Construction Site Signs & Fence Banners in Colorado Springs
Coming-soon signs, project ID panels, contractor and lender signs, and mesh fence wraps, produced in materials that survive a Colorado Springs job site from groundbreaking to final inspection.
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics produces construction signs in Colorado Springs: coming-soon signs, 4 by 8 foot project ID panels, contractor and lender signs, and printed mesh fence wraps and windscreens. Rigid signs are printed on aluminum composite, aluminum, or 4 mm corrugated plastic depending on how long the project runs. Fence wraps use mesh that lets wind pass through, finished with grommets and fastened with zip ties. PPRBD does not require a building permit for one temporary freestanding sign per year up to 32 square feet and 7 feet tall, and the city has its own rules for short term signs and fence wraps, which we confirm for each site.
- Types of construction site signs
- Choosing materials by project length
- Wind load on fence banners
- Zip ties, grommets, and mounting
- Temporary sign rules on a Colorado Springs job site
- Designing signs people read from the road
- How a construction sign project runs
- Are printed construction signs the right fit?
A job site sign has one job before the building exists: tell everyone driving past what is coming, who is building it, and who to call.
Construction signs are the first marketing a new project gets. A coming-soon sign on a pad site along Powers or Northgate starts leasing conversations months before opening. A project ID sign shows the owner, the general contractor, the design team, and the lender. A fence wrap screens the site, helps keep dust in, and turns a few hundred feet of chain link into a billboard.
This page covers which materials fit which signs, how wind affects fence banners on the Front Range, how signs are fastened, and how the city and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) rules apply to temporary job site signage. For general banners outside construction, see our banners and temporary signs page.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- What it covers
- Coming-soon signs, project ID signs, contractor and lender panels, subcontractor signs, safety and site rules signs, printed mesh fence wraps and windscreens
- Rigid materials
- Aluminum composite panel, aluminum, and 4 mm corrugated plastic (coroplast)
- Fence materials
- Printed mesh banner and windscreen fabric with hemmed edges and grommets
- PPRBD
- No building permit for one temporary freestanding sign per year, up to 32 sq ft and 7 ft tall
- City rules
- Short term sign and fence wrap rules under the sign code; fence wraps come down within 7 days of the Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection
- Typical timeline
- One to two weeks for vinyl and non-illuminated signs after approval
- Service area
- Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Falcon, and El Paso County
Types of construction site signs
Most projects use three or four sign types, each for a different audience. Planning them together keeps the site looking like one project.
Coming-soon and leasing signs
These go up early, often before groundbreaking, to announce the tenant or the space available. They carry a rendering, the opening season, and a leasing or hiring phone number or web address.
Project ID signs
The classic 4 by 8 foot panel that lists the project name, owner, general contractor, design firm, engineer, and lender. Many owners and lenders have a required layout or logo order, so send it to us early.
Contractor, lender, and subcontractor panels
Smaller panels, often 2 by 3 or 2 by 4 feet, mounted to the fence or a post. Subcontractors use them to show they are on the job; lenders use them on financed projects.
Fence wraps and windscreens
Printed mesh that covers the perimeter fence. A fence wrap can show the finished building, the brand, or a simple pattern with the contractor's name repeated every section.
Choosing materials by project length
The right material depends on how long the sign has to last. A six-week remodel and an 18-month build have different needs.
| Material | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 4 mm corrugated plastic (coroplast) | Short projects, subcontractor panels, directional signs | Light and low cost. Flexes in wind and can crack at fastener holes over time. Best for months, not years. |
| Aluminum composite panel | Project ID signs and coming-soon signs that stay up a year or more | Two thin aluminum skins over a solid core. Flat, rigid, and holds printed graphics well through UV and weather. |
| Mesh banner | Fence wraps, large graphics on fences and scaffolding | Printed vinyl mesh with open holes that let wind pass through. Hemmed and grommeted. |
| Windscreen fabric | Long fence runs where screening matters more than a printed image | Knitted fabric that screens views and dust. Logo or text printed in bands. |
At 6,035 feet, UV is stronger than at sea level, and dark colors and reds fade first on a sign that faces south or west. For projects that run more than a year, we add a laminate to printed rigid signs. Our guide to acrylic, aluminum, and PVC sign materials compares substrates in more detail, and our aluminum signs page covers permanent panels.
Wind load on fence banners
Wind is the main reason fence banners fail in Colorado Springs. A solid banner turns a chain link fence into a sail, and the Front Range sees strong downslope wind events, especially in winter and spring. That is why mesh is the default for fence wraps.
- Mesh lets wind through. The open weave reduces the load on the fence and fasteners compared with solid vinyl, but a wrapped fence still catches far more wind than a bare one.
- Temporary fence panels need bracing. Freestanding rental fence panels on stands can tip over once they are wrapped. Talk to your fence provider about extra stands, sandbags, or bracing before the wrap goes on.
- Watch the top edge. Most failures start where the top hem pulls away. Fastening every grommet along the top rail matters more than anywhere else.
If your site sits on open, exposed ground, tell us during the estimate so we can plan reinforced hems and tighter grommet spacing.
Zip ties, grommets, and mounting
How a sign is fastened decides how long it stays put. Most fence banner failures are fastening problems, not material problems.
- Grommets and hems. Fence banners are hemmed on all edges and grommeted along the perimeter, commonly every 12 to 24 inches. Longer banners and windy sites get tighter spacing. A reinforced hem keeps the grommets from tearing out.
- Zip ties and ball bungees. UV-stabilized zip ties are the standard fastener for chain link, and ball bungees work where a banner comes down and goes back up. Ordinary indoor ties turn brittle in Colorado sun and can snap within a season. Ties should be snug, not tight enough to pull the grommet.
- Rigid panels on fences. Aluminum and coroplast signs are drilled and fastened to the fence with ties or hardware at several points, not just the corners, so they do not flap and crack.
- Post-mounted signs. Project ID signs are usually mounted on two wood or metal posts set in the ground, or on a sturdy frame. Larger or taller signs may need heavier posts. Some sign projects require engineered drawings based on the sign type, size, mounting method, and site conditions. We confirm the applicable requirements as part of the project review.
Check banners after every major wind event. One torn grommet becomes a torn banner if no one re-ties it.
Temporary sign rules on a Colorado Springs job site
Two agencies matter for construction signs: the City of Colorado Springs, which regulates signs through its sign code, and PPRBD, which handles building permits. Their rules are separate, so a sign exempt from one can still need the other.
PPRBD building permit exemption
PPRBD lists temporary freestanding signs, limited to one per year, not more than 7 feet tall and not more than 32 square feet in area, among the items that do not require a building permit. A standard 4 by 8 foot project sign is exactly 32 square feet, so it fits that limit if the top stays at or under 7 feet. Larger or taller signs, or a second freestanding sign in the same year, fall outside it.
City sign code
The city's sign code, updated by Ordinance No. 26-01 and in effect since July 1, 2026, treats signs on properties under construction or development as short term signs. They must be placed on private property, and they come down at the earliest of the Certificate of Occupancy or final building inspection, among other triggers. Size and number limits depend on the use and lot size, and we confirm them for each site.
Fence wraps and screens have their own rules in the code. The code table lists them as requiring a permit, limits them to the size of the fence they hang on, prohibits signage facing residential uses, and requires removal no later than 7 days after the Certificate of Occupancy or final building inspection. All temporary signs must be non-illuminated and kept in good repair.
Projects outside city limits follow El Paso County rules instead. Our guide to Colorado Springs sign permits after Ordinance 26-01 explains the city process, and our sign permit services page explains how we handle applications.
Designing signs people read from the road
A construction sign is read at traffic speed, so less belongs on it than most people expect.
- One message per sign. "Coming Soon" plus the tenant name and an opening season is enough for a leasing sign. Put the full list of project partners on the project ID sign, not the coming-soon sign.
- Big contact information. One phone number or one short web address, large enough to read from the road. Long URLs and QR codes work only for people on foot.
- Consistent partner panels. When several firms appear on one sign, logos are set to a common height on a shared background so each one gets equal weight.
Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process. Each sign is laid out at real size, and the fence wrap can be shown on a photo of your fence line.
How a construction sign project runs
- Site details and sign listSend the site address, fence length and height, the signs you need, and any owner or lender layout requirements.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate by sign and material. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Design and approvalEach sign and the fence wrap are laid out at real size for approval by the owner, contractor, and lender when required.
- ProductionRigid signs are printed and laminated when needed. Mesh is printed, hemmed, and grommeted to your fence measurements.
- Delivery or installationWe deliver or install, depending on the project. We handle the installation, including equipment coordination when needed, through the final walkthrough.
Are printed construction signs the right fit?
Job site signage pays off on most commercial projects. A few situations call for something else.
A good fit when
- A commercial project visible from a busy road for several months or more
- A new tenant that wants to start hiring or leasing before opening
- An owner or lender that requires a project ID sign
- A perimeter fence that needs screening for dust, privacy, or appearance
Look elsewhere when
- The work lasts only a few days and a simple yard sign will do
- The sign would sit in the public right-of-way without a revocable permit
- The fence faces a residential use where the code prohibits fence wrap signage
The Short Version
- APG produces coming-soon signs, project ID signs, contractor and lender panels, and printed mesh fence wraps in Colorado Springs.
- Coroplast suits short projects; aluminum composite and aluminum suit signs that stay up a year or more.
- Mesh fence wraps reduce wind load but do not remove it, and temporary fence panels may need extra bracing.
- UV-stabilized zip ties and tight grommet spacing along the top edge prevent most fence banner failures.
- PPRBD does not require a building permit for one temporary freestanding sign per year up to 32 sq ft and 7 ft tall.
- City rules require fence wraps to come down within 7 days of the Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection.
Where this information comes from
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, permit not required list (temporary freestanding signs): pprbd.org.
- City of Colorado Springs Unified Development Code, Part 13 Signs, Section 7.4.1307 and Table 7.4.13-E: amlegal.com.
- City of Colorado Springs sign application guidance: coloradosprings.gov/signapp.
- APG project records for job site signs and fence banners, Colorado Springs office.
Common questions
Construction Site Signs FAQ
Who makes construction signs in Colorado Springs?
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics produces construction signs in Colorado Springs, including coming-soon signs, project ID signs, contractor and lender panels, and printed mesh fence wraps.
Do I need a permit for a construction sign in Colorado Springs?
PPRBD does not require a building permit for one temporary freestanding sign per year up to 32 square feet and 7 feet tall. The city sign code separately regulates short term signs on properties under construction and requires a permit for fence wraps, so each site is checked against both.
What material is best for a construction site sign?
For a construction site sign, corrugated plastic suits short projects lasting a few months. Aluminum composite panel or aluminum suits signs that need to stay flat and readable for a year or more.
Should a fence banner be mesh or solid vinyl?
Mesh is the better choice for most fence banners in Colorado Springs because its open weave lets wind pass through. Solid vinyl on a fence catches much more wind and puts more strain on grommets and fence panels.
How are fence banners attached to chain link?
Fence banners are hemmed and grommeted and attached with UV-stabilized zip ties or ball bungees at every grommet, with the top edge fastened most carefully because that is where most failures start.
When does a fence wrap have to come down in Colorado Springs?
The city sign code requires fence wraps and screens to be removed no later than 7 days after the Certificate of Occupancy or final building inspection.
Can a fence wrap face nearby homes?
The city sign code prohibits fence wrap signage facing residential uses. A plain screen without a message on the residential side, with graphics only on sides facing commercial streets, is a common approach, and we confirm the layout for each site.
What size is a standard project ID sign?
A 4 by 8 foot panel is the most common project ID sign size. At 32 square feet, it matches the size limit in PPRBD's exemption for one temporary freestanding sign per year.
Send the site plan or fence length
Put the project on the map before it opens.
Send the site address, fence length and height, the signs you need, and any owner or lender requirements. Our team will send a written estimate by sign and material. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.