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Sign Regulations in Surprise, AZ (2026)

3 verified sign regulations for Surprise, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Political Signs

Arizona law (ARS 16-1019) protects the right to display political signs on residential property. Cities cannot prohibit political signs within prescribed size limits. Surprise permits political signs subject to state law protections and general sign code safety provisions.

Surprise Political Sign Rules

Few Restrictions

ARS 16-1019(C)-(D), (H)

C. Notwithstanding any other statute, ordinance or regulation, a city, town or county of this state shall not remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign if the following conditions are met: 1. The sign is placed in a public right-of-way that is owned or controlled by that jurisdiction. 2. The sign supports or opposes a candidate for public office or it supports or opposes a ballot measur...

Digital Billboards

Surprise permits digital billboards only inside a narrow stretch of the State Route 303 corridor, capped at 45 feet tall and 672 square feet, and requires a conditional use permit for each one. Electronic messaging on a billboard can fill 100 percent of the sign face but must switch off between 11 p.m. and dawn.

Surprise Digital Billboard Rules

Significant Restrictions

Surprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 109-1.9(C)(9)(c)(1)

c.Design requirements. The following design requirements apply for all billboard signs:(1)Billboard signs may incorporate level 2 electronic messaging centers as outlined Section 109-1.11.6 herein, except that electronic messaging centers used in billboard applications may occupy up to 100 percent of the allowable sign area of the billboard, exclusive of architectural embellishments as may be p...

Window Signs

Surprise caps window signs at 40 percent of an individual window pane's area, and sunscreen graphics or murals also can't exceed 40 percent coverage even though sunscreen material itself may cover the whole pane. The city exempts window signs from its construction permit requirement as long as they aren't wired for electricity.

Surprise Window Sign Coverage Limits

Some Restrictions

Surprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 109-1.9(B)(7)

7.Window signs and sunscreens.a.Window signs are allowed provided the combined sign area for all window signs affixed to a particular window does not exceed 40 percent of the individual window pane. Etched or stained glass, when integral to the window, shall not be included in the sign area calculation.b.Sunscreen material may cover 100 percent of the window pane, provided not more than 40 perc...

Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Surprise city rules.

Sign Regulations in Maricopa County