# Sign Regulations in Arvada, Colorado

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Arvada, Colorado, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Arvada, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/arvada
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-22
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/co/arvada/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=LADECOARCO_CH6SI_ART6-1SI)

## At a glance

Arvada, Colorado regulates 94 sign types across 28 zoning districts. Projecting — Fin Signs (Secondary)s in the R13 zoning district are capped at Top ≤ 14 ft above ground level or top of wall, whichever lower tall and 8 sq ft, with a 8 ft clearance setback (Sec. 6-1-5-1D (Fin Secondary, RM column)). Most commercial signs in Arvada require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (28 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Flagpoles: 20 ft (residential); 40 ft (nonres/mixed-use) | Up to 40% of the area of a permitted host sign | — |
| OS | 21 | No part more than 15 ft above adjacent grade (general rule applies where allowed in other districts; RS bans) | Up to 50 sq ft per sign using formula | — |
| RA | 20 | Top ≤ 9 ft above ground level or top of wall (whichever lower) | Up to 50 sq ft | — |
| RN-32.5 | 14 | Top ≤ 9 ft above ground or top of wall, whichever lower | Up to 50 sq ft | — |
| RN-12.5 | 3 | As per RS standards | Up to 30% of host sign | — |
| RN-7.5 | 1 | Detached primary 6 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site 6 ft; Swing 5 ft; Projecting min clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤9 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: 1 sq ft per elevation; Window: 6 sq ft per elevation; Detached Primary: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Yard: 6 sq ft; Site: 32 sq ft; Swing: 5 sq ft; Projecting/Canopy as allowed for nonresidential only. | — |
| RN-6 | 1 | Detached primary 6 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site 6 ft; Swing 5 ft; Projecting min clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤9 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: 1 sq ft per elevation; Window: 6 sq ft per elevation; Detached Primary: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Yard: 6 sq ft; Site: 32 sq ft; Swing: 5 sq ft; Projecting/Canopy as allowed for nonresidential only. | — |
| RN-4 | 1 | Detached primary 6 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site 6 ft; Swing 5 ft; Projecting min clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤9 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: 1 sq ft per elevation; Window: 6 sq ft per elevation; Detached Primary: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Yard: 6 sq ft; Site: 32 sq ft; Swing: 5 sq ft; Projecting/Canopy as allowed for nonresidential only. | — |
| RN-D | 1 | Detached primary 6 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site 6 ft; Swing 5 ft; Projecting min clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤9 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: 1 sq ft per elevation; Window: 6 sq ft per elevation; Detached Primary: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Yard: 6 sq ft; Site: 32 sq ft; Swing: 5 sq ft; Projecting/Canopy as allowed for nonresidential only. | — |
| R6 | 1 | Detached primary 6 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site 6 ft; Swing 5 ft; Projecting min clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤9 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: 1 sq ft per elevation; Window: 6 sq ft per elevation; Detached Primary: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Yard: 6 sq ft; Site: 32 sq ft; Swing: 5 sq ft; Projecting/Canopy as allowed for nonresidential only. | — |
| R13 | 23 | No part more than 15 ft above adjacent grade | 50% of awning face | — |
| R24 | 1 | Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin Secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof signs per eave rule; Detached Primary 6 ft; Secondary Detached 3.5 ft; Yard 4 ft; Site/Banner 6 ft; Feather Flag 15 ft. | Wall (applied/painted): 1 sq ft per 2 lf of elevation (minus other wall signs); Cabinet/Dimensional Primary: 32 sq ft; Secondary: 6 sq ft; Window: 3 sq ft per sign; Awning: 50% of face; Hanging: 8 sq ft; Fin Primary: 12 sq ft; Fin Secondary: 8 sq ft; Roof: 1 sq ft per 3 lf, cap 50 sq ft; Canopy: 40% of plane; Primary Detached: up to 50 sq ft via setback formula; Secondary Detached: 4 sq ft; Temporary: Yard 8 sq ft, Site 32 sq ft (≥2 acres), Banners 48 sq ft, Feather Flag 45 sq ft, Sidewalk not allowed, Inflatables not allowed. | — |
| MX-N | 26 | Frontage ≤600 ft: 3.5 ft; >600 ft: 6 ft | Frontage ≤600 ft: 4 sq ft per sign; >600 ft: 8 sq ft per sign | — |
| MX-S | 1 | Detached primary: 6/12/24 ft by frontage; Secondary: 3.5/6 ft by frontage; Sidewalk: 4 ft; Banners/Site: 6 ft; Feather: 15 ft; Inflatables: 15 ft; Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave rule. | Wall signs: 1.5 sq ft per lf (applied/painted, dimensional primary); Cabinet primary: 1 sq ft per 2 lf up to 60 sq ft; Secondary wall: 48 sq ft; Window: 25% (>8 sq ft) or 75% (<8 sq ft); Awning: not limited (MX); Marquee: 1 sq ft per lf up to 150 sq ft; Hanging: 10 sq ft; Fin primary: 1 sq ft per lf up to 150 sq ft; Fin secondary: 8 sq ft; Roof: 1 sq ft per 3 lf up to 75 sq ft; Canopy: 60% plane; Primary Detached: aggregate 10 sq ft + 1 sq ft per 4 lf (max 125 sq ft), number 1/600 lf; Secondary Detached: 4 or 8 sq ft based on frontage; Temporary: Yard 8 sq ft, Site 32 sq ft, Sidewalk 8 sq ft, Banners 48 sq ft, Feather 45 sq ft, Inflatables 225 sq ft. | — |
| MX-U | 12 | Frontage ≤600 ft: 3.5 ft; >600 ft: 6 ft | Frontage ≤600 ft: 4 sq ft; >600 ft: 8 sq ft | — |
| MX-T | 1 | As per OT and MX,C,I respectively. | Frontage Zone (OT): see OT limits (e.g., Applied/Painted Wall 1 sq ft/lf, max 32 sq ft; min 30 sq ft if frontage <30 lf; Hanging 6 sq ft; Fin Primary 12 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 15 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane max 32 sq ft; Primary Detached 32/20/8 sq ft by form). Outside Frontage Zone (MX,C,I): Applied/Dimensional Wall 1.5 sq ft/lf; Cabinet Primary 1 sq ft/2 lf up to 60 sq ft; Window 25%/75%; Marquee up to 150 sq ft; Fin Primary up to 150 sq ft; Roof up to 75 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane; Primary Detached aggregate up to 125 sq ft with number by frontage. | — |
| OT-E | 22 | Top ≤15 ft above adjacent grade | 60% of canopy plane, max 32 sq ft per elevation | — |
| OT-EY | 1 | Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin Secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave rule; Primary Detached 4/6 ft by form; Secondary Detached 3.5 ft. | Applied/Painted Wall: SF/duplex/multiplex 8 sq ft; others 1 sq ft/lf up to 32 sq ft (min 30 sq ft if <30 lf). Dimensional Primary similar; Secondary 4 sq ft; Window 25%/>8 or 75%/<8; Awning 50% face max 32 sq ft; Hanging 6 sq ft; Fin Primary 12 sq ft; Fin Secondary 4 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 15 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane max 32 sq ft; Primary Detached: Mixed-use 32 sq ft; SF/duplex/multiplex 8 sq ft; others 20 sq ft; Secondary Detached 4 sq ft. | — |
| OT-GV | 1 | As for OT districts. | As for OT districts (see OT-E entry values). | — |
| OT-OW | 1 | As for OT districts. | As for OT districts (see OT-E values). | — |
| OT-RN | 1 | Per OT for permanent/attached; RS for detached temporary. | Attached and permanent signs follow OT; Detached Temporary signs (Yard/Site/Sidewalk/Banners/Feather/Inflatables) follow RS only for 6-1-6-2. | — |
| OT-RR | 1 | As OT: Detached Primary 4/6 ft by form; Secondary 3.5 ft; Projecting clearance 8 ft; Roof per eave rule; Canopy clearances 8/14/16 ft. | As OT generally; Detached Primary signs: same areas (32/8/20 sq ft by form) but note that in OT-RR, cabinet detached primary signs may be allowed (OT primary detached note: 'Except in OT-RR, cabinet signs are not allowed'). | — |
| OT-W | 1 | As for OT districts. | As for OT districts (see OT-E entry). | — |
| CG | 1 | Detached primary 6/12/24 ft by frontage; Secondary 3.5/6 ft; Sidewalk 4 ft; Banners/Site 6 ft; Feather/Inflatables 15 ft; Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave. | Wall applied/painted 1.5 sq ft/lf; Dimensional primary 1.5 sq ft/lf; Cabinet primary 1 sq ft/2 lf up to 60 sq ft; Secondary wall 48 sq ft; Window 25%/>8 or 75%/<8; Awning not limited; Marquee 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Hanging 10 sq ft; Fin primary 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Fin secondary 8 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 75 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane; Primary Detached aggregate 10 + 1/4 lf up to 125 sq ft; Secondary Detached 4/8 sq ft by frontage; Temporary: Yard 8 sq ft, Site 32 sq ft, Sidewalk 8 sq ft, Banners 48 sq ft, Feather 45 sq ft, Inflatables 225 sq ft. | — |
| Commercial, Neighborhood District | 1 | Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin Secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave; Detached heights per OT/CN. | Applied/Painted Wall: SF/duplex/multiplex 8 sq ft; others 1 sq ft/lf up to 32 sq ft (min 30 sq ft if <30 lf). Dimensional Primary similar; Secondary 4 sq ft; Window 25%/>8 or 75%/<8; Awning 50% face max 32 sq ft; Hanging 6 sq ft; Fin Primary 12 sq ft; Fin Secondary 4 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 15 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane max 32 sq ft; Primary Detached: Mixed-use 32 sq ft; SF/duplex/multiplex 8 sq ft; others 20 sq ft; Secondary Detached 4 sq ft; Temporary per OT/CN (Yard: 2 signs; Site: 16 sq ft; Sidewalk: 8 sq ft; Detached Banners: 48 sq ft; Feather/Inflatables: not allowed). | — |
| IL | 1 | Detached primary 6/12/24 ft by frontage; Secondary 3.5/6 ft; Sidewalk 4 ft; Banners/Site 6 ft; Feather/Inflatables 15 ft; Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave. | Wall applied/painted 1.5 sq ft/lf; Dimensional primary 1.5 sq ft/lf; Cabinet primary 1 sq ft/2 lf up to 60 sq ft; Secondary wall 48 sq ft; Window 25%/>8 or 75%/<8; Awning not limited; Marquee 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Hanging 10 sq ft; Fin primary 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Fin secondary 8 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 75 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane; Primary Detached aggregate 10 + 1/4 lf up to 125 sq ft; Secondary Detached 4/8 sq ft; Temporary: Yard 8 sq ft, Site 32 sq ft, Sidewalk 8 sq ft, Banners 48 sq ft, Feather 45 sq ft, Inflatables 225 sq ft. | — |
| IG | 1 | Detached primary 6/12/24 ft; Secondary 3.5/6 ft; Sidewalk 4 ft; Banners/Site 6 ft; Feather/Inflatables 15 ft; Projecting clearance 8 ft; Fin secondary top ≤14 ft; Roof per eave. | Wall applied/painted 1.5 sq ft/lf; Dimensional primary 1.5 sq ft/lf; Cabinet primary 1 sq ft/2 lf up to 60 sq ft; Secondary wall 48 sq ft; Window 25%/>8 or 75%/<8; Awning not limited; Marquee 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Hanging 10 sq ft; Fin primary 1 sq ft/lf up to 150 sq ft; Fin secondary 8 sq ft; Roof 1 sq ft/3 lf up to 75 sq ft; Canopy 60% plane; Primary Detached aggregate 10 + 1/4 lf up to 125 sq ft; Secondary Detached 4/8 sq ft; Temporary: Yard 8 sq ft, Site 32 sq ft, Sidewalk 8 sq ft, Banners 48 sq ft, Feather 45 sq ft, Inflatables 225 sq ft. | — |
| PUD | 1 | Per the applicable sign district assigned to each area of the PUD. | Depends on designated sign district within the PUD: OT/CN for nonresidential/mixed-use with buildings set back <5 ft from ROW; MX,C,I for nonresidential/mixed-use with buildings set back ≥5 ft; RM for multifamily with 6+ unit buildings; RS for single-family/duplex/townhome/multiplex areas. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 28 zones)

### R13

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Attached to Building Wall | No part above 8 ft above adjacent grade | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per principal building entrance | At principal building entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1B (RM column) |
| Cabinet or Dimensional Wall Signs (Secondary) | No part more than 15 ft above adjacent grade | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building entrance | Above ground-floor principal entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1B (RM column) |
| Projecting — Fin Signs (Secondary) | Top ≤ 14 ft above ground level or top of wall, whichever lower | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | 1 per principal entrance | Over/within 2 ft of principal entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1D (Fin Secondary, RM column) |
| Primary Detached Signs | 6 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from listed features | See RM table: allowed at points of entry as described | Allowed at points of entry into residential subdivisions or multifamily developments where existing/designated on approved plans. | — | 6-1-5-2 (RM column for standards mirrors RS; illumination caps in 6-1-4-1(B)(6)(c)) |
| Secondary Detached Signs | 3.5 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from property lines; ≤4 ft from inside of curb at ingress/egress | 1 per vehicular ingress point | Within 4 ft of inside of curb of vehicular ingress/egress; at least 2 ft from property lines. | — | 6-1-5-2 (RM column, Secondary Detached Signs) |
| Yard Signs (Temporary) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from property lines and signs | Residential: Not limited; Nonresidential: 1 per 80 ft | Permeable landscaped area ≥8 sq ft and ≥2 ft in any dimension. | — | 6-1-6-2 (RM column, Yard Signs) |
| Site Signs (Temporary) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | As listed | 1 per 600 ft frontage or fraction (if ≥2 acres) | Permeable landscaped areas ≥5 ft each horizontal dimension and ≥40 sq ft area. | — | 6-1-6-2 (RM column, Site Signs) |
| Feather Flags (Temporary) | 15 ft | 45 sq ft per flag | — | ≥50 ft spacing from any other temporary sign | 1 per property | Permeable landscaped area with ≥3 ft radius clear from pole. | — | 6-1-6-2 (RM column, Feather Flags) |

### MX-N

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting — Fin Signs (Secondary) | Top ≤ 14 ft above ground or top of wall, whichever lower | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | 1 per principal entrance | Over/within 2 ft of principal entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1D (Fin Secondary, MX,C,I column) |
| Primary Detached Signs | Frontage <200 ft: 6 ft; 200–600 ft: 12 ft; >600 ft: 24 ft | Aggregate cap 125 sq ft per property per formula | — | 4 ft from edges; 12 ft from walls | 1 per 600 ft frontage or fraction | Permeable landscaped area extending at least 4 ft from base in all directions; setbacks per table. | — | 6-1-5-2 (MX,C,I column); 6-1-4-1(B)(5)-(7) |
| Secondary Detached Signs | Frontage ≤600 ft: 3.5 ft; >600 ft: 6 ft | Frontage ≤600 ft: 4 sq ft per sign; >600 ft: 8 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from property lines; ≤4 ft from inside curb | 1 per vehicular ingress point | Within 4 ft of inside of curb at ingress/egress; at least 2 ft from property lines. | — | 6-1-5-2 (MX,C,I column, Secondary Detached) |
| Yard Signs (Temporary) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from property lines and other signs | 2 per vehicular access point | Permeable landscaped area ≥8 sq ft and ≥2 ft each horizontal; near access points for OT/MX,C,I: within 10 ft of access point. | — | 6-1-6-2 (MX,C,I column, Yard Signs) |
| Site Signs (Temporary) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | As listed | 1 per 600 ft frontage or fraction | Permeable landscaped area ≥5 ft each horizontal and ≥40 sq ft area. | — | 6-1-6-2 (MX,C,I column, Site Signs) |
| Sidewalk Signs (Temporary) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Maintain ≥5 ft clear sidewalk | 1 per principal building entrance | On sidewalk, hard-surfaced pedestrian plaza, or level landscaped area; placement in public ROW/easement requires revocable license. | — | 6-1-6-2 (MX,C,I column, Sidewalk Signs) |
| Feather Flags (Temporary) | 15 ft | 45 sq ft | — | ≥50 ft spacing from any other temporary sign | 1 per property | Permeable landscaped area with ≥3 ft radius clear. | — | 6-1-6-2 (MX,C,I column, Feather Flags) |
| Inflatables (Temporary) | 15 ft | 225 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines and pedestrian/vehicular areas | 1 per property | All parts set back 10 ft from all property lines, pedestrian and vehicular use areas. | — | 6-1-6-2 (MX,C,I column, Inflatables) |

### OT-E

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Attached to Building Wall | No part above 8 ft above adjacent grade | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal entrance | At principal building entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1B (Bulletin Board, OT,CN column) |
| Dimensional Wall Signs (Secondary) — Cabinet secondary not allowed | Top ≤15 ft above adjacent grade | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal entrance | Above ground floor principal building entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1B (Secondary, OT,CN column) |
| Projecting — Fin Signs (Secondary) | Top ≤14 ft above ground level or top of wall, whichever lower | 4 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | 1 per principal entrance | Over/within 2 ft of principal entrance. | — | 6-1-5-1D (Fin Secondary, OT,CN column) |
| Primary Detached Signs | SF/duplex/multiplex: 4 ft; other forms: 6 ft | Mixed-use: 32 sq ft; SF/duplex/multiplex: 8 sq ft; other forms: 20 sq ft | — | As listed | 1 per property | Permeable landscaped area or hardscaped pedestrian plaza extending ≥4 ft from base; no encroachment on sidewalk; 2 ft from property lines; within 6 ft max from building walls/vehicular areas. | — | 6-1-5-2 (OT,CN column, Primary Detached) |
| Secondary Detached Signs | 3.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | As listed | 1 per vehicular ingress point | At least 2 ft from property lines; ≤4 ft from inside of curb of vehicular ingress/egress point. | — | 6-1-5-2 (OT,CN column, Secondary Detached) |
| Yard Signs (Temporary) | 4 ft | Not specified for OT (displayed as NA in table) | — | 2 ft from property lines and signs | 2 | Near vehicular access point on property. | — | 6-1-6-2 (OT,CN column, Yard Signs) |
| Site Signs (Temporary) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | As listed | 1 per property | Permeable landscaped or hardscaped areas (not vehicular areas/sidewalks) ≥5 ft each horizontal and ≥40 sq ft area. | — | 6-1-6-2 (OT,CN column, Site Signs) |
| Sidewalk Signs (Temporary) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Maintain ≥5 ft clear sidewalk | 1 per principal entrance | Sidewalk/hard-surfaced plaza. | — | 6-1-6-2 (OT,CN column, Sidewalk Signs) |

## Prohibited signs in Arvada

- Portable signs, except as specifically permitted for detached temporary signs (Sec. 6-1-3-1.B.1; Sec. 6-1-6-2)
- Abandoned signs (Sec. 6-1-3-1.B.2)
- Animated or moving sign parts, including flashing or blinking lights, except compliant electronic message centers, standard flags, feather flags, temporary holiday displays, and clocks (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.1)
- Use of cardboard, card stock, or paper in signs, except when laminated or used as a window sign (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.2)
- Use of motor vehicles as signs unless the vehicle is operational and either dealer inventory or regularly used with current tags, signage does not interfere with immediate operation or cover windows, and vehicle is legally parked (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.3)
- Use of semi-trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units as signs unless structurally sound, used for their primary purpose, have current tags if required, display signage only incidentally, and are in designated loading or approved construction staging areas (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.4)
- Stacked products used as signage (e.g., tires, cases, bagged goods) (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.5)
- Unshielded bare light bulbs larger than C9 or brighter than 50 lumens per bulb (neon tubing excepted); all sign illumination also subject to Division 6-1-4 (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.6)
- Materials with high specular reflectivity installed to create substantial glare; retroreflective MUTCD-compliant materials are allowed (Sec. 6-1-3-1.C.7)
- Obstructing building ingress/egress (doors, egress windows, fire escapes) (Sec. 6-1-3-1.D.1)
- Obstructing movement of operable windows (Sec. 6-1-3-1.D.2)
- Obstructing equipment/structures for public safety, building operations, or utility service (e.g., standpipes, hydrants, meters) (Sec. 6-1-3-1.D.3)
- Obstructing any required sight distance triangle (Sec. 6-1-3-1.D.4)
- Mounting signs on trees or shrubs (Sec. 6-1-3-1.E.1)
- Mounting signs on utility or light poles except small banners/flags under strict conditions (size, clearance, consent) and any applicable revocable license (Sec. 6-1-3-1.E.2, F)
- Mounting signs on utility cabinets or pedestals unless applied by/with consent of the cabinet owner (Sec. 6-1-3-1.E.3)
- Mounting signs on exposed metal poles over 6 feet tall, except in MX, C, I sign districts; flags on flagpoles excepted (Sec. 6-1-3-1.E.4)
- Locating signs in or over public rights-of-way, except on authorized transit shelters/benches or under a City revocable license agreement (Sec. 6-1-3-1.F.1)
- Locating wall signs within 12 inches of building corners, cornice/eave lines, or ground planes, or within 6 inches of doors, windows, downspouts, or architectural details, except within a narrow sign band (Sec. 6-1-3-1.F.2)
- Displaying content that is harmful to minors as defined by state/federal law (Sec. 6-1-3-2.B.1)
- Displaying content that advertises unlawful activity/transactions (Sec. 6-1-3-2.B.2)
- Displaying obscene content, fighting words, defamation, incitement to imminent lawless action, or true threats (as defined by controlling law) (Sec. 6-1-3-2.B.3)
- Displaying graphics/text that create a clear and present danger due to potential confusion with traffic control signs or that provide false public safety information (e.g., misused Stop/Yield/Caution/Danger) (Sec. 6-1-3-2.B.4)

## Signs exempt from permit in Arvada

- Government signs: Signs installed/posted or required by federal, state, county, City, RTD, or school districts on property they own/control (e.g., street signs, permanent traffic control devices, temporary traffic control signs, other required/licensed signs) are exempt from this Article (Sec. 6-1-2-2.A)
- Partial exemption: Signs not visible from residential lots, abutting property not under common ownership, public rights-of-way, or properties at a higher elevation due to site/building configuration or topography (Sec. 6-1-2-2.B.1)
- Partial exemption: Signs not legible from abutting property/rights-of-way due to configuration, orientation, setback, or typeface, and with sign area not more than 32 sq ft (Sec. 6-1-2-2.B.2)
- Partial exemption: Signs applied to/painted on utility cabinets/pedestals that are in active utility use, do not interfere with that use, are not larger than 4 feet horizontal by 5 feet vertical, and have owner consent (Sec. 6-1-2-2.B.3)
- Permit exception: Routine maintenance, painting, replacing a cabinet sign panel (except adding a new manual or electronic message center), or replacing light sources with comparable character/brightness (Sec. 6-1-2-3.A)
- Permit exception: Signs required by building codes or health/safety regulations or to comply with other laws (e.g., addresses, OSHA) (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.1)
- Permit exception: One optional residential wall sign on the front elevation up to 4 sq ft (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.2)
- Permit exception: Flags within limits—up to three flagpoles per 100 ft of frontage (or fraction), max three flags per pole, no obstruction of travel/sight triangles, flag size ≤ 32 sq ft, pole height ≤ 20 ft (residential) or 40 ft (nonresidential/mixed-use) (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.3)
- Permit exception: Small signs—affixed signs ≤ 1 sq ft (one per visible elevation) and sub-1 sq ft labels on equipment/fences/walls/pumps/phones/utility cabinets (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.4)
- Permit exception: Temporary seasonal/holiday decorations (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.5)
- Permit exception: Small temporary signs that meet Division 6-1-6 standards (Sec. 6-1-2-3.B.6)

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Arvada

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Attached sign permit | $30 | cite: 15 |
| Permit Issuance | seven days (starts when submittal of a complete application) | cite: 4, 6 |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Arvada is available in PermitPal (free account)._

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 28 zoning districts in Arvada — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Arvada+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-arvada

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/arvada