# Sign Regulations in Aspen, Colorado

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Aspen, Colorado, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Aspen, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/aspen
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Aspen/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT26LAUSRE_PT500SURE_CH26.510SI)

## At a glance

Aspen, Colorado regulates 14 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Commercial Core (CC), Commercial-1 (C-1), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Service Commercial Industrial (SCI), Mixed Use (MU), Essential Public Facilities, A, P, PUB, T, GCS, SKI, EBO zoning district are capped at No single sign > 6 sq ft; see additional requirements for sign allotment based on tenant size, with a Not subject to zone setback. See 26.510.060(a) setback (Sec. 26.510.100(b)(1), 26.510.090(g), 26.510.050, 26.510.080, 26.510.070.). Most commercial signs in Aspen require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Core (CC), Commercial-1 (C-1), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Service Commercial Industrial (SCI), Mixed Use (MU), Essential Public Facilities, A, P, PUB, T, GCS, SKI, EBO | 5 | Not above eave/parapet wall; min 8 ft clearance above grade; max projection 4 ft | Up to 50% of each window area; text/logos ≯25% of that area; not counted toward sign allotment if within size limits | — |
| Lodge (L), Commercial Lodge (CL), Lodge Overlay (LP), Lodge Preservation Overlay (LO) | 5 | Not above eave/parapet; min clearance 8 ft above grade; projection ≤4 ft | 50% of window area (see details for logos/text) | — |
| Residential Zone District (R-6, R-15, R-15A, R-15B, R-30, RMF, RMFA, APHD, R-3, RR) | 3 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Affordable Housing (AH, AH-PD), R/MF, R/MFA, APHD | 2 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Commercial Core (CC), Commercial-1 (C-1), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Service Commercial Industrial (SCI), Mixed Use (MU), Essential Public Facilities, A, P, PUB, T, GCS, SKI, EBO

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | No single sign > 6 sq ft; see additional requirements for sign allotment based on tenant size | — | Not subject to zone setback. See 26.510.060(a) | No explicit quantity, but max total area per tenant as above | Wall, not above eave line or parapet, nor above second floor or 28 feet, whichever is less | — | 26.510.100(b)(1), 26.510.090(g), 26.510.050, 26.510.080, 26.510.070. |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft or height of building, whichever is less | No single sign > 6 sq ft; counts toward tenant allotment | — | — | Within total sign area allotment; multi-tenant building may add 1 building sign up to 10 sq ft | On property; cannot project into public or pedestrian right-of-way | — | 26.510.090(b), 26.510.100(a)(4), 26.510.050 |
| Projecting Sign (Hanging/Blade) | Not above eave/parapet wall; min 8 ft clearance above grade; max projection 4 ft | ≤6 sq ft per side (when perpendicular); otherwise counts against sign allotment | — | — | Not restricted by number, but by area and location | Mounted to building, min 8 ft above grade if over pedestrian area; not above eave/parapet | — | 26.510.100(a)(2), 26.510.090(e) |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 50% of each window area; text/logos ≯25% of that area; not counted toward sign allotment if within size limits | — | — | Limited only by % window area | On windows; not above second floor/28 ft; not in right-of-way | — | 26.510.100(a)(5), 26.510.060(f) |
| Sign Box (for restaurants) | 4 ft from point of attachment | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On or in front of restaurant building | — | 26.510.040(n) |

### Lodge (L), Commercial Lodge (CL), Lodge Overlay (LP), Lodge Preservation Overlay (LO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | No single sign > 6 sq ft | — | — | Total sign area 12 sq ft per business; individual sign max 6 sq ft | Wall; not above second floor/28 ft | — | 26.510.100(b)(3), 26.510.090 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft or building height, whichever is less | No single sign > 6 sq ft | — | — | Total sign area 12 sq ft; individual sign max 6 sq ft | — | — | 26.510.100(b)(3), 26.510.090(b) |
| Projecting Sign | Not above eave/parapet; min clearance 8 ft above grade; projection ≤4 ft | 6 sq ft/side if perpendicular; otherwise, as-signed allotment applies | — | — | — | — | — | 26.510.090(e), 26.510.100(a)(2), 26.510.100(b)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area (see details for logos/text) | — | — | — | Window | — | 26.510.100(a)(5), 26.510.100(b)(3) |
| Sign Box (for restaurants in lodge districts) | 4 ft from point of attachment | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant use | On or in front of restaurant building | — | 26.510.040(n) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | Not specified, but one sign per property line facing street; size as per Building/Engineering specification | — | — | 1 per street-facing property line; up to 6 safety signs | During construction, along property lot lines facing street | — | 26.510.040(b) |
| Temporary Announcement Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/leasable space | Street-facing facade | — | 26.510.040(e) |
| Temporary Additional Signs | — | Each ≤6 sq ft; up to 3 signs | — | — | Up to 3 | Not in areas prohibited for sign type; not above eave/second floor | — | 26.510.040(f) |
| Yard Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft; 3 sq ft for additional (for sale/rent); total up to 12 sq ft for multiple units | — | — | As specified per dwelling/unit | Yard, not in right-of-way | — | 26.510.040(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Aspen

- "A" Frame, Sandwich Board and Sidewalk or Curb Signs except as allowed per Section 26.510.110
- Permanent Banners and Pennants except as approved by the Special Events Committee per Section 26.510.120
- Billboards and Other Off-Premises Signs, except as a temporary sign as provided for in Section 26.510.040(a)
- Flashing Signs (lights or illuminations which flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations), except as permitted per Section 26.575.150, Outdoor lighting
- Moving/Variable Message Signs (electronically controlled copy changes, or any other sign that moves or uses movement to emphasize text or images)
- Neon and Neon Appearing Signs (neon lights, similar gas-filled light tubes, lighting made to appear as neon, or technology that simulates neon through LED or other means) unless used for indirect illumination and not directly exposed to public view
- Portable and Wheeled Signs except as allowed per Section 26.510.110, Sandwich Board Signs
- Roof Signs (signs mounted on a roof)
- Search Lights or Beacons except as approved per Subsection 26.575.150(h)
- Signs Causing Direct Glare into or upon any public right-of-way, adjacent lot or building other than the building to which the sign may be accessory
- Signs Containing Unprotected Speech (advocates/incites imminent lawless action, obscenity, defamation, speech integral to criminal conduct, child pornography, threats to public health/safety/etc.)
- Signs Creating Optical Illusion of movement by means of design capable of reversible perspective, giving illusion of motion/changing/copy
- Signs Obstructing Egress (means of ingress/egress, prevents free passage, interferes with openings, or attached to or obstructs standpipe, fire escape, fire hydrant, or free movement of pedestrians)
- Signs on Parked Vehicles where purpose is to advertise, except if sign is incidental to primary use of vehicle for transportation
- Street Blimps (advertising display attached to vehicle/device/bicycle for the primary purpose of advertising)—exceptions apply
- All strings of light and strip lighting not complying with Chapter 26.512 - Outdoor lighting
- Unsafe Signs (structurally unsafe; hazard due to inadequate maintenance; not in good repair; capable of electrical shock; obstructs or is confused with official traffic signs/geared to create unsafe distraction; obstructs view for operators/pedestrians; located on trees, rocks, light/utility poles except as required by law; conflicts with devices placed for controlling traffic or obstructs clear view at intersections)
- Temporary Signs, except as otherwise provided for in Section 26.510.040 or Section 26.510.120
- Illumination of signs via internal, oscillating, flickering, rear (except permitted backlit), variable color, fluorescent, or neon/gas tube (unless used for indirect illumination and directed away from right-of-way)
- Lettering on any sign exceeding 12" in height, except first letter in each word up to 18"
- Logos exceeding 18" in height/length
- Signs placed above the second floor of the building, or 28 feet above street level, whichever is less (see Section 26.510.060(g))
- Display of sandwich board and similar free-standing, two-sided signs on public or private property after September 28, 2020, unless otherwise permitted (see Section 26.510.110)
- Use of signs and sign mounting hardware on historic buildings that undermines the integrity, character, or historic materials of the building
- Signs illuminating through means not allowed by Section 26.510.070(c)

## Signs exempt from permit in Aspen

- Ordinary maintenance, including repainting, of a lawfully existing sign not involving a change of placement, size, lighting, height, or appearance
- Temporary Freestanding or Wall Signs During Construction, as specified for properties under active building permit
- Signs in designated public posting areas in the public right-of-way (such as public kiosks and designated areas of public buildings)
- Incidental signs not exceeding 2 sq ft individually or 10% of the front building façade (typical uses: wayfinding, facility info, accessibility, delivery, courtesy info, etc.)—no advertising allowed
- Temporary Announcement Signs (up to 30 days before/after a new tenant occupies space in eligible zones; max 6 sq ft)
- Additional Temporary Signs (up to 3 per property, 6 sq ft each; April 1–June 15 and October 1–November 15; see location/design restrictions)
- Flags displayed for noncommercial purposes
- Yard Signs (as specified by Section 26.510.040(h), including for-sale/rent, limited periods, and size/location restrictions)
- Government Signs (placed/erected by governmental agencies for regulatory/informational purposes, including variable message display)
- Historic Designation Signs placed/preserved by a public agency on/in front of a historic building/site, up to 6 sq ft as approved by Historic Preservation Officer
- Incidental Signs on Vehicles (signs affixed to vehicles/trailers that are not 'Street Blimp' and are incidental to transportation use)
- Interior Signs (fully within an enclosed lobby/courtyard, not visible from right-of-way or outside)
- Engraved Signs (plaques/tablets/markers/statuary with copy cut into masonry or bronze/other incombustible materials, up to 12 sq ft)
- Sign Boxes in specified zones, meeting criteria (one per use, up to 4 sq ft; for restaurants)
- Theater Signs (up to 30" x 42", and one digital marquee up to 32" visible from exterior, not mounted on exterior of building; must comply with Section 26.510.040(o))
- Machine Signs on vending machines/pumps/etc.; illuminated machine signs must be indoors or not visible from public right-of-way
- Television Signs, subject to setback/orientation/size/location restrictions (see Section 26.510.040(q))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for the erection, placement, construction, reconstruction, or relocation of any sign that does not fall under the exemptions in Section 26.510.040.
- Application for a sign permit must include forms and information as specified by the Community Development Director, including location, material, net leasable calculation, and calculation information for permitted sign characteristics.
- If a sign permit application is incomplete, action is tolled until deficiencies are remedied.
- Sign permit applications are reviewed and approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the Community Development Director.
- Appeal of a sign permit decision is to the Administrative Hearing Officer under the appeals process in Chapter 26.316.
- A sign plan is required when applying for temporary signage on public rights-of-way or in City parks for events not requiring Special Events Committee review—such applications with a sign plan are reviewed by the Community Development Department (Section 26.510.120(b)(3), (d)(4)).
- Exceptions to requirements for signage on public property require City Council review and approval (Sections 26.510.120(b)(6), (f)(8)).

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Aspen — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Aspen+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-aspen

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