Tempe Sandwich Board Rules & Permit Guide

Signs and Advertising Arizona 4 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Arizona

Tempe, Arizona regulates sidewalk sandwich boards as part of its sign and right-of-way rules. This guide summarizes where sandwich boards may be placed, what permits or approvals may be required, who enforces the rules, and practical steps to comply in Tempe. Use the official municipal code and Planning/Development guidance listed below to confirm requirements for dimensions, setbacks, or any permit application procedures before placing a sign on a public sidewalk.

General rules for sidewalk sandwich boards

Sidewalk sandwich boards (also called A-frame or portable signs) are governed by the City of Tempe sign regulations and right-of-way rules. Typical controls address allowable locations, minimum clear pedestrian passage, hours of display, and design limitations. Always confirm local dimensional and placement standards with Development Services before installing or displaying a sign in a public area [1].

Keep at least the required pedestrian clearance to avoid obstruction and citations.

Placement, size, and safety

  • Maintain clear pedestrian passage and ADA access; specific clearance distances are established by the sign and public works rules on official pages [1].
  • Signs may be restricted near intersections, bus stops, driveways, or other points specified in the municipal sign rules [1].
  • Temporary display hours or seasonal limits may apply where specified by Development Services or special event permits [2].
  • Fees for sign permits, if required, are provided through Development Services or permit application pages [2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is typically handled by the City of Tempe Code Compliance and Development Services. Specific monetary fines or graduated penalties for noncompliant sandwich boards are not consistently listed in a single cited section and are not specified on the cited pages; where amounts or escalation exist they will appear in the municipal code or enforcement notices [1][3].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal code and enforcement pages for any published schedules [1][3].
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited pages; consult Code Compliance for case-specific info [3].
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, stop-use notices, or seizure of offending signs are enforcement actions described generally by municipal enforcement practice, but exact remedies are not specified on the cited pages [3].
  • Enforcer: City of Tempe Code Compliance and Development Services handle inspections, complaints, and enforcement; contact through official enforcement pages [3].
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: submit a Code Compliance complaint or request an inspection via the City of Tempe Code Compliance contact page [3].
  • Appeals/review: specific time limits and appeal procedures are not specified on the cited pages; appeals may follow administrative or court processes identified by the city [1][3].
Confirm enforcement details and any fine amounts with Code Compliance before assuming a penalty level.

Applications & Forms

The City of Tempe typically manages sign permits and related forms through Development Services. A sign permit application or temporary sign request may be required; exact form names, numbers, fees, and submission instructions should be obtained from Development Services and the Planning/Sign permit pages [2]. If no form is required for certain temporary sidewalk signs the official pages will say so; the permit page is the authoritative source [2].

How to comply — practical steps

  • Check the City of Tempe sign regulations and the Development Services permit page to determine whether a permit is required [1][2].
  • If a permit is required, complete the sign permit application and pay any applicable fee per the Development Services instructions [2].
  • Place the sandwich board to preserve the required pedestrian clearance and ADA access and avoid sightline obstructions near intersections.
  • If cited or ordered to remove a sign, contact Code Compliance promptly to understand remedies and appeal options [3].
When in doubt, secure written confirmation from Development Services before display.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for a sandwich board on the sidewalk?
Possibly. Some temporary sidewalk or portable signs require a sign permit or must meet conditions in the municipal sign rules; check Development Services and the municipal code for specifics [1][2].
How close can a sandwich board be to the curb or intersection?
Setbacks and clearances are specified in the sign and right-of-way rules; consult the official sign regulations to confirm exact distances [1].
Who enforces rules and how do I report a problem?
City of Tempe Code Compliance enforces sign and sidewalk obstructions; submit a complaint or request an inspection through the Code Compliance contact page [3].

How-To

  1. Review the City of Tempe sign regulations and the Development Services sign permit page to determine requirements and permitted locations [1][2].
  2. Prepare any required permit materials or site sketches and complete the sign permit application as instructed by Development Services [2].
  3. Install the sandwich board following clearance, size, and placement rules; retain documentation of any approvals.
  4. If cited, contact Code Compliance immediately to understand the notice, pay fines if applicable, or pursue any available appeal [3].

Key Takeaways

  • Always check Development Services and the municipal code before placing a sidewalk sandwich board.
  • Maintain pedestrian and ADA clearances to reduce risk of removal or enforcement action.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Tempe municipal code and sign regulations
  2. [2] Tempe Development Services - Planning & Zoning
  3. [3] City of Tempe Code Compliance

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