Fort Collins sign permit at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a permit? | Yes for most signs. No sign may be displayed, built, installed, refaced or altered until the City has issued a sign permit, unless it fits an exception. There is none for routine maintenance, painting or swapping a light source for one of comparable intensity (§5.16.1(D)(2)). Banners, pennants and feather flags need a permit. Other cities compared. |
| How big can my wall sign be? | There is no fixed wall sign cap. The sign area allowance is 2 sq ft per foot of building frontage for the first 200 feet, plus 1 sq ft per foot after that, for up to 3 building frontages (§5.16.2(A)) (limits by sign type). Other cities compared. |
| What does it cost? | $65 flat fee for a sign permit, plus city and county sales or use tax based on the job valuation (City Zoning Permits page). That tax is not part of the $65 (fees). Other cities compared. |
| How long does it take? | We found no number of days for a sign permit. Applications received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday go into the review period that begins on Thursday (timing). Other cities compared. |
| How long is the permit good for? | We found no expiry period for a sign permit in the Land Use Code or on the City's permit page. |
| Sidewalk A-frame sign? | The Land Use Code prohibits portable signs unless City Code Chapter 24, Article IV permits them. We did not read that article (§5.16.1(G)(2)(b)) (sidewalk signs). |
| Blade or projecting sign? | Projecting signs, which include awning, marquee, under-canopy and fin signs, follow Table (D) and may not extend into the public right-of-way unless the City grants a revocable license (§5.16.2(D)). An awning sign is up to the lesser of 35 sq ft or 25% of the awning in most districts. Other cities compared. |
| Grand opening banner? | Yes, with a permit from the Director. A business may display permitted banners and pennants for up to 40 days per calendar year. The City has 2 business days to check the application is complete and 3 business days after that to approve or deny (§5.16.3(E)) (banners). Other cities compared. |
| Digital or LED sign? | Allowed as an electronic message center built into a permanent sign: one such sign per street frontage, up to 50% of the sign area, messages no more often than every 60 seconds. Not allowed on a pole sign (§5.16.1(J)(2)). Other cities compared. |
| Already installed without a permit? | We found no penalty amount for an unpermitted permanent sign. For banners, a business that puts one up without a permit cannot get another banner permit for the rest of the calendar year (§5.16.3(E)(1)). Other cities compared. |
Size limits Checker Fees How to apply Timing No permit Sidewalk signs Banners and other types What we could not confirm FAQ
Section 5.16.2(A) gives each site one sign area allowance. Wall, window, projecting and primary ground signs are drawn from it in most districts, and it is counted on up to 3 building frontages. Ground signs also have their own height and area limits that grow with the setback from the street. Work out the allowance first, then check the limit for each sign type.
Fort Collins sign limits by sign type (Land Use Code §5.16.1 to 5.16.3)
These are the standards for the sign types most storefronts use. The tables vary by sign district (Downtown, Commercial/Industrial, Mixed-Use, Multi-Unit, Single-Unit and Residential Neighborhood); the figures below are the ones that apply in the commercial columns unless noted, and you should read the table for your district.
| Sign type | What is allowed | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Sign area allowance (all sites) | 2 sq ft per foot of building frontage for the first 200 feet, plus 1 sq ft per foot in excess of 200, and not less than 1 sq ft per foot of lot frontage. Calculated per building frontage, for no more than 3 frontages. No frontage may carry more than 100% of the allowance | §5.16.2(A), Table (A) |
| Wall sign | Counts toward the allowance. Flush wall signs should line up with other signs on the same building. Wall signs that include an electronic message center are not permitted in parts of the Downtown district | §5.16.2(B), §5.16.1(J)(2) |
| Window sign | Not limited in number. Up to 50% of the architecturally distinct window in most districts, with an 80 sq ft cap in most, and 25% in the residential neighborhood district. Window signs not exempt from a permit count toward the allowance | §5.16.2(C), Table (C) |
| Awning sign | One per awning, up to the lesser of 35 sq ft or 25% of the awning area in most districts (10 sq ft or 10% in the single-unit district). Projects up to 7 ft; not above the first story | §5.16.2(D), Table (D) |
| Primary ground sign | One per site for nonresidential, mixed-use or multi-unit uses in most districts. Height and area depend on the setback and style, up to 12 ft and 90 sq ft per face for a monument sign, and up to 18 ft and 90 sq ft for a pole sign, at a setback of 36 ft or more. At the street line, 7 ft and 45 sq ft for a monument, 10 ft and 20 sq ft for a pole. At least 75 ft between ground signs | §5.16.2(G), Tables (G)(1), (G)(2) |
| Secondary ground sign | One per vehicular access point. Up to 16 sq ft and 4 ft high (20 sq ft and 5 ft in the residential neighborhood district), 2 ft from the right-of-way and 10 ft from property lines. No pole signs | §5.16.2(G), Table (G)(1) |
| Drive-through lane sign | One per lane, up to 30 sq ft and 6 ft high, not counted in the allowance, and it must face the lane | §5.16.2(G), Table (G)(1) |
Source: City of Fort Collins Land Use Code Article 5 (Land Use Code, General Development and Site Design), posted on the City's Land Use Code page, Sec. 5.16.1 to 5.16.3, printed pages 5-112 to 5-148; downloaded and read 28 October 2026. Text file: /tmp/claude-0/dl/foco/a5_sign_all.txt.
The code does not cap a wall sign on its own; the allowance does. Ground signs between table rows: we used the row at or below your setback. Section 5.16.1(F) holds the measurement rules and (G) the prohibited signs, which include inflatable, revolving and rotating signs, permanent off-premises signs, billboards and abandoned signs (§5.16.1(G)(2)).
Check your sign against the limit
This applies the allowance in §5.16.2(A) and the ground sign setback table in §5.16.2(G). It does not see your sign district, the other signs on the site, the lot frontage minimum or the other frontages you may use.
Calculated from Land Use Code Article 5, Sec. 5.16.2(A) Table (A) and 5.16.2(G) Table (G)(2), read 28 October 2026. The fee is shown from the City's Zoning Permits page.
How much does a Fort Collins sign permit cost?
The fee is on the City's Zoning Permits page, under Sign Permits. We read it on 28 October 2026; the page carries no effective date.
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sign permit | $65 flat fee | Zoning Permits page, Sign Permits |
| Sales and use tax | City and County sales or use tax based on the job valuation; separate from the $65 | Zoning Permits page, Sign Permits |
| Temporary sign permit | $65 flat fee, plus the same tax | Zoning Permits page, Temporary Sign Permits |
- The $65 is a flat fee. The page lists no fee by sign type or size for a permanent sign.
- The tax depends on the job. The page says the sales or use tax is based on job valuation and points to the City's sales tax page; we did not look up the rate.
- Not in the Development Review schedule. The City's Fee Schedules page has no sign permit line. Its lines cover development review, utilities and similar fees.
Sources: City of Fort Collins Zoning Permits page (Sign Permits and Temporary Sign Permits); Fee Schedules page; read 28 October 2026. Text file: /tmp/claude-0/dl/foco/zp.txt.
How to apply for a Fort Collins sign permit — 3 steps
Steps from the City's Zoning Permits page, read 28 October 2026, and Land Use Code Article 5 Sec. 5.16.2(A).
How long it takes
We found no review time in days for a sign permit. The City reviews sign applications in a weekly cycle: materials received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday are reviewed in the period that begins every Thursday. The Land Use Code sets a time only for banners and pennants: 2 business days to check the application is complete and 3 business days after that to approve or deny (§5.16.3(E)(3)). Ask the Zoning office how long a sign review takes before you book an installer.
Sources: City of Fort Collins Zoning Permits page; Land Use Code Article 5 Sec. 5.16.3(E); read 28 October 2026.
Signs that need no sign permit — 6 items
- Maintenance: routine maintenance, painting, or replacing light sources with lighting of comparable intensity. A new manual changeable copy or electronic message center does need a permit (§5.16.1(D)(2)(b)).
- Window signs under 6 sq ft: if all window signs together cover no more than 25% of the architecturally distinct window and no more than 25% of the sign allowance, and none is lit (§5.16.1(D)(5)(f)).
- Small signs: a sign attached to a building of up to 2 sq ft, one per elevation visible from the public right-of-way or adjoining property; and signs under 1 sq ft on machines, fences, gates, walls, gas pumps, public telephones or utility cabinets (§5.16.1(D)(5)(c)).
- Flags: on up to 3 flagpoles per 100 feet of frontage, up to 3 flags per pole, each flag up to 32 sq ft (§5.16.1(D)(5)(b)).
- Temporary signs: most need no permit, but feather flags and banners or pennants do (§5.16.1(D)(5)(e)). They are still subject to Section 5.16.3.
- Signs not visible or legible from outside: signs that cannot be seen from residential lots, adjoining property, the public right-of-way or higher ground, or cannot be read from there. One may be up to 35 sq ft (half of it counts toward the allowance); others up to 8 sq ft (§5.16.1(D)(4)).
Source: Land Use Code Article 5 Sec. 5.16.1(D), printed pages 5-113 and 5-114, read 28 October 2026. Government signs and signs required by law are outside the Sign Code (§5.16.1(D)(3)).
Sidewalk signs and projecting signs
The Land Use Code leaves sidewalk A-frames to another part of the City Code, and we did not read it.
- Portable signs: prohibited, except as the Code of the City of Fort Collins, Chapter 24, Article IV permits (§5.16.1(G)(2)(b)). Detached portable signs may be displayed only with a permit under that article (§5.16.3(C)(2)).
- Right-of-way: no sign in or over the public right-of-way, which includes sidewalks, except signs under a revocable license from the City, portable signs permitted under Chapter 24, Article IV, and signs posted by the owner of the right-of-way (§5.16.1(H)(1)).
- Projecting signs: may not extend into the public right-of-way unless the City grants a revocable license. An awning sign projects up to 7 ft and needs 8 ft of clearance to the awning, or 7 ft to the valance (§5.16.2(D)).
Source: Land Use Code Article 5 Sec. 5.16.1(G) and (H), 5.16.2(D) and 5.16.3(C), read 28 October 2026.
Banners, digital signs and other types — 4 items
- Banners and pennants: allowed in any zone district with a permit from the Director. Each business or organization may display permitted banners and pennants for up to 40 days per calendar year. A banner put up without a permit makes the business ineligible for a banner permit for the rest of that calendar year (§5.16.3(E)).
- Electronic message centers: one sign with an EMC per street frontage, pixel pitch no greater than 12 mm, no more than 50% of the sign area, signs with EMCs at least 100 ft apart, none on a pole sign. Messages are static and change no more than once every 60 seconds (§5.16.1(J)(2)).
- Lighting: after sunset, internally lit signs, including EMCs, may not exceed 600 nits (§5.16.1(I)(2)(b)). Flashing, blinking and animated light is a prohibited element except where the Sign Code allows it (§5.16.1(G)(3)(a)).
- Manual changeable copy: no more than 80% of the sign area. Missing or damaged copy must be repaired or removed within 14 days (§5.16.1(J)(1)).
Source: Land Use Code Article 5 Sec. 5.16.1(G), (I), (J) and 5.16.3(E), read 28 October 2026.
What we could not confirm
- Review time. We found no number of days for a sign permit, only the weekly review cycle.
- Permit expiry. We found no period after which an unused sign permit lapses.
- A penalty for unpermitted work. We found no fine or added fee for a permanent sign installed without a permit in Section 5.16, and did not read the enforcement provisions of the City Code.
- Sidewalk A-frame rules. They sit in City Code Chapter 24, Article IV, which we did not read.
- The sales or use tax. The $65 fee is a flat fee, but the tax on the job valuation depends on the job and we did not look up the rate.
- Later amendments. The Land Use Code is being updated in phases; the City's page says the current phase covers commercial corridors and centers. The Article 5 file we read is the one the City links today, and it carries no effective date we could read. A later change may not be in it.
- Which sign district you are in. Many limits differ by sign district, and the multi-column tables were extracted as text, so some column assignments are approximate. Check your district in the Code itself.
Checked against Land Use Code Article 5, the City's Land Use Code page and Zoning Permits page on 28 October 2026.
Fort Collins sign permit questions
Answers from Land Use Code Article 5 and the City's Zoning Permits page, read 28 October 2026.
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Sources & how this page is maintained
Sources and official references: Fort Collins Land Use Code, Article 5 · City of Fort Collins Land Use Code page · City Zoning Permits page · City Fee Schedules page
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Send your dimensions and we will reply with what the Fort Collins Land Use Code allows for that sign. No charge. We are not a sign contractor and not a permit agent.