# Sign Regulations in Larkspur, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Larkspur, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/larkspur
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Larkspur/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16ZO_ART15SI)

## At a glance

Larkspur, Colorado regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Residential properties zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 24 square feet, with a 6 feet from public right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 16-15-90(a), (c)). Most commercial signs in Larkspur require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential properties | 7 | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Subdivision tracts | 1 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential properties | 6 | 25 feet | No one sign over 200 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — |

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

### Residential properties

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | 6 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per permitted nonresidential use | At least 6 feet from any public right-of-way | — | Sec. 16-15-90(a), (c) |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | 6 feet from public right-of-way | — | At least 6 feet from any public right-of-way | — | Sec. 16-15-90(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per permitted nonresidential use or per street frontage for apartment/condominium | — | — | Sec. 16-15-90(c), (e) |
| Freestanding Sign (Apartment/Condominium Complex) | 10 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per apartment or condominium complex | — | — | Sec. 16-15-90(e) |
| Unit Number/Building Number Sign (Apartment/Condominium Complex) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On as many sides of the individual buildings as necessary | — | Sec. 16-15-90(e) |
| Permanent Sign (Subdivision Tract) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per subdivision tract | On each subdivision tract | — | Sec. 16-15-90(d) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-15-90(b), referenced 16-15-80(l) |

### Nonresidential properties

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | No one sign over 200 square feet | — | — | Part of max aggregate (250 sq ft) and max signs (3 per building, only one freestanding) | Attached, may not extend beyond face or wall of building | — | Sec. 16-15-100(a), (c), (e)(3)-(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | No one sign over 200 square feet; aggregate max 250 sq ft per building (on lots up to 100 ft road frontage). | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | Sec. 16-15-100(d), (f), 16-15-110(a), (g) |
| Projecting Sign | May not extend more than 4 feet above roof/parapet or 25 feet above ground, whichever is lower | — | — | — | Included in max number/aggregate for building | May not extend above roofline or parapet by more than 4 ft or 25 ft above ground | — | Sec. 16-15-100(c), 16-15-110(a), (d) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside or outside of window | — | Sec. 16-15-100(e)(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet (per side) | — | 3 feet (per side) | — | Max 2 per establishment advertised | Public right-of-way (only during business hours), must be within 100 feet of establishment advertised. Cannot impede public use. | — | Sec. 16-15-100(g) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Special Event, Town-sponsored/supported) | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way (up to 14 days prior to and 72 hours after event); must not impede use. | — | Sec. 16-15-100(g)(8) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Interior Window Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Interior window | — | Sec. 16-15-80(b) |
| Private Warning Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-15-80(c) |
| Sign Integrated into Equipment | — | — | — | — | — | On a coin operated machine, vending machine, gasoline pump, or telephone booth. | — | Sec. 16-15-80(e) |
| Single Sign per Building | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | Sec. 16-15-80(i) |
| For Sale Sign (Property for Sale 1 acre or larger) | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-15-80(k) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction Site) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On parcel with active building construction permit | — | Sec. 16-15-80(l) |
| Instructional Sign | — | Minimum needed | — | — | Minimum needed | On site, not designed or located to attract attention beyond the premises | — | Sec. 16-15-80(m) |
| Temporary Noncommercial Sign | — | 6 square feet (restrictions suspended during election/event windows) | — | — | 1 per property except when restriction suspended | On property | — | Sec. 16-15-80(o) |

## Prohibited signs in Larkspur

- Displaying, constructing, erecting, altering, using or maintaining any sign except in conformance with the provisions of this Article.
- Altering, maintaining, enlarging, using, or displaying any sign erected or constructed prior to the enactment of this Article except in conformance with the provisions herein.
- Signs for which no valid permit has been issued by the Town and which are not exempt from the permit requirement.
- Abandoned signs, including supporting structure, not removed as required.
- Signs which are structurally unsafe, constitute a hazard to safety or health, are capable of causing electrical shocks, are likely to cause injury to persons underneath, or are an obstruction to pedestrians or drivers.
- Signs that have not been maintained, including missing or damaged sections, nonfunctioning light bulbs, missing or damaged copy, nonfunctioning neon, or peeling/badly faded paint, if not repaired within specified timeframes.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs/signals or using words/symbols implying danger or need for stopping/maneuvering for motor vehicles, or in any other way creating an unsafe distraction.
- Signs with commercial messages that concern illegal activity or are false or misleading.
- Moving, animated, wind-driven or rotating signs, except for public service informational signs.
- Signs that obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators, block ingress/egress to doors/windows/exits, obstruct driver's lines of sight, or are an obstruction to pedestrians.
- Signs erected on public right-of-way without proper authorization.
- Searchlights.
- Rooftop signs on two-story buildings.
- Signs with statements/words/pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character.
- Illuminated signs which flash, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, use intermittent electrical pulsations, or employ excessive light intensity during nondaylight hours.
- Portable signs except sandwich board signs displayed in compliance with applicable provisions.
- Billboards (except for those permitted by special review or under particular code section).
- Festoons.
- Electronic signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Larkspur

- Signs showing underground or public utilities.
- Interior window signs.
- Private warning signs not to exceed four square feet.
- Signs of any kind posted by a governmental entity, including a public-school district.
- A sign integrated into or on a coin operated machine, vending machine, gasoline pump, or telephone booth.
- Decorative lighting displays (holiday lights) that do not display a commercial message.
- A sign that cannot be viewed from a public right-of-way or adjacent parcel.
- A sign carried by a person.
- One sign per building not exceeding four square feet.
- Signs required or authorized for a public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance.
- A sign not to exceed six square feet on a parcel that is for sale, with further allowances for larger parcels; must be removed after sale.
- Required construction signs on construction sites.
- Any government posted sign for land use code or liquor license purposes or notices.
- A single, noncommercial temporary sign up to six square feet in area, subject to additional suspension of restrictions during specified electoral periods.
- Temporary signs and sandwich boards for Town-sponsored or supported events (specific timeframes).
- Banners up to three on any lot (over three requires a permit).
- Snipe signs up to four square feet, displayed for no longer than one month.
- Noncommercial flags not exceeding 50 square feet and with flagpoles within height limits.
- Barber poles within specified size limits.
- Gravestones.
- Official government signs or traffic signs of the Town, County, or State.
- Signs not legible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Signs on athletic fields and scoreboards intended for on-premises viewing, subject to size and height limits.
- Display of street numbers affixed to the structure or property they identify.
- Public notices or signs relating to emergency.
- Height limitations do not apply to certain non-sign structures such as spires, belfries, antennas, domes, or similar.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is defined as a comprehensive site plan of any building, lot, parcel, collection of parcels or other premises, showing the number, size, description, color, copy and location of all signs thereon.
- Permit applications must include a scale drawing showing size, shape, design, materials, sign plan (including required landscaping), specific sign location, elevation on building, content, mounting method and lighting.
- Detailed drawings and engineering data are required for building permit applications for freestanding, monument, or projecting signs.
- A lighting plan for site plan approval is referenced for approval of exposed neon or internally illuminated sign background color.
- Variance requests (for sign-related hardships) must be submitted via a sign variance form and may require public hearing/meeting before Town Council.

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

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