# Sign Regulations in Gilcrest, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gilcrest, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/gilcrest
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Gilcrest/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Gilcrest, Colorado regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Mixed use zone district, Commercial zone district, Industrial zone district, Planned Unit Development (Business, Commercial, or Industrial Use) zoning district are capped at 24 ft tall and 120 sq ft per side, with a 15 ft from interior side lot line and street right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 16-77(2), Sec. 16-79). Most commercial signs in Gilcrest require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zone district, Planned Unit Development (Residential Use) | 8 | — | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Mixed use zone district, Commercial zone district, Industrial zone district, Planned Unit Development (Business, Commercial, or Industrial Use) | 6 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 15 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential zone district, Planned Unit Development (Residential Use)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 16-76(1) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not to be placed on streets or on other people's property without permission; No more than 300 feet from the sale location | — | Sec. 16-76(2) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Affixed to dwelling | — | Sec. 16-76(3) |
| Construction Identification Sign | — | 100 sq ft per face | — | — | 2 per arterial boundary; 1 per collector boundary | Within development; on arterial roads or, if no frontage, on collector streets | — | Sec. 16-76(4) |
| Identification Sign (Public or Semi-public Use) | — | 35 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per use | Singular per use | — | Sec. 16-76(5) |
| Subdivision or Project Entrance Identification Sign | — | 35 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance(s) of subdivision or housing project | — | Sec. 16-76(6) |
| Child Care Center Identification Sign | — | 6 sq ft or subject to district size restrictions if in residential district | — | — | 1 per center | — | — | Sec. 16-76(7) |
| Subdivision Sales Office Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per office | At subdivision sales office | — | Sec. 16-76(8) |

### Mixed use zone district, Commercial zone district, Industrial zone district, Planned Unit Development (Business, Commercial, or Industrial Use)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs permitted in Residential Districts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-77(1) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Windows | — | Sec. 16-77(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 24 ft | 120 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from interior side lot line and street right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding; 1 per street frontage; not within 15 ft of any interior side lot line; not within 15 ft of intersection unless maintains free air space between 42 and 72 inches in height; double-faced: setback per sign orientation | — | Sec. 16-77(2), Sec. 16-79 |
| Ground Sign | 24 ft | 120 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from interior side lot line and street right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Ground; 1 per street frontage; not within 15 ft of any interior side lot line; not within 15 ft of intersection unless maintains free air space between 42 and 72 inches height | — | Sec. 16-77(2), Sec. 16-79 |
| Flush Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per wall, no more than 2 walls per building | Attached to building wall; plane parallel to the wall; max 12 inches from building face | — | Sec. 16-77(3), Sec. 16-72(f) |
| Rooftop Sign (Commercial zone district only) | — | — | — | — | — | On roof; commercial districts only | — | Sec. 16-77(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Wall Sign (Private Property) | — | 15 sq ft per face | — | Cannot project beyond zone setback | — | Over private property | — | Sec. 16-80(a),(c),(d) |
| Projecting Wall Sign (Public Right-of-Way) | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Over public right-of-way | — | Sec. 16-80(b),(d) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted on permanent canopy | — | Sec. 16-81(a), (b) |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Perpendicular) | — | — | — | — | — | Under permanent canopy, perpendicular to building face | — | Sec. 16-81(c) |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Parallel) | — | — | — | — | — | Under permanent canopy, parallel to building face | — | Sec. 16-81(d) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted on awning | — | Sec. 16-82(a)-(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Gilcrest

- 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.
- Billboards.
- Any sign that is erected in such a location as to cause visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic, or traffic control devices including any sign that obstructs clear vision in any direction from any street intersection or driveway.
- Mechanical or electrical appurtenances, such as 'revolving beacons,' that are designed to compel attention.
- Any sign other than traffic control signs erected, constructed or maintained within, over or upon the right-of-way of any road or highway, except in the case of a sign for which a permit has been issued with the requirements of this Article.
- 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.
- Any sign located in such a way as to intentionally deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign.
- Vehicle-mounted signs, including but not limited to, signs painted on or attached to semi-trailers or cargo containers when exhibited on private property adjacent to public right-of-way for the purpose of advertising the business or services offered on the property. (Except for use in connection with a special event, during the event only.)
- Portable signs or signs not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to any structure, except for real estate signs attached to posts driven into the ground, window signs and temporary barriers.
- Rotating signs.
- Searchlights.
- 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.
- Inflatable freestanding signs or tethered balloons.
- Fabric signs, flags, pennants or banners when used for commercial advertising purposes except as permitted in Exemptions.
- Electronic message boards except governmental signs.
- Wind signs.
- Any sign (together with its supporting structure) now or hereafter existing which, ninety (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 upon which such sign is located. (Exception: permanent signs for seasonal businesses under certain circumstances.)
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation.
- Any sign or sign structure which is not kept in good repair.
- Any sign or sign structure which is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it.
- Any sign or sign structure which obstructs the view of, may be confused with, or purports to be an official traffic sign, signal or device or any other official sign.
- Any sign or sign structure which uses any words, phrases, symbols or characters implying the existence of danger or the need for stopping or maneuvering a motor vehicle.
- Any sign or sign structure which creates in any other way an unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators.
- Any sign or sign structure which obstructs the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, private driveway, alley or other thoroughfare.

## Signs exempt from permit in Gilcrest

- Flags, pennants or insignia of nations or an organization of nations, states, cities or fraternal, religious and civic organizations or any educational institutions, except when such flags are used in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Window displays incorporating placards, pennants, merchandise, pictures or models of products and services.
- Works of fine art which in no way identify a product or business and which are not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may benefit or realize direct commercial gain from such display.
- One (1) nameplate per public entrance per business of no more than two (2) square feet per face which is suspended under a canopy.
- Temporary decorations or displays clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with national, local or religious holiday celebrations.
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way.
- Traffic and other official signs of any public or governmental agency.
- On-site traffic directional signs which do not exceed four (4) square feet per face or ten (10) feet in height and which do not carry any commercial message other than identification.
- Temporary interior paper window signs.
- Signs over gas pumps which indicate gas prices, limited to one (1) per pump island and located at or near the rear entrance of such business.
- One (1) flushwall nameplate per business, not to exceed two (2) square feet in area, to be located at or near the rear entrance of such business.
- Other exceptions as stated in the Uniform Sign Code.
- Temporary farm product signs, with limitations on number, size, location, setback, and non-illumination.
- Political signs displayed on private property in accordance with an official election or signs erected on behalf of candidates for public office provided area limits, display period, removal deadlines, and written property owner permission.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The determination of the conformance of any and all signs with the provisions of this Article shall be made by the Planning Commission and the Board of Trustees.
- Applications for sign permits must include legible site plans which include the specific location of the sign and setbacks to adjacent property lines and buildings.
- A sign permit is required in order to erect, move, alter, reconstruct or repair any permanent or temporary sign, except signs that are exempt per the Exemptions section.
- A separate permit shall be required for each business entity's signs in multiple tenant buildings.
- Separate building and electrical permits may be required for signs and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Sign permit applications must be reviewed and approved by staff, who may also require certification by a structural engineer for certain signs.
- Requests for an increase in maximum allowable area for a sign, or for signs not expressly permitted, must be approved through a waiver granted by the Board of Trustees.
- Any appeal of staff's denial of a sign permit or approval with conditions must be made to the Board of Adjustment as provided in this Chapter.
- Placement of some signs, including those requiring special review such as projecting wall signs and rooftop signs, require additional review or approval as specified elsewhere in the ordinance.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Gilcrest, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Gilcrest+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-gilcrest

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