6 Weeks Into the New Goodyear Sign Ordinance – Enforcement

Goodyear City Council Chambers

Six weeks ago, June 26th, @GoodyearAZGov City Council adopted the updated sign ordinance as proposed by City Staff.The City has a quick synopsis of the sign rules and links for more information agents and their clients should read.

WeMAR had given its input to Staff and City Council verbally and in written communications over several months leading up to the vote. I even met with Staff in 2016 and gave them a copy of our White Paper.

At the June 26th Council meeting, the Council adopted the current ordinance without changes we had proposed at the meeting and a week before the meeting, but they did leave the door open to consider some of the issues raised by WeMAR in the future.

Here are a couple of items agents, brokers and property owners may want to keep in mind:
– Maximum 4 temporary directional signs
– Temporary directional signs do not need a permit
– Maximum height of a property sign is 3’
– 1 “for sale” or “for lease” sign per property
– No signs attached to the back fence, even if the property backs up to a busy road
– Sign on the property may have a maximum copy area of 6 square feet.

You may read the full sign ordinance, Article 7 or read the temporary signage rules in Article 7-9 (pg. 7-24). Article 7-9 (pg. 2-28) spells out “for sale” and “for lease” temporary signage rules on commercial properties.

Agents and brokers should be aware, the Goodyear Police Department and Code Enforcement are enforcing the sign code. I received an email from a member who was informed she could have only 4 directional signs.

Brokers: If you or one of your agents has had a notice of violation, warning or had a sign taken by the City, please let me know. I am available to speak at your office meetings as well. I am currently forming a workgroup to pursue the most needed changes to the Goodyear Sign Ordinance over the course of 2018. If you or one of your agents would like to join, please let me know.

Keep in mind this provision not only affects real estate licensees, it affects property owners and small business throughout the City. Garage sales, businesses using directional signage at a driveway, and other forms of temporary signage used in business and on residential property such as window signs and banners are all limited by code. Agents should inform their clients as well.