# Sign Regulations in Fairplay, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fairplay, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/fairplay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Fairplay/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=MUNICIPAL_CODE_CH16UNDECO_ARTXXVSI)

## At a glance

Fairplay, Colorado regulates 24 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Commercial District zoning district are capped at One story: not above eave, multi-story: not above bottom of 2nd story window; min. 8 ft above grade tall, 6 sq. ft., and 3 ft. wide (Sec. Sec. 16-25-130G5; 16-25-170 matrices). Most commercial signs in Fairplay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 9 | 6 ft | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District | 17 | No higher than eave line / 25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — |
| Civic Center District | 17 | No higher than eave line/25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — |
| Town Center, Transitional & Multi-Use Districts | 16 | No higher than eave line / 25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — |
| Parks District | 13 | No higher than eave line or 25 ft above grade | 120 sq. ft. | — |
| Light Industrial District | 19 | No higher than eave line/25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | No higher than eave line | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | On wall of building; first or second story | — | Sec. 16-25-170, Area, Height, Illumination matrices; Sec. 16-25-130 G1 |
| Banner | No higher than eave line | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building or on private property per Town approval | — | Sec. 16-25-170 Table; Sec 16-25-40 |
| Canopy Sign | No higher than canopy top or eave line; min. 8 ft above grade for under-canopy | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | Affixed to canopy attached to and supported by building | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-130G2 |
| Incidental Sign | 6 ft. | 8 sq. ft. (4 sq. ft. max each, 8 sq. ft. total) | — | — | 1 per use | Projecting, wall, suspended, window or part of freestanding sign | — | Sec. 16-25-170 Table; Sec. 16-25-90.4 |
| Painted Wall Sign | No higher than eave line / 25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per frontage | Building wall, first floor retail only | — | Sec. 16-25-170 matrices (e),(c) |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | In front of business, on sidewalk during business hours; not obstructing safety/access | — | Sec. 16-25-170 matrices, 16-25-90.12 |
| Projecting Sign | One story: not above eave, multi-story: not above bottom of 2nd story window; min. 8 ft above grade | 6 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per business | Ground floor facade/first story | — | Sec. 16-25-130G5; 16-25-170 matrices |
| Suspended Sign | Min. 8 ft above grade, per projecting sign rules | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | Suspended from underside of porch, canopy, etc. | — | Sec. 16-25-170 matrices |

### Civic Center District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | No higher than eave line | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | On wall, first or second story | — | Sec. 16-25-170, Area/Height/Illumination matrices; 16-25-130G1 |
| Banner | No higher than eave line | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building or structure | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-40 |
| Canopy Sign | No higher than canopy top, not above eave line | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | Affixed to canopy attached/supported by building | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-130G2 |
| Identification Sign | 6 ft. at eave line | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On principal building | — | Sec. 16-25-170 |
| Incidental Sign | 6 ft. | 8 sq. ft. (4 sq. ft. max each, 8 sq. ft. total) | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-90.4 |
| Marquee Sign | No higher than eave line; first floor only for retail | Same as wall sign (5% wall area, not to exceed 150 sq. ft.) | — | — | — | Attached to building face or as wall sign | — | Sec. 16-25-170 Note |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 8 ft above grade; not above eave, or bottom of 2nd story window on multi-story | 6 sq. ft. | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | Ground floor facade/first story | — | Sec. 16-25-130G5, 16-25-170 |
| Suspended Sign | Min. 8 ft. above grade | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | Underside of porch, canopy, or similar | — | Sec. 16-25-170 |

### Light Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | No higher than eave line | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | On first/second story wall | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 130G1; Light Industrial matrices |
| Canopy Sign | No higher than eave line/canopy top | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant | Affixed to canopy | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-130G2 |
| Incidental Sign | 6 ft. | 8 sq. ft. (4 sq. ft. max each, 8 sq. ft. total) | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-90.4 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 120 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Frontage adjoining public street | — | Sec. 16-25-170, Light Industrial |
| Painted Wall Sign | No higher than eave line/25 ft above grade | 150 sq. ft. per wall (5% wall area) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 16-25-170 |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | In front of business, on sidewalk (business hours only), not obstructing safety/visibility/access | — | Sec. 16-25-170; 16-25-90.12 |
| Projecting Sign | Min 8 ft above grade; not higher than eave/bottom of 2nd story window | 6 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per business | Ground floor facade | — | Sec. 16-25-130G5, 16-25-170 |
| Suspended Sign | Min 8 ft above grade | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | Underside of porch/canopy/etc. | — | Sec. 16-25-170, Light Industrial |

## Prohibited signs in Fairplay

- No sign shall be displayed or permitted which visually obstructs or interferes with the line of sight at the intersection of streets, alleys or driveways.
- No sign shall be allowed which advertises activities that are illegal under federal, state, county or Town laws.
- No sign shall be painted on retaining walls, rocks or natural features, nor shall any sign be erected or painted on any vegetation, pole or existing sign.
- If any provision of the sign code conflicts with other municipal regulation governing signs, the more restrictive shall control.
- Any sign not specifically authorized in this code is prohibited in all districts.
- Signs may be erected, altered and maintained only for a permitted use in the district in which the signs are located, and all signs shall be located on the same lot as the permitted use and shall be clearly incidental, customary and commonly associated with the operation of the permitted use.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- All temporary signs must be applied for and approved by the Town Administrator or his/her designee and must include erection and removal dates in the application.
- All signs, including temporary signs, must be maintained in good condition at all times or they will be subject to removal from their permitted location until maintenance is completed.
- Animated signs or signs that flash, rotate, blink or moving signs, signs with moving, rotating or flashing lights or signs that create the illusion of movement, except for time and temperature devices, are prohibited.
- Any sign that is erected in such a location as to cause visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic or traffic-control devices, or that obstructs clear vision from any street intersection or driveway is prohibited.
- Mechanical or electrical appurtenances, such as 'revolving beacons,' that are designed to attract attention are prohibited.
- Any sign which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder or opening intended as a means of ingress or egress or providing light or air is prohibited.
- Any sign located in such a way as to intentionally deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign is prohibited.
- Portable signs or signs not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or structure, except as permitted by ordinance, are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Signs with optical illusion of movement by means of a design which presents a pattern capable of reversible perspective, giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy are prohibited.
- Inflatable freestanding signs or tethered balloons or other inflatable figures or devices installed to attract attention are prohibited.
- Stationery or portable electronic message boards except governmental signs are prohibited.
- Wind signs designed or installed to be activated by movement of the atmosphere are prohibited.
- Any sign that (together with its supporting structure), 90 days or more after the premises have been vacated, advertises an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted upon the premises is prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation, is not kept in good repair, or is capable of causing electrical shocks is prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure which in any way obstructs the view of, may be confused with or purports to be an official traffic sign, signal or device or any other official sign, uses any words, phrases, symbols or characters implying the existence of danger or the need for stopping or maneuvering a motor vehicle, or otherwise creates an unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators or obstructs the view of operators entering a public roadway is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected within the road right-of-way or near the intersection of any roads or driveways so as to obstruct free and clear vision of motorists or pedestrians or be confused with authorized traffic signs.
- Flashing, moving, blinking, chasing or other animation effects are prohibited on all signs except time and temperature signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fairplay

- Non-illuminated signs not to exceed two (2) square feet in area.
- Non-illuminated building identification historical marker signs not exceeding four (4) square feet, constructed of metal, wood or masonry and permanently affixed for identifying name, date, or historical info as approved by staff.
- Temporary signs removed within thirty (30) days after installation; residential signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet; oriented to street; not illuminated; only installed on private property where the activity that is the subject of the sign is located.
- Non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated incidental sign limited to one (1) per use, not to exceed four (4) square feet or eight (8) square feet in total area, may be attached to building or included on a freestanding sign or window.
- Temporary holiday decorations or displays clearly incidental and commonly associated with national, state, local or religious holidays; displayed for not more than sixty (60) days in one year; can be any type, number, area, height, location, illumination or animation.
- On-premises directional or instructional signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- Window signs affixed, painted on, or otherwise attached to glass.
- Flags, crests, or banners not exceeding thirty (30) square feet.
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by the Town of Fairplay.
- Public information signs identifying restrooms, public telephones or providing instructions as required by law or necessity, provided such signs do not exceed two (2) square feet or as approved by staff, and may be non-illuminated, internally or indirectly illuminated.
- Regulatory signs on private property such as 'no trespassing' signs, which do not exceed two (2) square feet per face or four (4) square feet in total and limited to four (4) per property.
- A single temporary portable sandwich board sign not exceeding four (4) square feet, no more than eighteen (18) inches wide, in front of the business and only during business hours, and not presenting a risk to public safety or accessibility.
- Scoreboards for athletic fields.
- Displays of string lights complying with standards: steady burning, clear, non-colored bulbs (no blinking or flashing), not exceeding five watts, not outlining signs/awnings/canopies, not conveying messages, no safety hazard, only on private property, maintained so all bulbs are operative.
- No permit required for text or copy changes on conforming or legal nonconforming signs designed to permit changes of text/copy, provided there are no structural changes, changes to sign area, illumination, or other modifications.
- Signs displaying time and temperature devices provided not related to a product.
- Signs for control of traffic or other regulatory purposes, including parking signs on private property and official messages erected by public officers in performance of duty.
- All 'vacancy' and 'no vacancy' signs, where non-illuminated, internally, indirectly or directly illuminated, provided area does not exceed two and one-half (2.5) square feet per face; also, 'yes,' 'no,' or 'sorry' if meeting area requirement.
- Motor vehicle for sale signs with only one (1) sign per vehicle, not exceeding two (2) square feet, and vehicles on private property.
- Signs displayed on trucks, buses, trailers or other vehicles regularly operated or stored in business, provided the primary purpose is not for display of signs and parked no more than thirty (30) days.
- No sign permit required for vending machine signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, move, alter, reconstruct or repair any permanent or temporary sign, except exempt signs as set forth in Section 16-25-90.
- Separate permits are required for each business entity's signs in multi-tenant buildings.
- Separate building and/or electrical permits may be required for signs, determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Changing or replacing copy or graphics on an existing lawful sign does not require a permit, provided the change does not result in a violation.
- Creative signs (signs of unique design that do not comply with all provisions) require Board of Trustees approval of the sign permit under the creative sign program (Sec. 16-25-160).
- Any variance for signs must be processed under Article XXII of the Fairplay Municipal Code.
- A master sign plan is defined as a plan for any multiple-use office or commercial building including number, size, description and location of all signs located, or to be located, in or upon such property. However, the ordinance does not appear to mandate submission of a master sign plan universally, but the definition is provided.

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

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