Design Review for Signage

Landmark Preservation reviews applications for signage on all individual landmarks and properties within a historic district, as well as comprehensive sign plans.

Before you begin

The following signage or associated components are not allowed in historic districts or on individual landmarks:

Vinyl signs graphics affixed to window and door glass
Plastic signs
Internally illuminated signs
Exposed conduit

For more information about appropriate materials, review the design guidelines below.

Do you need a comprehensive sign plan or already have one?

The Denver Zoning Code requires a comprehensive sign plan (CSP) for signage at large facilities. Comprehensive sign plans are also required for buildings proposing upper-story wall signs in the Lower Downtown Historic District. Buildings within Downtown zone districts will likely have or will require a CSP. Campus developments, such as Lowry, may also have a CSP.

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, 131KB) 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.

Design Guidelines

Landmark Preservation staff, the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC), and the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC) use design guidelines to review all signage in historic districts and at individual landmark sites. Site specific conditions determine how well the proposed signage fits the surrounding historic context. Most sign projects will be reviewed with Chapter 6: Guidelines for Signs(PDF, 1MB), except those in the Lower Downtown Historic District. Most sign projects in the Lower Downtown Historic District will be reviewed with Appendix A: Design Guidelines for Signs in the Design Guidelines for the Lower Downtown Historic District(PDF, 15MB). For more information about applicable design guidelines, visit the Landmark Preservation design guideline webpage.

E-permits Application

Submit your application materials via E-permits:

Create an account or log in to an existing account
Click the "Development Services" tab
Click "Apply for a Permit"
Select "Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness" and follow the instructions.

For assistance with e-permits, visit the FAQ page.

Required documents

Design review applications must adequately describe the project and provide sufficient information to evaluate the proposal. Documentation must clearly illustrate the existing conditions as well as any proposed work.

All applications for signage must include the following information:

A completed Landmark design review application and checklist(PDF, 1MB)
Current color photographs of the area of project scope and street fronting façade(s)
- Photos must be at least 300 dpi or at least 4” X 6”
- Photographs must be labeled with the cardinal directions (ex. north, south, east, west). Photographs labeled front, side, and rear will not be accepted
- Photos must be included as a page or pages within the drawing set or attached as jpeg or pdf. (Thumbnail photos, photos embedded within emails, and photos linked to a file sharing system will not be accepted) Roof Plans that include existing, if applicable, and proposed roof. Plans to be scaled and dimensioned with roof pitch(es) noted.
Existing and proposed site plans that include:
- Address with street name
- Scale and dimensions (at least 1”=20’)
- Zone lot and Property lines (include both if different)
- Zone lot depth (e.g., 65/35 or 80/20)
- Orienting features such as streets, alleys, sidewalks, and adjacent structures
- Location of hardscaping elements such as fences, site walls, patios, exterior stairways, driveways, etc.
- North direction arrow
- Zoning setback requirements
- Original grade elevation at intersection of side interior zone lot lines and minimum setback to primary setback
- Identify all proposed and existing site elements that violate zoning regulations for which you will be seeking relief through the Administrative Adjustment process
Floor plans that include:
- Labels of all tenants spaces. Use simple labels (e.g., Tenant 1, Tenant 2)
- Do not include furniture, reflected ceiling plans, interior finish plans, or other interior work (unless otherwise required for a building or zoning permit)
Enlarged/Detail elevation drawings that include:
- Scale and dimensions (at least 1”=20’)
- Sign type(s) and location(s)
- Material legend and notes
- Sign mounting height(s) from grade
- Sign relationship to exterior façade details such as storefronts, architectural details, and existing signage elsewhere on the building
Sign drawings that clearly:
- Identify sign dimensions and sign square footage
- Show sign depth, lettering size, and lighting types
- Show attachment method
Details of construction that include:
- All construction materials clearly labeled in elevation including color, finish, and profiles
- A material schedule or keynotes
- Material samples or photographs of new or innovative materials as requested by staff
Methods of illumination that include:
- Light fixture or integrated lighting
- Lamp type, size and location, if applicable
- Location of power source, conduits, and raceways
- Lighting intensity, color temperature in degrees
Photo simulations that include:
- All proposed signs during the day clearly showing the building, sign copy, and other details
- All proposed illuminated signs at night clearly showing the building, sign copy, lighting, and other details