Douglas County, CO Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max area per window sign
- 6 square feet
- Building face 50 ft or less
- 3 window signs allowed
- Building face 50-300 ft
- 6 window signs allowed
- Over 300 ft face
- +1 sign per extra 50 ft
- Permit needed if compliant
- None required
Summary
Douglas County caps window signs at six square feet each and ties the number allowed per business to the length of the building face at its main entrance. Buildings under 50 feet get three, larger buildings get more, and no permit is needed if the limits are met.
Window signs that meet all of the following:
A. Do not exceed six square feet in area.
B. For each business:
(1) A maximum of three window signs shall be allowed if the building face at the main entrance of the business is equal to or less than 50 linear feet in length.
(2) A maximum of six window signs shall be allowed if the building face at the main entrance of the business is greater than 50 linear feet and equal to or less than 300 linear feet in length.
(3) Six window signs plus one additional window sign per additional 50 linear feet in excess of 300 linear feet of building face at the main entrance of the business shall be allowed.
4. Scoreboards that meet all of the following:
A. Are shown on the Site Improvement or Location and Extent Plan Exhibit.
B. Are in compliance with Part 30, Lighting Standards, if illuminated.
C. Are oriented towards the sports field and are not an obstruction to or distraction for vehicular traffic.
5. Signs interior to a sports field or park structure that meet all of the following:
A. Are mounted to an interior wall or fence.
B. Are oriented to spectators of the sports field or park.
6. Drive-in or drive-through menu boards that meet all of the following:
A. Are shown on the Site Improvement Plan.
B. Are oriented specifically for the drive-in or drive-through customer.
7. Historical plaques.
8. Street numbers and addresses.
9. Vehicular signs that meet all of the following:
A.
Full Breakdown
Under the Land Use Regulations' sign standards, window signs are exempt from the sign permit process only if they meet all of the requirements in § 1-2903, Subsection 3. Each window sign is capped at six square feet in area. The count allowed depends on the building's main-entrance face length: a business with a face of 50 linear feet or less may display a maximum of three window signs; a business with a face greater than 50 feet but not more than 300 feet may display up to six; and a business with a face exceeding 300 feet gets six plus one additional window sign for each additional 50 linear feet beyond 300.
Any window sign that fails these size or count thresholds loses the exemption and falls back under § 1-2903, Subsection 2, which treats signs placed in or on a window for outdoor advertising as subject to the general permit requirements of Part 29 rather than as interior, unregulated signage. A sign permit, when required, is issued through Planning Services once the application, dimensioned drawing, and site plan are complete; Planning Services must approve or deny within 10 working days. Illuminated window signs must also comply with the Part 30 Lighting Standards referenced at § 1-2902, Subsection 6.
Violations & Fines
A window sign that exceeds six square feet or exceeds the per-business count for its building face length loses its exemption and is treated as an unpermitted sign under § 1-113 and § 1-114. Violations of the zoning chapter carry a $100 civil infraction per violation under §§ 30-28-124(1) and 18-1.3-503(1.6), C.R.S., a civil penalty of $500 to $1,000 plus up to $100 per day it continues, and possible injunction or abatement action; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a window sign in unincorporated Douglas County?
How many window signs can a small storefront have?
What happens if my window sign is bigger than six square feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Colorado sign regulations overview
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