# Sign Regulations in Denver, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Denver, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/denver
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-05
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/10/community-planning-and-development/documents/zoning/denver-zoning-code/denver_zoning_code_article10_design_standards.pdf#page=79)

## At a glance

Denver, Colorado regulates 94 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Projecting Sign - Campus Districts (General)s in the Campus Zone Districts (CMP-H, CMP-H2, CMP-EI, CMP-EI2, CMP-ENT, CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F, CMP-NWC-R) zoning district are capped at Bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor (whichever higher); top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor; must not exceed parapet height. tall, Projecting sign volume is counted 1 cu ft = 1 sq ft of allowed sign area from district totals., and May project ≤5 ft out from building wide, with a Must meet clearance and projection limits; otherwise governed by building setbacks. setback (Sec. 10.10.4.4 (general projecting calc) and 10.10.7.2 (tables for CMP districts re projecting)). Most commercial signs in Denver require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 39 | 25 ft (if mounted to a single pole) | 100 square inches per sign (except golf tee box signs) | — |
| Single Unit Zone Districts (S-SU-A, S-SU-D, S-SU-Fx, S-SU-F, S-SU-FA, S-SU-Ix, S-SU-I, E-SU-A, E-SU-B, E-SU-D, E-SU-Dx, E-SU-G, U-SU-A, U-SU-A2, U-SU-B, U-SU-B2, U-SU-C, U-SU-C2, U-SU-E, U-SU-H) | 5 | 20 ft above grade | Per sign implicitly constrained by zone-lot totals (60 or 80 sq ft) and per-sign 20 sq ft max for "All Others" | — |
| Multi-Unit Zone Districts (S-RH-2.5, S-MU-3, S-MU-5, S-MU-8, S-MU-12, S-MU-20, E-TU-B, E-TU-C, E-TH-2.5, E-MU-2.5, U-TU-B, U-TU-B2, U-TU-C, U-RH-2.5, U-RH-3A, G-RH-3, G-MU-3, G-MU-5, G-MU-8, G-MU-12, G-MU-20, M-RH-3, MHC) | 5 | 25 ft above grade | Max 100 sq ft | — |
| Campus Zone Districts (CMP-H, CMP-H2, CMP-EI, CMP-EI2, CMP-ENT, CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F, CMP-NWC-R) | 8 | Wall/window: 25 ft; Ground: 12 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor; top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor. | Per above; overall cap 200 sq ft per lot | — |
| Residential Mixed Use Zone Districts (E-RX-3, E-RX-5, U-RX-3, U-RX-5, G-RO-3, G-RO-5, G-RX-3, G-RX-5, C-RX-5, C-RX-8, C-RX-12, M-RX-3, M-RX-5, M-RX-5A) | 3 | Wall/window/arcade: 25 ft for most uses; lodging/office/bank signs may extend to roof line; Ground: 25 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft, top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor. | Per formulas above; per-sign caps up to 300 sq ft (lodging) or 200 sq ft (All Others under some formulas). | — |
| Mixed Use 2x, Suburban Neighborhood Context Mixed Use 2A, and Main Street 2x Zone Districts (S-MX-2x, S-MX-2A, E-MX-2x, E-MS-2x, U-MX-2x, U-MS-2x) | 3 | Wall/window/arcade: 25 ft for most uses; lodging/office/bank signs may extend to roof line; Ground: 25 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft, top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/Street Level floor. | Per formulas; per sign caps 200–300 sq ft depending on use. | — |
| Mixed Use Commercial Zone Districts – Tier 1 (S-CC-3x, S-CC-5x, S-MX-2, S-MX-3A, S-MX-3, S-MX-5A, S-MX-5, S-MX-8A, S-MX-8, S-MX-12A, S-MX-12, E-CC-3x, E-MX-2A, E-MX-2, E-MX-3A, E-MX-3, E-MS-2, U-MX-2, U-MX-3, U-MS-2, G-MX-3, C-MX-3, C-MX-5, C-MX-8, C-MX-12, C-MX-16, C-MX-20, M-MX-5, M-IMX-5, M-IMX-8, M-IMX-12, M-GMX) | 3 | 25 ft above grade | Per formulas; per sign 200–300 sq ft; per use up to 600 sq ft. | — |
| Mixed Use Commercial Zone Districts – Tier 2 (S-CC-3, S-CC-5, S-MS-3, S-MS-5, E-CC-3, E-MS-3, E-MS-5, U-MS-3, U-MS-5, G-MS-3, G-MS-5, C-MS-5, C-MS-8, C-MS-12, M-CC-5) | 3 | Wall/window: roof line of building; Ground/arcade: 32 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft, top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor. | Per formulas; per sign up to 200 sq ft; per use up to 600 sq ft. | — |
| Industrial Zone Districts (I-MX-3, I-MX-5, I-MX-8, I-MX-12, I-A, I-B) | 6 | Wall/window: roof line; Ground/arcade: 32 ft. | Per formulas; per sign 200–300 sq ft; per use up to 600 sq ft. | — |
| Downtown Zone Districts (D-LD, D-CV, D-GT, D-AS, D-AS-12+, D-AS-20+, D-CPV-T, D-CPV-R, D-CPV-C, D-C, D-TD) | 6 | Wall/window/projecting/arcade signs may extend above roof line subject to district sign plan; ground signs max 50 ft. | Per formulas; per use ≤600 sq ft; per sign limited by 200–300 sq ft caps only indirectly via general downtown limits (not restated here). | — |
| Open Space and O-1 Zone Districts (OS-B, OS-C, O-1) | 3 | 25 ft above grade | Per sign ≤300 sq ft; total per use ≤600 sq ft. | — |
| Cherry Creek North Zone Districts (C-CCN) | 6 | 25 ft above grade | Per sign ≤200 sq ft; per use ≤600 sq ft. | — |
| Civic Center Area (multiple underlying downtown and adjacent districts) | 7 | 15 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| Billboard Use Overlay District (UO-2) | 3 | 45 ft above grade generally; up to 25 ft above roadway surface for devices within 200 ft of elevated streets/viaducts with messages oriented to that facility | 672 sq ft per message surface + 80 sq ft extension | — |
| DO-6 Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| DIA Zone District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs for a Public Purpose | No maximum – as authorized by applicable law/statute/ordinance | No maximum – as authorized by applicable law/statute/ordinance | — | — | No limit – as authorized by applicable law/statute/ordinance | Any location as authorized by the law, statute or ordinance | — | 10.10.3.1.A |
| Name & Address Sign / Cautionary Sign (Wall) | 10 ft above grade | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 per street front per use by right, or 2 per dwelling unit (combined wall and ground). | On wall of building on the premises | — | 10.10.3.1.B |
| Name & Address Sign / Cautionary Sign (Ground) | 10 ft above grade | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 per street front per use by right, or 2 per dwelling unit (combined wall and ground). | On ground on the premises | — | 10.10.3.1.B |
| Cornerstone / Commemorative / Historical Sign (Ground) | 6 ft above grade | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 per zone lot | On ground on the zone lot | — | 10.10.3.1.C |
| Individual Building ID Sign (Wall) | 12 ft above grade | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 4 per building (combined wall and ground). | On wall of individual buildings within institutional or residential building group complexes | — | 10.10.3.1.D |
| Relocated Business Sign (Ground) | 6 ft above grade | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum from front lot line | Not explicitly specified – implied 1 per relocated business | Ground sign on the original zone lot, min 5 ft from front line | — | 10.10.3.1.K |
| Residential Development Identification Sign (Off-Premise) - Wall | 6 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per face | — | Min 5 ft from every street ROW line | Max 6 per project; at most 2 per 600 ft per side of street | Wall sign off-premise identifying new residential developments; at least 5 ft from every street ROW line | — | 10.10.3.2.G |
| Residential Development Identification Sign (Off-Premise) - Ground | 6 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per face | — | Min 5 ft from every street ROW line | Same limits as wall | Ground sign off-premise, min 5 ft from every street ROW line | — | 10.10.3.2.G |

### Campus Zone Districts (CMP-H, CMP-H2, CMP-EI, CMP-EI2, CMP-ENT, CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F, CMP-NWC-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Identification Sign - CMP-H / CMP-EI (Wall / Window / Ground / Canopy / Projecting) | Wall/window: 25 ft; Ground: 12 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor; top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor. | Per above formulas; projecting sign "volume" also counts against these totals (1 cu ft volume = 1 sq ft sign area). | — | Wall/window: same setback as building; Ground: 5 ft from boundaries. | Projecting: 1 per street on which user has frontage and entry OR 1 at building corner where user has 2 frontages; all other sign types: max 2 per front line of lot (CMP-H/CMP-EI) or as per CMP-H2/ENT rows below | Wall/window signs set back same as buildings; may project permitted depth into setback. Ground signs set at least 5 ft from every boundary line. Projecting signs subject to additional placement limits (see separate entries). | — | 10.10.7.2 (tables for CMP-H/CMP-EI; CMP-H2/CMP-EI2; CMP-ENT/NWC) |
| Permanent Identification Sign - CMP-H2 / CMP-EI2 (Wall / Window / Ground / Projecting / Canopy / Arcade) | Wall/window/arcade: per CMP-H2/CMP-EI2 height row (text references "*" with lodging/bank allowed to roof line; 25 ft for most other uses). Ground: 25 ft. Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft; top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor. | Per formulas; caps noted above. | — | Wall/arcade: same as building; Ground: 5 ft from all boundaries. | Projecting: 1 per street with frontage+entry or 1 at corner; all other signs: greater of 5 signs or 2 signs per front line per use. | Wall/window/arcade: setback same as building; wall signs may project permitted depth into setback. Ground: min 5 ft from all boundaries; max 1 ground sign per street front. Projecting: see separate projecting row. | — | 10.10.7.2 tables (Maximum Number, Maximum Sign Area, Maximum Height, Location, Illumination, Animation) |
| Permanent Identification Sign - CMP-ENT / CMP-NWC / CMP-NWC-C / CMP-NWC-G / CMP-NWC-F / CMP-NWC-R (Wall / Window / Ground / Projecting / Canopy / Arcade) | Dwellings/most uses: 25 ft; Lodging, office, bank wall/window signs may extend to roof line; Ground and arcade: 32 ft; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft; top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor. | Per formulas above. | — | Wall/arcade: same as building; Ground: ≥5 ft from boundaries. | Projecting: 1 per frontage with entry or 1 at corner; all other signs: greater of 5 signs or 3 signs per front line per use (CMP-ENT/NWC). | Wall/window/arcade: must be set back like building; wall signs may project into setback. Ground: min 5 ft from all boundaries; max 1 ground sign per street front. Projecting: may project ≤5 ft; must not exceed parapet height; min separation 8 ft between projecting signs. | — | 10.10.7.2 (CMP-ENT and CMP-NWC tables for area/height/location/illumination) and 10.10.8 (District Sign Plan) |
| Projecting Sign - Campus Districts (General) | Bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor (whichever higher); top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/finished floor; must not exceed parapet height. | Projecting sign volume is counted 1 cu ft = 1 sq ft of allowed sign area from district totals. | May project ≤5 ft out from building | Must meet clearance and projection limits; otherwise governed by building setbacks. | 1 projecting per street frontage with entry, or 1 at corner for two-frontage user | On building facade with direct street access on Street Level (projecting signs prohibited for uses without direct street access). | — | 10.10.4.4 (general projecting calc) and 10.10.7.2 (tables for CMP districts re projecting) |
| Temporary Construction/Real Estate Sign - CMP-H / CMP-H2 / CMP-EI / CMP-EI2 (Wall / Ground) | 12 ft above grade | Per above by district | — | At least 5 ft from every boundary line | 1 per zone lot or designated land area | Wall or ground on zone lot or designated land area in CMP-H, CMP-H2, CMP-EI, CMP-EI2 | — | 10.10.7.3.A-C.2, D.1, E-G |
| Temporary Construction/Real Estate Sign - CMP-ENT / CMP-NWC / CMP-NWC-C / CMP-NWC-G / CMP-NWC-F / CMP-NWC-R (Wall / Ground / Window) | 25 ft above grade | Per above; overall cap 200 sq ft per lot | — | Min 5 ft from all boundaries | 1 per zone lot or designated land area | Wall, ground, or window on zone lot or designated land area in CMP-ENT or CMP-NWC group | — | 10.10.7.3.A.2, C.3, D.2, F, G |
| Joint Identification Sign - Campus (CMP-H2, CMP-EI2, CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F, CMP-NWC-R) (Wall / Ground) | 20 ft above grade | 200 sq ft max | — | 5 ft from all boundaries where structures must be set back; otherwise none | 1 wall or 1 ground joint ID sign per front line of zone lot | Wall or ground on same zone lot as 3 or more primary uses (excluding parking) | — | 10.10.7.4.A-G |
| District Sign Plan - CMP-NWC Family (All Sign Types including Billboards) | Generally cannot exceed maximum building-form height of zone; temporary portable signs/Special Lighting Elements may exceed during limited special-event time; roof signs may extend above roofline but not above maximum building height allowed. | No maximum unless limited in District Sign Plan | — | None required by zoning code; still must meet Building/Fire Code. | No maximum unless District Sign Plan sets one | No minimum setback; may project into public ROW subject to encroachment approvals; may be on vacant lots; subareas with differing sign regimes within CMP-NWC family. | — | 10.10.8.1–10.10.8.7, 10.10.8.4.D–M |

### Industrial Zone Districts (I-MX-3, I-MX-5, I-MX-8, I-MX-12, I-A, I-B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Identification Sign - I-MX (Wall / Window / Ground / Projecting / Canopy / Arcade) | Arcade signs: 20 ft; Ground: 32 ft; Wall/window: roof line of building; Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft, top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor. | Per formulas; per sign 200–300 sq ft; per use up to 600 sq ft. | — | 5 ft from boundaries where structural setbacks required; none where not required. | Projecting: 1 per frontage; others: max(5, 2 per front line) per use | Projecting: may project ≤5 ft; must not exceed parapet; ≥8 ft apart. All other signs: at least 5 ft from every boundary line in districts requiring structural setbacks; wall signs may project into setback; no more than 5 signs per street front. | — | 10.10.13.2 (I-MX-3, -5, -8, -12 columns) |
| Permanent Identification Sign - I-A / I-B (Wall / Window / Ground / Canopy / Arcade) | Wall/window: roof line; Ground/arcade: 32 ft. | Per formulas; per sign up to 200 sq ft; per use up to 600 sq ft. | — | 5 ft from boundaries where structural setback required; otherwise none. | Max(5, 3 per front line) per use | All signs: set back at least 5 ft from every boundary line in districts requiring setbacks; otherwise no setback; wall signs may project into setback; in districts without building setback, wall signs adjacent to ROW may project into ROW per D.R.M.C. 49-436; no more than 5 signs per street front. | — | 10.10.13.2 (I-A and I-B column) |
| Projecting Sign - I-MX (see Mixed Use Commercial Tier 1 rules) | Bottom ≥8 ft; top ≤15 ft above sidewalk/Street Level finished floor; not above parapet | — | ≤5 ft projection from building face | Projection and clearance standards apply; otherwise follow building setbacks. | 1 projecting per frontage with entry or 1 at corner | On buildings with direct street access at Street Level; not allowed for uses without such access. | — | 10.10.13.2 (I-MX-3,-5,-8,-12) plus 10.10.4.4 |
| Temporary Construction/Real Estate Sign - I-MX (Wall / Window / Ground) | 20 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per front line | — | At least 5 ft from every boundary line in I-MX districts requiring structural setbacks | 1 per front line | Wall, window, or ground in I-MX zones | — | 10.10.13.3.B.1, C.1, D.1, F-G |
| Temporary Construction/Real Estate Sign - I-A / I-B (Wall / Window / Ground) | 25 ft above grade | 64 sq ft per front line; ≤32 sq ft per sign | — | No location limitations ("No limitations" for I-A/B) | 2 per front line | Wall, window, or ground in I-A and I-B districts | — | 10.10.13.3.B.2, C.2, D.2, E.2, F-G |
| Joint Identification Sign - Industrial (Wall / Ground) | 25 ft above grade | 200 sq ft per lot | — | 5 ft from all boundaries | 1 joint ID sign per front line | On same lot as 3 or more uses by right (excluding parking) | — | 10.10.13.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Denver

- All signs across all districts are prohibited from displaying or exhibiting obscene content or explicit sexual material where visible from any public streets, sidewalks, transportation facilities, or other public rights-of-way, including: pictorial material that is obscene; statements or words describing explicit sexual acts, sexual organs, or excrement where such statements or words have as their purpose or effect sexual arousal or gratification; pictorial material depicting a person’s genitals, pubic hair, perineum, anus, or anal region; or pictorial material depicting explicit sexual acts (Section 10.10.2.2).
- Signs subject to the CMP-NWC District Sign Plan (including those incorporated into Special Lighting Elements) are likewise prohibited from displaying or exhibiting obscene or explicit sexual material visible from public streets, sidewalks, transportation facilities, and other public rights-of-way, under the same content restrictions as in Section 10.10.2.2 (Section 10.10.8.4.O).

## Signs exempt from permit in Denver

- Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance may be erected in all districts without a zoning sign permit and may be of any type, number, area, height, location, illumination or animation authorized by that law, statute or ordinance (Section 10.10.3.1.A).
- Outdoor general advertising devices required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance may be erected in all districts without a zoning permit and may be of any type, number, area, height, location, illumination or animation authorized by that law, statute or ordinance (Section 10.10.21.2.B.1).
- Outdoor general advertising devices in the nature of decorations clearly incidental and customary to any national, local or religious holiday or public health, safety or welfare campaign are exempt from permitting if displayed not more than 60 consecutive days nor more than 60 days in any one year, and may be of any type, number, area, height, location or illumination (Section 10.10.21.2.B.2).
- Signs that are exempt from permitting under the Denver Revised Municipal Code or this Zoning Code do not become subject to zoning or building permits solely because they are located in the CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F or CMP-NWC-R districts and are addressed by the District Sign Plan, unless the District Sign Plan expressly requires otherwise (Section 10.10.8.3.C).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Comprehensive Sign Plan for large facilities: Large facilities in MU, RX, RO, Mixed Use Commercial, or nonresidential zone districts that meet minimum size/contiguity thresholds may have signs according to an approved comprehensive sign plan. Such a plan is optional unless otherwise required, and must be reviewed and approved under Section 12.4.15, Comprehensive Sign Plan Review Procedure (Section 10.10.3.3.A–C).
- Under a Comprehensive Sign Plan, sign types allowed may include all sign types allowed by Division 10.10 for any zone district (except billboards), and may vary certain standards (type, size, location, and joint identification sign requirements) while not increasing total number of signs or cumulative maximum sign area (Section 10.10.3.3.D). Section 10.10.3.1 signs remain allowed without inclusion; Section 10.10.3.2 signs require inclusion to be used (Section 10.10.3.3.D.1).
- Comprehensive Sign Plan review/establishment: Requests to establish, modify, or repeal a comprehensive sign plan must follow the Comprehensive Sign Plan Review Procedure in Section 12.4.15, which includes a formal application, administrative review, and decision (Section 10.10.3.3.C).
- CMP-NWC District Sign Plan: The CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F and CMP-NWC-R zone districts may have signs and Special Lighting Elements only in accordance with a single approved District Sign Plan. All signs expressly allowed through Section 10.10.8 must conform to this District Sign Plan (Section 10.10.8.1 and 10.10.8.8).
- Applicability of CMP-NWC District Sign Plan: The District Sign Plan governs (1) signs located in CMP-NWC, CMP-NWC-C, CMP-NWC-G, CMP-NWC-F, CMP-NWC-R that are permitted by the plan, and (2) Special Lighting Elements located in those districts and permitted by the plan. Signs otherwise permitted by Division 10.10 generally remain under base rules, except that minimum pixel pitch for digital illumination in Section 10.10.8.4.B applies to them (Section 10.10.8.3).
- CMP-NWC District Sign Plan content and standards: The District Sign Plan must define allowed sign types (including sign types not otherwise allowed in the Code), Special Lighting Elements, locations, heights, maximum areas (if any), subarea methodologies, design standards, mitigation measures, and review criteria. It can vary sign regulations by subarea within the plan (Sections 10.10.8.4, 10.10.8.6, 10.10.8.7, 10.10.8.4.P).
- CMP-NWC District Sign Plan process: A single District Sign Plan is adopted via Planning Board approval following Community Planning and Development review, mailed/electronic notices to neighborhood organizations and council members, and satisfaction of criteria in Section 10.10.8.9. Initiation may come from specified City officials or property owners. Planning Board’s decision may be appealed to District Court (Sections 10.10.8.5–10.10.8.9).
- Minor deviations from CMP-NWC District Sign Plan: Community Planning and Development may authorize minor deviations for individual signs or Special Lighting Elements when necessary due to technical/engineering considerations or future technology and after notifying affected council members and neighborhood organizations. Deviations are barred if they worsen impacts beyond the plan, exceed certain projecting sign allowances, or change sign type/illumination/animation not allowed by the plan. Other deviations require a formal amendment to the District Sign Plan (Section 10.10.8.10).
- Supplemental Plans under CMP-NWC District Sign Plan: Where the District Sign Plan requires, no sign or Special Lighting Element may be installed in specified areas until a Supplemental Plan is approved. Applicants submit Supplemental Plans to Community Planning and Development; the Zoning Administrator decides within 45 days to approve, approve with conditions, or deny, using criteria consistent with Section 10.10.8.9. Approval acts as an amendment to the District Sign Plan. Decisions may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment and then District Court (Section 10.10.8.11).
- D-TD Downtown Theater District Sign Plan: The D-TD district may have signs in accordance with a single approved district sign plan that can allow outdoor general advertising devices and alter size, type, location, illumination, and animation, including allowing flashing and animated signs contrary to base downtown standards (Sections 10.10.14.1.B, 10.10.15.1–10.10.15.10).
- D-TD District Sign Plan process: To establish a D-TD district sign plan, an applicant must submit a detailed plan package (site plans, elevations, sign location and design data, etc.) to Community Planning and Development. CPD reviews and forwards a recommendation to the Planning Board. Planning Board provides mailed/electronic notice to registered neighborhood organizations and council members within 200 feet at least 30 days before hearing, and then decides to approve, approve with conditions, or deny based on stated criteria (Sections 10.10.15.11–10.10.15.12).
- Minor deviations from D-TD District Sign Plan: Community Planning and Development may authorize minor deviations for individual signs (technical/engineering reasons) after notifying nearby council members and registered neighborhood organizations. Deviations are not allowed if they adversely affect nearby residential uses, exceed height by more than 2 feet, exceed minimum height limits, increase projection by more than 6 inches, or change sign type/illumination/animation allowed in the plan. Non‑qualifying changes require a formal amendment to the district sign plan (Section 10.10.15.13).
- D-TD relationship to other permitted signs: Parking/traffic directional signs and temporary promotion/special event inflatables/balloons/streamers allowed under Section 10.10.3.2.E and 10.10.3.2.I need not be included in the D-TD district sign plan. All other signs subject to permits under 10.10.3.2 must be included in the plan (Section 10.10.15.14).
- Cherry Creek North Comprehensive Sign Plan (C-CCN): In the Cherry Creek North zone districts, projecting signs are permitted only after a comprehensive sign plan for the entire building has been approved. The plan must show how sign area is allocated among all uses, approximate locations, and allowable types of construction and illumination (Section 10.10.19.3).
- Cherry Creek North design review and permit linkage: All signs subject to permits in C-CCN must comply with Section 10.10.3.2 and additional C-CCN requirements, and are subject to review by the Cherry Creek North Design Advisory Board, which uses sign design criteria in Section 10.10.19.4. This effectively ties sign permitting to the comprehensive sign plan and advisory review (Sections 10.10.19.4–10.10.19.5).
- Downtown Civic Center design review: Within the defined Civic Center Area, all sign permits and comprehensive sign plans (excluding window and temporary signs) require review by the Downtown Design Advisory Board for compatibility with Civic Center design criteria; the Board recommends approval, conditional approval, or denial to the Zoning Administrator (Sections 10.10.20.3–10.10.20.7).
- Downtown projecting graphic signs (D-C, D-TD, D-LD, D-CV, D-AS and D-GT/D-AS-12+/D-AS-20+/D-CPV-*): Projecting graphic signs in these downtown districts are subject to special standards that interact with maximum sign area and often require consideration as part of comprehensive or district sign plans, especially where multiple tenants share allowable sign volume. Allocation of volume, multiple sign approvals, and compatibility determinations are evaluated as part of sign plan or permit review (Sections 10.10.16 and 10.10.17).
- Outdoor General Advertising Devices vs. sign plans: Outdoor general advertising devices (billboards) in the Billboard Use Overlay District are controlled by Section 10.10.21 and are expressly exempt from most of Sections 10.10.1–10.10.20, except that substitution of messages is allowed by 10.10.2.3. However, in the D-TD and DO-6 overlay areas such devices are allowed only according to a district sign plan/district plan, which displaces Section 10.10.21 for those devices (Sections 10.10.21.1.B.3–5).

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

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