Denver, CO Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Display cap
- 60 consecutive days maximum
- Annual cap
- 60 days total per calendar year
- Permit
- None required within the cap
- Enforcement
- Denver Zoning Administrator
- Scope
- Any type, size, or illumination allowed
Summary
Denver exempts holiday decorations from outdoor advertising device permits, but only if displayed no more than 60 consecutive days and no more than 60 days total in any calendar year.
Outdoor general advertising devices in the nature of decorations, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday or public health, safety or welfare campaign; provided that such devices shall be displayed for a period of not more than 60 consecutive days nor more than 60 days in any 1 year; and may be of any type, number, area, height, location or illumination.
Full Breakdown
Under the Denver Zoning Code's sign standards, decorations "commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday" are treated as exempt outdoor advertising devices and can go up without a zoning permit, in any type, number, area, height, location or illumination. That exemption is conditioned on time, not size: the display is capped at 60 consecutive days, and no more than 60 days total in any one calendar year. Leave a holiday light display up past that window and it falls under the code's regular outdoor general advertising device permit and registration requirements instead of the exemption.
Violations & Fines
Denver Zoning Code § 10.10.21.2.B exempts holiday decorations from advertising-device permits only within the 60-day cap; a display left up longer becomes an unpermitted outdoor general advertising device, enforceable by the Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for holiday lights in Denver?
What happens if holiday lights stay up past 60 days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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