# Sign Regulations in Broomfield, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Broomfield, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/broomfield
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/co/broomfield/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17-44SICO)

## At a glance

Broomfield, Colorado regulates 63 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument)s in the Low Density Residential (Nonresidential Uses within a Low Density Residential Zone District; OLPF, OS, A-1, A-1(J), A-1(A), A-2(J), A-2(A), A-3(A), E-1, E-2, E-3, R-1, R-1(J), R-1A(J), R-2(J), RC(J), RE(A), RR, RR(B)) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and ≤100 sf per sign; no single face >50 sf, with a ≥15 ft from any property line; outside sight-distance area; not in right-of-way or easements. Must be in landscaped area ≥4 sf per 1 sf of sign area (water-wise). May be affixed to an existing retaining wall not in right-of-way; minimum setback does not apply to a sign affixed to such a retaining wall. setback (Sec. B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) (Nonresidential Uses within Low Density Residential Zone District)). Most commercial signs in Broomfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | Freestanding: ≤5 feet | Lot ≤10,000 sf: ≤24 sf per flag; 10,001 sf to 1 acre: ≤50 sf; >1 acre: ≤75 sf | — |
| Planned unit development zone districts (PUD, B-1-PUD, B-2-PUD, B-PUD, I-1-PUD, 1-2-PUD, P-D(J), R-1-PUD, R-3-PUD, R-5-PUD, R-PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Low Density Residential (Residential Uses; OLPF, OS, A-1, A-1(J), A-1(A), A-2(J), A-2(A), A-3(A), E-1, E-2, E-3, R-1, R-1(J), R-1A(J), R-2(J), RC(J), RE(A), RR, RR(B)) | 12 | 8 ft | 100 sf per entry; no single face >50 sf | — |
| Low Density Residential (Nonresidential Uses within a Low Density Residential Zone District; OLPF, OS, A-1, A-1(J), A-1(A), A-2(J), A-2(A), A-3(A), E-1, E-2, E-3, R-1, R-1(J), R-1A(J), R-2(J), RC(J), RE(A), RR, RR(B)) | 14 | Per 17-44-090(G) | 150 sf (total) | — |
| Medium density residential (Residential Uses; R-3) | 13 | Per 17-44-090(G) | 100 sf per entry; no single face >50 sf | — |
| Medium density residential (Nonresidential Uses within a Medium Density Residential Zone District; R-3) | 15 | Per 17-44-090(G) | 150 sf (total) | — |
| High density residential (Residential Uses; R-5) | 13 | Per 17-44-090(G) | 200 sf total, excluding freestanding signs | — |
| High density residential (Nonresidential Uses within a High Density Residential Zone District; R-5) | 8 | Per 17-44-090(G) | 200 sf (total) | — |
| Commercial (B-1, B-2, C-1(J), C-2(J), GA); Industrial (I-1, I-1(J), I-2, I-2(J), I-3, I-3(J), LI(B)); Mixed-use zone districts (MU-1, MU-2) | 18 | ≤20 ft | ≤200 sf; no single face >100 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Low Density Residential (Nonresidential Uses within a Low Density Residential Zone District; OLPF, OS, A-1, A-1(J), A-1(A), A-2(J), A-2(A), A-3(A), E-1, E-2, E-3, R-1, R-1(J), R-1A(J), R-2(J), RC(J), RE(A), RR, RR(B))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument) | 8 ft | ≤100 sf per sign; no single face >50 sf | — | ≥15 ft from any property line; outside sight-distance area; not in right-of-way or easements. Must be in landscaped area ≥4 sf per 1 sf of sign area (water-wise). May be affixed to an existing retaining wall not in right-of-way; minimum setback does not apply to a sign affixed to such a retaining wall. | 1 per property line adjacent to a roadway | One per property line adjacent to a roadway | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) (Nonresidential Uses within Low Density Residential Zone District) |
| A-Frame Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots < 10,000 sf) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(A) |
| A-Frame Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots > 10,000 sf) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(A) |
| Banner Sign (Nonresidential Uses – All lot sizes) | 8 ft (ground); ≤roofline (building-mounted) | ≤75 sf | — | If ground-mounted: ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per establishment | Securely fastened to a building or permanent structure on private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(B) |
| Feather Sign (Nonresidential Uses – All lot sizes) | 8 ft | ≤14 sf per face (28 sf total) | — | ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per establishment | On private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(C) |
| Site Sign (Nonresidential Uses) | 8 ft | 32 sf per face (64 sf total per sign) | — | ≥10 ft from any street; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per property line abutting a roadway | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-120(D); 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts |
| Yard Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots < 10,000 sf) | 8 ft | ≤16 sf per face (32 sf total per sign); small election-period yard signs ≤6 sf per face | — | Prohibited in right-of-way and sight-distance area; set back at least a distance equal to sign height from adjacent property line. | 2 (year-round), plus election-period allowances | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses) |
| Yard Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots > 10,000 sf) | 8 ft | ≤16 sf per face (32 sf total per sign); small election-period yard signs ≤6 sf per face | — | Prohibited in right-of-way and sight-distance area; set back at least a distance equal to sign height from adjacent property line. | 3 (year-round), plus election-period allowances | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses) |

### Medium density residential (Nonresidential Uses within a Medium Density Residential Zone District; R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument) | 8 ft | ≤100 sf per sign; no single face >50 sf | — | ≥15 ft from any property line; outside sight-distance area; not in right-of-way/easement; landscaping area ≥4 sf per 1 sf of sign area; may be affixed to qualifying retaining wall as specified. | 1 per property line adjacent to a roadway | One per property line adjacent to a roadway | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) (Nonresidential Uses within Medium Density Residential Zone District) |
| Projecting Sign | Not to exceed building height | No maximum, but cumulative must not exceed maximum allowed signage for building | — | May encroach subject to clearances and safety. | 2 per building facade (corner signs count on both facades) | On building facades | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) (Nonresidential Uses within Medium Density Residential Zone District) |
| A-Frame Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots < 10,000 sf) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(A) |
| A-Frame Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots > 10,000 sf) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs (Nonresidential Uses columns); 17-44-120(A) |
| Banner Sign (Nonresidential Uses – All lot sizes) | 8 ft (ground); ≤roofline (building-mounted) | ≤75 sf | — | If ground-mounted: ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per establishment | Securely fastened to a building or permanent structure on private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses); 17-44-120(B) |
| Feather Sign (Nonresidential Uses – All lot sizes) | 8 ft | ≤14 sf per face (28 sf total) | — | ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per establishment | On private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses); 17-44-120(C) |
| Site Sign (Nonresidential Uses) | 8 ft | 32 sf per face (64 sf total per sign) | — | ≥10 ft from any street; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per property line abutting a roadway | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-120(D); 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs |
| Yard Sign (Nonresidential Uses – Lots < 10,000 sf) | 8 ft | ≤16 sf per face (32 sf total per sign); small election-period yard signs ≤6 sf per face | — | Prohibited in right-of-way and sight-distance area; set back at least a distance equal to sign height from adjacent property line. | 2 (year-round), plus election-period allowances | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(A) Temporary Signs for Residential Zone Districts (Nonresidential Uses) |

### Commercial (B-1, B-2, C-1(J), C-2(J), GA); Industrial (I-1, I-1(J), I-2, I-2(J), I-3, I-3(J), LI(B)); Mixed-use zone districts (MU-1, MU-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding – Monument Sign | ≤20 ft | ≤200 sf; no single face >100 sf | — | ≥10 ft from any street; not in sight-distance area; must be >25 ft from any residential zone district; not in right-of-way or easements. | 1 per property line adjacent to a roadway | One monument or ground sign per property line adjacent to a roadway | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) (Regulations by Sign Type – Freestanding Monument Sign) |
| Projecting Sign | Not to exceed building height | No maximum, but cumulative must not exceed maximum allowed signage for building | — | May encroach subject to clearances and safety. | 2 per building facade (corner signs count on both facades) | On building facades | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) (Regulations by Sign Type – Projecting Sign) |
| A-Frame Sign (35,000 sf or less building/tenant footprint) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total per sign) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 A-frame or feather sign per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs for Commercial, Industrial and Mixed-Use Zone Districts; 17-44-120(A) |
| A-Frame Sign (35,001–70,000 sf building/tenant footprint) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total per sign) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 2 A-frame or feather signs per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs; 17-44-120(A) |
| A-Frame Sign (Greater than 70,000 sf building/tenant footprint) | 3.5 ft | 7 sf per face (14 sf total per sign) | — | Maintain 4 ft sidewalk clearance | 3 A-frame or feather signs per establishment | On private property; maintain sidewalk clearance | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs; 17-44-120(A) |
| Banner Sign (All building/tenant footprints, including vacant properties) | 8 ft (ground); ≤roofline (building-mounted) | ≤75 sf per sign | — | If ground-mounted: ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | ≤35,000 sf: 1 per establishment; 35,001–70,000 sf: 2; >70,000 sf: 3; Vacant properties: 1 per street frontage (max 2) | On building or permanent structure on private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs – Banner |
| Feather Sign (Allowed for non-vacant properties) | 8 ft | ≤14 sf per face (28 sf total per sign) | — | ≥10 ft from property line; prohibited in sight-distance area | ≤35,000 sf: 1 per establishment; 35,001–70,000 sf: 2; >70,000 sf: 3; Vacant properties: Not allowed | On private property | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs – Feather |
| Site Sign (All building/tenant footprints, including vacant properties) | 8 ft | 32 sf per face (64 sf total per sign) | — | ≥10 ft from any street; prohibited in sight-distance area | 1 per property line abutting a roadway | On private property; permitted on fences | — | B.M.C. 17-44-130(B) Temporary Signs – Site Sign; 17-44-120(D) |

## Prohibited signs in Broomfield

- Any sign not specifically permitted by the Sign Code or exempt from a permit (17-44-060(A))
- Abandoned signs (including signs no longer used, faces removed/broken and not refaced within 90 days, or deteriorated materials not repaired within 30 days after notice); declared a public nuisance (17-44-060(B))
- Billboards (17-44-060(C))
- Rotating or moving signs (except permitted digital changeable-copy signs) (17-44-060(D))
- Inflatable devices or balloon signs (17-44-060(E))
- Flashing signs/lights and beacon lighting (holiday/seasonal decorations excluded; digital signs allowed only per 17-44-080(E)) (17-44-060(F))
- Signs dangerous or confusing to motorists (e.g., resemble/conflict with official traffic control devices or impede traffic flow) (17-44-060(G))
- Signs in a sight distance triangle or within easements (e.g., utility or drainage), other than traffic control signs (17-44-060(H))
- Signs in, on, or over public property/right-of-way without government installation/permit or an approved encroachment (revocable) permit; governmental/regulatory signs are exempt (17-44-060(I))
- Signs impeding free ingress/egress from any door, window, or exit required by building and fire codes (17-44-060(J))
- Signs that emit smoke, vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, contain open flames, or involve live animals (17-44-060(K))
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors (17-44-060(L))
- Roof signs or roof-mounted signs (17-44-060(M))
- Vehicular or trailer signs parked so as to be visible from the public right-of-way when the primary purpose is sign display (vehicular signs used in the normal course of business are separately addressed) (17-44-060(N))
- Any banner or sign suspended across a public street without permission of both the property owner and the street owner (17-44-060(O))
- Signs attached to utility poles, traffic control devices, or trees on public or private property (17-44-060(P))

## Signs exempt from permit in Broomfield

- Signs entirely inside a building or structure and not visible from outside (17-44-030(A)(1)(i))
- A sign carried or worn by a person (17-44-030(A)(1)(ii))
- Governmental and regulatory signs; signs required by law (e.g., legal notices); bus stop/shelter signs are treated as governmental and issued a separate revocable permit (17-44-030(A)(1)(iii), 17-44-090(A))
- Substitution clause: message/copy may be changed without approval or permit if size/structure are not altered; noncommercial copy may be substituted for commercial copy on any lawful sign (17-44-030(C))
- Holiday or seasonal decorations, displayed no more than 60 consecutive days (17-44-090(B))
- Display signs installed per 17-44-110(C) (permit-exempt) (17-44-090(C))
- Flags within limits (not in right-of-way; number/size based on lot size; flagpole height consistent with max building height in the zone) (17-44-090(D))
- Vehicular signs on vehicles used/parked in the normal course of business where the primary purpose is not sign display and parked/stored in customary areas (17-44-090(E))
- Incidental signs up to 4 sq ft in residential zones and up to 10 sq ft in commercial/industrial/mixed-use zones (or larger if required by law); permitted on fences (17-44-090(F))
- Directional signs meeting general limits (max 8 sq ft double-faced for freestanding; max 16 sq ft double-faced for wall/projecting; 5 ft max height for freestanding; illumination allowed per code) (17-44-090(G))
- Temporary signs (including A-frame, banner, feather, site, and yard signs) that comply with 17-44-120 are exempt from standard permit requirements (17-44-090(H), 17-44-120)
- Window signs installed per 17-44-110(I) (permit-exempt) (17-44-090(I))
- Art/murals without commercial messaging are exempt from sign regulations; any portion determined to be art is exempt, while commercial messaging within a mural counts toward sign area and is regulated (17-44-110(F))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- PUD signage: All signs in planned unit development (PUD) zones must comply with the signage standards in the approved PUD plan or other site-specific development plan; if no specific sign standards exist, apply the comparable non-PUD zone standards (17-44-100(A)(2))
- Digital signs beyond generally allowed contexts require express authorization in the applicable zoning document (e.g., PUD plan); must meet 17-44-080(E) or include alternative standards demonstrating exceptional/unique circumstances (17-44-080(E)(2))
- Administrative adjustment: The city and county manager or designee may grant minor adjustments to sign standards (e.g., area/height modifications of about 10% or more if needed for minimum legibility) upon specified findings (17-44-160)
- Special exceptions (variance-like process): Permanent signs that do not meet the sign code may be approved via a public hearing—Neighborhood Board of Adjustment for sign-only cases, or Land Use Review Commission/City Council when combined with other land use cases; prohibited sign types cannot be approved; decision criteria and notice apply (17-44-170)
- Sign permit required: It is unlawful to erect, maintain, alter, or relocate any sign requiring a permit without city approval; additional permits (e.g., electrical, right-of-way revocable encroachment, special event, public-private improvement permit) may also be required depending on the sign (17-44-070)
- Encroachments/ROW: Projecting signs may extend into right-of-way only with required clearances; other encroachments into right-of-way require a revocable permit (17-44-080(C)(2), 17-44-060(I), 17-44-070(C)(2))
- Appeals: Sign permit decisions and nonconforming status determinations may be appealed to the Neighborhood Board of Adjustment within 30 days (17-44-070(C)(7), 17-44-040(B)(2))
- Nonconforming signs: Legal nonconforming signs may continue under limits; if not maintained, they must be brought into conformance or the owner may apply for an administrative adjustment or special exception (17-44-040(A)(3))

## 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 9 zoning districts in Broomfield — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Broomfield+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-broomfield

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