Littleton council adopts master sign plan amendment to Unified Land Use Code after public hearing

The Littleton City Council on Aug. 19 adopted Ordinance 13‑2025 on second reading, approving amendments to the city’s Unified Land Use Code to add a master sign plan process for larger commercial and campus‑style developments.

The ordinance establishes administrative approval and maximum signage parameters for multi‑parcel or multi‑tenant commercial developments (minimum 10 acres) in specified zoning districts. The amendments allow some increased wall‑sign area (for buildings fronting on designated commercial corridors or suburban connectors), create uniform rules for multi‑parcel entry monument signs, prohibit pole signs as subdivision signs, and restrict electronic message board signs for these master‑planned developments (with limited numeric/digital exceptions). The code changes also clarify certain exempt signs such as wayfinding and drive‑through signage.

Planning Manager Jared Chipman summarized the amendments and said the draft evolved after three Planning Commission meetings and a joint Planning Commission–City Council session. "We took that to plan commission. And they thought that it was going too far, and they thought that, this master sign plan should really be tied to the existing code a lot closer to the existing code," Chipman said during the staff presentation.

Public comment included concerns about visual character and lighting. Pam Chadbourne told council she did not feel the public had adequate scenarios or visual examples to judge how the changes would affect community character, and urged limiting increases in wall‑sign area and preserving monument‑height ties to adjacent buildings. "We need scenarios. We need options. They both need to be illustrated so that people making the choices understand the choice that's being made and the impact of those choices," Chadbourne said.

Councilmembers and staff responded that the changes were intended to provide consistency for large developments while preserving design controls. Councilmembers praised Planning Commission work and staff outreach. Councilmember Grove said the ordinance fills a gap in the code and can improve the aesthetic consistency of commercial centers. The council voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance on second reading.

Vote: Ordinance 13‑2025 (second reading) — approved 7–0.

What happens next: The sign standards are now part of the ULUC. Developers may apply for a master sign plan to access the coordinated standards and exemptions described in the ordinance. The Planning Division will administer the new process and work with applicants to ensure compliance with the city’s design goals.

Ending: Councilmembers said they expect the code change to make sign review more predictable for larger commercial developments while offering staff tools to enforce design and lighting standards.