# Sign Regulations in Garden City, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Garden City, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/garden-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Garden_City/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16LAUSDE_ART6SICO)

## At a glance

Garden City, Colorado regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the R Zoning District zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 18 sq ft per sign face, with a 5 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 16-6-220, Table 16-6-220A; Sec. 16-6-130(d)(1)). Most commercial signs in Garden City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R Zoning District | 6 | 5 ft | 18 sq ft per sign face | — |
| R-B Zoning District | 8 | 5 ft | 85% of area of awning surface used for sign | — |
| B Zoning District, C Zoning District | 15 | If abutting street frontage is 200 lf. or more, 10 ft.; if less than 200 lf., 8 ft. | 60 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 32 sq ft on wall/projecting signs or 50% of face on monument sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Primary | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | On building facade | — | Sec. 16-6-210(a), Table 16-6-210A; Sec. 16-6-130(d)(1) |
| Wall Sign - Secondary | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary public entrance to nonresidential use | At primary public entrance to nonresidential use | — | Sec. 16-6-210(a), Table 16-6-210A; Sec. 16-6-130(d)(1) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 16-6-210(c), Table 16-6-210C; Sec. 16-6-130(d)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft | 18 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per property (nonresidential/multi-family) | Detached, in landscaped area; not allowed for single-family or two-family residential properties | — | Sec. 16-6-220, Table 16-6-220A; Sec. 16-6-130(d)(1) |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign, 30 sq ft total | — | 2 ft from property lines | Not limited | Detached, must be installed in a landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Swing Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft | 5 sq ft (includes riders) | — | — | 1 | Detached, installed in a landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |

### R-B Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Primary | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | On building facade | — | Sec. 16-6-210(a), Table 16-6-210A; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Wall Sign - Secondary | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary public entrance to nonresidential use | At primary public entrance to nonresidential use | — | Sec. 16-6-210(a), Table 16-6-210A; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 16-6-210(c), Table 16-6-210C; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Awning Sign | — | 85% of area of awning surface used for sign | — | — | 1 per awning | Awning | — | Sec. 16-6-210(c), Table 16-6-210C; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft | 18 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per property (nonresidential/multi-family) | Detached, in landscaped area; not allowed for single-family or two-family residential properties | — | Sec. 16-6-220, Table 16-6-220A; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft from property lines | Not limited | Detached, must be installed in a landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Swing Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft | 5 sq ft (includes riders) | — | — | 1 per frontage | Detached, installed in a landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Sidewalk Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 | On private sidewalk, not public right-of-way | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320 |

### B Zoning District, C Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Secondary | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary public entrance | At primary public entrance | — | Sec. 16-6-210(a), Table 16-6-210A; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 18 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street-facing facade | 1 per street-facing facade | — | Sec. 16-6-210(b), Table 16-6-210B; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public building entrance | Building entrance within 5 ft of public sidewalk | — | Sec. 16-6-210(c), Table 16-6-210C |
| Monument Sign | If abutting street frontage is 200 lf. or more, 10 ft.; if less than 200 lf., 8 ft. | 60 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft from all property lines and sidewalk easements | 1 per 200 ft. of street frontage or fraction thereof | Detached, in landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-220, Table 16-6-220A; Sec. 16-6-130 |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign, 12 sq ft total | — | 2 ft from property lines | 1 per driveway | Detached, must be installed in landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Site Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per sign, 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per frontage | Detached, landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Swing Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft | 5 sq ft (includes riders) | — | — | 1 per frontage | Detached, landscaped area | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320; Sec. 16-6-330, Table 16-6-330 |
| Sidewalk Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per frontage | On private sidewalk, not public right-of-way | — | Sec. 16-6-320, Table 16-6-320 |

## Prohibited signs in Garden City

- Signs with more than two sign faces.
- Signs that simulate or imitate (in size, color, lettering or design) any traffic sign or signal, creating a traffic hazard.
- Animated or moving signs visible from public rights-of-way, including moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, blinking, scintillating, fluctuating or otherwise animated light, except as specifically permitted for Electronic Message Centers (EMCs).
- Portable signs, except as specifically permitted for temporary signs.
- Pole signs.
- Abandoned signs.
- Sound, smoke or odor emitters incorporated into a sign.
- Backlit or plastic awnings as sign elements.
- Stacked products (e.g., tires, soft drink cases, bagged soil or mulch) used as sign elements.
- Unfinished wood support structures in any sign except for stake signs.
- Flags, banners or comparable elements designed to move in the wind, when attached to another sign type (they may only be attached to flagpoles).
- Spinning or moving parts as part of a sign.
- Bare light bulbs, except on holiday displays and permitted neon window signs less than six square feet; neon lighting within channels of channel lettered signs is not limited.
- Flashing lights, except on holiday displays.
- Signs installed on motor vehicles unless: vehicles are operational, regularly used, have current registration/tags, the display of signage is incidental to vehicle use, and the vehicle is legally parked.
- Signs installed on semi-trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units unless: (a) the item is structurally sound, used for its primary purpose, and has current registration if required, (b) signage display is incidental to primary use, and (c) is parked/placed appropriately.
- Signs obstructing building ingress or egress, including doors, egress windows, and fire escapes.
- Signs obstructing equipment, structures, or architectural elements related to public safety or utility service (e.g., standpipes, fire hydrants, meters).
- Signs obstructing any required sight distance triangle.
- Signs posted, installed, mounted, or affixed to trees or other vegetation.
- Signs posted on utility poles or light poles, except for temporary banners meeting specific requirements and with consent of owner.
- Signs posted on utility cabinets or pedestals, except by the owner of the cabinet or pedestal.
- Signs located in or over public rights-of-way, except for (a) governmental signs, (b) signs posted in connection with authorized work, or (c) signs on transit shelters/bus benches (not extending beyond the structure).
- Signs located with less horizontal or vertical clearance from communication/energized electrical power lines than required by law.
- Signs within easements for overhead utilities, unless authorized and compliant.
- Signs with unprotected content, including: indecent or immoral text/graphics harmful to minors, content advertising unlawful activity (except state-regulated marijuana businesses), obscene/fighting words/defamation/incitement/threats, and content that presents a clear danger due to confusion with traffic control or safety signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Garden City

- Signs required by law or regulation, including: (a) those for public duty/function (e.g., temporary or permanent traffic control, street signs), (b) legal notices (e.g., notices of pending action), (c) signs complying with building codes (e.g., address numbers), or (d) signs required by other laws/regulations.
- Up to three flags per property hung from building- or ground-mounted flagpoles, provided at least eight feet of clearance and no flag exceeds 32 square feet in area.
- Signs affixed to a building or structure not exceeding one square foot in area, limited to one per elevation visible from public rights-of-way or neighboring property.
- Signs affixed to machines, equipment, fences, gates, walls, gasoline pumps, public telephones or utility cabinets that are less than three-fourths square foot in area.
- Holiday decorations and signs that are clearly incidental, customary, and commonly associated with a holiday, provided they are displayed no more than 60 consecutive days nor more than 60 total days in any calendar year.
- Interior signs not visible from residential lots, abutting property, or public rights-of-way.
- Temporary signs that comply with the requirements of Division 4 (Temporary Signs).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required prior to erection, installation, or substantial modification of any sign that is not an exempt sign.
- Applications for sign permits shall be submitted on a form approved by the Town Administrator, and Town Administrator must approve or deny within five business days.
- A Sign Design Program (master sign plan) alternative allows for deviation from the standards of the Article regarding types, numbers, area, and materials/illumination of signs, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at a public hearing.
- A Sign Design Program application must include: boundaries, architectural elevations, sign dimensions/locations, materials/colors, proposed illumination, a unified design theme, and aesthetic/conformity justifications.
- Prohibited sign types (see Section 16-6-120) are not eligible for inclusion in a Sign Design Program, except that pole signs may be included at intersections only under specific conditions.
- All existing signs on a property must be addressed in a Sign Design Program application, and removal/modification of nonconforming signs may be required as a condition of approval.
- Issuance of sign permits for a development with an approved Sign Design Program will be based on compliance with that program; the program may also specify signs allowed without further permits.

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

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