# Sign Regulations in Del Norte, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Del Norte, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/del-norte
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Del_Norte/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16ZO_ART11SIRE)

## At a glance

Del Norte, Colorado regulates 13 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pole Signs in the Commercial Business (CB) zoning district are capped at 20 ft. tall and Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft., with a No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) setback (Sec. Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(j)). Most commercial signs in Del Norte require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential (R1, R2) | 4 | 5 ft. | 9 sq. ft. per dwelling unit | — |
| Commercial (CB, CH) Residential Use | 4 | — | 9 sq. ft. per dwelling unit | — |
| Commercial Business (CB) | 7 | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Highway (CH) | 7 | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial (I) | 6 | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | See Table 16-11B for zone-specific limits | 16 sq. ft.; up to 32 sq. ft. for up to 2 years at start of development | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Commercial Business (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | Affixed to building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area and number is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(j) |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Projecting Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as total area per business and per site is not exceeded | Projecting from building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(k) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 ft. | — | 3 ft. | — | One per building | Sidewalk adjacent to public business entrance | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One at a time | On-site, excluding public property/infrastructure | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or within window | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(4) |

### Commercial Highway (CH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | Affixed to building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(j) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Projecting Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as total area per business and per site is not exceeded | Projecting from building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(k) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 ft. | — | 3 ft. | — | One per building | Sidewalk adjacent to public business entrance | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One at a time | On-site, excluding public property/infrastructure | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or within window | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(4) |

### Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | Affixed to building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(j) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft. | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | No sign within clear sight triangle (between 2 and 10 feet above ground at intersections) | As long as aggregate sign area is not exceeded | On property | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B |
| Projecting Sign | — | Individual sign: 100 sq. ft.; Total for site: 250 sq. ft. | — | — | As long as total area per business and per site is not exceeded | Projecting from building wall | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(1); Table 16-11A; Table 16-11B; Sec. 16-11-40(k) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or within window | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(4) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One at a time | On-site, excluding public property/infrastructure | — | Sec. 16-11-50(d)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Del Norte

- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except as specifically approved by the Board of Trustees following a finding of public interest in safety, way-finding, location identification, public information, or commercial district economic vitality.
- Signs on public property or within the right-of-way of any road or highway are prohibited without written approval of the Board of Trustees and a finding of legitimate public interest.
- Flashing, rotating, blinking, or moving signs; animated signs; signs with moving, rotating, or flashing lights; or signs that create the illusion of movement are prohibited, except for time and temperature devices.
- No sign shall be erected in a manner or location causing visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrian traffic, or traffic-control devices, including any sign that obstructs clear vision from any street intersection or driveway.
- No sign shall be displayed that poses a danger due to poor design, construction, installation, or maintenance.
- No sign in a state of disrepair, wear, or ruin due to age or neglect may be displayed. All signs must be maintained in good condition and in compliance with building and electrical codes.
- Roof signs, including any sign erected, placed, or maintained upon, against, or directly above the roof, or which projects above the eaves or parapet, are prohibited (with the exception of awning signs manufactured into the material).
- Obsolete signs, except murals or signs determined by the Town Clerk/Administrator to be historically significant, are prohibited and must be removed within 90 days after the business, product, or service is no longer at the premises.
- Attention-attracting devices are prohibited unless otherwise specifically approved under the ordinance.
- Signs or pictures of obscene, indecent, or immoral character are prohibited in accordance with constitutional standards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Del Norte

- A sign permit is not required for the display of a sign or group of signs whose total square footage equals nine square feet or less per property.
- Sidewalk signs do not require a sign permit and do not count towards the total allowed sign area, but must comply with other relevant requirements.
- Temporary signs (commercial zones): One temporary sign not exceeding 16 square feet, displayed up to 90 days per calendar year, does not require a sign permit and does not count toward the total sign area.
- Window signs do not require a permit and do not count towards total area allowed but must meet all other requirements and standards for display.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any multiple-tenant nonresidential building or development existing at the time of adoption that does not have a comprehensive sign plan must create one at the time of application for a new sign.
- Every multi-tenant building or coordinated development (office parks, civic uses, shopping centers, business parks) is required to have a comprehensive sign plan approved.
- Planned developments must include a comprehensive sign plan at the final development plan stage.
- Applications for a final subdivision plat must include a comprehensive sign plan application.
- Comprehensive sign plans must be approved before issuance of sign permits for individual tenants in developments requiring such plans.
- Individual sign permits are required for each business entity's signs within a multiple-tenant building or development with a comprehensive sign plan.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Del Norte — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Del+Norte+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-del-norte

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