# Sign Regulations in Monte Vista, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monte Vista, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/monte-vista
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Monte_Vista/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH12ZO_ART20SIMU)

## At a glance

Monte Vista, Colorado regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Freestanding, Monument or Wall Sign) - Single Unit Dwelling or Manufactured Home Single-wides in the Residential Districts (RU, RE, RL, RM, RH, Mfg-H, MSW) zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall and 2 sq. ft. (Sec. Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22). Most commercial signs in Monte Vista require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (RU, RE, RL, RM, RH, Mfg-H, MSW) | 8 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | — |
| CB District | 7 | Minimum 8 ft. above finished grade | Up to 150 sq. ft. (also 5% of wall area max) | — |
| CH District, I District | 6 | Maximum of eave line height or first-story eave line height (not above 25 ft. or higher than eave line of principal building) | Up to 200 sq. ft.; not to exceed 5% of wall area | — |
| Commercial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 16 sq. ft. total per lot | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (RU, RE, RL, RM, RH, Mfg-H, MSW)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding, Monument or Wall Sign) - Single Unit Dwelling or Manufactured Home Single-wide | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per one-unit dwelling or manufactured home single-wide | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding, Monument or Wall Sign) - Multi-Unit Dwelling | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per multi-unit dwelling / 2 per one unit dwelling with a max of 16 | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding, Monument or Wall Sign) - Public or Quasi-Public Use | 8 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public or quasi-public use | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Monument Sign) - Subdivision Entrance | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per subdivision entrance | Placed on subdivision entry features | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding or Wall Sign) - Bed and Breakfast | Below edge of roof; 4 ft. freestanding | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding or Wall Sign) - Child Care Center | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding or Wall Sign) - Home Occupation | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(a), Table 12-22, Sec. 12-20-30 |

### CB District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding Sign) | Maximum of eave line height or first-story eave line height of a multi-story building | 24 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per lot | Site frontage not on sidewalk/curb unless temporary | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23 |
| Pole Sign (Arterial street) | Maximum of eave line or first-story eave line height | 24 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per every 1,500 ft. of street frontage (arterial only) | Arterial streets only; not on local or collector streets | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23 |
| Wall Sign or Projecting Sign | — | Up to 150 sq. ft. (also 5% of wall area max) | — | — | 1 per individual building tenant | Mounted aligning with other projecting signs | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23 |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | Minimum 8 ft. above finished grade | 10 sq. ft. if main business sign, 4 sq. ft. if auxiliary sign | — | — | 1 per individual building tenant | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Windows at or below second-floor level, visible from public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 12-20-110(i), Sec. 12-20-120(b) |
| Information Sign (Non-frontage Entrance) | 6 ft. | 5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per non-frontage entrance | Rear and loading door entrances. | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(b), Table 12-23, Sec. 12-20-30 |

### CH District, I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding, Monument, Wall, Window, Awning, Canopy, Projecting, Off-Premises or Standard Brand-Name Signs) | Maximum of eave line height or first-story eave line height (not above 25 ft. or higher than eave line of principal building) | Up to 200 sq. ft.; not to exceed 5% of wall area | — | — | 1 per individual tenant building frontage | Wall signs/projection signs limited to building tenant frontage | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24 |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | Minimum 8 ft. above finished grade | 10 sq. ft. if main business sign; 4 sq. ft. if auxiliary business sign | — | — | 1 per individual building tenant | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24 |
| Information Sign (Rear and Loading Door Entrances) | 6 ft. | 5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Rear and loading door entrances | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24 |
| Pole Signs Adjacent to US or State Highway | Maximum of eave line or first-story eave line; off-premises sign max 12 ft. | 200 sq. ft. (if 1 per 1,500 ft. of frontage); 4 sq. ft. if off-premises sign | — | — | 1 every 1,500 ft. of frontage; off-premises signs limited to 2 | Adjacent to US or State highway | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24 |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | 1 per parcel | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 12-20-120(c), Table 12-24, Sec. 12-20-30 |

## Prohibited signs in Monte Vista

- Revolving beacon, flashing, blinking, rotating, and moving signs or any sign designed to compel attention are prohibited in all zoning districts, except for time and temperature devices.
- Any sign erected in a location that causes visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic or traffic-control devices, including obstructing clear vision at street intersections or driveways, is prohibited in all zones.
- Any sign, other than traffic-control signs, erected, constructed, or maintained within, over, or upon the right-of-way of any road or highway is prohibited, except with a permit issued under this Division.
- Off-premises advertising signs or any sign not pertinent and clearly incidental to the permitted use on the property are prohibited, except for temporary subdivision directional signs, political signs, and signs permitted in the CH and I Districts.
- Any sign interfering with free passage from or obstructing any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder or opening intended as a means of ingress or egress or providing light or air is prohibited.
- Any sign intentionally located to deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign is prohibited.
- Patterned signs that give the illusion of motion or changing of copy are prohibited.
- Abandoned or unused signs, including signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced or conducted upon the premises, are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation, is not kept in good repair, or is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with the sign is prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that obstructs the view of, may be confused with, or purports to be an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or creates an unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators, or obstructs the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, private driveway, alley, or other thoroughfare, is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monte Vista

- Temporary signs as defined in Section 12-20-30 do not require a permit from the City, though they must follow outlined placement and removal guidelines.
- Time and temperature devices on signs are not included in the calculation of maximum sign area.
- Temporary posters in windows announcing or advertising events sponsored by noncommercial organizations are exempt from limitations for window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, move, alter, reconstruct, or repair any sign, except those considered temporary as per Section 12-20-30.
- Applications for sign permits must include a legible site plan showing the specific location of the sign, setbacks, building elevations, and all existing and proposed signs. For off-site signs, the plan must show other existing off-site signs within 100 feet.
- Sign permit applications may require a detailed drawing indicating sign elevation, dimensions, materials, colors, and possibly certification by a structural engineer for freestanding or projecting signs.
- Exceptional design signs require an application with a narrative plan and colored renderings and are reviewed by a design review committee, in addition to the standard sign permit application.
- When a variance is requested, the Board of Adjustment will hold a hearing after administrative procedures for a sign permit are complete.
- Sign permits will not be issued for new signage at business locations where nonconforming signage exists.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Monte Vista — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Monte+Vista+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-monte-vista

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