Sign Permit in Durango, Colorado

When you need this permit

• Unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, or change any sign without first obtaining a sign permit or applicable exemption, per LUDC Sec. 3-6-1-4
• Signs requiring a permit (LUDC Sec. 3-6-4-1, Permanent Signs): Awning, Canopy, Marquee, Monument, Projecting, and Wall signs
• Signs allowed WITHOUT a permit (LUDC Sec. 3-6-4-2, Temporary Signs): Site Signs and Yard Signs on private property (dimension caps by zone, see fees/notes); Banners require registration only (not a permit) — one per business, max 3 times per calendar year, max 28 consecutive days per display, prohibited from attachment to vegetation or the public right-of-way
• Small Portable Signs (max 12 sq ft, 6 sq ft/side if double-sided, 4 ft height) are allowed without a permit on private property in non-residential zones, but require a permit if placed in the public right-of-way
• Dimensional standards vary sharply by zoning district (LUDC Division 3-6-5, Place-Based Sign Standards): Residential/Agricultural/Open Space/Public zones cap a permitted Monument Sign at 24 sq ft/5 ft height and a Wall Sign at 24 sq ft, indirect illumination only; Central Business (CB)/Mixed Use-Neighborhood (MU-N) zones allow 100 sq ft aggregate sign area per parcel (4 signs max) with external illumination only; Mixed Use-Arterial (MU-A) also caps aggregate area at 100 sq ft but allows internal (opaque-background) illumination; Commercial General (CG)/Commercial Regional (CR) and Business Park (BP)/Light Industrial (LI) zones allow 200 sq ft aggregate area with Monument Signs up to 100 sq ft and 12-20 ft height depending on zone
• No more than four (4) signs requiring a permit are allowed per parcel unless approved under an adopted Master Sign Program ($250 fee)
• Illumination rules (LUDC Sec. 3-6-3-3): external light fixtures must be downcast and shielded; sign design must comply with Dark Sky Friendly principles; internal illumination is prohibited in the Central Business Zone, Mixed Use-Neighborhood Zone, and residential zones (including residential portions of PD zones); within the Main Avenue Historic District, neon is capped at 50% of allowable aggregate sign area (max 40 sq ft per parcel, max 15 sq ft per single sign) and requires Community Development Commission review/approval
• Signs in the Downtown Overlay District (Main Avenue, Camino del Rio, East Second Avenue) must additionally comply with the Downtown Overlay Design Guidelines (Chapter 9, Signs); signs elsewhere in the city must comply with the Commercial Use Design Guidelines (Chapter 6, Sign Design Guidelines)
• Political/electioneering signs: up to 12 sq ft aggregate area allowed without a permit indefinitely in residential zones; up to 48 sq ft allowed during the 30 days preceding an election; may not be located within 200 feet of any polling place; must be removed within 3 days after election day, with the candidate/placer responsible for removal
• Nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance with LUDC Article 3-6 when altered in a way requiring a permit, when no message is displayed for 60+ consecutive days, when damaged/destroyed beyond two-thirds of replacement value, or when the property is vacant 60+ days (LUDC Sec. 3-6-1-3)
• Signs meeting all applicable requirements can be approved administratively by the Planning Division, per the City's Applications/Permits page — no public hearing required for a standard compliant sign permit
• Projecting signs, awnings, and other sign elements located within the public right-of-way additionally require a Revocable Encroachment Permit (minor, $50), a distinct permit from the base sign permit, per the Community Development Department Planning Fees schedule
• Applications submitted via the City's OpenGov portal (durangoco.portal.opengov.com); a Pre-Application Meeting request often precedes formal submittal for planning-track applications generally