# Sign Regulations in Craig, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Craig, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/craig
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Craig/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT16LAUSCO_CH16.07SI)

## At a glance

Craig, Colorado regulates 19 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Home Occupation Signs in the Residential zone (Rural Residential (RR), Residential Low Density (RLD), Residential Medium Density (RMD), Residential High Density (RHD), Residential Mobile Home (RMH)) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 3 sq ft, with a 2 ft minimum from property lines; must not encroach into right-of-way. setback (Sec. 16.07.060.B.3, 16.07.060.B.5, 16.07.060.B.6.a). Most commercial signs in Craig require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zone (Rural Residential (RR), Residential Low Density (RLD), Residential Medium Density (RMD), Residential High Density (RHD), Residential Mobile Home (RMH)) | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Central business district (Commercial Downtown) | 5 | 35 ft | Based on formula; up to 500 sq ft street level, 50 sq ft other levels per business; 150 sq ft for multi-use | — |
| Enterprise districts (Commercial Downtown (CD), Community Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2)) | 6 | 35 ft | 500 sq ft (street level); 50 sq ft (upper levels); 150 sq ft for multi-use | — |
| MU District | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per side | — |

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

### Residential zone (Rural Residential (RR), Residential Low Density (RLD), Residential Medium Density (RMD), Residential High Density (RHD), Residential Mobile Home (RMH))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | 8 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 2 ft minimum from property lines; must not encroach into right-of-way. | 1 | Attached to the residence; minimum 2 ft setback from property lines; no part of sign may encroach into right-of-way. | — | 16.07.060.B.3, 16.07.060.B.5, 16.07.060.B.6.a |
| Community Facility Sign (e.g., churches, schools, hospitals, fire, police stations) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 2 ft minimum from property lines; must not encroach into right-of-way. | 2 | Minimum 2 ft setback from property lines; may not encroach into right-of-way. | — | 16.07.060.B.6.b |
| Subdivision/Apartment/Condominium Identification Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 2 ft minimum from property lines; must not encroach into right-of-way. | 2 | Minimum 2 ft setback from property lines; may not encroach into right-of-way. | — | 16.07.060.B.6.c |
| Other Signs (Residential, not otherwise specified) | 8 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 2 ft minimum from property lines; must not encroach into right-of-way. | 2 | Minimum 2 ft setback from property lines; may not encroach into right-of-way. | — | 16.07.060.B.6.d |

### Central business district (Commercial Downtown)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | Based on formula; up to 500 sq ft street level, 50 sq ft other levels per business; 150 sq ft for multi-use | — | 2 ft from property lines, no encroachment into right-of-way | 2 per business (on-premises); 1 per frontage for multi-use | Must not encroach into right-of-way; minimum 2 ft setback from property lines | — | 16.07.060.A.3.a; 16.07.060.D.2.a |
| Hanging Sign | — | 24 sq ft per side (excluding brackets) | — | 4 ft 6 in from back of curb in CBD | 1 per business | At least 4 ft 6 in from back of the curb | — | 16.07.060.A.3.b |
| Awning Sign | — | Additional copy applied to awning may not increase total allowable sign area by more than 25% (calculation applies only to immediate area of copy) | — | — | — | Awning attached to building | — | 16.07.060.A.3.c |
| Roof Sign | 35 ft | Based on formula, see above | — | — | 2 | On roof of business | — | 16.07.060.A.3.d |
| Wall Sign | — | Based on formula | — | 1 ft from wall perimeter edge; max 10 inches projection | See maximum sign area; max 3 total per business (4 for multiple frontages; no more than 2 per frontage) | On wall visible from right-of-way | — | 16.07.060.A.3.e |

### Enterprise districts (Commercial Downtown (CD), Community Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 500 sq ft (street level); 50 sq ft (upper levels); 150 sq ft for multi-use | — | 2 ft from property lines; no encroachment into right-of-way | 2 per business; 1 per frontage for multi-use | Minimum 2 ft back from property lines, no encroachment into right-of-way | — | 16.07.060.A.3.a; 16.07.060.D.2.a |
| Hanging Sign | — | 24 sq ft per side (excluding brackets) | — | 2 ft from property lines | 1 per business | Minimum 2 ft setback from property lines (unless located in CBD, then 4 ft 6 in from curb) | — | 16.07.060.A.3.b |
| Awning Sign | — | May not increase allowable sign area by more than 25% (applies to immediate area of copy only) | — | — | — | Awning attached to building | — | 16.07.060.A.3.c |
| Roof Sign | 35 ft | 500 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On roof of business | — | 16.07.060.A.3.d |
| Wall Sign | 6 ft (multi-use only) | 500 sq ft (street level), 50 sq ft (upper), 200 sq ft (multi-use), height max 6 ft (multi-use) | — | 1 ft from wall perimeter edge; max 10 in projection | See sign area max and design standard | Wall visible from right-of-way | — | 16.07.060.A.3.e; 16.07.060.D.2.b |
| Off-Premises Freestanding Sign | — | 150 sq ft total for all off-premises signs per business | — | Min 150 ft from other off-premises signs | 2 per business | Enterprise districts only; at least 150 ft from other off-premises signs along same frontage | — | 16.07.060.C |

## Prohibited signs in Craig

- No sign shall be permitted which may obstruct visibility in any direction at all intersections of streets, alleys and/or driveways.
- No signs shall be allowed which advertise activities that are illegal under federal, state, county or city laws.
- No signs shall be painted upon retaining walls, rocks or natural features.
- If any provision of this chapter conflicts with any other adopted city code regulating signs, the more restrictive shall govern.
- A sign which copies or imitates or in any way approximates an official highway sign, or any sign which obscures a sign displayed by a public authority for the purpose of attempting to direct the movement of traffic, is prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating, blinking or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving, rotating or flashing lights or signs that create the illusion of movement, except for time and temperature devices, are prohibited.
- Signs which are obsolete in terms of identifying businesses, services, attractions or events which no longer exist or apply are prohibited after thirty (30) days of discontinuance of the business, service, attraction or event. Business or property owners and lessees, managers or agents are responsible for the removal of obsolete signs.
- A sign which obstructs any window or door opening used as a means of egress or prevents free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof is prohibited. A sign which interferes with an opening required for legal ventilation and/or public safety is prohibited.
- Any sign suspended from balloons, inflatable freestanding signs, wind signs and tethered balloons over three (3) feet in diameter is prohibited. Signs attached directly to or painted on the balloon surface shall be considered temporary signs.
- Searchlights are prohibited in all zones.
- Mechanical or electrical appurtenances, such as revolving beacons, that are designed to compel attention, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Craig

- Garage sale signs do not require permits.
- Historic place signs do not require permits.
- Official signs do not require permits.
- Political signs do not require permits.
- Real estate signs do not require permits.
- Address signs do not require permits.
- Announcements (in central business and enterprise districts and at commercial properties in the MU District) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Business hours signs (in central business and enterprise districts and at commercial properties in the MU District) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Credit card signs (in central business district) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Open and Closed signs (in central business and enterprise districts and at commercial properties in the MU District) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Parking signs (in central business and enterprise districts and at commercial properties in the MU District) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Window signs (in central business and enterprise districts and at commercial properties in the MU District) do not require permits, subject to restrictions.
- Temporary signs (subject to restrictions on location, size, number, height, and duration) do not require permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Exceptions to the off-premises sign restrictions may be granted by the planning commission and city council for any nonprofit, charitable or government agency after review of a sign plan showing the number, size, location and duration of proposed signs. No fee will be required for this request.
- Any sign requiring a permit in a residential zone must be approved by the planning commission and will be approved only if judged to be compatible and necessary and to serve the purposes of this chapter.
- Variance procedures are available for appeals regarding sign use, processed by the city council (if construction-related) or planning and zoning commission (if zoning-related). Proper city appeal procedures must be followed.
- All permit requests for signage shall be accompanied by a fully dimensioned site plan showing the location and setbacks from property lines. An additional drawing showing the width, sign area, sign copy and construction date of the sign structure will be required for all sign permit applications.
- Designs for freestanding signs in multi-use buildings and signs on a multi-use building shall be subject to approval by the building department.

## 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 Craig — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Craig+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-craig

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