# Sign Regulations in Lyons, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lyons, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/lyons
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Lyons/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16ZO_ART9SIRE)

## At a glance

Lyons, Colorado regulates 18 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Bed and Breakfast Signs in the Estate Residential (E), Estate County (EC), Low Density Residential (R-1), Medium Density Residential (R-2), Medium-High Density Residential (R-2A), High Density Residential (R-3), Residential Planned Unit Development (PUD), Agricultural Zone District (A-1, A-2) zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a At least 4 feet from sidewalk or property line (whichever is closer to the street) setback (Sec. Section 16-9-120(a)). Most commercial signs in Lyons require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Estate Residential (E), Estate County (EC), Low Density Residential (R-1), Medium Density Residential (R-2), Medium-High Density Residential (R-2A), High Density Residential (R-3), Residential Planned Unit Development (PUD), Agricultural Zone District (A-1, A-2) | 3 | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Business Zone District (B), Commercial Zone District (C), Commercial Downtown Zone District (CD), Commercial East Corridor Zone District (CEC), General Industrial Zone District (GI), Light Industrial Zone District (LI) | 4 | Freestanding: max 12 ft, min 8 ft above grade; Monument: no max height | 3 ft by 6 ft (maximum) | — |
| Commercially Zoned Properties (Zone A) | 1 | Freestanding: max 12 ft, min 8 ft above grade; Monument: no max | For 0-300 ft frontage: 20 to 143 sq ft (see table) | — |
| Commercially Zoned Properties (Zone B) | 1 | Freestanding: max 12 ft, min 8 ft above grade; Monument: no max | For 0-300 ft frontage: 30 to 200 sq ft (see table) | — |
| Residential Zone Districts | 1 | — | No individual sign >6 sq ft; total per lot not to exceed 30 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Zone Districts | 1 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 42 inches | 216 cubic feet (e.g., 6'x6'x6') | — |

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

### Estate Residential (E), Estate County (EC), Low Density Residential (R-1), Medium Density Residential (R-2), Medium-High Density Residential (R-2A), High Density Residential (R-3), Residential Planned Unit Development (PUD), Agricultural Zone District (A-1, A-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Multi-family, 8+ units) (Freestanding/Monument/Wall/Canopy/Awning) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 identification sign per multi-family attached dwelling (8+ units) | On property of multi-family attached dwelling of 8 or more units | — | Section 16-9-120(a) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | At least 4 feet from sidewalk or property line (whichever is closer to the street) | 1 per business | On property of bed and breakfast business | — | Section 16-9-120(a) |
| Home Business Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Affixed to building of home business | — | Section 16-9-120(a) |

### Business Zone District (B), Commercial Zone District (C), Commercial Downtown Zone District (CD), Commercial East Corridor Zone District (CEC), General Industrial Zone District (GI), Light Industrial Zone District (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign OR Monument Sign (Option 1) | Freestanding: max 12 ft, min 8 ft above grade; Monument: no max height | See table by linear frontage (Zone A/B) | — | — | 1 sign for each lot, regardless of no. of businesses | Site frontage adjoining a public street | — | Section 16-9-120(b); Table sign area Zone A/B; Section 16-9-110(b, c) |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than roof ridgeline of principal building | Varies (see formula) | — | — | One per separately identifiable and segregated commercial business unit located on the building side | Affixed to building wall or canopy | — | Section 16-9-120(b); Section 16-9-110(g) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft minimum clearance above grade; not higher than wall if one story; not higher than the bottom of any second-story window if multi-story | 3 ft by 6 ft (maximum) | May not extend more than 4 ft from building wall | — | 1 per separately identifiable business unit | Ground floor façade (businesses above ground with exterior access allowed); may extend into right-of-way with license | — | Section 16-9-120(b); Section 16-9-110(e) |
| Awning Sign | No structural element of awning shall be <8 ft above finished grade of private sidewalk/right-of-way; not above roofline. | No maximum size specified | — | — | 1 per side of building | First- and second-story building frontages, including parking lot/pedestrian way sides | — | Section 16-9-120(b); Section 16-9-110(a) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property (residential or commercial) for address/occupant identification | — | Section 16-9-50(1) |
| Architectural Feature Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Section 16-9-50(2) |
| Art (Non-lettered, Non-illuminated) | 6 ft | 216 cubic feet (e.g., 6'x6'x6') | 6 ft | — | — | On building | — | Section 16-9-50(3) |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | Section 16-9-50(6) |
| Temporary Off-Premises Directional Sign | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On- or off-premises (see details); may be in public right-of-way under event rules | — | Section 16-9-50(17) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Commercially Zoned Lot) | 4 ft | 2 ft width x 4 ft height per face, two faces (total per face: 8 sq ft) | 2 ft | — | 1 per business | On private property or on public property directly in front of business during business hours | — | Section 16-9-50(21) |
| Directional/Private Regulatory Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Section 16-9-50(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Lyons

- 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 strings of light bulbs as expressly allowed.
- Signs that cause visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic or traffic-control devices, including interference with minimum sight distance at intersections.
- Signs or portions of signs located on, or extending into, a public right-of-way or other public property unless erected by a governmental agency or expressly authorized by a revocable license agreement or contract with the Town and, where applicable, the Colorado Department of Transportation.
- Signs or portions of signs incorporating a mirror or constructed with a mirrored surface.
- Mechanical or electrical appurtenances, such as revolving beacons, designed to compel attention.
- Roof signs or any sign or portion extending above the crest of a roof or any permanent parapet wall. (Exception for signs mounted on pitched roofs that do not project above the crest.)
- Off-premises advertising signs or any sign not pertinent and clearly incidental to the permitted use on the property in residential zone districts, except certain nonconforming or approved comprehensive programs.
- Signs interfering with free passage from or obstructing any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder or openings intended as ingress/egress or providing light/air.
- Signs intentionally located to block the view of an existing sign.
- Vehicle-mounted signs (including signs on trailers or cargo containers) exhibited on public property or private property adjacent to public right-of-way for the primary purpose of advertising, unless the vehicle is used daily for commercial use or is parked at the location where the advertised business occurs.
- Portable signs, signs mounted on wheels, or any sign not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or a structure, except sandwich board signs as permitted.
- Rotating signs.
- Searchlights.
- Signs with optical illusions of movement or reversible perspectives giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy.
- Inflatable signs or tethered balloons.
- Fabric signs, flags, pennants, or banners when used for commercial advertising purposes, except as specifically permitted.
- Electronic message boards, except those erected by a governmental agency for governmental purposes.
- Wind signs.
- Any sign or sign structure that, ninety days or more after the premises have been vacated, advertises an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises. (With extension provisions for certain seasonal businesses.)
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard due to inadequate maintenance or dilapidation, is not kept in good repair, or is capable of causing electrical shocks.
- Any sign or sign structure that obstructs the view of, can be confused with, or purports to be an official traffic sign/signal/device; uses words, phrases, symbols, or characters implying danger or need for stopping/maneuvering; creates unsafe distractions for drivers; or obstructs view for motorists entering a public roadway.
- Any sign that misstates the law, including designating portions of public street as 'no parking' where public parking is permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lyons

- Address signs not exceeding two square feet identifying the address and/or occupants of a residential dwelling or commercial/business establishment.
- Architectural features of buildings, as long as they do not contain letters, numbers, trademarks or moving parts.
- Permanent decorative or architectural features and works of art, not containing letters, numbers, trademarks, moving parts, or lights. (Sculpture must fit within a 216 cubic foot box.)
- Building identification and historical markers (non-illuminated, no larger than three square feet, metal or masonry).
- Political signs (temporary, for elections).
- Temporary construction signs (one per lot with valid building permit), subject to size and illumination restrictions by zone.
- Courtesy signs (limited to two square feet, non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated) for business customer information in specified commercial zones.
- Holiday or seasonal decorations/displays (temporary, not displayed more than sixty days per year).
- On-premises directional and instructional signs not exceeding four square feet (e.g., 'No Parking', 'Exit', etc.).
- Door signs in specified commercial zones (not exceeding 21 square feet, affixed to primary pedestrian entrance).
- Flags, crests, or banners of nations, states, cities, or recognized organizations—maximum of one per lot, max size fifty square feet.
- Garage sale, estate sale, yard sale, or farm produce sale signs (on the same lot as the sale).
- Hazard signs erected by the Town, utility companies, oil/gas companies, or construction companies warning of danger or hazardous conditions.
- Memorial signs, plaques, or grave markers that are noncommercial and in cemeteries or other lawful burial places.
- Goods, merchandise, pictures, or models of products that are part of a commercial window display in certain commercial zones.
- Temporary off-premises directional signs (announcing event directions, limited to 6 sq ft, 42 in. tall, with timing/location restrictions).
- Public information signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, or as required by law/necessity, not exceeding two square feet.
- Religious symbols on buildings or lots used for organized religious services.
- Scoreboards for athletic fields on property of government, recreation district, or schools.
- Sandwich board signs (see Section 16-9-50 for requirements on number, location, size, display period, and stability).
- Displays of string lights, provided not to outline signs or awnings/canopies, not over 5 watts, not arranged to convey messages/ads, not creating safety hazard.
- Subdivision monumentation signs located on private property or easement, subject to material and size limitations.
- Vehicular signs on vehicles operated or stored in normal course of business, not primarily for sign display, and parked/stored in areas appropriate for vehicle use.
- Vending machine signs integral to a vending machine, advertising only the vended product.
- Interior window signs in certain commercial zones.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is generally required to erect, move, alter, reconstruct, or repair any permanent or temporary sign unless it is exempt (Section 16-9-50).
- For multiple tenant buildings, each business entity must obtain its own sign permit for its sign.
- A variance to number, height, size, or location standards may be granted by the Board of Adjustments for properties in certain commercial/industrial zones, following variance procedures.
- A Comprehensive Special Event Sign Program (comprehensive sign plan) is available for special events and properties with multiple uses (e.g., shopping centers), requiring an application, site plan, drawings, and review by Town Administrator, Planning and Community Development Commission, and Board of Trustees, including a public hearing for the Board.
- Master/comprehensive sign plans for special events or mixed-use properties are subject to specific application content and process per Division 2, including Board of Trustees public hearing.
- Any projecting, freestanding, or monument sign that extends over/in public right-of-way requires a revocable license agreement from the Town.
- Sign permit applications for repetitive events are reviewed and approved by Town Staff, unless deemed significant modifications—then subject to Board/Commission review.
- For subdivision monumentation signs in the public right-of-way, approval must be obtained through the Town's sign permit review process.
- Changing or replacing the copy only on an existing lawful sign does not require a permit, provided no structural/nature change occurs and compliance is maintained.

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

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