Sign Regulations in Longmont, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Yard Sign, Flag, Window Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Longmont, Colorado
Sample Sign Requirements in Longmont
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet per sign | — |
| Flag | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Window Sign | — | Not more than 25% of window opening, OR 50% of any single window panel if multiple panels | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for LongmontFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
24
- Yard Sign
- Flag
- Window Sign
- Integral Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Longmont
Other Cities in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Longmont 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 Longmont, 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 Longmont, regulated sign types include Yard Sign, Flag, Window Sign, Integral 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 Longmont 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 Longmont are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Longmont has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Longmont, Colorado Sign Rules at a Glance
Longmont, Colorado regulates 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Yard Signs in the R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 12 square feet per sign (Sec. Sec. 15.06.020.B). Most commercial signs in Longmont require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Longmont, Colorado
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Longmont (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH | 4 | 4 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Residential—multifamily and nonresidential uses only | 2 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Mixed-use and Nonresidential, MU-D, MU-N, MU-C, MU-E, MU-R, N-PE, N-PF, C-O | 17 | 30 feet or top of wall, whichever is less | 200 square feet per sign | — |
| DDA boundaries, Local or national registered historic district, MU-D | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 4 feet (R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH), 8 feet (all other zones) | 32 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Longmont(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet per sign | — | — | No more than 2 per property | On property in R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, or R-MH zoning districts | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.B |
| Flag | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to permanent flagpole or building | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.C; 15.06.030.C |
| Window Sign | — | Not more than 25% of window opening, OR 50% of any single window panel if multiple panels | — | — | — | On or inside window | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.D, E |
| Integral Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Carved/inscribed in stone or building material; integral to the building | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.F |
Mixed-use and Nonresidential, MU-D, MU-N, MU-C, MU-E, MU-R, N-PE, N-PF, C-O
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | Below top of wall for single-story buildings, or below second story for multi-story buildings; no cabinet sign above 20 feet | 200 square feet per sign | — | — | See Location of Sign | One per sign wall; plus one additional sign for each 100 linear feet of sign wall (no cabinet signs allowed for additional signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 (Table); Sec. 15.06.050.A |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant) | Below top of wall for single-story buildings, or below second story for multi-story buildings; no cabinet sign above 20 feet | 200 square feet per sign | — | — | See Location of Sign | One per sign wall for each tenant with an exterior public entrance; plus one additional sign per tenant with exterior public entrance per 100 linear feet of sign wall (no cabinet signs allowed for additional signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 (Table); Sec. 15.06.050.A |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | See Location of Sign | Single-tenant: 1 per sign wall (total includes wall signs); Multi-tenant: 1 per sign wall with exterior public entrance (includes wall signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 (Table); 15.06.050.B |
| Blade Sign | Below second story | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per tenant per tenant entrance | 1 per tenant per tenant building entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 (Table); 15.06.050.E |
| Changeable Copy Wall Sign | 30 feet or top of wall, whichever is less | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per sign wall (included in total wall signs) | 1 per sign wall (included in total wall signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 (Table); 15.06.050.F |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (1-10 tenants, MU-D) | 6 feet | 35 square feet | — | — | See Location of Sign | 1 per street frontage; plus additional sign for each 660 ft of street frontage (total includes other freestanding signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 Table; 15.06.050.H |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (1-10 tenants, except MU-D) | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | See Location of Sign | 1 per street frontage; plus additional sign for each 660 ft of street frontage (total includes other freestanding signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 Table; 15.06.050.H |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (More than 10 tenants, MU-D) | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | See Location of Sign | 1 per street frontage; plus additional sign for each 660 ft of street frontage (total includes other freestanding signs) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.060 Table; 15.06.050.H |
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Sign | 4 feet (R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH), 8 feet (all other zones) | 12 square feet (R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MH), 32 square feet (all other zones) | — | — | 2 per property | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.B |
| Flag | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to permanent flagpole or building | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.C |
| Window Sign | — | Not more than 25% of window opening, OR 50% of any single window panel (if multi-panel) | — | — | — | On/in window | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.D, E |
| Integral Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Carved/inscribed in stone or building | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.06.020.F |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Longmont — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Longmont — start freeProhibited Signs in Longmont
- No sign shall be displayed in the city limits until the city has issued a permit for it unless it is exempt from a permit according to section 15.06.020.
- Signs that cause visual obstruction or interfere with motor vehicle traffic or a traffic control device, including any sign that obstructs clear vision in any direction from any street intersection or driveway, are prohibited.
- Signs employing a lighting or control mechanism that causes radio, radar, or television interference are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening used or required as a means of egress or ingress, or for emergency purposes, or that interfere with any openings required for light or ventilation are prohibited.
- Signs in rights-of-way or on other public property unless specifically permitted or provided for in this chapter are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited, except for scoreboards for athletic events, time and temperature devices, electronic message signs used by the city or other public agency to address a health or safety matter or public service announcement, or permitted electronic message signs.
- Inflatable signs such as balloons and inflatable figures, or other similar moving, fluttering, or revolving devices are prohibited.
- Pennants and windsocks are prohibited, unless approved with a temporary sign permit.
- Feather flags and similar devices are prohibited, unless approved with a temporary sign permit.
- Neon or LED lighting not within the lettering or logo of a sign is prohibited, except as subject to section 15.06.040 and section 15.05.140.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except as authorized in section 15.06.040.G.
- Signs on parked vehicles or trailers are prohibited unless: the vehicle or trailer is operational, currently registered with current tags, and parked in a functional parking space or behind a primary building; such signs are not located on top of a vehicle, except for delivery vehicles; and such signs are not electronic message signs.
- Roof signs or any portion of a sign or sign cabinet or frame extending above the parapet or roof eave, except for historic signs on historic landmarks, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to fences are prohibited.
- Signs attached to utility poles or other poles or structures, except bus stop signs, within public rights-of-way are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except transit-stop signs.
- Inoperable, unsafe, malfunctioning, unrepaired or dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Unused or abandoned signs, including any pole, post, or structure supporting such sign, are prohibited.
- Within a sight distance triangle, no signs, except traffic signs, shall exceed a height of 36 inches above the grade of the lower roadway.
- Sign projection or overhang across a sight distance triangle is only permitted when the bottom of the sign surface is at least nine feet above the grade of the higher roadway.
- Sign supports not complying with sight distance triangle standards shall not be located within a sight distance triangle.
- High intensity colors and fluorescent pigments shall not be used on any sign, sign cabinet or frame, or support structure except as sign trim or on a sign logo not exceeding five percent of the sign area and compatible with the primary building design and color.
- Exposed neon and exposed LED lighting on any portion of a building or structure except within the lettering or logo on a freestanding or wall sign is subject to section 15.05.140. Exposed neon and exposed LED lighting is prohibited on signs within or adjacent to and facing a residential zoning district unless otherwise exempted.
- Signs within or adjacent to and facing a residential zoning district shall be located, shielded, and screened to prevent direct light or glare onto adjacent uses or properties.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign in violation of this chapter.
- Signs placed in the right-of-way contrary to the ordinance are a violation and may be removed by the city without notice.
- Each day or part of a day a violation exists is a separate offense.
Exempt Signs in Longmont
- Yard signs that do not exceed two per property at any one time, and that meet size and height limitations based on zoning district, are exempt from the sign permit requirement.
- Any flag affixed to a permanent flagpole or building (excluding feather flags) is exempt from the sign permit requirement, provided the flag does not exceed 32 square feet in area in certain districts, and flag structures comply with height limits.
- Window signs are exempt from the sign permit requirement provided window signage does not cover more than 25 percent of a window opening or 50 percent of any one window panel if a window opening contains multiple window panels.
- Signs located inside a building are exempt from the sign permit requirement provided any interior sign within six feet of any window shall not have any flashing or moving lights, including video monitors and electronic message signs.
- Integral signs, i.e., inscriptions carved into stone or similar material that is integral to a building, such as found on cornerstones or stamped into sidewalks, are exempt from the sign permit requirement provided they do not exceed 12 square feet.
- The director of planning and development services may exempt signs from any or all provisions of chapter 15.06 if they serve a governmental purpose, are located on government-owned or controlled property, and are designed to minimize impact on surrounding businesses and residents. Such signs include street signs, traffic control devices, bus stop and information signs, and tourist information signs.
- Any permit exempt from the permit requirements of chapter 15.06 is also exempt from the downtown sign design standards section.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Longmont
- All permanent and temporary signs not exempt from a permit pursuant to section 15.06.020 require a sign permit and must demonstrate compliance with the sign standards.
- When a sign permit is requested for a parcel where nonconforming, illegal, or prohibited signs exist, no sign permit shall be issued until all such signs are removed or brought into conformance.
- Minimum submittal requirements and sign permit applications are available in the administrative manual; fees are established by city council resolution.
- Whenever a site plan is submitted for changes to site improvements, or a building permit is requested for facade improvements, nonconforming signs must either be removed or brought into compliance.
- Signs approved under prior codes, including master sign plans, but not complying with current sign standards, are considered nonconforming; such signs may continue but are subject to current maintenance and enforcement requirements.
- Signs approved as part of a master sign plan under a prior code may be installed up to only one year from the adoption of the new ordinance, if not yet installed.
- For multiple-tenant buildings, signs are only allowed within designated sign areas as shown on an approved sign permit application.
- Applicants seeking sign design incentives for creative signs must submit for eligibility and meet criteria for compatibility and removal of nonconforming signs.
- Within the downtown development authority (DDA) area, a downtown sign compliance certificate is required in addition to the sign permit for all signs (including face changes, except some copy changes), unless the sign is permit-exempt. Applications for compliance certificates are reviewed by the DDA and may require additional design review procedures or appeals.
- Any permanent window sign to be displayed in the DDA area, or any change to such a window sign, requires director or DDB approval.
- Applications requesting modifications (variances) from the downtown sign design standards must include reasons for deviation and are subject to advisory committee review and approval.
Source: municode municipal code