon, or displaying product advertising rather than business identification violates Sec. 8.417. The city can require removal or replacement of a nonconforming window sign as part of its sign code enforcement.

The rules around window signs in Scottsdale lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Political Signs

Arizona law (HB 2500) restricts municipalities from enforcing local temporary sign laws against political signs during election season. Political signs in residential areas may be up to 16 square feet; in other areas up to 32 square feet. All temporary signs, including political signs, are prohibited in the public right-of-way.

Key details: State Law: HB 2500 limits local regulation of political signs. Residential Size: Up to 16 square feet. Other Areas: Up to 32 square feet. Display Period: 71 days before primary through 15 days after general. Right-of-Way: All temporary signs prohibited.

Signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by the city. HOAs cannot prohibit compliant political signs under ARS §33-1808.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Scottsdale gives residents more flexibility on political signs.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Scottsdale gives residents more room on sign regulations. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Scottsdale 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.