Post & Panel Signs in Colorado Springs
Aluminum panels mounted on one or two posts for business entries, property identification, and directional signs on private property, set in concrete and placed where drivers can still see the road.
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics produces post and panel signs in Colorado Springs: aluminum or aluminum composite panels mounted on one or two posts for entry signs, property identification, and directional signs on private property. Posts are typically steel or aluminum, set in concrete footings below the frost line. In the city, freestanding signs require a sign permit, and directional signs are limited to 6 square feet and 4 feet tall, two per entrance. Every sign must stay out of the sight visibility triangle at driveways and intersections. Most non-illuminated signs are produced in one to two weeks after approval, with permit review usually the longest step.
A post and panel sign is the simplest freestanding sign there is. Getting the footing, the height, and the placement right keeps it standing and keeps it compliant.
Post and panel signs mark the entrance to an office park, tell drivers where deliveries go, name a building set back from the road, and point visitors to the right lot. Each is a flat aluminum panel, printed or lettered, on one post or between two. They look simple, but they sit in the ground near driveways, which brings footings, frost, and traffic sight lines into the project.
This page covers panel materials, post options, footing basics, where a sign can and cannot go near a driveway, and how the Colorado Springs sign permit applies. For signs mounted on buildings, see our aluminum panel and building signs page.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- Sign types
- Entry and property ID signs, directional signs, delivery and visitor signs, building and suite ID on private property
- Panels
- Aluminum and aluminum composite panel, printed and laminated or cut vinyl, single or double sided
- Posts
- Square or round steel, aluminum, and wood for some applications, single or double post
- Footings
- Concrete footings set below the frost line; the depth is set by the regional building code (commonly 30 inches here) and confirmed per project
- Permit
- Freestanding signs need a city sign permit; directional signs up to 6 sq ft and 4 ft tall, two per entrance
- Typical timeline
- One to two weeks for production after approval; permit review usually takes longest
- Service area
- Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Falcon, and El Paso County
What post and panel signs are used for
Post and panel signs are used where a building sign cannot be seen, or where drivers need direction before they reach the building. The most common uses:
- Entry and property identification. The business or building name at the driveway, often double sided so it reads in both directions of traffic.
- Directional signs. Visitor parking, deliveries, drive-through lanes, loading docks, and building numbers in a multi-building campus.
- Tenant panels in business parks. Several tenant names stacked on a shared frame, with panels that can be swapped as tenants change.
- Church, school, and medical campus signs. Entrance, emergency department, drop-off, and service entrance signs on private property.
APG produces panel signs on posts. For larger freestanding structures, APG can produce replacement faces for existing monument signs when the existing structure is suitable, though we do not construct monument or pylon structures.
Panel materials and faces
Aluminum is the standard panel for outdoor post and panel signs because it does not rot, rust, or warp. The choice is between solid aluminum and aluminum composite, and between printed and cut vinyl graphics.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Solid aluminum panel | Directional signs and smaller panels | Durable, and dent resistant at heavier gauges. Edges can be rounded for safety where people walk. |
| Aluminum composite panel | Larger entry and ID panels | Two aluminum skins over a solid core. Stays flat at larger sizes and takes printed graphics well. |
| Printed and laminated | Logos, photos, gradients, multiple colors | Full color graphic on cast vinyl with a UV laminate. |
| Cut vinyl | Simple text and logos in one or two colors | Long lasting, crisp edges, easy to change one line later. |
| Reflective sheeting | Directional and entry signs read at night | Reflects headlights so the sign reads after dark without its own lighting. |
At 6,035 feet, UV is stronger than at sea level, so south and west facing panels fade faster. A UV laminate on printed panels slows that down. Our guide to acrylic, aluminum, and PVC sign materials compares substrates for Colorado conditions.
Posts and footings
The post and footing keep the sign standing through Colorado wind and freeze-thaw cycles. Most post and panel signs use one of three setups.
- Single post. Common for small directional signs. The panel mounts to the face of a square or round post with brackets.
- Two posts. The standard for entry and ID signs. The panel sits between or in front of two posts, which resists twisting in wind far better than one post.
- Decorative posts. Aluminum posts with caps, bases, and finials for a finished look at office parks and campuses.
Concrete footing basics
Posts are set in concrete footings dug below the frost line so that freezing ground does not lift the sign over the winter. Frost depth for footings is set by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code and is commonly cited as 30 inches in this region; we confirm the current requirement for each project. Footing diameter, depth, and post size depend on the sign's size, height, and wind exposure. 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.
Before anyone digs
Underground utilities run along many driveways and property frontages. A utility locate through Colorado 811 is requested before any digging. Irrigation lines and private low voltage lines are not always marked by public locates, so tell us about any sprinkler systems or site lighting near the sign location.
Sight triangles near driveways
A sign near a driveway cannot block a driver's view of oncoming traffic or people on the sidewalk. It is the most common placement problem with entry signs, and the city checks it.
The city sign code bars freestanding signs from obstructing a sight visibility triangle, as defined in the city's Engineering Criteria, unless a revocable permit is issued first. The sign plan submitted for a permit must show sight visibility. Freestanding and directional signs may sit at a zero foot setback inside the property line, but only when they do not compromise line of sight for traffic.
In practice:
- Location comes first. We set the location against the driveway and sidewalk before finalizing the design, because moving a sign out of a sight triangle can change its size or height.
- Low and close can be a problem. A panel at a driver's eye level right beside a driveway blocks more than a taller sign set farther back.
- Landscaping grows. Shrubs around the base can block sight lines years after install, so plan plantings with the sign.
Plowed snow piles up beside driveways all winter, and a sign where the plow pushes snow gets buried and hit. We check where snow goes on your lot before picking a location.
Permits for post and panel signs in Colorado Springs
Freestanding signs need a sign permit in Colorado Springs, including post and panel entry signs and small directional signs.
- Freestanding signs. The city sign code, updated by Ordinance No. 26-01 and in effect since July 1, 2026, lists freestanding signs as requiring a permit, with size and height based on the use and lot frontage.
- Directional signs. Listed in the code as a minor sign type that still needs a permit. They are limited to 6 square feet and 4 feet tall, two per entrance, with commercial messaging limited to 25 percent of the sign content. A logo is usually fine; an advertisement is not.
- Sign plan. Planning approves a sign plan before the building permit is issued. It shows building locations, existing and proposed signs, the nearest intersections, zoning, and sight visibility, along with written owner consent.
- Fees. The 2024 city fee schedule lists permanent signs at $200 plus $1 per square foot, including inspections. PPRBD charges its own sign permit fee.
Properties outside city limits follow El Paso County rules. Our sign permit services page explains how we prepare and submit permit packages, and our guide to sign permits after Ordinance 26-01 covers the city process in detail.
Designing a panel drivers can read
A post and panel sign is read from a moving car, usually in the few seconds before a driver turns. Short, large, high contrast text works best.
- One idea per panel. The business name on an entry sign; one direction per line on a directional sign.
- Arrows next to words. Arrows sit beside the destination they point to, not centered at the top of a list.
- Contrast over color. Light text on a dark panel or dark text on a light panel. Brand colors work when the contrast is strong.
- Double sided at entries. A double sided sign set perpendicular to the road reads in both directions of traffic.
Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process. Proofs show the sign at scale on a photo of the actual location when you send one.
How a post and panel sign project runs
- Site photos and locationSend photos of the intended location, the driveway, and the property frontage, plus the text and logo for the sign.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate for the panel, posts, footings, and permit. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Design, site plan, and permitWe prepare the design and the sign plan showing location and sight visibility, then submit for permit review.
- ProductionPanels are cut, printed or lettered, and laminated; posts and hardware are prepared to the approved drawings.
- Installation and walkthroughAfter the utility locate, posts are set in concrete and the panel is mounted. We handle the installation, including equipment coordination when needed, through the final walkthrough.
Is a post and panel sign the right choice?
Post and panel signs fit most entries and private drives. A few situations call for something else.
A good fit when
- Your building sits back from the road and drivers need to find the entrance
- A campus or business park needs directional signs for visitors and deliveries
- You want a durable, non-illuminated sign that is simple to update
- Tenant names change and panels need to be swapped without new posts
Look elsewhere when
- The only available location falls inside a sight visibility triangle
- You want a large illuminated freestanding structure
- The sign is meant for a temporary event or project, where a temporary sign fits better
The Short Version
- APG produces aluminum post and panel signs for entries, property ID, and directional signs on private property in Colorado Springs.
- Two-post signs resist twisting in wind better than single-post signs for larger panels.
- Posts are set in concrete below the frost line; frost depth is set by the regional building code, commonly 30 inches here.
- Freestanding signs, including directional signs, need a city sign permit.
- Directional signs are limited to 6 sq ft, 4 ft tall, and two per entrance, with commercial messaging capped at 25 percent.
- No freestanding sign can obstruct the sight visibility triangle at a driveway or intersection.
Where this information comes from
- City of Colorado Springs Unified Development Code, Part 13 Signs, Section 7.4.1307 and Tables 7.4.13-B and 7.4.13-D: amlegal.com.
- City of Colorado Springs sign application guidance: coloradosprings.gov/signapp.
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2023 edition technical code amendments, Table R301.2(1) and Section 1809.5 (frost depth requirements): pprbd.org.
- City of Colorado Springs Development Review Enterprise fee schedule, 2024: coloradosprings.gov.
- APG project records for freestanding panel signs, Colorado Springs office.
Common questions
Post & Panel Signs FAQ
What is a post and panel sign?
A post and panel sign is a freestanding sign made of a flat panel, usually aluminum, mounted on one or two posts set in the ground. It is commonly used for entries, property identification, and directional signs.
Do post and panel signs need a permit in Colorado Springs?
Yes. The Colorado Springs sign code requires a sign permit for freestanding post and panel signs, and directional signs are also listed as requiring a permit even though they are a minor sign type.
How big can a directional sign be in Colorado Springs?
The city sign code limits directional signs to 6 square feet and 4 feet tall, with two per entrance, and limits commercial messaging to 25 percent of the sign content.
How deep do sign posts need to go?
Posts are set in concrete footings below the frost line, which is set by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code and commonly cited as 30 inches in this region. Actual footing depth and size depend on the sign's size, height, and wind exposure, and some signs require engineered drawings.
What is a sight visibility triangle?
A sight visibility triangle is the area near a driveway or intersection that must stay clear so drivers can see oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The Colorado Springs sign code does not allow freestanding signs to obstruct it.
What material is best for an outdoor post and panel sign?
Aluminum and aluminum composite panel are the standard choices because they do not rot, rust, or warp. Printed graphics get a UV laminate to slow fading at Colorado Springs' altitude.
Can one sign list several tenants?
Yes. A multi-tenant post and panel sign uses a separate panel for each tenant on a shared frame, so one panel can be replaced when a tenant changes.
Does APG build monument signs?
APG can produce replacement faces for existing monument signs when the existing structure is suitable, though we do not construct monument or pylon structures.
How long does a post and panel sign take?
Production of a non-illuminated post and panel sign usually takes one to two weeks after approval. City permit review is usually the longest part of the schedule.
Send a photo of the location
Point drivers to the right driveway.
Send photos of the location, the driveway, and the property frontage, plus your sign text and logo. Our team will review the placement and send a written estimate. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.