Sign Regulations in Centennial, CO

Centennial maintains 86 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Centennial falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Digital Billboards

Centennial caps digital billboard brightness at 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light, measured with a calibrated meter 175 feet from the sign 30 minutes after sunset or before sunrise.

Key details: Max brightness: 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light. Minimum display time: 8 seconds per message. Transition limit: under 1 second, no effects. Measurement point: 175 feet from sign, right-of-way. Repair deadline: 48 hours after notice.

LDC violations are minor offenses; the City can issue cease-and-desist and stop-work orders, and municipal court may fine up to $2,650 per day of continuing violation (§§ 12-15-201, 12-15-302, 1-4-10).

Holiday Displays

Centennial exempts holiday lighting from its exterior lighting standards as long as it stays up no more than 90 nights in any 12-month period.

Key details: Max. nights energized: 90 per 12 months. Blinking lights: allowed for holidays only. Applies to: all land uses.

Holiday lighting energized past 90 nights in a rolling 12-month period loses its exemption and must comply with the City's standard connected-load and lighting-zone limits, enforceable through code compliance.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Centennial gives residents more flexibility on holiday displays.

Window Signs

Centennial caps window signage by requiring 50% to 80% window transparency, depending on zone district, instead of a flat coverage percentage.

Key details: Min. transparency, CG/UC/EC-MU/I: 50%. Min. transparency, AC/EC-N/EC-LI/BP/ED/OSR: 80%. Neon signs in windows: count as opaque.

Window signage that pushes a storefront below its district's minimum transparency percentage is a Land Development Code sign violation, enforced through the City's sign permit and code compliance process.

Garage Sale Signs

In Centennial a garage sale sign has to qualify as a freestanding temporary sign under Table 12-6-501A. A yard sign is allowed in every agricultural and residential district, at 6 square feet per sign and 4 or 5 feet tall, with no cap on the count, and it must sit at least five feet back from every property line.

Key details: Sign type: Yard sign, Table 12-6-501A. Size per sign: 6 sq ft maximum. Height: 5 ft or 4 ft, per the table. Number of signs: No maximum if size and height limits are met. Property-line setback: At least 5 ft from all property lines.

Each calendar day of a continuing violation counts as a separate violation under § 12-15-201(B), and violations of the Land Development Code are minor offenses under Section 2-3-20 of the Municipal Code. The Director can remove signs placed in violation of § 12-6-302, such as signs in the right-of-way or on poles. Under § 12-15-302 the municipal court can order fines up to the Section 1-4-10 maximum per violation plus restitution for enforcement costs, and the City can issue administrative citations or seek an injunction.

The Bottom Line

Centennial's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Centennial is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Centennial's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.