Every outdoor sign in Brighton 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 Brighton 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 Brighton.
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 Brighton, 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 Brighton, 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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Max ground sign height
Monument: 8 ft; Pylon: 14 ft for 15' to <20', 20 ft for 20' <25'
Ground sign setback
Monument: 8 ft above grade; Pylon: 3 ft from property line; Handheld: no obstruction; Site: 10 ft from property line
Awning Signs
Awning Sign Sf Calc
Area includes frame but excludes pole/structural support unless internally illuminated
Awning Projection Clearance
8 ft above grade; No point shall project above roof/parapet line
Building Signs
Building Sign Formula
Sign area includes frame but excludes pole/structural support unless internally illuminated
Building Sign Illumination
Electrical permit required; UL label or wiring approved by State inspector
Electronic message copy shall only be permitted on monument signs, display signs oriented to vehicles in a drive aisle, and incidental signs. Electronic message copy on wall signs, window signs, pole signs or any other sign is not permitted
Abandoned Sign Definition
Any sign abandoned for a period of 90 days or longer shall be considered an illegal sign.
No sign permit shall be issued for a sign not in compliance with approved comprehensive sign plan; unlawful to change, modify, alter or deviate from plan provisions
Seasonal Business Signs Exemption
Provision does not apply to permanent signs accessory to seasonal businesses with clear intent to continue operation
Ground Signs
Ground Sign Type
Monument; Pylon/Pole
Ground Sign Formula
Monument: 20 sq ft; Pylon: varies by height range (20, 40, 60, 80 sq ft)
residential areas adjacent to commercial areas: When commercial areas are adjacent to residential areas, the use of illuminated signs may be restricted at the discretion of the Director
Non Residential Districts Requirement
Non-residential Districts: Signs in all non-residential and mixed-use zoning districts shall be subject to a total sign allowance, and the limitations in Tables 9-2 and 9-3.