Sign Regulations in Littleton, Colorado
Littleton, Colorado has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument 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: September 4, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Littleton, Colorado
Sample Sign Requirements in Littleton
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcade Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Awning Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear ft. of façade width | — |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft. | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear foot of building front width | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
16
- Wall Sign
- Monument Sign
- Awning Sign
- Projecting Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Littleton
Other Cities in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Littleton 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 Littleton, 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 Littleton, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument Sign, Awning Sign, Projecting 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 Littleton 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 Littleton are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Littleton has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Littleton, Colorado Sign Rules at a Glance
Littleton, Colorado regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Corridor Mixed (CM) zoning district are capped at 15 ft. tall and 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign, with a 5 ft. setback (Sec. Table 10-3-5.1.3, Table Notes). Most commercial signs in Littleton require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Littleton, Colorado
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Littleton (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Main Street (DMS), Downtown Transitional Area (DTA), Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Downtown Neighborhood Residential (DNR) | 9 | 25 ft. | 100 sq. ft. per display face; 200 sq. ft. per sign; max 300 sq. ft. per building frontage | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 7 | 6 ft. | Max. 200 sq. ft. per sign (see Table Note 2) | — |
| Corridor Mixed (CM) | 10 | 25 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Business Center (BC) | 5 | 25 ft. | up to 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Park (IP) | 4 | 25 ft. | up to 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Estate Residential - Acreage (ACR), Large Lot Residential (LLR) | 3 | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Medium Lot Residential (MLR), Small Lot Residential (SLR), Multi-Family Residential (MFR) | 8 | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Littleton(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
Downtown Main Street (DMS), Downtown Transitional Area (DTA), Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Downtown Neighborhood Residential (DNR)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcade Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public entrance under arcade | Above public entrance under arcade | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.2 |
| Awning Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear ft. of façade width | — | — | One per building façade or one per storefront for mixed-use/multi-tenant | Awning valance facing the street, no higher than top of ground floor | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.2, C.7 |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft. | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear foot of building front width | — | — | One per building front façade | Above primary entry of building | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.2 |
| Mural Sign | No higher than roofline | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear foot of building front width | — | — | One per building façade | Building façade above ground floor but no higher than roofline | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.2, C.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. per face or 24 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | One per tenant per building frontage | Above or below awning, not in line with awning | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.2, C.9 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. per display face; 200 sq. ft. per sign; max 300 sq. ft. per building frontage | — | — | One per tenant per building frontage | On wall; not overlapping/conflicting with architectural features; not located within residential façade of mixed-use bldg | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.2, Table Notes, C.10 |
| Monument Sign | DNR: 5 ft.; DMS: 8 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | DNR: 1 per street frontage; DMS: 1 or 2 per street frontage based on length | Per street frontage, DMS: up to 2 per street frontage if >151 linear ft. | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.3, Table Notes |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage; only DTA and DMU | — | Unlock | Table 10-2-5.1.1, Table 10-2-5.1.3, 12 |
Corridor Mixed (CM)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcade Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public entrance under arcade | 1 per public entrance under arcade | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.2 |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per face; 16 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 per each 8 ft. of awning/canopy | 1 per each 8 ft. of awning/canopy | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.2 |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft. | 32 sq. ft. or 1 sq. ft. per 1.5 linear ft. | — | — | 1 per front building façade | 1 per front building façade | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.2 |
| Wall Sign | — | Area may increase by 25% for each 10 ft. in building height above 30 ft., up to a max of 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per tenant per building frontage | 1 per tenant per building frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.2, Table Notes |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of combined area of all windows | — | — | 1 per tenant per building frontage | Window | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.2 |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — | 5 ft. | 1 per 150 ft. of street frontage | 1 per 150 ft. of street frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.3, Table Notes |
| Pole Sign | Lesser of highest point of building or 15 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — | 5 ft. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.3, Table Notes |
| Pylon Sign | Lesser of highest point of building or 25 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per display face; 160 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 per 150 ft. of street frontage | 1 per 150 ft. of street frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-3-5.1.3, Table Notes |
Medium Lot Residential (MLR), Small Lot Residential (SLR), Multi-Family Residential (MFR)
| 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 or Canopy | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street-facing façade | 1 per street-facing façade | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.2 |
| Placard | — | 2 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per pedestrian entrance | 1 per pedestrian entrance | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. per face; 24 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 per street-facing façade | 1 per street-facing façade | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street-facing façade | 1 per street-facing façade | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.2 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of combined area of all windows | — | — | 1 per street-facing façade | 1 per street-facing façade | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.2 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.3 |
| Post Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.3 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per subdivision entrance | 1 per subdivision entrance | — | Unlock | Table 10-4-5.1.3 |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Littleton — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Littleton — start freeProhibited Signs in Littleton
- Animated or moving signs, including moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, blinking, scintillating, fluctuating, or otherwise animated light, unless specifically permitted.
- Portable signs except as permitted in individual zoning districts.
- Certain temporary signs including banners, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons or other gas-filled objects, tube signs, or feather signs, except as permitted in individual zoning districts.
- Signs mounted on a roof or roof illumination designed to illuminate signs located elsewhere on the building.
- Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building as required by law, or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal or device.
- Any signs and supports, other than required by a governmental authority, which are located on the public right-of-way, including streets, alleys, medians, and tree-lawns.
- Parking of advertising vehicles on street or public property for the sole or primary purpose of advertising.
- Billboards.
- Any sign that causes direct glare into or upon any residential building or premises, other than the one to which the sign is attached.
- Any sign which emits sound, odor, or visible matter that serves as a distraction to persons within the street.
- Unlisted sign types that are not listed in the permitted sign tables for a district are prohibited.
- Dilapidated or unsafe signs are not allowed to remain on any premises.
- Signs that do not meet installation, electrical, illumination, or maintenance standards of the code.
- Temporary signs that are animated, illuminated by flashing/blinking/fluctuating/intermittent light or digital display, not securely affixed, located within prohibited areas, made of deteriorating materials, or abandoned.
Exempt Signs in Littleton
- Etched signs that are cut or etched into masonry, bronze, or similar material, maximum six square feet in area.
- Interior signs that are not visible from residential property, abutting property, or street.
- Non-illuminated accessway signs not exceeding three square feet in area or three feet in height per sign nor more than one per non-residential access; if illuminated, subject to monument sign regulation.
- Headstones and other memorials.
- Flags attached to a pole up to 40 feet in height with a maximum area of 32 square feet (pole installation requires permit).
- Signs posted by local, state, and federal agencies, such as regulatory and traffic control signs.
- Non-illuminated occupant/address signs including business directory signs not intended to be viewed from the street; size and type in accordance with City Code.
- Advertising vehicles parked on private property, visible from the street, used as a means of transportation for the business advertised.
- Display window signs inside display windows visible from the street up to four square feet in area.
- Sign face changes with no impact to the sign cabinet.
- Small temporary signs (post and stake) as allowed by Table 10-1-3.10.F.
- Building wayfinding signs: non-residential buildings may include signage indicating the location(s) of any entrance. Max entry signage for non-residential buildings is ten sq. ft.; for buildings over 60,000 sq. ft., one service entrance sign (max 32 sq. ft.).
- Drive-thru menu boards: one primary and one secondary drive-thru sign per lane, may include speaker and electronic screen for users.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Littleton
- Master Sign Plan (MSP) is required for large scale commercial sites, multi-parcel commercial sites, shopping centers, and campus environments (minimum ten acres) in CM, BC, or IP districts.
- Process for applying for a Master Sign Plan is established in Subsection 10-9-5.9.
- Signage proposed as part of a MSP may deviate from general signage standards in Subsection 10-1-3.10 and specific zone district standards regarding types/numbers of signs, area, materials, and illumination.
- MSP must illustrate proposed signage and its compliance with code, covering attached, freestanding, and exempt signage.
- All permanent attached signage under an MSP must meet CMU standards regardless of underlying zone unless otherwise specified in the MSP.
- A master sign plan may allow larger wall sign areas for building facades fronting specified major streets or for large buildings set back over 200 feet.
- Freestanding multi-parcel signs under an MSP have special standards for quantity, location, height, area, and limited use of electronic displays.
- If multi-parcel freestanding sign is used, individual parcels within the site are limited to monument signs (pole and pylon prohibited except as multi-parcel signs).
- MSPs are referenced as required or applicable in BI (Section 10-5-5.1.B) and CMU zones (Section 10-3-5.1.B).
Source: other municipal code