Sign Regulations in Grand Junction, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Flush Wall Sign, Integral or Flush-Mounted Building Sign, Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (less than 1 acre). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Grand Junction, Colorado
Sample Sign Requirements in Grand Junction
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integral or Flush-Mounted Building Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (less than 1 acre) | — | 6 sq ft (5), 32 sq ft (1 under construction/development) | — |
| Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (1 acre or more) | — | 6 sq ft (max per sign), 32 sq ft (1 per acre) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
23
- Flush Wall Sign
- Integral or Flush-Mounted Building Sign
- Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (less than 1 acre)
- Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (1 acre or more)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Grand Junction
Other Cities in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Grand Junction vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Grand Junction, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Grand Junction, regulated sign types include Flush Wall Sign, Integral or Flush-Mounted Building Sign, Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (less than 1 acre), Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (1 acre or more), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Grand Junction vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Grand Junction are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Grand Junction has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Grand Junction, Colorado Sign Rules at a Glance
Grand Junction, Colorado regulates 23 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Permanent Monument Sign (Multifamily or Common Area Parcel)s in the Residential Zone Districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft (Sec. § 21.10.080(b)(1), (b)(4)). Most commercial signs in Grand Junction require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Grand Junction, Colorado
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Grand Junction (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 6 sq ft (5), 32 sq ft (1 under construction/development) | — |
| Residential Zone Districts | 3 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| MU-1 District | 2 | 8 ft | 25 sq ft per street frontage | — |
| Mixed-Use and Industrial Zone Districts (MU-2, MU-3, P-2, CG, I-OR, I-1, I-2) | 8 | 40 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-2 (general commercial), I-1 (industrial), I-2 (industrial) | 1 | 40 ft above street or adjoining ground level | 300 sq ft (minimum 15 sq ft) | — |
| P-1 District, P-2 District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| Overlay Districts (Title 22, 24, 25, 26, or 27) | 1 | — | — | — |
| 24 Road Corridor | 3 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft per sign | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Grand Junction(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integral or Flush-Mounted Building Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot/parcel | Integral to or flush-mounted on building/structure | — | Unlock | § 21.10.030(a) |
| Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (less than 1 acre) | — | 6 sq ft (5), 32 sq ft (1 under construction/development) | — | — | 6 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | § 21.10.030(b)(1) |
| Temporary Nonpermanent Sign (1 acre or more) | — | 6 sq ft (max per sign), 32 sq ft (1 per acre) | — | — | 6 per acre | — | — | Unlock | § 21.10.030(b)(2) |
| Banner/Wind Driven Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Secured to permanent structure/fence/post | — | Unlock | § 21.10.040 |
| Digital/Electronic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 21.10.060 |
Residential Zone Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Sign (Single Family Residential Lot) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Anywhere on property | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(b) |
| Permanent Monument Sign (Multifamily or Common Area Parcel) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per location qualifying | Common area parcel abutting public right-of-way or at multifamily complex | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(b)(1), (b)(4) |
| Permanent Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 24 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Anywhere on property | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(b)(2)-(4) |
Mixed-Use and Industrial Zone Districts (MU-2, MU-3, P-2, CG, I-OR, I-1, I-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facade Sign | — | — | — | — | No explicit number; area-based | On facade facing dedicated public street; sign allowance may be transferred to non-street side (≤ 2 sq ft/linear ft on that side) | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(2)-(5) |
| Flush Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | No explicit number; area-based | On facade facing dedicated public street or other allowed side | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(2)-(5) |
| Roof Sign | Building + sign cannot exceed zone max height | — | — | — | No explicit number; area-based | On roof | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(5)(iv) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | If projecting into right-of-way, must be ≥14 ft above grade and not closer than 24 in to back of curb | — | May not extend beyond back of curb or within 2 ft of edge of roadway if no curb | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (2 Traffic Lanes) | 25 ft | — | — | Sight triangle on corner lot applies | 1 per street frontage; plus up to 2 additional (≤3 sq ft, ≤30in high) per frontage | May be installed at right-of-way; see projection rules | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(7)(ii)(A), (iii)-(vii) |
| Freestanding Sign (4 or more Traffic Lanes) | 40 ft | — | — | Sight triangle on corner lot applies | 1 per street frontage; plus up to 2 additional (≤3 sq ft, ≤30in high) per frontage | May be installed at right-of-way; see projection rules | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(7)(ii)(B), (iii)-(vii) |
| Rear Facade Flush-Mounted Sign (Bonus) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Rear façade | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(5)(v) |
| Flush Wall or Freestanding Sign (Fine Text) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 21.10.080(d)(8) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Grand Junction — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Grand Junction — start freeProhibited Signs in Grand Junction
- No sign shall be displayed in any zone district without a Sign Permit, except where expressly provided otherwise.
- Prohibited signs include those containing obscene statements, words, or pictures describing or depicting sexual activities or sexual anatomical areas.
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic signs or signals, or contain the words 'STOP,' 'GO SLOW,' 'CAUTION,' 'DANGER,' 'WARNING,' or similar words are prohibited.
- Signs of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with, or construed as, a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal are prohibited.
- Portable signs, tent signs, or strings of light bulbs not permanently mounted on a rigid background are prohibited, except for one portable sign per business as expressly allowed.
- Signs erected after adoption of the Code that do not comply with its provisions are prohibited.
- Signs that do not comply with the laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Colorado are prohibited.
- Signs that create a hazard for, or impede safe or efficient movement of, motorists or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Signs placed in whole or in part in, on or over any part of a public right-of-way, except those placed by a governmental entity, are prohibited.
- Interactive signs that are readable with normal vision from the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, or other surface located on public property including the posting of handbills except as expressly authorized.
- No single sign shall exceed 300 square feet in area, regardless of allowances by zone district.
- No illumination of a sign is permitted unless criteria in the Code are met.
- No exposed reflective bulb or incandescent lamp exceeding 40 watts shall be used on the exterior of a sign to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- All signs must be kept safe and in good appearance; signs in dangerous or defective condition are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited; defined as a sign structure that has no content or is 'blank' and in disrepair on an unoccupied property for 12 consecutive months or more.
Exempt Signs in Grand Junction
- Signs placed by a governmental entity are exempt from the sign code.
- One sign integral to or flush-mounted on a building or structure, no greater than four square feet in area, does not require a permit.
- A non-illuminated, non-digital/electronic, non-permanent sign (e.g. planted in ground or affixed by temporary means, lightweight and thin materials), up to six per parcel (size limits apply), does not require a permit, with specific size and placement restrictions.
- Touching up, repainting, or changing existing letters, text, symbols, graphics, or other content is considered maintenance and repair and does not require a permit.
- Sign face changes are allowed without a permit, including converting from static to digital/electronic display, if no other changes are made to size, height, or structure (digital signs must still comply with other regulations).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Grand Junction
- No sign shall be displayed in any zone district without a Sign Permit, except where expressly provided otherwise.
- A banner permit shall be required prior to any use of wind driven signs or banners.
- All signage on site shall be brought into conformance with the Code prior to approval of any new Sign Permit on the property.
- Each sign requiring a permit must bear an identification plate with erection date and responsible party.
- All new electronic display signs must be preset to automatically adjust brightness according to standards and certified upon installation.
- A building permit is required for all freestanding signs, in addition to sign clearance.
- A sketch by a licensed surveyor is required for proposed outdoor advertising signs (billboards), depicting size and location.
- Properties in a planned development zone: only signs permitted in any zone district (§21.10.030) are allowed unless approved as part of the development plan; redistribution of maximum sign allowance for the entire development is allowed, but variance of total area is not.
- Sign packages: sites of multiple abutting parcels functioning as one (e.g., shopping centers) may be approved for a sign package via sign package permit; aggregation and redistribution of total sign allowance for same type of sign is allowed, but not variance of the maximum total sign allowance.
Source: ecode360 municipal code