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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
political signs; tourism zones
Purpose
Prohibits the area of a municipality-designated commercial tourism, commercial resort and hotel sign free zone (sign free tourism zone) from exceeding 10 percent of the total area of the municipality and requires the tourism zone to have a Reock score of .20 or more.
Background
Within 71 days before a primary election and 15 days after a general
election, a city, town or county may not remove, alter, deface or cover a
political sign that: 1) is placed in a public
right-of-way owned by the jurisdiction; 2) supports or opposes a ballot measure
or candidate for office; 3) does not obstruct clear vision in the area; 4) is
not hazardous to public safety; and
5) does not interfere with the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990. The prohibition does not apply to a municipality-designated sign
free tourism zone for which the municipal governing body determines by
resolution that, based on a predominance of commercial tourism, resort and
hotel uses, the placement of political signs will detract from the scenic and
aesthetic appeal of the area and deter the area's appeal to tourists.
Municipalities may designate up to two sign free tourism zones the total area
of which may not be more than three square miles (A.R.S.
§ 16-1019).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the area of a sign free tourism zone from exceeding 10 percent of the total area of the municipality.
2. Requires a tourism zone to have a Reock score of at least .20.
3. Authorizes a municipality to establish areas within a sign free tourism zone in which political signs are allowed and requires the municipality include the areas in the calculation of the area of the sign free tourism zone.
4. Specifies that a Reock score is calculated by dividing the area of the sign free tourism zone by the area of the smallest circle that may be drawn to enclose the entire zone.
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 19, 2023
AN/slp