Signs are allowed without a permit, however signs must comply with all of the following requirements...

• There is no limit to the number of signs located in the public rights-of-way, however these signs cannot be larger than 6 square feet in size (for example a 2’x3’ sign) and no taller than 4 feet in height.
• Signs cannot be attached to any public utility pole, including telephone poles, stop signs or street signs.
• Signs cannot be attached to any type of utility box, public fences or trees.
• Signs cannot be attached to vehicles.
• Signs cannot have anything attached to them such as balloons, pennants, lighting or moving parts.
• Signs cannot be placed in or on a street, sidewalk, or median.
  

Rules Applying to Specific Types of Signs

• Political Campaign Signs
• Garage Sale and Real Estate Signs
• Near Public Right-of-Way
• Community Bulletin Boards

Political Campaign Signs

• Display times for political campaign signs are limited to the following:
  - Political signs may not be erected more than 60 days prior to an election.
  - Signs must be removed within five days after such election. 
  - Signs promoting successful candidates or ballot propositions in a primary election may
     remain displayed until not more than five days after the general election. 
  - Signs may remain in a location 24 hours per day during these periods.
• On private property, a maximum of five signs, no larger than 12 square feet each (for example, a 6’ x 2’ or 4’ by 3’ sign) and no taller than 6 feet in height, are allowed
• There is no limit to the number of signs you may display in the rights-of-way.

Garage Sale and Real Estate Signs

• Only one sign is allowed on the lot where the sale is taking place.
• There is no limit to the number of signs you may display in the rights-of-way.
• Garage Sale signs are allowed only during the following hours:
  - Friday from 9 a.m. extending to the following Monday at 9 a.m.
• Real Estate signs are allowed only during the following hours:
  - Between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and then for a    period of time beginning on Friday from 9 a.m. extending to the following Monday at 9 a.m.

Signs Near the Public Rights-of-Way

• Signs must be placed at least 150 feet away from all intersections and 5 feet away from the curb or edge of the road. (see diagram)

 

Note that signs found in violation of City code can be removed without notice and disposed of.

Community Bulletin Boards

You may also display signs on the community bulletin boards at these locations...

• Hoffman Way just North of E. 88th Avenue
• E. 108th Avenue just West of Colorado Boulevard (near the entrance to the multi-purpose fields)
• Sherwood Hills Park at approximately E. 100th Avenue and Clayton Street

Questions?

Contact the Neighborhood Services Division at 303-538-7600, or email at neighbor@cityofthornton.net. Or if you want to learn more about the Neighborhood Services Division's tasks and responsibilities, use the following link.

     About Neighborhood Services Division