Denver, CO Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 660 feet from freeway ROW
- Where allowed
- Only in UO-2 overlay district
- Max height
- 45 feet above grade
- Permit required
- Zoning Administrator permit
Summary
Denver prohibits erecting or remodeling any billboard within 660 feet of a freeway right-of-way if its face is visible from the main-traveled way.
it shall be unlawful to erect or remodel within 660 feet of the edge of the right-of-way of a freeway any outdoor general advertising device the face of which is visible from the main-traveled way of the freeway.
2. Section 10.10.3.K, Relocated Business Signs, of this Code provides a limited allowance for off-premises identification signs related to a public facility. For such off-premises identification signs, where permitted, the provisions of this Section 10.10.21 regulating outdoor advertising devices shall not apply.
3. Outdoor advertising devices may be erected and maintained in the D-TD zone district but only as permitted by a district sign plan authorized pursuant to Section 10.10.15. For such outdoor advertising devices in the D-TD zone district, the provisions of this Section 10.10.21 shall not apply.
4. Outdoor advertising devices may be erected and maintained in the DO-6 zone district but only as permitted by a district plan authorized under Section 9.4.5.10. For such outdoor advertising devices in the DO-6 zone district, the provisions of this Section 10.10.21 shall not apply.
5. Except in the DO-6 Overlay District, outdoor advertising devices may be erected and maintained in the DIA zone district as permitted by the Manager of Aviation pursuant
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Under the Denver Zoning Code, outdoor general advertising devices (billboards) are only permitted in the Billboard Use Overlay District (UO-2), and even there it is unlawful to erect or remodel a billboard within 660 feet of the edge of a freeway right-of-way if the sign face is visible from the freeway's main-traveled way. The same 660-foot buffer is applied separately along several named non-freeway corridors, including Speer Boulevard/Cherry Creek Channel, 23rd/Fox Street, 22nd Street, West Colfax Avenue, and the Walnut Street viaduct/Auraria Parkway. Billboards that do qualify must still get a zoning permit from the Zoning Administrator and are capped at 45 feet in height above grade (or 25 feet above roadway level near elevated streets/viaducts).
Violations & Fines
Erecting or remodeling an unlawful freeway-visible billboard, or operating one without a zoning permit, is a code violation enforced by the Denver Zoning Administrator; unpermitted devices are subject to removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a billboard be built right next to a Denver freeway?
Does the 660-foot rule apply only to freeways?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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