# Sign Regulations in Loveland, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Loveland, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/loveland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/loveland-co/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=4299#secid-4253)

## At a glance

Loveland, Colorado regulates 27 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Primary Freestanding Signs in the Downtown Sign District (DTS), B except single-family detached and duplex property, I and PP, DT (vertically mixed-use/nonresidential), All nonresidential in boundary of Figure 18.04.08.05A zoning district are capped at Setback 8 ft or less: 8 ft; Setback >8 ft: 1 ft of height per each ft of setback, up to 12 ft, except if a canopy structure <75 ft from street ROW: 8 ft. tall and 50 sf per sign per frontage (see sign area allowance), with a See above under max_height setback (Sec. Table 18.04.08.11A, 18.04.08.11.C).

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Sign District (DTS), B except single-family detached and duplex property, I and PP, DT (vertically mixed-use/nonresidential), All nonresidential in boundary of Figure 18.04.08.05A | 8 | 8 ft (minimum clearance) | 200 sf per sign face | — |
| Commercial / Industrial Sign District (CI), MAC (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), E (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), PUD (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), Enhanced Corridor Overlay Zone, Vertically mixed-use or nonresidential in neighborhood activity centers, Property in Enhanced Corridor Overlay | 12 | 75% of canopy fascia vertical dimension | 200 sf per sign face | — |
| Mixed Residential Sign District (RM), R3e and R3 (except single-family/duplex), MAC, E and PUD (residential/special residential uses except single-family/duplex) | 5 | 8 ft (minimum clearance) | 40 sf | — |
| Single-Family Residential Sign District (RS), ER, R1e, R1, R2, DR, R3e, R3, B, DT, MAC, E, PUD (single-family detached or duplex property) | 2 | — | 6 sf | — |
| I-25 Overlay District (I-25) | 1 | 30 ft; up to 41 ft for architectural features only (does not count against sign height ratio) | Up to 340 sf if choosing single sign option | — |
| Transition Corridor Zone (U.S. 34 Corridor), Central Corridor Zone (U.S. 34 Corridor), Arrival Corridor Zone (U.S. 34 Corridor), Gateway Corridor Zone (U.S. 34 Corridor) | 4 | See base district regulations | EMC may cover up to 50% of sign face (CI/DTS and these overlays). | — |
| ER, R1e, R1, R2, DR | 2 | — | 6 sf | — |
| R3e, R3, B, DT, MAC, E, PUD (single-family detached or duplex property) | 2 | — | 6 sf | — |
| PP, I | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 25 ft above surface attached | Properties with ≤500 lf frontage: 32 sf; >500 lf: 64 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Downtown Sign District (DTS), B except single-family detached and duplex property, I and PP, DT (vertically mixed-use/nonresidential), All nonresidential in boundary of Figure 18.04.08.05A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | No explicit per sign maximum, but 10% of first floor façade area or 32 sf each, whichever greater. | — | — | Not limited | Above awning or entryway, sign band/transom panel (non-glass), side walls. Not above roof line except Section 18.04.08.10.E. | — | Tables 18.04.08.10.A, 18.04.08.06.B; 18.04.08.07, 18.04.08.10.B.3, 18.04.08.10.B.4-5 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of each window's area | — | — | Not limited | Within window | — | Table 18.04.08.10.B |
| Blade Sign (Projecting Sign) | 8 ft (minimum clearance) | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per principal building entrance | 1 per principal building entrance | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C Projecting Signs |
| Awning Sign | — | No more than 50% of the area of the awning | — | — | Not limited | Not above first story. Must be over window/entrance, not above or beyond awning face. 8' clearance to awning, 7' to valance. | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sf per sign face | — | — | 1 per building | 1 per building | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C |
| Primary Freestanding Sign | Setback 8 ft or less: 8 ft; Setback >8 ft: 1 ft of height per each ft of setback, up to 12 ft, except if a canopy structure <75 ft from street ROW: 8 ft. | 50 sf per sign per frontage (see sign area allowance) | — | See above under max_height | 1 per street frontage; 2 for premises over 500 lf | Street frontage; must be monument base; 2 per frontage if >500 ft separated by 75 ft and with similar orientation, setback, design. | — | Table 18.04.08.11A, 18.04.08.11.C |
| Portable Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per public building entrance | On sidewalk/pedestrian plaza within 8 ft of public building entrance. Only 1 per public building entrance. Minimum 5 ft unobstructed sidewalk clearance; must not block pedestrian movement. | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |
| Temporary Wall Banner | — | 40 sf per banner | — | — | 1 per building elevation | On building wall | — | Table 18.04.08.09C, Section 18.04.08.09.I |

### Commercial / Industrial Sign District (CI), MAC (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), E (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), PUD (nonresidential/vertically mixed-use), Enhanced Corridor Overlay Zone, Vertically mixed-use or nonresidential in neighborhood activity centers, Property in Enhanced Corridor Overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per above, per building elevation | — | — | Not limited | Each signable wall | — | Table 18.04.08.10.A |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | Not limited | Within window | — | Table 18.04.08.10.B |
| Blade Sign (Projecting Sign) | 8 ft (minimum clearance) | 20 sf | — | — | 1 per principal building entrance | 1 per principal building entrance | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of awning area | — | — | Not limited | Not above first story; must be over window or entrance | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sf per sign face | — | — | 1 per building | 1 per building (façade must be at least 100 ft wide) | — | Table 18.04.08.10.C |
| Primary Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 32 sf per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage (or 2 per frontage over 500 lf) | Street frontage, must have monument base | — | Table 18.04.08.11A, 18.04.08.11C |
| Canopy Sign | 75% of canopy fascia vertical dimension | 12 sf per canopy fascia | — | — | Not regulated | On canopy fascia | — | Table 18.04.08.11B |
| Feather Flag (Temporary) | 15 ft | 40 sf | — | 4 ft from all property lines | 1 per 100 lf, max 8 (may be clustered) | Attached to single, rigid vertical staff support structure, mounted to building, stable object, or ground. | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Manual Changeable Copy Center (all zones) | — | 50% of the sign face to which applied | — | — | Per base sign type rules | Only as part of permitted permanent signs | — | Section 18.04.08.08.B |
| Temporary Yard Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf per sign | — | 2 ft from property line/edge of pavement/sidewalk | Varies by district | See sign district table. Not allowed in DTS; otherwise, see table for placement. | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |
| Temporary Swing Post Sign (CI only) | 6 ft | 8 sf (area includes panels and riders) | — | 2 ft from property line | 1 | — | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |
| Construction Fence Banner | 8 ft (≤500 lf); 10 ft (>500 lf) | Properties with ≤500 lf frontage: 32 sf; >500 lf: 64 sf | — | — | Not regulated | Attached to perimeter fencing | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |
| Pennant Strings (Temporary) | Not above height of main building | Not limited (height: not above principal structure) | — | — | Not limited | Each strand secured to building/structure, not utility poles or vegetation. Only in CI. | — | Table 18.04.08.09A |
| Temporary Site Sign (CI/RM/RS) | 6 ft | 32 sf | — | 2 ft | See above | 2 ft from property lines | — | Table 18.04.08.09B |
| Large Inflatables/Wind Dancers (CI only) | 25 ft above surface attached | 100 sf (no dimension > 10 ft) | Maximum dimension per above | — | 1 | Anchored to ground or secured to roof | — | Table 18.04.08.09B |
| Temporary Wall Banner | — | 40 sf per banner | — | — | Per zone, see main entries | On building wall | — | Table 18.04.08.09C |

## Prohibited signs in Loveland

- Abandoned and obsolete signs unless covered by a temporary sign cover during the period set out in the code.
- Roof signs or any portion of a sign or sign cabinet or frame extending above the parapet or roof eave, except as specifically allowed.
- Off-premise signs, except transit-stop signs.
- Billboards.
- Signs with animated, flashing, or moving parts, such as moving, swinging, rotating, or spinning parts or animated light, except certain EMCs (electronic message center displays), clocks, certain vertical cylinders, specified flags, and permitted pennant strings or feather flags.
- Signs made of cardboard, card stock, or paper, except as window signs or temporary signs.
- Signs composed of stacked products (e.g., tires, pallets, crates, bagged soil or mulch).
- Unshielded bare light bulbs that are larger than C9 format or brighter than 50 lumens per bulb, except certain tube lighting integrated into a sign; exceptions are possible with Director approval under specified shielding and compatibility requirements.
- Materials with a high degree of specular reflectivity installed in a manner that creates substantial glare, except for retroreflective materials complying with MUTCD standards.
- Signs displayed on motor vehicles except as allowed (vehicle must be operational, used as a vehicle, sign not interfering with operation, not projecting more than 18 inches above roof, applied flush, and additional standards for larger sign area and distance from right-of-way).
- Signs displayed on semi-trailers, trailers, storage containers, or portable storage units except as allowed (must be operational, used for primary purpose, sign incidental and non-illuminated, applied flush, proper parking/screening/location requirements).
- Signs that obstruct building ingress or egress, operable windows (with respect to movement), or equipment, structures, or elements related to public safety, building operations, or utility service.
- Signs mounted to trees or shrubs.
- Signs mounted to utility poles or light poles, except for specified banners or flags under certain conditions.
- Signs mounted to utility cabinets or pedestals without consent from the owner.
- Signs located in or over public rights-of-way, except for authorized transit shelter or bus bench signs, signs installed or authorized by governmental entities, or those approved via revocable license agreements.
- Signs located within any sight distance triangle where they impede sight visibility.
- Signs in or on public property without authorization by the Director.

## Signs exempt from permit in Loveland

- Signs installed or posted by Governmental Entities (federal, state, county, city, school district) on property they own or control where the City does not have regulatory jurisdiction, unless otherwise specified.
- Signs not visible from the property boundaries or public and private streets traveled by the general public, due to configuration, topography, or permanent screening.
- Signs applied to or painted on a utility cabinet or pedestal, provided the utility cabinet is in use for its principal purpose and does not interfere, and the owner consents.
- Routine sign maintenance, painting, or replacing light sources with comparable brightness.
- Flags that do not exceed 48 square feet in area per flag and meet all additional requirements as to mounting, location, height, quantity, and obstructions.
- Incidental signs or decals.
- Required signs.
- Seasonal decorations.
- Small signs less than 2 square feet in area, affixed to a building or structure, with not more than two per premises per frontage.
- Temporary signs as specifically exempted in Section 18.04.08.09.
- Solar shades that do not include a sign(s).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Standards of this division supersede any conflicting provisions in approved design guidelines or corridor plans unless the City determines the more specific regulation is unenforceable.
- Sign permit is required for display, construction, installation, erection, or alteration of any sign within City limits unless specifically provided otherwise.
- No permit is required for removal of sign displays for maintenance if replaced on the same support in the same configuration and maintenance does not otherwise require a permit.
- Any alteration to an existing sign structure (with certain exceptions) requires a new sign permit prior to commencement of the alteration.
- Property subject to an approved planned sign program (approved prior to this code) may receive sign permits in accordance with that program.
- A creative sign program may be requested and must be processed under Section 18.17.10.02.
- Permit exceptions granted herein do not exempt compliance with other applicable codes or permit requirements.
- Permit is required for all attached temporary signs.
- A temporary sign permit is required for certain detached temporary signs, as set forth in Table 18.04.08.09B, and those are only allowed on property used for nonresidential or vertically mixed-use purposes.
- Signs that require a creative or master sign program must be approved and will serve as the basis to evaluate subsequent sign permit applications.

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

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