What Does My Building's Address Sign Need to Meet Fire Code in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
Last updated: November 5, 2026
Quick Answer
For most commercial buildings in Phoenix and Scottsdale, the street address must be at least 12 inches tall with a 2 inch stroke, contrast with its background, and be plainly visible from the street or road fronting the property. Phoenix also requires commercial building identification to be internally or externally illuminated, and calls for 24 inch numbers on larger buildings set back 100 feet or more.
Both cities build their rules on Section 505.1 of the International Fire Code, but they have amended it differently. Phoenix uses the 2024 International Fire Code with Phoenix amendments, effective February 17, 2026. Scottsdale uses the 2021 International Fire Code with Scottsdale amendments.
In both cities, numbers must be Arabic numerals or letters, and the fire code official has the final say on what is approved for a specific building.
Key Takeaways
- Phoenix and Scottsdale commercial minimum: 12 inch characters with a 2 inch stroke, contrasting with the background.
- Phoenix large buildings: Buildings more than 200 feet long and set back 100 feet or more from the road need 24 inch characters with a 4 inch stroke.
- Phoenix lighting: Commercial building identification must be internally or externally illuminated.
- Suites and tenant spaces: Phoenix requires 6 inch suite identification at front entrances and rear access doors of multiple tenant buildings. Scottsdale sets 6 inches for units within a building and 4 inches for individual unit or suite numbers.
- Hidden buildings: Where a private road means the building cannot be seen from the public way, both cities call for a monument, pole, or other sign.
- Phoenix permits: The Phoenix Fire Code lists a construction permit for installing or modifying premises identification.
What Does the Fire Code Say About Address Signs?
Section 505.1 of the International Fire Code covers address identification. Phoenix's amended version says new and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification that is:
- Legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.
- Contrasting with its background.
- Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out.
- Maintained. Phoenix's text says address identification "shall be maintained clearly visible and free from obstructions, including landscaping, and shall be kept current."
The base requirement in that section is characters at least 4 inches high with a 1/2 inch stroke. Both Phoenix and Scottsdale go further for commercial buildings, as covered below.
How Big Do Address Numbers Need to Be in Phoenix?
Phoenix sets commercial sizes in Section 505.1.2 of the Phoenix Fire Code amendment packet. It applies to Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S, and U occupancies, which covers offices, retail, restaurants, warehouses, and manufacturing.
- Buildings less than 200 feet long and less than 100 feet from the edge of the road: at least 12 inches high with a 2 inch brush stroke on a contrasting background, visible from all access directions.
- Buildings more than 200 feet long and set back from the road 100 feet or more: at least 24 inches high with a 4 inch brush stroke of a contrasting color, visible from all access directions.
- Buildings greater than 500 feet long: addresses visible from all access directions.
- Multiple tenant buildings: each tenant space needs its address or suite identification at the front entrance and rear access doors, at least 6 inches high with a 1 inch brush stroke on a contrasting background.
The Phoenix Fire Department's address handout summarizes the same sizes. If your building fits neither size category exactly, such as a short building set far back, ask the Phoenix Fire Department which size it will approve before you fabricate.
Does My Address Sign Need to Be Lit in Phoenix?
Yes, for commercial buildings. Phoenix Section 505.1.2 says building identification "is required to be internally or externally illuminated to meet visibility requirements in low or no light conditions."
That can mean illuminated dimensional letters, a lit monument sign, or numbers lit by a dedicated fixture. Our article on why lighting choices make or break your sign after dark covers the main lighting options.
How Big Do Address Numbers Need to Be in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale replaced IFC Section 505.1 with its own version in its 2021 IFC amendments. It says new and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers, or approved building identification that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property and contrasts with its background.
- Commercial address and building numbers: at least 12 inches high with a 2.0 inch stroke.
- Units within a building: at least 6 inches high with a 1.0 inch stroke.
- Individual unit or suite numbers: at least 4 inches high with a 0.5 inch stroke.
- Interior room and suite numbers (505.1.1): at least 1.25 inches high with a 0.25 inch stroke.
Scottsdale's amended 505.1 does not include an illumination requirement or a larger size for big buildings. The city's fire code page links the current amendments, and the Scottsdale Fire Department can confirm what it will approve for your site.
How Do Phoenix and Scottsdale Address Requirements Compare?
| Requirement | Phoenix | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Code edition | 2024 IFC with Phoenix amendments, effective 2/17/2026 | 2021 IFC with Scottsdale amendments (Ordinance No. 4562) |
| Commercial address | 12 in. high, 2 in. stroke (buildings under 200 ft long and under 100 ft from the road) | 12 in. high, 2 in. stroke |
| Larger buildings | 24 in. high, 4 in. stroke (over 200 ft long and set back 100 ft or more) | No separate larger size listed in 505.1 |
| Suite or unit numbers | 6 in. high, 1 in. stroke at front entrance and rear access doors | 6 in. for units within a building; 4 in. for individual unit or suite numbers |
| Illumination | Required for commercial building identification | Not stated in Scottsdale's 505.1 amendment |
| Not visible from public way | Monument, pole, or other sign | Monument, pole, or other sign |
Bar length is proportional to minimum height. Stroke width shown in parentheses.
- Phoenix Commercial address12 in. (2 in. stroke)
- Phoenix Large set back building24 in. (4 in. stroke)
- Phoenix Tenant suites6 in. (1 in. stroke)
- Scottsdale Commercial address12 in. (2 in. stroke)
- Scottsdale Units within a building6 in. (1 in. stroke)
- Scottsdale Individual unit or suite4 in. (0.5 in. stroke)
What If My Building Cannot Be Seen From the Street?
Both cities address this. Where access is by a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Phoenix adds podium buildings and buildings with multiple fire separations with interior corridors to that list, and its code lets the fire code official require address identification in additional approved locations.
Set back buildings often need an address at the street, not just on the wall. Our guide on improving sign visibility when a building is set back from the road walks through options.
Do I Need a Permit for an Address Sign?
In Phoenix, the fire code lists a construction permit for work that includes installing or modifying "premises identification review" (Section 105.6.26.1). Address signs may also fall under city sign or building permits depending on size, lighting, and placement.
In Scottsdale, check with the city before installing, since an illuminated or freestanding address sign may also need sign or building review. Our article on who handles commercial sign permits in Phoenix and Scottsdale explains how the process usually works.
How Can Phoenix Sign Studio Help With Address Signs?
Phoenix Sign Studio designs, fabricates, and installs commercial signs across the Greater Phoenix area. Our wall signs include exterior building identification and address numbers, and we also build monument signs, dimensional letters, business park signs with building numbers, and office building signs with suite numbers. Our sign permitting team can help with the permit side.
Want a second set of eyes on your address sign? Schedule a time with Ken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall do commercial address numbers need to be in Phoenix?
At least 12 inches high with a 2 inch brush stroke for buildings less than 200 feet long and less than 100 feet from the road. Buildings more than 200 feet long and set back 100 feet or more need at least 24 inches with a 4 inch stroke.
How tall do commercial address numbers need to be in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale's fire code amendments require commercial address and building numbers to be at least 12 inches high with a minimum 2.0 inch stroke width.
Does a commercial address sign have to be illuminated in Phoenix?
Yes. The Phoenix Fire Code requires commercial building identification to be internally or externally illuminated so it is visible in low or no light conditions.
How big do suite numbers need to be?
In Phoenix, tenant suite identification at front entrances and rear access doors must be at least 6 inches high with a 1 inch stroke. In Scottsdale, units within a building must be at least 6 inches high with a 1.0 inch stroke, and individual unit or suite numbers must be at least 4 inches high with a 0.5 inch stroke.
What if my building cannot be seen from the street?
In both Phoenix and Scottsdale, when access is by a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign must be used to identify the structure.
Can I spell out my address number?
No. Phoenix's code says address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters and shall not be spelled out. Scottsdale also requires Arabic numerals or alphabet letters.
About the Author
This article is general information, not legal advice. Fire codes are amended and enforced locally, and the fire code official has final approval, so confirm requirements for your building with the Phoenix or Scottsdale Fire Department.
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