# Sign Regulations in Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado Springs, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/colorado-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Colorado Springs, Colorado regulates 19 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (<160 ft. frontage)s in the Office zoning district are capped at 7 ft. tall and 34 sq. ft., with a None setback (Sec. Table 7.4.13-B). Most commercial signs in Colorado Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential | 3 | 7 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Office | 4 | 7 ft. | 34 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial | 5 | 7 ft. | Up to 50% of allowed sign area | — |
| Industrial | 4 | 7 ft. | 34 sq. ft. | — |
| Mixed-Use | 3 | See Subsection B.1.f in 7.4.1307 | Up to 50% of allowed sign area for a freestanding sign (by CSP) | — |
| Civic | 3 | 7 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| FBZ district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial center | 2 | Per CSP/max zone, up to 35 ft. depending on frontage | As allowed in CSP (+30% for aggregated signs) | — |
| Zone Number 1 (Interstate Highway Buffer 0-220 ft) | 1 | — | 100 sq. ft. or the area specified in the underlying zone, whichever is more restrictive | — |
| Zone Number 2 (Interstate Highway Buffer 220-440 ft) | 1 | — | 200 sq. ft. or the area specified in the underlying zone, whichever is more restrictive | — |
| Zone Number 3 (Interstate Highway Buffer 440-660 ft) | 1 | — | 300 sq. ft. or area specified in underlying zone, whichever is more restrictive | — |
| Zone Number 4 (Interstate Highway Buffer 660+ ft) | 1 | — | 600 sq. ft. or area specified in underlying zone, whichever is more restrictive | — |
| MX-L, LI, GI, BP | 1 | Not to exceed freestanding sign max height in zone | 245 sq. ft. (new); 400 sq. ft. for replacement if previous was ≥400 sq. ft. | — |
| Downtown Planning Area | 1 | Not to exceed freestanding sign max in zone | Up to 400 sq. ft. (if >400 sq. ft. prior to 12/31/1996), else 245 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 8 ft (if attached to building) | 64 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Office

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | See Subsection B.1.f in 7.4.1307 | No limit on number, but shall not exceed max. total sq. ft. per elevation. | — | — | No limit (area-limited) | On wall facing frontage | — | Table 7.4.13-A and 7.4.1307.B.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (<160 ft. frontage) | 7 ft. | 34 sq. ft. | — | None | 1 | On property; not in ROW | — | Table 7.4.13-B |
| Freestanding Sign (≥160 ft. frontage) | 0.06 ft. per linear ft. frontage (max 25 ft.) | Cumulative; see Table | — | None | Varies with frontage | On property; not in ROW | — | Table 7.4.13-B |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | — | Not permitted | — | — | None | — | — | Table 7.4.13-C |

### Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (≤200 ft. setback) | See Subsection B.1.f in 7.4.1307 | Area determined by building length | — | — | No limit (area-limited) | On building wall facing frontage | — | Table 7.4.13-A; 7.4.1307.B.1 |
| Wall Sign (setback >200 ft. from ROW) | See Subsection B.1.f in 7.4.1307 | Area determined by building length | — | — | No limit (area-limited) | On building wall facing frontage | — | Table 7.4.13-A; 7.4.1307.B.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (<160 ft. frontage) | 7 ft. | 42 sq. ft. | — | None | 1 | On property, not in right-of-way | — | Table 7.4.13-B |
| Freestanding Sign (≥160 ft. frontage) | 0.07 ft. per linear ft. of lot frontage (max 30 ft.) | — | — | — | Varies with frontage | On property, not in right-of-way | — | Table 7.4.13-B |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) (as part of Freestanding Sign) | — | Up to 50% of allowed sign area | — | — | 1 per property | As component of allowed freestanding sign | — | Table 7.4.13-C; 7.4.1307.B.3 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | N/A | Side of awning from which it draws its allowed sq.ft. | — | Table 7.4.13-D; 7.4.1307.D.1 |
| Building Plaque | 8 ft (if attached to building) | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | Built in or flat to wall | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per elevation | Flush on canopy face | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Corporate Flag | Max height of zone district | 3 ft. x 5 ft. | — | Required for accessory uses | 1 | On property | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Decorative Flag | Max height of zone district | 3 ft. x 5 ft. | — | Required for accessory uses | 1 per 20 ft. frontage | On property | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | Per permit | On premises | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Directory (freestanding) | 6 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from ROW | 2 per entrance | 2 per entrance; additional allowed by CSP; 15 ft. from ROW. | — | Table 7.4.13-D |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window(s) first floor | — | — | None | First floor windows | — | Table 7.4.13-D |

## Prohibited signs in Colorado Springs

- Any sign erected or painted upon light poles, retaining walls, fences, rocks, trees, or natural features unless the sign meets the definition of a low profile or freestanding sign as described in Subsection 7.6.203C (Lot Area).
- Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of varying intensity.
- Any sign with a digital electronic message that changes in any manner except those permitted by Section 7.4.1307 (Sign Types and Criteria by Sign Category).
- Any sign with direct or indirect lighting that causes direct glare into or upon any lot or tract with a residential use that is adjacent to the lot or tract where the sign is located.
- Signs that advertise activities that are unlawful and not recognized as permitted or conditional uses per Article 7.3 (Use Regulations).
- Any private sign that is an imitation of an official government protective or warning sign, including signs using the words 'Stop' or 'Danger' to imply a need or requirement to stop or a caution for the existence of danger, and including signs that are copies of, or which are likely to be confused with, any official government protective or warning sign.
- Any sign that obstructs a window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building as required by law.
- The parking of any motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, or other movable device in a manner that the vehicle constitutes a billboard or off premises sign.
- Any sign attached to a flat roof.
- No sign obstructing sight visibility in any direction at the intersection of a street or within an alley or driveway shall be permitted.
- A sign shall not be placed on any property without written consent of the owner or the owner's authorized agent.
- Sign plans will not be approved for new signs proposed on property where illegal signs exist.
- Sign plans will not be approved until a Building Permit for the site has been issued, if applicable.
- No portion of a freestanding sign shall be in or project over a public right-of-way. No freestanding sign shall be placed within an existing or proposed easement.
- Banners hung between T-posts, attached to fences, retaining walls and/or vehicles and banners in landscape areas are prohibited.
- No banner may be illuminated, animated, or constructed of reflective materials.
- Inflatable displays that wave, lightly or rapidly, in an irregular manner and portable inflatable billboards are prohibited in all zone districts.
- Signs may not be placed within City owned right-of-way unless a revocable permit has been granted.
- Signs may not be placed within State right-of-way without the express approval of CDOT.
- Signs are not permitted to be attached to public or City owned infrastructure, facilities, utility poles or signposts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Colorado Springs

- Works of art.
- Official traffic signs, signals, and devices.
- National, state, or City flags.
- Official legal notices.
- Public warning signs, traffic control and traffic directional signs erected by the City or another governmental agency.
- Signs displayed within the interior of a building that are not visible from the exterior of the building.
- Holiday decorations.
- Human signs so long as the signs are not set down or propped on objects by the human.
- Interpretative signs.
- Street numbers or addresses.
- Private notification signs.
- Special event vehicles are exempt from motor vehicle sign regulations (Subsection 7.4.1307D.3).
- State approved signs within Colorado State highway rights-of-way (for billboards).
- Signs approved by the revocable permit process as set forth in Chapter 3, Article 2, Part 2.
- Off premises temporary signs that comply with Subsection 7.4.1307F (Temporary Sign Types Additional Criteria) (for billboards).
- Signs announcing a 'special event' as defined in Section 3.2.403.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan must accompany the sign permit for all new signs when required and be submitted to and approved by the Planning Department under criteria set forth in this Part 7.4.13 prior to being presented to the Building Official for issuance of sign permit.
- Approval of a sign plan and issuance of a Sign Permit is required before erecting any sign as defined in this UDC and not exempted by Section 7.4.1303 (Exemptions).
- For multi-tenant buildings, commercial centers, and shared signage, a sign plan including letter of owner approval is required.
- Sign plans will not be approved for new signs on properties with illegal signs or until a Building Permit for the site has been issued, if applicable.
- Owners or developers desiring signage that varies from the requirements of the sign code or unified commercial center signage may apply for approval of a Coordinated Sign Plan (CSP) for the entire site.
- Coordinated Sign Plan (CSP) applications must be reviewed and approved by Planning Department staff and may be referred to the Planning Commission, FBZ Review Board, or City Council with the related application.
- A CSP may permit additional signs and/or sign area based on unique characteristics, and the CSP bonus incentive shall not exceed fifteen percent of the standards in Section 7.4.1307 without a nonuse variance.
- Once a CSP has been approved, subsequent sign permits shall be approved administratively when the proposed sign is in compliance with the approved CSP.

## 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 15 zoning districts in Colorado Springs — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Colorado+Springs+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-colorado-springs

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