Who Handles Commercial Sign Permits in Phoenix and Scottsdale?
In most commercial sign projects, the sign company handles the permit on the business owner’s behalf. That usually means reviewing local codes, preparing drawings and documents, and submitting the application. The business owner and the property owner or landlord still play a role, because many cities and properties require their authorization before a sign can be approved.
The short version: you do not have to figure out sign permits alone, but you should know who does what before you order a sign.
This guide explains the roles involved in a commercial sign permit, what each person is responsible for, and how Phoenix Sign Studio supports the process from design through installation.
Who Is Involved in Getting a Commercial Sign Permit?
A typical commercial sign permit involves several parties. Each one has a different job.
- The business owner or tenant. Decides what sign is needed, approves the design, and provides business and brand information.
- The property owner or landlord. Often must approve the sign before it goes to the city, especially in shopping centers, office buildings, and business parks.
- The property manager, owners association, or HOA. Some properties have their own sign standards or an approval step.
- The sign company. Reviews requirements, designs a sign that fits them, prepares the application documents, submits them, and follows up.
- The city or county. Reviews the application against local sign and zoning rules and issues the permit if the sign meets them.
- An engineer or electrician, when needed. Some signs require structural or electrical documentation.
Who formally signs or submits the application can differ by city and by project. In many cases the sign contractor applies, and in some cases the business owner or property owner is the applicant. Requirements vary by city, so we review them for each location.
Where Can I Find My City’s Sign Permit Rules?
Every Valley city publishes its own sign permit information. Here is what a few official city pages say, so you can see how much the process differs:
- Scottsdale: The city’s sign regulations and permits page says an Arizona-licensed general contractor or Arizona-licensed sign contractor is required to install signs for commercial properties. Applications are submitted through the city’s Scottsdale SPUR portal.
- Tempe: The city’s signs page says sign permit applications must be submitted by an Arizona licensed sign contractor with an active CR-38 license, and that property owner authorization is required if the applicant is not the legal property owner.
- Chandler: The city’s sign permit checklist and application asks for current licensed contractor information and documentation of property manager or property owner authorization for the signs.
- Glendale: The city’s code compliance FAQ says most signs require a permit before installation, and its signs and banners plan review page says a City of Glendale business license number is required on the permit application for the business tenant.
- Mesa: The city’s sign regulations page links to its sign checklist and sign ordinance, and notes that sign permit fees are charged in addition to any applicable building and civil engineering permits.
- Phoenix: The city’s signs page links to the sign permit application, submittal checklist, and fee schedule, and its sign staff can help explain size, height, and placement requirements.
City rules and forms change, so always check the current official page or ask your sign company to confirm what applies to your property.
Does the Business Owner Have to Apply for the Sign Permit?
Usually, the business owner does not have to prepare or submit the application personally when working with a full service sign company.
The business owner is still important. You will typically be asked to:
- Approve the final sign design
- Provide your business name, address, and contact information
- Share brand files such as your logo and colors
- Help obtain landlord or property owner approval when required
- Respond to questions if the city or property manager needs clarification
Think of it this way: the sign company does the technical work, and the business owner makes the decisions and provides authorization.
Does the Landlord Need to Approve My Sign?
Often, yes. If you lease your space, the landlord or property owner may need to approve your sign before the city will review it. Many cities ask for proof of property owner authorization as part of the application.
Your lease may also include sign criteria. These are rules about sign size, placement, colors, lighting, or construction that every tenant on the property must follow.
Before designing your sign, review:
- Your lease and any sign criteria for the property
- Whether the landlord must approve drawings in writing
- Whether a property manager, owners association, or HOA has its own review
- Any limits on monument sign panels, pylon panels, or building wall space
Landlord approval and city approval are separate steps. A sign can be approved by the landlord and still need changes to meet city rules, and the reverse can also happen. Planning for both from the start helps avoid redesigns.
If you are in a shared building or multi-tenant center, our guide to tenant sign systems in Phoenix explains how property-wide sign standards work.
What Does a Sign Company Do During the Permit Process?
At Phoenix Sign Studio, our sign permitting process includes four steps:
- Code review and site assessment. We research city ordinances, zoning restrictions, and property guidelines to determine what is allowed at your location.
- Application preparation. We create and compile required documents, such as scaled drawings, renderings, and engineering reports when needed.
- Submission and follow-up. We submit the application to the city or county permitting office, monitor its progress, and keep you updated.
- Approval and installation. Once permits are approved, we move into fabrication and installation.
We also work directly with property managers, landlords, and HOAs when their approval is part of the project.
The main benefit is coordination. Design, permitting, fabrication, and installation are handled by one team, so the sign that gets approved is the same sign that gets built and installed.
Why Does It Help When One Company Handles Design, Permits, and Installation?
When different vendors handle each step, small gaps can turn into delays.
For example:
- A designer creates a sign that looks great but exceeds the size allowed at the property
- A fabricator builds a sign before the permit is approved, then has to change it
- An installer arrives without the approved drawings or permit documents
- The landlord approves one version while the city reviews another
A full service approach helps prevent these problems:
- Design starts with the rules. The sign is designed around what is allowed at your location.
- Documents match the design. Drawings submitted for approval reflect the sign that will be built.
- Fabrication follows approval. Production is coordinated with the permit status.
- Installation is planned around requirements. Installation and any required inspections are part of the plan.
Our sign installation team works from the same approved plans our design and permitting team prepares.
Which Signs Usually Need a Permit?
Many exterior signs need a permit, but the exact list depends on the city and property. Signs that commonly require review include:
- Monument signs
- Pylon signs
- Illuminated signs and channel letters
- Building wall signs
- Digital and LED signs
- Signs that require electrical work or structural support
Some interior signs, temporary signs, and window graphics may follow different rules or may not require a permit at all, depending on the city. Because requirements vary by city, we confirm what applies to your project during code review rather than guessing.
What Happens If a Business Installs a Sign Without a Permit?
Skipping a required permit can create problems. Depending on the city, a business may face fines, be asked to correct the sign, or be required to remove it. That can mean paying for the same sign twice.
The safest approach is to confirm requirements before fabrication begins.
What Should I Have Ready Before Starting a Sign Permit?
Gathering a few items early helps the process move smoothly:
- Your business address and the location of the proposed sign
- Photos of the building, storefront, or site
- Your lease sign criteria or property sign standards, if you lease
- Landlord or property manager contact information
- Your logo and brand files
- The type of sign you want, such as a wall sign, monument sign, or channel letters
- Your target opening date or deadline
If you are requesting pricing at the same time, our article on what information a sign company needs to give you an accurate commercial sign quote covers what to send. For scheduling, see how long it takes to design, permit, manufacture, and install a commercial sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for getting a commercial sign permit?
In many projects, the sign company prepares and submits the permit application for the business. The business owner approves the design, and the property owner or landlord often provides written authorization. Who is listed as the applicant can vary by city.
Do I need landlord approval and a city permit?
Often, yes. Many leased properties require landlord approval, and many exterior signs also require a city permit. These are separate approvals, and both may be needed before installation.
Can Phoenix Sign Studio handle my sign permit?
Yes. We provide permitting support that includes code review, application preparation, submission, and follow-up, and we coordinate with landlords, property managers, and HOAs when needed.
Are sign permit rules the same in every Valley city?
No. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, and other cities each have their own sign rules. For example, Tempe’s signs page says applications must be submitted by a licensed sign contractor, while Glendale requires the tenant’s city business license number on the application. We review the requirements for your specific location.
Should I order my sign before the permit is approved?
It is usually best to finalize the design around local and property requirements first. We coordinate fabrication with the approval process so the sign that is built matches what was approved.
Need Help With a Commercial Sign Permit?
You focus on your business. We handle the design, permitting support, fabrication, and installation of your commercial sign as one coordinated project.
Book Your Sign ConsultationContact UsCall (602) 610 8808
Phoenix Sign Studio
16099 N 82nd Street, Suite B10, Scottsdale, AZ 85260