18.115.040 Exempt signs.
A. Permits Not Required. Permits are not required for the following signs; provided, that such signs are subject to all other provisions of this chapter. An electric permit is required for all exterior electronic signs.
1. Standard sign maintenance;
2. Yard, carport or garage sale signs;
3. Political signs;
4. Real estate and open house signs. See MCC 18.115.120(C) for regulations;
5. Nameplate signs for individual residences;
6. Messages painted directly on, or adhesive vinyl film affixed to, the exterior surface of existing mineral glass windows; except that the aggregate square footage of such signs shall be calculated as window signage;
7. Signs required by a county, state or federal agency provided such signs are regulated by those agencies and signs are posted per the regulations as determined by the governing agency;
8. Portable signs.
B. Exempted Signage. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
1. Pennants or insignia of any nation, state, county, city, or school;
2. Memorial plaques, statuary or remembrances of persons or events noncommercial in nature, or building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure;
3. Works of fine art, historic or cultural artifacts when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise that may derive direct commercial gain from such display;
4. Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic, religious or local holidays or events;
5. Signs that are relevant to the function of the property that are not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located, or from any public right-of-way;
6. Signs displayed within the interior of a building;
7. The placement and maintenance of official traffic, fire and police signs, signals and devices and markings of the state of Arizona and the city of Maricopa or other authorized public agency, and the posting of notices as required by law;
8. Signs displayed during recognized holidays as identification of temporary sales areas for trees and similar holiday items in conjunction with an approved temporary use permit. Such signs shall be exempted only when displayed within 30 days of the recognized holiday. [Res. 22-12; Ord. 22-03 § 2; Ord. 14-12 § 1; Res. 14-36 § 409.04.]