# Sign Regulations in Salida, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Salida, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/salida
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Salida/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH16LAUSDE_ARTXSIST)

## At a glance

Salida, Colorado regulates 19 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pole Signs in the Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) (Sec. Sec. 16-10-50(a); Table 16-L; Table 16-M). Most commercial signs in Salida require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 5 | As in Table 16-M (5 feet for pole/ground signs) | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate for all signs) | — |
| Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2); Residential Mixed Use (RMU); Industrial (I) | 11 | 20 ft (C-1, I); 20 ft (C-2); 6 ft (RMU Nonresidential Use) | 100 sq ft per individual sign; total lot signage up to 250 sq ft | — |
| Central Business (C-2) | 8 | 20 feet | 100 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate up to 250 sq ft per lot | — |
| SH 291 Corridor Overlay (291 CO) | 2 | 5 feet | — | — |
| Subdivisions and Planned Developments | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate for all signs) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the wall of the dwelling unit | — | Sec. 16-10-50(a); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Pole Sign | 5 feet | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the lot | — | Sec. 16-10-50(a); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Ground Sign | 5 feet | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the lot | — | Sec. 16-10-50(a); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Window Sign | — | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On a window | — | Sec. 16-10-50(a); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Election Sign (Seasonal Allowance) | As in Table 16-M (5 feet for pole/ground signs) | Additional 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | Cumulative area up to additional 9 sq ft per unit | On any allowed sign type location | — | Sec. 16-10-50(e); Table 16-M |

### Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2); Residential Mixed Use (RMU); Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the wall of the dwelling unit | — | Sec. 16-10-50(b); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Pole Sign (Residential Use) | 5 feet | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the lot | — | Sec. 16-10-50(b); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Ground Sign (Residential Use) | 5 feet | 9 sq ft per dwelling unit (aggregate) | — | — | Cumulative area up to 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On the lot | — | Sec. 16-10-50(b); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Pole Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 20 ft (C-1, I); 20 ft (C-2); 6 ft (RMU Nonresidential Use) | 100 sq ft per individual sign; total lot signage up to 250 sq ft | — | — | Aggregate area only; number not specified | On the lot | — | Table 16-L; Table 16-M; Sec. 16-10-50(d)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 8 ft (C-1, I); 8 ft (RMU Nonresidential Use); 5 ft (C-2) | 100 sq ft per individual sign; total lot signage up to 250 sq ft | — | — | Aggregate area only; number not specified | On the lot | — | Table 16-L; Table 16-M; Sec. 16-10-50(d)(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 100 sq ft per individual sign; total lot signage up to 250 sq ft | Can extend up to 4 ft 6 in from building wall | — | Aggregate area only; number not specified | Projecting from building wall | — | Sec. 16-10-40(k); Sec. 16-10-50(d)(1); Table 16-L |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 feet | — | 3 feet | — | 1 per building | On sidewalk adjacent to public business entrance; if entrance is not adjacent, may be at nearest sidewalk with permission | — | Sec. 16-10-50(d)(2) |
| Election Sign (Seasonal Allowance) | 5 ft (pole/ground signs RMU, C-1, C-2, I for residential use); otherwise, as per Table 16-M | Additional 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | Cumulative area up to additional 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On any allowed sign type location | — | Sec. 16-10-50(e); Table 16-M |

### Central Business (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 100 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate up to 250 sq ft per lot | — | — | Not specified; total signage aggregate | On the building wall | — | Sec. 16-10-50(d)(1); Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Pole Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 20 feet | 100 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate up to 250 sq ft per lot | — | — | Not specified; total signage aggregate | On the lot | — | Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Ground Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 5 feet | 100 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate up to 250 sq ft per lot | — | — | Not specified; total signage aggregate | On the lot | — | Table 16-L; Table 16-M |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 100 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate up to 250 sq ft per lot | Can extend up to 4 ft 6 in from building wall | — | Not specified; total signage aggregate | Projecting from building wall | — | Table 16-L; Table 16-M; Sec. 16-10-40(k) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 feet | — | 3 feet | — | 1 per building | On sidewalk adjacent to public business entrance. If entrance is not adjacent, may be at nearest sidewalk with permission. | — | Sec. 16-10-50(d)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business at any given time | On site of the business | — | Sec. 16-10-50(d)(3) |
| Window Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On a window | — | Sec. 16-10-50(d)(4) |
| Election Sign (Seasonal Allowance) | 5 ft (pole/ground signs); other types as allowed in Table 16-M | Additional 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | Cumulative area up to additional 9 sq ft per dwelling unit | On any allowed sign type location | — | Sec. 16-10-50(e); Table 16-M |

## Prohibited signs in Salida

- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except as allowed by City Council upon finding of public interest.
- No sign shall be displayed on public property or within the right-of-way of any road or highway without written approval of the City Council.
- Flashing, rotating, blinking, or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving, rotating, or flashing lights, or signs that create the illusion of movement are prohibited, except for time and temperature devices.
- No sign shall be displayed that is erected in a manner or location causing visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian traffic, or traffic-control devices.
- No sign shall be displayed that poses a danger due to poor design, construction, installation, or maintenance.
- No sign shall be displayed that is in a state of disrepair, wear, or ruin due to age or neglect; all signs must be maintained in good condition and in compliance with building and electrical codes.
- Roof signs are prohibited (signs erected, placed, or maintained upon, against, or directly above the roof, or which project above the eaves or walls of a roof).
- Obsolete signs (advertising an activity, product or business no longer at the premises) are prohibited and must be removed within 90 days, unless historically significant or an integral part of a façade.
- Attention-attracting devices are prohibited unless otherwise approved under this Article.
- There shall be no signs or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character such as will offend morals or decency in accordance with constitutional standards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Salida

- A sign permit is not required for the display of a sign or group of signs whose total square footage equals nine (9) square feet or less per property.
- Sidewalk signs do not require a sign permit and do not count towards total area allowed.
- Temporary signs do not require a sign permit and do not count towards total area allowed.
- Window signs do not require a sign permit and do not count towards total area allowed.
- Signs not requiring a permit under this Article shall still be permitted in a development with a comprehensive sign plan unless stated otherwise in the comprehensive sign plan.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any multiple-tenant nonresidential buildings or development existing at the time of adoption of this Code that do not have a comprehensive sign plan shall be required to create a comprehensive sign plan at the time of application for a new sign.
- Every Planned Development, subdivision, multi-tenant building or coordinated development shall have a comprehensive sign plan approved.
- Each subdivision or planned development must have an approved comprehensive sign plan for display of signs on property owned or utilized in common.
- Comprehensive sign plan applications are required at the time of final development plan, final subdivision plat, or prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy if no final plan or plat was required.
- All such owners in a coordinated development must be given notice and opportunity to participate in, or provide written approval of, the comprehensive sign plan.
- A creative sign permit requires approval by the Planning Commission following a public hearing as described by Section 16-10-90.
- Minor modifications to a comprehensive sign plan may be approved administratively; major modifications require a new application and plan to bring all existing signs into conformance.

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

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