Wall Advertising
Can You Put an Advertisement on the Side of a Commercial Building?
4 min read · Updated 2026-08-26
Short answer
Often yes. An ad can go on the side of a business building when the property owner approves it and the sign follows the city's current rules for that address — including the zone, sign type, size, placement, lighting, and how long it stays up.
The two approvals you need
The property owner Someone has to say yes and sign an agreement. People often forget this part.
The city An ad on a building is a sign. Denver says most signs on private property need a zoning permit, and signs that stick into the right-of-way need an extra permit. Thornton handles signs through its Development Code and sign permit process. Other cities in the metro have their own versions.
What usually blocks it
- Land zoned for homes, not business
- No view from the road, so no advertiser wants it
- That sign type is not allowed at that address
- Historic district or other special area rules
- Owner limits from a lease or lender
What the process looks like with BTS Media
1. You tell us the building or the area you want. 2. We check owner interest, how visible it is, and local rules. 3. If it works, we put the agreement together and run the campaign. 4. If it does not work, we tell you and move on to a wall that does.
The short version
The wall is the easy part. The approvals are what decide it.
Where This Info Comes From
- City and County of Denver — Sign zoning permits — Denver's page on zoning permits for signs on private property.
- City of Thornton — Sign Code and Permit Requirements — Thornton's sign permit requirements page.
Rules change and every property is different. What is allowed depends on the property, zoning district, sign type, size, placement, lighting, duration and the city's current requirements. Always confirm with the city before a campaign goes up. BTS Media reviews these requirements as part of the process and does not claim any location is permit-free.