Categories include wall, freestanding, awning, canopy, projecting, and incidental signs. Permanent signs should relate to and enhance the project it serves, as well as promote a high-quality image for Lone Tree. Permanent signs shall adhere to the City’s Sign Standards in the Zoning Code and the Lone Tree Design Guidelines & Standards for Architecture and Site Planning (page 44).  

All permanent signage requires completion and approval of a Building Permit from the Building Division. Before applying for the Building Permit, you must create an Accela account. A post-installation inspection must also be scheduled. Fees are calculated based upon project valuation: Building Permit Fee Schedule. Please contact the Building Division for questions on sign standards, design guidelines, and permits.  

Help keep Lone Tree safe and beautiful

Temporary signs such as garage sale, open house, for sale, political, and directional signs are an essential way of communicating, advertising, and directing people to events. The City has standards for temporary signs and their placement to protect public safety and reduce visual clutter.

Where and when temporary signs may be placed:

On private property with permission from the property owner, and may be maintained, cleaned, and in good repair – may remain up for the duration of an event.

Where temporary signs may not be placed:

On public property, including within streets, medians, sidewalks, interstate ramps, parks, open spaces, and on utility poles.

Improperly placed signs are a zoning violation and can be confiscated and a penalty enforced.

Single Family Residences

May have up to 9 square feet of cumulative sign area per street frontage, limited to 6 feet in height.

Be sure to check with your homeowners’ association.

Multifamily Apartments and Condos

Each tenant in a multi-tenant building may use up to 50% of the window surface area per street frontage to display signs.

Building owners may erect one temporary sign per street frontage sized up to 32 square feet if single-sided; 16 square feet, if double-sided, with a maximum height of 6 feet. 

Portable Signs, Sidewalk A-Frame Signs

Each business or entity may display one portable, freestanding sidewalk sign per public entry door to the establishment not to exceed 12 square feet per side and located within 20 feet of the entry of the entry door to the establishment. Businesses with drive-thru windows may place one sign on the interior side of a drive-thru not to exceed 12 square feet per side. Signs shall be stored indoors upon close of business. Signs shall not block exits or pose a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. No permit required.

Window Signs

Window signs are attached to the interior or exterior surface of a window or window frame are permitted, provided they do not exceed a total of 50% of the total window area per side of building or per tenant occupied building frontage in a multi-tenant building. Flashing, blinking or scrolling window signs are prohibited. “Day-Glo” fluorescent, luminous or reflective colored window signs are prohibited. No permit required.

Banners

Each business or entity with its own exterior public entrance to the building may display one banner per tenant frontage (not to exceed two banners) on no more than four oc-casions per calendar year using any combination of days not to exceed a cumulative total of sixty days per calendar year. Maximum size is 50 square feet where tenant frontage is less than 150 linear feet. Banners up to 200 square feet are permitted for tenant building frontages in excess of 150 linear feet. Banners must be securely attached to the building or to a fence or wall attached to the building. Banner Permit Required.

Special Events

Additional temporary signs may be approved as part of a special event or temporary use, such as farmers markets, festivals, fairs, grand openings, anniversary celebrations, and other special occasions. Temporary Use Permit Required.

With the exception of governmental and traffic safety signs, the City does not allow signs on public property including but not limited to street rights-of-way, medians, sidewalks, and parks and open space. Prohibited signs categories include balloons, inflatable devices, advertising flags, pennants or spinners, inflatable signs, and sail banners. Ground signs are prohibited in commercial areas.