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Sign Code Summary

Aurora, CO

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Aurora, CO

Every outdoor sign in Aurora is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Aurora code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Aurora.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Aurora, Colorado. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in Aurora, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

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Ground sign setback
5' back; can be reviewed during site plan process

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Max Area
A canopy or wall sign is permitted, but not both.
Awning Sign Sf Calc
60% of surface area of canopy plane per code 146-1609 Table 16.3
Awning Projection Clearance
in full report
Awning Sign Max Area
in full report

2 more awning signs rules in the full report →

Building Sign Max Number

Two wall signs permitted

Building Signs

Wall Sign Max Area
Up to 30 sq ft for individual channel letters or message content only
Wall Sign Max Projection
Shall not extend more than 5 ft. above roof peak/parapet or more than 5 ft. beyond building face
Wall Sign Other
in full report
Building Sign Formula
in full report
Building Sign Max Number
in full report
Building Sign Illumination
in full report
Height Restriction
in full report
Wall Sign Max Area
in full report
Wall Sign Other
in full report
Wall Sign Other
in full report

8 more building signs rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
3 SF
Directional Max Height
6' high

Electrical Structural

Awning Illumination
Illuminated awnings allowed; no material restrictions

General Info

Jurisdiction Name
Sign must be at least 25 years old
Jurisdiction Name
Sign must be of design representative of the Post-World War II Era

General Standards

Building Sign Height Restriction
Not above the roofline or parapet wall
Multiple Signs Per Elevation
Allowed
Sign Area Calc Method
in full report
Projecting Sign Rules
in full report
Ground Sign Base Included
in full report
Light Boxes Marketing Windows Allowed
in full report
Directional Sign Branding
in full report
Awning Material Requirements
in full report
Msp On File
in full report
Box In Sign Elements
in full report
Projecting Sign Requirements
in full report
Window Lightboxes Allowed
in full report
Directional Copy And Logo
in full report
Other Governing Agencies
in full report
Sign Area Calculation Method
in full report
Ll Owner Signature Required
in full report
Sign Master Plan On File
in full report
Governing Source Note
in full report
Wall Sign Material Spec
in full report

17 more general standards rules in the full report →

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Ground Signs

Ground Sign Other
More than 1 multi-sign or tenant development sign is permitted for arterial street frontages in a Master Plan development if they have a minimum separation of 150 feet
Ground Sign Type
pylon/monument, one per site (pre-approved site plan with specific monument sign criteria; existing 4'x8' illuminated sign box on 3'x8' brick base)
Ground Sign Formula
in full report
Ground Sign Setback
in full report

2 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Sign Illumination
LED (light emitting diode) lighting is prohibited for sign illumination
Architectural Lighting Allowed
Yes, no Dark Sky requirements
Architectural Lighting
in full report
Awning Illumination
in full report

2 more illumination rules in the full report →

Permit Process

Msp On File
Yes, must submit application and meet with council
Variance Process
Submit application to city, site hardship, council meets every second Tuesday of the month
Permit Fee
in full report
Permit Time Frame
in full report
Triangulation Requirements
in full report
Landlord Approval Required
in full report
Permit Process Description
in full report

5 more permit process rules in the full report →

Temporary Signs

Temp Signs Allowed
Yes, no separate permit
Temp Sign Rules
One per entrance/exit, at start of construction, removed 10 days after; banners 90 days/year, 36 SF; no moving/flashing signs

Variance Appeals

Minor Adjustment Process
City has 15% minor adjustment process to increase height/size; or apply for variance showing hardship; council meets every 30 days
Variance Fee
Based on the scope of work
Conditional Use Permits
in full report
Variance Likelihood
in full report
Variance Process
in full report

3 more variance appeals rules in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Max Area
1 sidewalk sign may be placed in front of each tenant or business premises
Window Sign Allowable Area
25% of window area for signs
Window Sign Max Area
in full report

1 more window signs rule in the full report →

Zoning

Zoning District
Mixed Use-C

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