Design Review for Signage

The Denver Zoning Code requires a comprehensive sign plan for projects involving multi-tenant buildings with proposed projecting signs located in a Downtown (D-) zone. Comprehensive sign plans are also required for buildings proposing upper-story wall signs in the Lower Downtown Historic District.

NOTE: If you are submitting a comprehensive sign plan, a pre-application meeting is required. At this meeting, staff will clarify the submittal requirements for your proposal. To request a pre-application meeting, complete the comprehensive sign plan application(PDF, 78KB) and email it with all required information to planningservices@denvergov.org.

For more information on the comprehensive sign plan process, visit the signs page on the Development Services website.

Download the landmark design review application and checklist(PDF, 1MB)

Photos of existing conditions showing proposed signage location(s) and surroundings are required and must be:

• In color
• Labeled with direction and orientation to the street
• No smaller than 4"x6" in size (or between 1024 x 768 pixels and 1280 x 960 pixels)
• Arranged on one or more sheets within the drawing set (PDF format), with each image clearly labeled

For examples of acceptable photos and tips for taking good photos, download Landmark Standards for Photographs(PDF, 590KB) and the Photo Page Example(PDF, 999KB).

Required when signs are proposed on multiple building elevations, for multiple tenants in one building or for signage involving multiple buildings. Provide a dimensioned and scaled site plan including:

• Address
• North arrow
• Scale
• Location of existing streets, sidewalks, alleys (including any right-of-way or easement), property lines, and all existing structures
• Location of existing and proposed signs 
• Sign dimensions from zone lot lines, height dimensions, and all other relevant information
• Location of trees, streetlights, above-grade utilities, etc.

Dimensioned and scaled drawings or photo simulations must include the following:

• Detail elevation and section drawings of ALL proposed signage (including ground, window, wall-mounted, projecting, awning and all other types of signs) indicating the sign face(s), copy, lettering size, illumination, materials, bracket details, and other details 
• Method of attachment for all signs and the total number of sign attachments
• Existing and proposed building elevations for each side of the building for which signage is proposed
• Street address
• Façade direction
• Scale
• Major dimensions of each proposed sign, and the height above grade on the building for each proposed sign
• Proposed sign materials and finishes
• Clear labeling on all proposed work

Lighted sign projects must also include:

• Daytime AND nighttime renderings or photo simulations of all lighted signs 
• Fixture and lamp type, size, location, materials and finish, and power source, as well as in lumens and lighting intensity, light source and color temperature in degrees Kelvin (i.e. 3000K)

On the application form, please identify and describe all proposed sign materials for each proposed sign. Provide photos of material samples or cut sheets.