Ariz. Admin. Code § 17-3-701

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R17-3-701 - Outdoor Advertising Control

A. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to present the definitions of specialized terms used in describing outdoor advertising signs and matters relating to outdoor advertising signs. Terms used in this rule are defined as follows:

1."Abandoned sign" means a sign for which neither the sign owner nor the landowner claim any responsibility.

2."Back-to-back sign" means a sign that carries faces attached on each side of the structure and is read from opposite directions.

3."Directional" means signs containing directional information about public places owned or operated by federal, state, or local government or their agencies; publicly or privately owned natural phenomena, historic, cultural, scientific, educational, religious, and rural activity sites; and areas of natural scenic beauty or naturally suited for outdoor recreation, deemed to be in the interest of the traveling public.

4."Directional and other official signs and notices" includes only official signs and notices, public utility signs, service club and religious notices, public service signs, and directional signs.

5."Double-faced sign" means a sign that has two faces facing in the same direction.

6."Erect" means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any way bring into being or establish.

7."Face" means the surface of an outdoor advertising structure on which the design is posted or painted, usually made of galvanized metal sheets, fiberboard, plywood or plastic.

8."Federal or state law" means a federal or state constitutional provision or statute, or an ordinance, rule, or regulation enacted or adopted by a state or federal agency or a political subdivision of a state pursuant to a federal or state constitution or statute.

9."Illegal sign" means a sign that was erected or maintained, or both, in violation of the state law.

10."Intended to be read from the main-traveled way" is defined by any of the following criteria:

a. More than 80% of the average daily traffic (as determined by traffic counts) viewing the outdoor advertising is traveling in either or both directions along the main-traveled way.

b. Message content is of such a nature that it would be only of interest for the traffic using the main-traveled way.

c. The sales value of the outdoor advertising is directly attributable to advertising circulation generated by traffic along the main-traveled way.

11."Interchange" means a junction of two or more highways by a system of separate levels that permit traffic to pass from one to another without the crossing of traffic streams.

12."Landmark sign" means a sign of historic or artistic significance that existed on October 22, 1965, which may be preserved or maintained as determined by the Director and approved by the Secretary of Transportation.

13."Lease" means an agreement, oral or in writing, by which possession or use of land or interests in land is given by the owner to another person for a specified period of time.

14."Maintain" means to allow to exist, including such activities necessary to keep the sign in good repair, safe condition, and change of copy.

15."Nonconforming sign" means a sign that was lawfully erected but does not comply with the provisions of state law or state laws passed at a later date or later fails to comply with state law or state regulations due to changed conditions. Illegally erected or maintained signs are not nonconforming signs.

16."Normal maintenance (nonconforming sign)" means the maintenance customary to keep a sign in ordinary repair, upkeep or refurbishing. The maintenance does not include:

a. Maintenance that exceeds 50% of the appraised value using current appraisal schedules for a sign, or

b. Repairs to a sign damaged to such an extent that 60% or more of the uprights require replacement for wood uprights, or 30% or more of the length of each upright support above ground requires replacement for metal uprights.

17."Obsolete sign" means a directional or other official sign the purpose of which is no longer pertinent.

18."Official signs and notices" means signs and notices, other than traffic regulatory signs and notices, erected and maintained by public officers or public agencies within their territorial or zoning jurisdiction and pursuant to direction or authorization contained in federal, state, or local law for the purposes of carrying out an official duty or responsibility. Historical markers authorized by state law and erected by state or local government agencies or nonprofit historical societies are official signs.

19."Off-premise sign" means an outdoor advertising sign that advertises an activity, service or product and that is located on premises other than the premises at which the activity or service occurs or the product is sold or manufactured.

20."On-premise sign" means any sign that meets the following requirements (such signs are not controlled by state statutes):

a. Premises. The sign must be located on the same premises as the activity or property advertised.

b. Purpose. The sign must have as its purpose:

i. The identification of the activity, or its products or services, or

ii. The sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located, rather than the purpose of general advertising.

c. In the case of an on-premise sign advertising an activity, the premises must include all actual land used or occupied for the activity, including its buildings, parking, storage and service areas, streets, driveways and established front, rear, and side yards constituting an integral part of such activity, provided the sign is located on property under the same ownership or lease as the activity. Uses of land that serve no reasonable or integrated purpose related to the activity other than to attempt to qualify the land for signing purposes are not premises. Generally these will be inexpensive facilities, such as picnic grounds, playgrounds, walking paths, or fences.

21."Parkland" means any publicly owned land that is designated or used as a public park, recreation area, wildlife or waterfowl refuge or historic site.

22."Public service signs" means signs that are located on school bus stop shelters and that:

a. Identify the donor, sponsor, or contribution of the shelters;

b. Contain safety slogans or messages, which must occupy not less than 60% of the area of the sign;

c. Contain no other message;

d. Are located on school bus shelters that are authorized or approved by city, county, or state law, regulation, or ordinance, and at places approved by the city, county, or state agency controlling the highway involved; and

e. May not exceed 32 square feet in area. Not more than one sign on each shelter shall face in any one direction.

23."Public utility signs" means warning markers that are customarily erected and maintained by publicly or privately owned public utilities to protect their facilities.

24."Re-erection" means the placing of any sign in a vertical position subsequent to its initial erection. Re-erection shall only occur in the event the sign has been damaged by tortious acts, or in the course of normal maintenance.

25."Scenic area" means any area of particular scenic beauty or historical significance as determined by the federal, state, or local officials having jurisdiction of the area, and includes interests in land that have been acquired for the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty.

26."Scenic overlook or rest area" means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the highway right-of-way by or under public supervision or control for the convenience of the traveling public.

27."Service club and religious notices" means signs and notices, whose erection is authorized by law, relating to meetings of nonprofit service clubs or charitable associations, or religious service, that do not exceed eight square feet in area.

28."V-type signs" means signs that are oriented at an angle to each other, the nearest points of which are not more than 10 feet apart.

29."Within the view of and directed at the main-traveled way" means any sign that is readable from the main-traveled way for more than five seconds traveling at the posted speed limit or for such a time as the whole message can be read, whichever is less.

B. Outdoor advertising permit application procedure.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to present the procedures to be followed by applicants in requesting permits for the erection of outdoor advertising facilities.

2. Permit form and fee required. Each application for a permit to erect an outdoor advertising facility must be made on the appropriate Arizona Department of Transportation form and shall be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $20.00 payable to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

a. The initial application fee shall be valid for a period of one year from date of issuance. It shall be renewable annually upon payment of a $5.00 fee.

b. Renewal fees will become delinquent 30 days after the annual renewal date. On becoming delinquent, such sign structures will be in violation and a new initial application fee of $20.00 will be required.

3. Applications mailed to maintenance permit engineer. Applications for outdoor advertising permits should be mailed to: Arizona Department of Transportation, Intermodal Transportation Division; 206 South 17th Avenue; Phoenix, Arizona 85007; Attention: Maintenance Permits Section. Assistance to applicants is available at District offices.

4. Separate application for each sign. Each outdoor advertising sign, display or device requires a separate application with fee. All required information describing the location of the sign, the sign qualification standards, and the permitted area identification shall be completely entered on the permit form.

5. Legal description of sign site required. Applicants shall be required to obtain a certification from the governing zoning authority certifying that the zoning is correct for the legal description of the proposed sign location. In cases where the legal description is listed incorrectly on the application, a new certification must be obtained for the correct legal description. Legal descriptions shall adequately describe the property for which the application is made.

6. Location diagram required. Applicants shall submit a location diagram indicating highway route number and such physical features as: buildings, bridges, culverts, poles, mileposts and other stationary land marks necessary to adequately describe the location. The sketch will also indicate the distance in feet the sign is to be erected from the nearest milepost or a street intersection and other off-premise signs in the same vicinity.

7. Applicants must mark site locations. Applicants are required to place an identifiable device or object bearing applicant's name at the proposed sign location to aid field inspectors in site evaluations.

8. Landowner's permission mandatory. Applicants shall be required to obtain a signed certification stating that the applicant has the permission of the landowner to erect the sign at the noted legal description, or in lieu of the signed certification, furnish a copy of an executed lease.

9. Each pending application field checked. Each pending application will be field checked for compliance with the state act and regulations by the district. The findings of the field check will be forwarded to the Maintenance Permit Engineer, Maintenance Section, for final examination and, if approved, permit issuance.

10. Noncompliance. Each application for a permit to erect an outdoor advertising facility which does not comply with all requirements of the law and the Arizona Department of Transportation regulations, will be denied and the application fee may be retained by the state. Exception will be made in cases where applicants did not have knowledge of previous applications or permits for the same site. An additional $20.00 fee shall be added to the regular permit fee for signs illegally erected prior to the issuance of a permit.

11. Permit decals on sign structures. Applicants shall affix permit decals on a permanent surface near the portion of the sign structure closest to the main-traveled way and clearly visible from the roadway. Permit decals to replace any which have been issued and were improperly affixed, lost or destroyed, whether before or after attaching to the sign structure, may be purchased at a cost of $5.00. Signs bearing permit decals for signs other than the sign for which they were issued shall be in violation.

12. Forfeiture of permit fee. Outdoor advertising facilities for which permits have been issued shall be erected within 120 days and shall bear the official permit identification issued for the specific facility. If the applicant mails a written request for extension of time prior to expiration of the 120 days, an additional 60-day extension may be granted. Any permit canceled because no sign was erected within the prescribed time will result in forfeiture of the $20.00 fee.

13. Denial of permit renewals. An existing permit will not be renewed for an approved location on which no sign structure exists.

14. Removal and re-erection time limits. If an outdoor advertising sign is removed from a permitted location for any reason, the permit shall expire within 30 days from date of removal, except that the permittee may notify the Arizona Department of Transportation, Intermodal Transportation Division; Maintenance Permits Section, of intent to re-erect which will allow 120 days for re-erection. Failure to re-erect which will allow 120 days for re-erection. Failure to re-erect within the 120 days allowed will cancel the existing permit.

15. Transfer of permits. Permits are transferable upon sale of sign provided a new owner furnishes the Arizona Department of Transportation with notification of sale within 30 days after date of sale.

16. Calendar days. All references to days made in this permit application procedure, as well as those references in all rules and regulations applying to outdoor advertising control, shall mean calendar days.

C. Administrative rules.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to present administrative rules developed by the Arizona Department of Transportation for control of outdoor advertising.

2. Restrictions on rights-of-way use. No sign shall be erected or maintained from or by use of interstate highway rights-of-way. Any observed action of this type will result in cancellation of the permit. Signs may be erected and maintained from primary and secondary highways only if no other access is available and an encroachment permit is issued.

3. Nonconforming signs shall be in violation if:

a. A sign is enlarged (increased in any dimensions of the sign face or structural support),

b. A sign is replaced (an existing sign is removed and replaced with a completely different sign),

c. A sign is rebuilt to a different configuration or material composition beyond normal maintenance,

d. A sign is relocated (moved to a new position or location without being lawfully permitted), or

e. A sign which was previously non-illuminated has lighting added.

4. Commercial or industrial activities. Commercial or industrial activities which define a business area, or an unzoned commercial or industrial area must be in operation at the time the permit application is made. Should any commercial or industrial activity, which has been used in defining or delineating a business area, or an unzoned commercial or industrial area, cease to operate for a period of six continuous months, any signs qualified by such activity shall become nonconforming.

5. On premise. Should any activity which has been used in defining an on-premise sign cease to operate for a period of six continuous months any signs qualified by that activity shall be considered as off premise and will require appropriate permits. If the signs are then not permitable they will be in violation.

6. Municipal limit between signs. When a municipal limit falls between signs the spacing requirement shall be 300 feet between signs on primary or secondary highways.

7. Proposed interstate alignment locations. Signs existing or to be erected on primary or secondary highway systems which have been declared by the Director of Transportation as an interstate freeway alignment prior to construction of such interstate or freeway shall be classified as though the Interstate or Freeway already exists, requiring spacing criteria for Interstate or other freeways.

8. Double-faced, back-to-back, and V-type signs. Double-faced, back-to-back and V-type sign structure permits will be limited to a single sign ownership for each site. No more than two faces will be allowed facing each direction of travel. Double-faced signs shall not exceed 350 square feet per face. V-type signs will be limited to a 10' spacing between faces at the apex. V-type sign spacing from other signs shall be measured from the middle of the apex.

9. Multifaced community signs. Local chambers of commerce may obtain permits to erect signs with more than two faces. These signs shall not exceed 1,200 square feet in area with a maximum overall vertical facing of 25 feet and a maximum overall horizontal facing of 60 feet, including border and trim, and excluding base or apron supports and other structural members. All other laws, rules and regulations will apply to multifaced community signs as to other off premise signs.

10. New sign making existing sign nonconforming. If a new sign which would otherwise be conforming will make an existing sign nonconforming, the new sign shall not be allowed.

11. Hearing requests. The land owner or sign owner may request a hearing in connection with a permit application denied or other action taken by the Arizona Department of Transportation in connection with the rules prescribed in this Section. Within seven days after notice of the action is mailed or posted, the land owner or sign owner may make written request for a hearing on the action. The Director of the Department of Transportation shall designate a hearing officer, who shall be an administrative employee of the Department of Transportation, to conduct and preside at the hearings. When a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within 30 days after the request, and the party requesting the hearing shall be given at least five days notice of the time of the hearing. All hearings shall be conducted at Department of Transportation administrative offices. A full and complete record and transcript of the hearing shall be taken. The presiding officer shall within 10 days after the hearing make a written determination of the presiding officer's findings of fact, conclusions and decision and shall mail a copy of the same, by certified mail, to the owner or the party who requested the hearing.

12. Landmark signs. The Director will submit a one-time declaration listing all landmark signs to the Secretary of Transportation. The preservation of these signs would be consistent with the purposes of state highway beautification laws.

13. Blanked out or discontinued nonconforming signs. When an existing nonconforming sign ceases to display advertising matter for a period of one year the use of the structure as a nonconforming outdoor advertising sign is terminated.

14. Vandalized signs. Legal nonconforming signs may be rebuilt to their original configuration and size when they are destroyed due to vandalism and other criminal or tortious acts.

D. Standards for directional and other official signs.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to present standards applicable to directional and other official signs.

2. Scope and application. The standards presented in this Chapter apply to directional and other official signs and notices which are erected and maintained within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the interstate, federal-aid primary and secondary highway systems and which are visible from the main-traveled way of the systems. These types of signs must conform to national standards, promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation under authority set forth in 23 U.S.C. 131(c). These standards do not apply, however, to directional and other official signs erected on the highway right-of-way.

3. Standards for directional signs. The following apply only to directional signs:

a. General. The following signs are prohibited:

i. Signs advertising activities that are illegal under federal or state laws or regulations in effect at the location of those signs or at the location of those activities.

ii. Signs located in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device or obstruct or interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.

iii. Signs which are erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.

iv. Obsolete signs.

v. Signs which are structurally unsafe or in disrepair.

vi. Signs which move or have any animated or moving parts.

vii. Signs located in rest areas, parklands or scenic areas.

b. Size. No sign shall exceed the following limits, which include border and trim, but exclude supports.

i. Maximum area -- 150 square feet.

ii. Maximum height -- 20 feet.

iii. Maximum length -- 20 feet.

c. Lighting. Signs may be illuminated, subject to the following:

i. Signs which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights are prohibited.

ii. Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of an Interstate or primary highway or which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited.

iii. No sign may be so illuminated as to interfere with the effectiveness of or obscure an official traffic sign, device, or signal.

d. Spacing.

i. Each location of a directional sign must be approved by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ii. No directional sign may be located within 2,000 feet of an interstate, or intersection at grade along the interstate system or other freeways (measured along the interstate of freeway from the nearest point of the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way).

iii. No directional sign may be located within 2,000 feet of a rest area, parkland, or scenic area.

(1) No two directional signs facing the same direction of travel shall be spaced less than one mile apart;

(2) Not more than three directional signs pertaining to the same activity and facing the same direction of travel may be erected along a single route approaching the activity;

(3) Directional signs located adjacent to the Interstate System shall be within 75 air miles of the activity; and

(4) Directional signs located adjacent to the Primary System shall be within 50 air miles of the activity.

(5) No directional signs shall be located within 500 feet of an off-premise outdoor advertising sign on any state highway.

e. Message content. The message on directional signs shall be limited to the identification of the attraction or activity and directional information useful to the traveler in locating the attraction, such as mileage, route numbers, or exit number. Descriptive words or phrases, and pictorial or photographic representations of the activity or its environs are prohibited.

f. Selection methods and criteria for privately owned activities or attractions to obtain directional sign approval.

i. Privately owned activities are attractions eligible for directional signing are limited to the following categories:

(1) Natural phenomena,

(2) Scenic attractions,

(3) Historic sites,

(4) Educational sites,

(5) Cultural sites,

(6) Scientific sites,

(7) Religious sites, and

(8) Outdoor recreational areas.

ii. To be eligible, privately owned attractions or activities must be nationally or regionally known, and of outstanding interest to the traveling public.

iii. The Director, Arizona Department of Transportation, will appoint a Selection Board for Directional Signing Qualifications consisting of three administrative or professional employees of the Department of Transportation, one of whom shall be designated as chairperson, to judge and approve the qualifications for directional signing of privately owned activities or attractions as limited to the categories in subsection (D)(3)(f)(i) and the qualification in subsection (D)(3)(f)(ii).

iv. Applicants for directional signs involving privately owned activities or attractions, shall first qualify the activity or attraction by submitting an official qualification form to the attention of the maintenance permit engineer, highways division, Arizona Department of Transportation. The maintenance permit engineer will forward the application for qualification, along with any technical data which may assist the selection board in making the selection board's determination, to the selection board.

v. Applicant shall indicate one or more categories (as listed in subsection (D)(3)(f)(i) that is applicable to the activity or attraction for which qualification is sought. Applicants shall submit a statement and supporting evidence that the activity or attraction is nationally or regionally known and is of outstanding interest to the traveling public.

vi. The selection board will, upon approval or rejection of an application, give notification of the selection board's determination in writing, to the applicant and to the maintenance permit engineer.

vii. The maintenance permit engineer will not issue any permits for directional signs for any privately owned activity or attraction until receipt of qualification approval by the selection board. All directional sign permits issued for the Department of Transportation by the maintenance permit engineer will meet the standards for directional and other official signs as incorporated in the"Rules and Regulations for Outdoor Advertising along Arizona Highways" approved and issued by the Director, Arizona Department of Transportation.

g. Rural activity signs are intended to give directions to rural activity sites located along rural roads connecting to state highways. The signs must be located in areas primarily rural in nature. Rural activities that may qualify include ranches, recreational areas and mines. Signs for private residences, subdivisions, and commercial activities are not permitted. Industrial activities that are located in primarily rural areas such as mines or material pits may be allowed. The signs shall not be located in business areas, unzoned commercial or industrial areas, or within municipal limits. The selection board may make final determination of eligibility for those signs when necessary. Not more than one sign pertaining to a rural activity facing the same direction of travel may be erected along a single route approaching the rural connecting road. Signs will be limited to 10 square feet in area. All other standards for directional signs shall apply.

h. No application fee is required for official signs and notices, public utility signs, service club and religious notices, public service signs or directional signs erected by federal, state or local governments. Other directional signs require a permit application and $20.00 fee.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R17-3-701

Adopted effective January 3, 1977 (Supp. 77-1). Former Section R17-3-711 renumbered without change as Section R17-3-701 (Supp. 88-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 18 A.A.R. 2347, effective November 10, 2012 (Supp. 12-3).