County to step up sign code enforcement

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Commercial signs placed in medians and along public sidewalks could bring a harsh letter from Pima County and possible legal action.

Tom Ward, special adviser to Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, said Carroll’s office has received several complaints about “sandwich” signs in medians and on street corners, which can be a danger because they obscure a driver’s view.

The ordinance is not new, but the enforcement of it is.

Most of the signs advertise restaurants and other businesses, he said, but any sign, including real estate “open house” signs not taken down at the end of the day, would be in violation.

“We’ve seen a proliferation of signs in recent months, and because of that we talked to the transportation department about the problem,” Ward said.

People seen placing signs in medians, on publicly owned rights-of-way, within 20 feet of a street corner, or signs that block traffic signs or signals, now have to answer to the Pima County Department of Transportation.

PCDOT can take legal action only if the license plate number of the violator is provided. Report violations to PCDOT at 520-740-6410, or fill out a community relations inquiry form online at www.dot.pima.gov.

“Before now, apparently nothing has been happening,” Ward said.

The Sheriff’s Department can penalize persons or businesses for illegal placement of signs on public property, but usually no action is taken because deputies don’t have the time, and because the county routinely make “sweeps” every two months to remove the signs, Ward said.

With permission from the county, signs can be placed in medians legally, said Ward, citing those placed by the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council’s MedianGreen group along La Canada Drive.

Ward said the increased enforcement is not meant to target signs advertising yard sales or a lost pet, which are usually left up for a few days or less, but rather commercial signs that are more or less permanent.

jrichardson@gvnews.com

PIMA COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE

Prohibited signs

1. Abandoned Sign.

2. Cloth or paper sign attached to the exterior surface of a window or a building. This prohibition does not include a political sign, lost pet sign or a grand opening banner.

3. Electronic message sign.

4. Fixed balloon sign.

5. More than six pennants or flags on a site; pennants or flags on poles greater than twenty feet in height.

6. Bench sign in a residential zone; more than one bench sign per bus stop in a commercial or industrial zone.

7. Future facility sign.

8. Off-site sign, except those specifically permitted.

9. Portable sign.

10. Roof sign.

11. Satellite dish containing sign copy.

12. Searchlight.

13. Statue used for advertising.

14. Temporary sign, except those specifically permitted.

15. A sign emitting visible matter or sound (except a menu board).

16. A sign resembling an official traffic sign.

17. Outline lighting of a building, excluding temporary decorative holiday lighting.

18. Vehicle sign.

19. Moving sign.

20. A sign on a permanent storage tank (except signs necessary to warn of danger).

21. Subdivision directional signs other than allowed by this code.