Greeley, CO Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- C-L, C-H, I-L, I-M, I-H, PUD
- Max display area
- 50% of sign face
- Min. dwell time
- 1 change per 30 sec.
- Max brightness
- 600 nits, dusk-dawn
- C-L/institutional hours
- 6 a.m.–10 p.m. only
Summary
Greeley restricts digital "EMD" signs to commercial, industrial, PUD and institutional-use sites, capping them at 50% of the sign face, static images only, no faster than one change per 30 seconds, and 600 nits after dark.
2.The area of the EMD shall not exceed 50 percent of a sign face.3.The EMD shall contain static messages only, with changes only occurring instantly, through dissolve or fade transitions, or with the use of other subtle transitions and frame effects. No message, image, change, or transition shall have the appearance or optical illusion of movement...4.The displayed message shall not change more frequently than once per 30 seconds.5....Lighting from the message module shall not exceed 600 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk and dawn as measured from the sign's face.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 24-905.c governs electronic messaging displays (EMDs). They're allowed only in the C-L, C-H, I-L, I-M, I-H and PUD zone districts, and for institutional uses in any district, and require site plan review under Sec. 24-207; in C-L or residential-district institutional settings, operating hours are limited to 6 a.m.-10 p.m. The display area can't exceed 50% of a sign face, messages must be static (changing only instantly, or via dissolve/fade or subtle frame effects, never with any illusion of movement), and copy can't change more than once every 30 seconds. Automatic dimming or solar sensors are required, brightness is capped at 600 nits dusk to dawn, and any premises with an outdoor EMD forfeits its temporary-sign allowance.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant EMDs are denied a sign permit or cited as illegal/nonconforming signs under Ch. 9; existing EMDs that don't meet the duration-of-copy and brightness rules must be brought into conformance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a digital sign in Greeley show video or scrolling text?
Are digital billboards allowed in Greeley's residential zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greeley
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