Section 18, Article VII of the Development Code outlines the allowed number, size, height, and other restrictions for the construction and maintenance of attached, freestanding, electronic, and temporary signs on private property. If you have any questions or need further clarification of these requirements, please contact the Planning Department at 303-538-7295.
Applying for a sign permit
Sign permits are required for all permanent signs constructed and maintained on private property within the city. Sign permits are processed through the Building Department. Please visit the City View Portal to apply for a permit online. You will need a valid contractor's license with the City of Thornton. If you need help obtaining a license or have any further questions, please contact the Building Department at 303-538-7250 for assistance.
Temporary signs do not require a sign permit, but are subject to the requirements in Section 18-760 and Section 18-761. Please visit the Temporary Signs web page for more information.
Exemptions from the provisions of the Sign Code
The following are common signs that are exempt from the Sign Code. This is not an all-inclusive list. For more information, please visit Section 18-705 of the Sign Code, or contact the Planning Department.
- Signs that do not exceed four square feet per sign face and do not cumulatively exceed 40 square feet per zone lot.
- Signs painted on or placed in a window.
- Temporary decorations of any type
- Any signs not legible or intended to be read from the right-of-way or private streets.
- Flags are allowed with some requirements, see sign code for details.
- Vehicular Signs are allowed with some requirements, see sign code for details.
Prohibited and illegal signs
The following signs are prohibited within the City. This is not an all-inclusive list. For more information, please visit Section 18-706 of the Sign Code, or contact the Planning Department.
- Animated signs, roof signs, building wrap signs, or searchlight
- Signs in, over, or extending into any public rights-of-way, or signs on a fence set back five feet or less from the city's rights-of-way
- Signs within a visibility triangle as defined in Section 18-567
- Signs that cause a traffic hazard
- Signs that hide from view or interferes with the visibility of any official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal
- Signs attached to landscaping elements or other natural objects
Enforcement
The City has the authority to enforce provisions of the Sign Code. Please see Section 18-707 of the Sign Code for more information.