Centennial, CO Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
Centennial caps window signage by requiring 50% to 80% window transparency, depending on zone district, instead of a flat coverage percentage.
Window Sign Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Minimum Window Transparency 50% 80% 50% 50% 80% 80% 80% 50% 80% 80% Other Limitations See neon signs, below Neon Sign Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Number of Signs Allowed 1 per window Maximum Sign Area 6 sf. Maximum Signable Area Ratio Sign area of neon sign hung in window counts as opaque in measurement of window transparency; Neon signs must be turned off when the use closes each day. Awning Sign Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Number of Signs Allowed 1 per awning Maximum Sign Area 8 sf. Maximum Signable Area Ratio 90% of valance for copy and graphics on valance; 50% of other areas for copy and graphics on other areas. Marquee Sign Not Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Number of Signs Allowed - 1 per building - Maximum Sign Area - 20 sf. per face, up to 3 faces - Other Limitations - Not Allowed on façades that face residential uses in a different zoning district; not allowed on buildings that are less than 12,000 sf. of floor area; counts as a fascia or parapet sign. - Arcade Sign or Blade Sign Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed Number of Signs Allowed 1 per primary building entrance - Maximum Sign Area 8 sf. -
Full Breakdown
In nonresidential and mixed-use districts, Table 12-6-401B sets a minimum window transparency rather than a maximum sign area for window signs: 50% in General Commercial, Urban Center, Employment Center-Mixed Use, and Industrial districts, and 80% in Activity Center, Employment Center-Neighborhood, Employment Center-Light Industrial, Business Park, Education, and Open Space/Recreation districts. Neon signs hung in a window count as opaque area against that transparency limit.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my storefront window can I cover with signs in Centennial?
Does a neon sign in my window count toward Centennial's transparency limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Centennial
Compare Centennial to another location·View the Colorado sign regulations overview
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Window Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle window signs.