Northglenn, Colorado Sign Code & Sign Permit Guide
Wall, monument, and freestanding sign limits for Northglenn by zoning district — cited to the exact code section, with the sign permit process. Every number is checked against the published code text before it ships.
Non-residential (Commercial, Office & Industrial)
Zones like C-0
LDC §11-4-10(f) Permanent Non-Residential Signs. Zones inferred from the live parcel layer's real Commercial/Office/Industrial-prefixed codes (the ordinance's own zone-district table, Table 2-1-A, is image-only and wasn't machine-readable) — same inference-from-zone-code-prefix approach used for every other covered city's commercial family.
Tiered schedule by building size, not frontage: Wall-sign area follows a stepped schedule tied to building/tenant façade square footage (25 sf flat under 250 sf, then 10% of the façade capped per tier). Freestanding and joint-identification sign area follow a similar tiered schedule by total building square footage. Neither is a simple rate-times-frontage formula — read the exact tier from the cards above.
Wall signs
§11-4-10(f)(1) · Table 4-10-A| 250 sf or less of façade | 25 sf flat maximum. |
|---|---|
| 251–1,000 sf of façade | 10% of the façade area, capped at 100 sf. |
| 1,001–2,500 sf of façade | 10% of the façade area, capped at 225 sf. |
| 2,501–5,000 sf of façade | 10% of the façade area, capped at 400 sf. |
| More than 5,000 sf of façade | 10% of the façade area, capped at 450 sf. |
Multi-story buildings (3+ stories, multiple tenants) may add one high wall sign per façade between the top floor and the parapet; remaining signage stays between grade and the first floor.
Marquee, awning, canopy & changeable-copy signs
§11-4-10(f)(2)| Marquee / awning / canopy / changeable copy | 1 per business or tenant, per public street frontage faced. Any portion used for commercial advertisement counts toward the Wall sign allowance (not an addition to it). No portion may extend above or below the marquee, canopy, or awning. |
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Projecting signs
§11-4-10(f)(3)| Projecting sign | Max 12 sf; counts toward the Wall sign allowance. Bottom of sign ≥ 8 ft above the sidewalk. Projects ≤ 4 ft from the wall. Adjacent projecting signs must be ≥ 20 ft apart. |
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Freestanding sign (single/two-tenant & joint identification)
§11-4-10(f)(4)-(5) · Tables 4-10-B & 4-10-C| Single-tenant, 0–10,000 sf building | 36 sf per face / 25 ft tall — OR monument: 45 sf per face / 8 ft tall. Setback 10 ft from the curb edge. |
|---|---|
| Single-tenant, over 10,000 sf building | 60 sf per face / 30 ft tall — OR monument: 75 sf per face / 8 ft tall. Setback 10 ft from the curb edge. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), 0–10,000 sf | 50 sf / 25 ft — OR monument 62.5 sf / 8 ft. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), 10,001–20,000 sf | 100 sf / 25 ft — OR monument 125 sf / 8 ft. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), 20,001–40,000 sf | 150 sf / 25 ft — OR monument 187.5 sf / 8 ft. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), 40,001–80,000 sf | 200 sf / 30 ft — OR monument 250 sf / 8 ft. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), 80,001–160,000 sf | 250 sf / 30 ft — OR monument 312.5 sf / 8 ft. |
| Joint ID (multi-tenant), over 160,000 sf | 300 sf / 40 ft — OR monument 375 sf / 8 ft. |
Single-tenant buildings: max 1 sign per frontage, 2 per building. Multi-tenant buildings MUST use a joint identification sign, not individual freestanding signs. Drive-through uses may add up to 2 extra signs (≤50 sf, ≤8 ft each) adjacent to the service drive aisle.
Window signs
§11-4-10(f)(7)| Window sign | Combined permanent + temporary window signage ≤ 25% of the total window area per façade. Permit-exempt if within this limit. |
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Electronic message centers
§11-4-10(f)(6)| Where allowed | Only incorporated into a freestanding sign. |
|---|---|
| Message timing | Static hold ≥ 8 seconds; transitions instantaneous — no scrolling, flashing, or appearance of movement. |
| Brightness | ≤ 500 nits between dusk and dawn, per the sign's own brightness-control software setting; automatic dimming required. |
| Sequential messaging | Consecutive messages from the SAME advertiser are prohibited — at least one other message must run between repeats. |
See the exact numbers
Height, setback, area, count, and lighting limits for Non-residential (Commercial, Office & Industrial) — cited to the code section, ready to quote from.
Get notified at launch- Multi-tenant buildings must use a joint identification sign (Table 4-10-C) instead of a standard freestanding sign (Table 4-10-B) — the Freestanding card shows both; which applies depends on tenancy, not zone.
Sign permits in Northglenn
City of Northglenn Building Department — 303-450-8745 · building@northglenn.org
Northglenn sign code FAQ
What is the sign code for Northglenn, Colorado?
Northglenn's sign regulations are set by LDC Art. 11-4 §11-4-10 Signs, and vary by zoning district. Sightline tracks 1 verified zone family for Northglenn below, each with wall, freestanding, and other sign-type limits cited to the exact section.
Do I need a permit for a sign in Northglenn?
In nearly every Colorado municipality, including Northglenn, permanent signs — wall signs, channel letters, cabinets, monument signs — require a sign permit. Northglenn's permit process is linked below. Always confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before finalizing a design.
Look up an exact address in Northglenn
Get the live zoning district and the sign limits that apply to a specific parcel, with a frontage calculator and a permit-ready citation.
Get notified at launch