Bookmark and Share Print

Sign Code

businesses on the hill

The sign code regulates the display of signs in the city, recognizing that signs are a means of visual communication between individuals, businesses, services and the general public. The intention of the sign code is to ensure individual rights to commercial and noncommercial expression, maintain community aesthetic values and minimize effects on traffic safety.

The sign code requires that signs displayed on a building have a sign permit. A licensed sign contractor must obtain the permit as well as install the sign. Sign permits can be obtained at:

City of Boulder Planning and Development Services,
1739 Broadway, Third Floor
P.O. Box 791,
Boulder, Colorado 80306-0791
Phone 303-441-1880.

There are regulations regarding the size, number, type and locations of signs that can be displayed on a building. Some types of signs are not allowed under the code. The following is a partial list of signs that cannot be displayed.

  • Any sign installed without a permit
  • Signs in the right of way including a-frame type sandwich board signs
  • Signs over 25 feet in height or signs on a roof
  • Certain types of window signs
  • Wind signs with one exception. A banner is considered a wind sign. A person can obtain a no-fee permit for a banner that can be displayed for 30 days during the first year of operation of a business for any reason. The maximum size of this banner is fifty square feet.
  • Signs that move, twinkle, rotate, pulsate or appear to have motion.
  • Strings of lights
  • Off premises signs
  • Unsafe signs

This is a brief overview of the sign code. The entire sign code can be reviewed here.

Please call 303-441-3346 if you have any questions about the City of Boulder sign code.

City of Boulder
Downtown University Hill Management Division / Parking Services
1500 Pearl Street, Suite 302
Boulder, CO 80302
303-413-7300

Last Updated on Monday, 09 June 2008 01:23

Clicking any flag icon above calls Google translation service to translate the page to the language you have chosen. Graphics containing text, PDF files, and special applications on this page cannot be translated. As with any computer translation, conversion is not context-sensitive and may not convert text into its intended meaning. The city of Boulder does not guarantee the accuracy of translated text. If the information you are seeking is not clear please return to the main page for the specific city department and contact them directly. Please note that some applications and/or services may not work as expected when translated.

Plugins needed for this Web site: [ Adobe Reader ] [ Flash Player ] [ Quicktime ] [ Real Player ]