# Sign Regulations in Manitou Springs, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manitou Springs, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/manitou-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Manitou_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.63MUAIBEFIDE_2.63.030AUSIINAG)

## At a glance

Manitou Springs, Colorado regulates 8 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Downtown (DWTN) zoning district are capped at 15 ft. tall and 50 s.f., with a Minimum 6 ft. from side lot lines setback (Sec. Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations). Most commercial signs in Manitou Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown (DWTN) | 7 | 15 ft. | 100 sf. | — |
| Commercial (C, MUC, OS, P, PF) | 7 | 25 ft. | 150 sf. | — |
| Residential (GR, LDR, HDR, HLDR) | 3 | 8 ft. | 20 s.f. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 4 ft. | 8 s.f. per side | — |

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

### Downtown (DWTN)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cumulative Limit | — | 100 sf. | — | — | 3 | Per street-level occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Window & Door Signs | — | 25% of glass area | — | — | 3 window, 2 door | Windows and doors | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Wall Signs | — | 100 sf. | — | — | — | Building façade | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Hanging Signs | — | 8 s.f. | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Freestanding Signs | 15 ft. | 50 s.f. | — | Minimum 6 ft. from side lot lines | 2 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Roof Signs | 1 ft. below highest point of the roof | 18 s.f. | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Temporary Signs | — | 8 s.f. | — | Minimum 6 ft. from property lines | 1 per 20 ft. of façade | 1 per 20 ft. of façade | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |

### Commercial (C, MUC, OS, P, PF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cumulative Limit | — | 150 sf. | — | — | 3 | Per street-level occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Window & Door Signs | — | 25% of glass area | — | — | 3 window, 2 door | Windows and doors | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Wall Signs | — | 150 sf. | — | — | — | Building façade | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Hanging Signs | — | 8 s.f. | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Freestanding Signs | 25 ft. | 150 s.f. | — | Minimum 10 ft. from property lines | 2 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Roof Signs | No more than 10 s.f. of sign area can be above the highest point of the roof | Cumulative maximum applies | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Temporary Signs | — | 32 s.f. | — | Minimum 10 ft. from property lines | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |

### Residential (GR, LDR, HDR, HLDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cumulative Limit | — | 20 s.f. | — | — | 1 per non-residential occupant | Per non-residential occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Hanging Signs | — | 20 s.f. | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |
| Freestanding Signs | 8 ft. | 20 s.f. | — | Varies based on setback from front property line | 1 per non-residential occupant | Per non-residential occupant | — | Table 18.03.10-1: Sign District Designations |

## Prohibited signs in Manitou Springs

- Any sign that is not an official sign and 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 that obstructs ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way.
- Any sign that is painted upon retaining walls, rocks or natural features.
- Any sign that is erected or painted upon any vegetation.
- Any temporary, freestanding signs placed in the public right-of-way.
- Signs painted or affixed to benches or fences.
- Portable signs, except sandwich board signs as permitted by this Chapter and official signs.
- Any sign which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to safety or health, is not kept in good repair, is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it, or does not conform to the design, structural, and material standards for signs as adopted by the City.
- Signs mounted, attached, or painted on motor vehicles, trailers or boats used as advertising, but excluding vehicles actually used in the normal course of an occupant's operations, whether parked or not.
- Animated signs.
- Flashing signs.
- Digital signs.
- Signs with more than two faces unless approved as part of a planned sign program.
- Off-premises signs except as provided for in this Chapter.
- Signs designed or allowed to wave, flap, or rotate with the wind, except for flags of less than twenty square feet.
- Any sign emitting sound.
- Exposed neon tubing within the downtown zone district unless approved as part of a planned sign program and with Historic Preservation Commission approval.
- Obsolete signs.
- Any sign located within utility or access easements, on public property, or within public rights-of-way, except as allowed in this Chapter or as specifically provided for in a Planned Sign Program.
- Inflatable displays except as part of a local event on public property regulated by City Code Chapter 12.24 or other event approved by a Temporary Use Permit - Minor or Temporary Use Permit - Major.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manitou Springs

- Official signs.
- Street and lodging room numbers.
- Temporary signs up to two freestanding temporary signs per parcel provided they do not exceed six (6) square feet per side and do not obstruct or impair the safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Vehicle signs on vehicles operated in the normal course of operations, subject to certain limitations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs with more than two faces require approval as part of a planned sign program.
- Exposed neon tubing within the downtown zone district requires approval as part of a planned sign program and with Historic Preservation Commission approval.
- Any sign located within utility or access easements, on public property, or within public rights-of-way requires approval as part of a planned sign program.
- Planned sign programs shall substantially comply with the general regulations contained in this Chapter.
- Buildings, commercial centers, institutions, allowed businesses in residential areas and planned developments may obtain approval of a planned sign program from the City Planning Director or his/her designee prior to the erection of any signs.

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

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