Tucson has a unique character, history, and identity reflected in its historic and iconic signs. On June 28, 2011, the Mayor and Council passed an ordinance to amend the Sign Code, encouraging the maintenance, restoration and reuse of historic signs.  

Documents:

  • Historic Landmark Signs Ordinance 10903 -  .pdf (120 KB)

  • Treatment Plan/Application for Historic Landmark Sign Designation - .pdf (155 KB)   Word .doc

  • Designation Terms & Conditions Form - .pdf (12.1 KB)   Word .doc

  • Proposition 207 Waiver Form - .pdf (18 KB)   Word .doc

Contacts: 
More information about who is eligible to apply for HLS designation, what types of treatments are allowed for HLS signs, and how to complete a treatment plan can be obtained from the Planning & Development Services web site at http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/signs.

Glenn Moyer, Tucson Sign Code Administrator, 837-4975
Jonathan Mabry, Tucson Historic Preservation Officer, 837-6965

 

RECENT HLS DESIGNATIONS:

#

Sign

Sign Owner / Location

Date

1)

 

 

 

Hotel Congress

311 E Congress Street

Approved Application (734 KB)
  Photo Page A - Condition Assessment (2.62 MB)
  Photo Page B - As-Built Sign (2.89 MB) Condition

Oct. 13, 2011

 

 

2)

Canyon State/Arizonan

1255 N. Stone Ave.

Approved Application (2.03 MB)

 

3)

El Con Mall

3587 E. Broadway Blvd.

Approved Application (4.78 MB)

Aug. 23, 2012

4)

Magic Carpet Golf

1255 N. Stone Ave.

Approved Application (1.07 MB)

 

5)

Medina's Sporting Goods

1255 N. Stone Ave.

Approved Application (1.11 MB)

 

6)

The Diving Girl

145 South Sixth Avenue

Approved Application (6.11 MB)

 

7)

Sparkle Cleaners

1255 N. Stone Ave.

Approved Application (2.44 MB)

Jul. 23, 2012

8)

Tropicana Motor Hotel

1255 N. Stone Ave.

Approved Application (1.91 MB)

 

9)

Wayward Winds Lodge

707 Miracle Mile

Approved Application (3.23 MB)

Feb. 21, 2012
10)  

Coronado Hotel

402 E. 9th St.

Approved Application (5.42 MB)

  



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Stories & Articles:

View stories and articles about Tucson's neon sign, their preservation, and the Historic Landmark Signs program.

January 18, 2012 - "'Neon Pueblo' lights up again as tourist draw," Arizona Daily Star

 

December, 2011 - "Neon sign will grace its corner no more: Tucson Seat Cover moving, won't be allowed to put it up," Arizona Daily Star

 

November, 2011 - "Resurrecting Neon:  Let there be lights," (17.5 MB) Arizona Highways

 

August, 2011 - "Bending the Rules: saving iconic neon in Tucson," (2.65 MB) Sign of the Times news article. 


October 19, 2010 - "Neon Artistry", segment aired on KUAZ's Arizona Illustrated. 

 

May 31, 2011 - "Restoring Neon Signs" segment aired on KUAZ's Arizona Illustrated.

 

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HISTORIC LANDMARK SIGNS - PROJECT HISTORY 

Subcommittee
An ad-hoc subcommittee of the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission was formed to work with staff. This subcommittee has 8 members, 5 with voting rights:

Name

Affiliation

Voting Status

Carlos Lozano, Chair

Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission

Voting

Demion Clinco

Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission

Voting

Jude Cook

Citizens Sign Code Commission

Voting

Lee Oler

Citizens Sign Code Commission

Voting

Steve Rendon

Historic Sign/Business Owner

Voting

Dirk Arnold

Historic Sign Advocate

Non-voting

Michael Keith (Proxy: Teresa B. Vasquez)

Downtown Tucson Partnership

Non-voting

Geno Rosburg

Sign Industry Representative

Non-voting

 

PROJECT DOCUMENTS

Agendas Meeting Materials Legal Action Report Meeting Notice*

Tues., June 28, 2011 - PUBLIC HEARING

Communication:  Tucson Sign Code Amendment, Historic Landmark Signs Ordinance
   Attachment A:  Brief Description of the Amendment
   Attachment B:  Proposed Ordinance
   Attachment C:  Flowchart Depicting the HLS Application & Designation Process
   Attachment D:  Ordinance 10903
Powerpoint Presentation:  from June 14, 2011 Study Session

     Action Summary

Tues., June 14, 2011 - STUDY SESSION

Memorandum:  Tucson Sign Code Amendment, Historic Landmark Signs Ordinance
   Attachment A:  Brief Description of the Amendment
   Attachment B:  Proposed Ordinance
   Attachment C:  Flowchart Depicting the HLS Application & Designation Process
Powerpoint Presentation 

     Action Summary

 

Web site last updated on April 30, 2013