Sign Regulations in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Construction Site Sign, Noncommercial Nonresidential Sign, Awning Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 30, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Boulder, Colorado
Sample Sign Requirements in Boulder
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noncommercial Residential Sign | 7 feet | 32 square feet | Set back at least 18 inches from any public sidewalk adjacent to a street |
| Construction Site Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet per face | Exempt from setback requirements |
| Subdivision Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet per face | Set back at least 10 feet from any public right-of-way |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
13
- Construction Site Sign
- Noncommercial Nonresidential Sign
- Awning Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Boulder
Other Cities in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Boulder vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Boulder, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Boulder, regulated sign types include Construction Site Sign, Noncommercial Nonresidential Sign, Awning Sign, Freestanding Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Boulder vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Boulder are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Boulder has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Boulder, Colorado Sign Rules at a Glance
Boulder, Colorado regulates 13 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Downtown, Mixed Use, and Business - Transitional Districts (BMS, BT-1, BT-2, MU, DT) zoning district are capped at 25 feet tall and 100 square feet, with a No setback required in BMS, DT, and MU-1 districts setback (Sec. (d)(6)). Most commercial signs in Boulder require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Boulder, Colorado
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Boulder (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential and Agricultural Districts (RR, RE, RL, RM, RMX, RH, A) | 3 | 7 feet | 32 square feet | Yes |
| Public District (P) | 2 | 7 feet | 16 square feet per face | No |
| Downtown, Mixed Use, and Business - Transitional Districts (BMS, BT-1, BT-2, MU, DT) | 8 | 25 feet | 150 square feet | Yes |
| Business - Community, Business - Commercial Services, Business - Regional, and Industrial Districts not in the B.V.R.C. (BC-1, BC-2, BCS, BR-1, BR-2, IS-1, IS-2, IG, IM, IMS) | 5 | No part above 25 ft above grade (except as permitted on parapet) | Max 150 sq ft | — |
| Boulder Valley Regional Center and Regional Business Districts (BR-1) | 6 | 25 feet | 150 square feet | Yes |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | Yes |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Boulder(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Downtown, Mixed Use, and Business - Transitional Districts (BMS, BT-1, BT-2, MU, DT)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 150 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to a marquee or canopy over an entry to the building | Yes | Unlock | (d)(1) |
| Banner | 20 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | Business or industrial zoning district | Yes | Unlock | (d)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — | No setback required in BMS, DT, and MU-1 districts | 1 per street frontage | Adjacent to street frontage | Yes | Unlock | (d)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | May not project beyond the minimum required building setback line | 1 per ground level tenant | Projecting over private property | Yes | Unlock | (d)(10) |
| Suspended Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to an architectural projection | Yes | Unlock | (d)(13) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On a face of a building | Yes | Unlock | (d)(14) |
| Noncommercial Nonresidential Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Unlock | (d)(8) |
| Construction Site Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet per face | — | Exempt from setback requirements | 1 per street frontage | Displayed only on the property to which the sign pertains | No | Unlock | (c)(1)(A) |
Business - Community, Business - Commercial Services, Business - Regional, and Industrial Districts not in the B.V.R.C. (BC-1, BC-2, BCS, BR-1, BR-2, IS-1, IS-2, IG, IM, IMS)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by setback (see 9-9-21(d)(6)); generally lesser of 25 ft or 1.25x building height. | Max sign area: 100 sq ft; max sign face: 50 sq ft (unless otherwise specified) | — | 10 ft for signs ≤7 ft; 25 ft for signs >7 ft; not less than 25 ft from adj. residential zone line. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | 9-9-21(e)(2) Table 9-9; 9-9-21(d)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | Up to 12 ft above sidewalk or up to roof line; min 8 ft above sidewalk | Max 18 sq ft over public property; 24 sq ft over private property | — | — | 1 per ground level tenant | On exterior wall | — | Unlock | 9-9-21(d)(10) |
| Wall Sign | No part above 25 ft above grade (except as permitted on parapet) | Based on percentage formula above | Max length 70% of wall/leased space width. | — | No strict limit | On exterior walls | — | Unlock | 9-9-21(d)(14) |
| Awning Sign | See 9-9-21(d)(1) | Max 150 sq ft | — | — | No strict limit | On awning/marquee/canopy | — | Unlock | 9-9-21(d)(1) |
| Banner | 20 ft incl appurtenance | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Unlock | 9-9-21(d)(2) |
Boulder Valley Regional Center and Regional Business Districts (BR-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 150 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to a marquee or canopy over an entry to the building | Yes | Unlock | (d)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — | Varies with setback; see paragraph (d)(6) of this section | 1 per street frontage | Adjacent to street frontage | Yes | Unlock | (d)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | May not project beyond the minimum required building setback line | 1 per ground level tenant | Projecting over private property | Yes | Unlock | (d)(10) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On a face of a building | Yes | Unlock | (d)(14) |
| Noncommercial Nonresidential Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Unlock | (d)(8) |
| Construction Site Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet per face | — | Exempt from setback requirements | 1 per street frontage | Displayed only on the property to which the sign pertains | No | Unlock | (c)(1)(A) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Boulder — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Boulder — start freeProhibited Signs in Boulder
- No person shall display, construct, erect, alter, use, or maintain any sign in the City except in conformance with the provisions of this section.
- No person shall display, alter, use, maintain, or enlarge any legal, nonconforming sign except in conformity with the provisions of this section.
- No person shall perform or order the performance of any act contrary to the provisions of this section or fail to perform any act required by the provisions of this section.
- No person shall display, construct, erect, alter, or relocate any sign without first applying to the city manager and obtaining a permit under this section.
- No person shall erect, install, post, display, or maintain any of the following signs: Animal, Flashing, Height, High Window, Illuminated, Illusion, Moving, Non-Appurtenant or Off-Premises, Obstructing, Projected Image, Roof, Sound, String of Lights, Traffic Vision Obstruction, Unsafe, Vehicular, Wind, Bicycles.
Exempt Signs in Boulder
- Construction site signs not exceeding sixteen square feet erected by a licensed construction contractor on property on which it is working.
- Up to three different flags per property, subject to specific restrictions.
- One garage sale sign per property in an agricultural or residential district for a period not to exceed ten consecutive days and not more than twice in a calendar year.
- One lost animal sign per property placed on private property with the permission of the owner for a period not to exceed ten consecutive days.
- Noncommercial signs that do not identify or advertise a product, service, or business or impede traffic safety.
- Private traffic directional signs guiding or directing vehicular or pedestrian traffic onto or off of a property or within a property that do not exceed three square feet per face in area and six feet in height.
- One temporary, non-illuminated real estate sign per property or per dwelling unit street frontage.
- Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any federal, state, or city law.
- Residential wind signs in a residential or an agricultural zone.
- Utility warning signs not exceeding sixteen square feet erected by a public utility within a utility easement on property on which it is working.
- Vehicular signs if not prohibited by this section.
- Non-illuminated window signs of no more than four square feet in area and placed no more than twenty-five feet above finished grade.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Boulder
- The owner of a multi-tenant or multiple use property or an agent of the owner shall apply for all sign permits for the property or shall develop a plan for apportioning permitted sign area among tenants and file such plan with the city manager.
- If a condition of site review development approval requires a uniform sign program, the owner or developer of the site review development shall submit a uniform sign program to the city manager for approval prior to the issuance of any sign permits within the planned unit development.
Source: municode municipal code