# Sign Regulations in Rifle, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rifle, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/rifle
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Rifle/codes/Charter_and_Municipal_Code?nodeId=CH16LAUSDE_ARTVIIISICO)

## At a glance

Rifle, Colorado regulates 9 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument)s in the Low Density Residential District (LDR), Medium Density Residential District (MDR), Redeveloping Medium Density Residential District (MDR-X), Estate Zone District (EZ) zoning district are capped at Public/quasi-public and legal nonconforming commercial: 8'; Multi-family and subdivision entrance: 6'; Group child care center: 6'; Home occupation: 4' tall and Public/quasi-public: 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of frontage or 25 sq. ft. max; Multi-family: Same as above; Legal existing nonconforming commercial: Same as above; Subdivision entrance: 25 sq. ft.; Group child care: 10 sq. ft.; Home occupation: 1 sq. ft., with a At least 8' from pavement; At least 4' from building setback (Sec. Sec. 16-8-50(a)). Most commercial signs in Rifle require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low Density Residential District (LDR), Medium Density Residential District (MDR), Redeveloping Medium Density Residential District (MDR-X), Estate Zone District (EZ) | 4 | Limited to first story of building unless second story has pedestrian access such as balcony; At least 8' above finished grade; No more than 25' above grade | Cannot exceed 25% of area of window | — |
| Central Business District (CBD), Community Service Business District (CS), Tourist Commercial District (TC), Light Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Planned Development District (PD) | 6 | 48" tall; 24" wide | CBD: max 75 sq. ft.; Other: 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage; Multi-use: add 30 sq. ft. per additional use | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Individual lots: 5'; Major subdivisions: 8' | 24 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Low Density Residential District (LDR), Medium Density Residential District (MDR), Redeveloping Medium Density Residential District (MDR-X), Estate Zone District (EZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Awning/Canopy or Wall) | Limited to first story of building unless second story has pedestrian access such as balcony; At least 8' above finished grade; No more than 25' above grade | 5% of building facade or 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Building facade; Located under canopy or awning considered suspended sign | — | Sec. 16-8-50(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | Public/quasi-public and legal nonconforming commercial: 8'; Multi-family and subdivision entrance: 6'; Group child care center: 6'; Home occupation: 4' | Public/quasi-public: 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of frontage or 25 sq. ft. max; Multi-family: Same as above; Legal existing nonconforming commercial: Same as above; Subdivision entrance: 25 sq. ft.; Group child care: 10 sq. ft.; Home occupation: 1 sq. ft. | — | At least 8' from pavement; At least 4' from building | 1 per street front (except subdivision entrance: 1 per entrance; group child care: 1; home occupation: 1) | At least 8' from pavement; At least 4' from building | — | Sec. 16-8-50(a) |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign | At least 8' above finished grade; No more than 25' above grade | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building frontage (MDR-X only) | Must be attached to building frontage (MDR-X only) | — | Sec. 16-8-50(a) |
| Window Sign | — | Cannot exceed 25% of area of window | — | — | — | Ground level only | — | Sec. 16-8-50(a) |

### Central Business District (CBD), Community Service Business District (CS), Tourist Commercial District (TC), Light Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Planned Development District (PD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Awning/Canopy or Wall) | Lesser of 25' OR top of first floor (Exception: above first floor may be used in place of a freestanding sign) | CBD: max 75 sq. ft.; Other: 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage; Multi-use: add 30 sq. ft. per additional use | — | — | No maximum number | Building facade | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | Cannot exceed height of principal building or 25'; Exception: At least 20' permitted on Airport Rd & Hwy 13 | 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of building frontage or up to 170 sq. ft. (Airport Rd & Hwy 13) / 130 sq. ft. (elsewhere) | — | At least 8' from pavement; At least 4' from building | 1 per 1,500 ft of street frontage per lot or 1 per street frontage for corner/double frontage lots | At least 8' from pavement; At least 4' from building; Per street frontage rules for corner/double frontage lots | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1),(2) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 6' | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1) |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign | Limited to first story unless second story has pedestrian access (balcony); At least 8' above grade; No more than 25' above grade | 16 sq. ft. | 4-foot width | — | 1 per building frontage | Building frontage | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1) |
| Window Sign | — | Cannot exceed 25% of area of window | — | — | — | Window (ground level and areas under gas station canopies and near pumps considered window display) | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 48" tall; 24" wide | 6 sq. ft. | 24" | — | 1 per retail or restaurant use | Must be adjacent to City sidewalk or internal sidewalk with minimum 4' clearance remaining | — | Sec. 16-8-50(b)(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Affixed to Temporary Use Structure) | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Affixed directly to temporary structure | — | Sec. 16-3-90(h)(12) |
| Temporary Banner/Flutter Flag (Special Event, Nonprofit, Grand Opening, etc.) | — | One (1) banner per street frontage per establishment; Nonprofit/special event: max 32 sq ft. | — | — | One banner per street frontage per establishment; One banner per light pole | On premises being advertised or on private light pole (with outdoor sales component) | — | Sec. 16-8-70(a)(4), (5), (17) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | Individual lots: 5'; Major subdivisions: 8' | Individual lots: 6 sq ft per sign face; Major subdivisions: 32 sq ft per sign face; Directional signs: 4 sq ft | — | At least 8' from property line/pavement/sidewalk | Individual lot: 1 per lot; Major subdivision: 1 per subdivision; Directional: 3 off-site per project | On premises being advertised; off-site only for directional signs (must be outside right-of-way) | — | Sec. 16-8-70(a)(13) |

## Prohibited signs in Rifle

- Animated signs, including those with flashing, rotating, blinking, movement, or changing brightness, intensity, or color, are prohibited in all zoning districts except time/temperature signs and barber poles less than three feet tall.
- Signs cannot be erected, constructed, or maintained within, over, or upon the public right-of-way, except traffic control signs.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs that may be confused with traffic control devices, due to size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination, are prohibited.
- Off-premises advertising signs or signs not incidental to the use on the property are prohibited, except for temporary subdivision directional signs, garage sale signs, directional real estate signs, political signs, and certain exceptions in Section 16-8-90.
- Temporary stake signs used for commercial advertising purposes are prohibited, except as permitted for garage sale signs.
- Signs emitting any sound or noise are prohibited.
- Searchlights or beacons are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs including figures, shapes, mascots, or tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Fabric signs, flags, pennants, or banners used for commercial advertising purposes are prohibited, except as otherwise permitted.
- Electronic message boards are prohibited except governmental signs.
- Any sign for vacated or abandoned entities that advertises an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced or conducted upon the premises ninety days after vacancy is prohibited, unless granted an extension.
- Signs painted on rocks or other natural features or terrain are prohibited unless approved by the City Manager.
- Tube man and wind sock signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rifle

- Building identification signs, incidental signs, landmark signs, address signs, vacancy/no vacancy signs, no trespassing signs (max 8 sq ft), time and temperature signs (max 10 sq ft), and changeable copy signs for church, school, civic uses, and theaters are exempt from permit requirements and may be placed in any zoning district.
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot/parcel or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way are exempt.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, and works of art, that do not identify a product or business and do not contain letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights, are exempt.
- Banners and flutter flags may be exempt if displayed in conjunction with a special event (max 45 days/year, 1 banner per street frontage per establishment), kept in good repair, firmly attached, and non-profit special event banners (max 32 sq ft, 30 days before/7 days after event, not illuminated). Exemptions can be applied for through the Conditional Use Permit process.
- Commercial banners on privately owned light poles are exempt if associated with outdoor sales, properly sized and themed.
- Temporary construction signs for building contractors, professional firms, lenders, and property owners are exempt, subject to size and location criteria, one per street front per premises, not illuminated, and removed within 7 days after completion.
- Temporary holiday decorations or displays are exempt if clearly incidental to and associated with holidays, displayed no more than 60 days per year.
- Government and nongovernment flags are exempt provided they do not display commercial logos. One business open flag (3'x5') per establishment allowed if attached to the structure and removed when closed.
- Signs for garage, estate, yard sale, or farm auction (max 4 sq ft, installed no more than 1 day prior and removed within 12 hours after, not placed on poles or traffic devices, must not impede traffic; stake signs permitted) are exempt.
- Temporary signs/banners for hunting season (August 1 to December 1) placed only on the business premises, not illuminated/animated, are exempt.
- Notice boards for public or religious institutions or other approved uses, intended for pedestrians, are exempt.
- Political signs displayed on private property for elections/candidates are exempt if placed with property owner permission and removal dates are agreed.
- Real estate signs (max 1 per lot, 6 sq ft and 5 ft high for lots; max 1 per subdivision, 32 sq ft and 8 ft high; up to 3 offsite directional signs; removal required after sale/lease/75% of subdivision sold; not illuminated) are exempt.
- Strings of light bulbs used decoratively (steady burning, clear, noncolored bulbs; no blinking unless with holiday decorations; not used for messages or advertisements) are exempt.
- Vehicular signs on business vehicles are exempt if the primary purpose is not sign display and vehicles are used/stored in the normal course of business.
- Ideological signs displayed on private property are exempt if placed with property owner permission and removal dates are agreed.
- Special event signs on private property and grand opening banners are exempt if the appropriate temporary sign permit is obtained (max 3 days/special event; up to 2 per year; grand opening banners for new businesses/locations only, max 14 consecutive days).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Multi-use buildings and multi-building properties must create a sign program (i.e., a master sign plan) specific to the property, following a similar theme of scale, size, height, shape and/or color; the program must be approved by the Planning Department and kept on file for future reference for sign permitting within the development.
- Individual uses in multi-use buildings or multi-building properties may not have individual freestanding signs.
- Creative signs that use standards differing from the sign code must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission via a sign permit application submitted with all required information and materials.
- Sign permit is required for all permanent and temporary signs, except exempt signs listed in Section 16-8-70.
- Changing or replacing the copy on an existing lawful sign does not require a permit provided size and structure remain unchanged and the sign continues to comply with code.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Rifle, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rifle+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rifle

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