# Sign Regulations in Sheridan, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sheridan, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/sheridan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Sheridan/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH56ZO_ARTXXISI)

## At a glance

Sheridan, Colorado regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Commercial/Industrial (CI) (MX-C, COM-C, COM-N (excluding residential multifamily properties), BUS-1, BUS-LI, IND, PUD-COM, PUD-BUS, PUD-IND) zoning district are capped at 25 ft generally; may increase to 50 ft if within 600 ft of and oriented toward a transit corridor; drive-through, undeveloped, or vacant: 8 ft. tall and 1 sf per 1 lf street frontage, max 200 sf for single sign, total 600 sf per property, see formula for variations, with a 10 ft from property lines; 50 ft on undeveloped; minimum separations apply setback (Sec. Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial/Industrial (CI) (MX-C, COM-C, COM-N (excluding residential multifamily properties), BUS-1, BUS-LI, IND, PUD-COM, PUD-BUS, PUD-IND) | 21 | 25 ft generally; may increase to 50 ft if within 600 ft of and oriented toward a transit corridor; drive-through, undeveloped, or vacant: 8 ft. | 230 sf (max 3500 cubic feet) | — |
| Multifamily Residential (RM) (RES-MF, PUD-RES-MF (3+ unit buildings), COM-N (2+ unit buildings)) | 17 | 20 ft | 100 sf | — |
| Single-Family Residential (RS) (RES-SF, RES-SFLL, PUD-R (1-to-2-unit buildings), COM-N (single household residential uses)) | 13 | 20 ft | 50% of window area, 6 sf per sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 1 sf | — |

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

### Commercial/Industrial (CI) (MX-C, COM-C, COM-N (excluding residential multifamily properties), BUS-1, BUS-LI, IND, PUD-COM, PUD-BUS, PUD-IND)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft generally; may increase to 50 ft if within 600 ft of and oriented toward a transit corridor; drive-through, undeveloped, or vacant: 8 ft. | 1 sf per 1 lf street frontage, max 200 sf for single sign, total 600 sf per property, see formula for variations | — | 10 ft from property lines; 50 ft on undeveloped; minimum separations apply | Varies by use (see additional requirements) | Must be installed in landscaped area extending min 4 ft from sign base. Not within vision triangle/corner lots, or closer than 1.5x sign height to residentially zoned district. | — | Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C |
| Large Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 8 ft | 16 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 2 per vehicular access point | Zero feet from all property lines; 2 per vehicular access point | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Small Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 1 per 60 lf street frontage | 1 per 60 lf of street frontage, minimum 1 per frontage; zero setback. | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Construction Project Identification Sign | 8 ft | 32 sf | — | 10 ft from property lines or 20 ft from curb line | 1 per project | 10 ft from property lines or 20 ft from curb, whichever greater; 1 per project. | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Grand Opening or Store Closing Sign | 8 ft | 40 sf | — | 15 ft from all property lines or 20 ft from curb line | 1 per business | 15 ft from all property lines or 20 ft from curb line, whichever greater | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Flag Pole Sign (Temporary) | 20 ft | 45 sf | — | 5 ft from all property lines, 50 ft from other temporary signs | 3 per property | Not less than 5 ft from all property lines; not less than 50 ft from other temporary signs; in permeable landscaped area min 3 ft radius from pole. | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Feather Flag (Temporary) | 15 ft | 45 sf | — | Spacing 50 ft from other temporary signs | 1 per property | Spaced at least 50 ft from any other temporary sign | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Sandwich Board or "A" Frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf | — | Zero feet | 1 per business | Zero feet from all property lines. | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |

### Multifamily Residential (RM) (RES-MF, PUD-RES-MF (3+ unit buildings), COM-N (2+ unit buildings))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Monument - 12 or fewer units) | 6 ft | 20 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb; 25 ft separation from other ground signs. | — | At entry; 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb, whichever is greater. Entry points as approved on plat/development/site plan. | — | Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C |
| Ground Sign (Monument - more than 12 units) | 10 ft | 64 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb line; 25 ft separation from other ground signs. | — | At entry; as above | — | Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C |
| Large Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 5 ft | 8 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 1 per structure | Zero feet from all property lines | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Small Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 5 per parcel | 5 per parcel; zero feet from all property lines | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Construction Project Identification Sign | 8 ft | 32 sf | — | 10 ft or 20 ft as above | 1 per project | 10 ft from all property lines or 20 ft from curb line, whichever greater | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Flag Pole Sign (Temporary) | 20 ft | 45 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines; 50 ft from other temp signs | 3 per property | 5 ft from all property lines; 50 ft from other temp signs; in permeable landscaped area, on monument sign | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Feather Flag (Temporary) | 15 ft | 45 sf | — | Spacing 50 ft from other temporary signs | 1 per property | Spaced not less than 50 ft from any other temporary sign | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Sandwich Board or "A" Frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf | — | Zero feet | 1 per complex | Zero feet from property lines | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |

### Single-Family Residential (RS) (RES-SF, RES-SFLL, PUD-R (1-to-2-unit buildings), COM-N (single household residential uses))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per home-based business | Affixed to front elevation | — | Sec. 56-489(a) Table 56-489A, 56-483(d)(3) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 50% of window area, 6 sf per sign | — | — | 1 per building frontage | On windows | — | Sec. 56-489(b) Table 56-489B |
| Ground Sign (Monument only - Home-based Business) | 5 ft | 4 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb line | 1 per home-based business | At entrance to home-based business, setback 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb line | — | Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C |
| Ground Sign (Monument only - Other than home-based business) | 10 ft | 50 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb line | — | At entry to residential subdivision, as designated on approved final plat/development/site plan; setback 5 ft from property lines or 10 ft from curb line | — | Sec. 56-489(c) Table 56-489C |
| Large Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 5 ft | 8 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 1 per structure | Zero feet from all property lines, 1 per structure | — | Sec. 56-491A Table 56-491A |
| Small Lawn Sign (Detached Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sf per sign | — | Zero feet | 5 per residence/park frontage | Up to 5 per residence, zero feet from all property lines; mobile home parks: 5 per frontage located between perimeter fence and street | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Flag Pole Sign (Temporary) | 20 ft | 32 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per property | Not allowed in side or rear yard; setback 5 ft from property lines | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |
| Fence Sign (Detached Temporary) | Top of fence | 3 sf | — | — | 1 per lot/parcel | Affixed to fence, taut, fully displayed condition | — | Sec. 56-491 Table 56-491A |

## Prohibited signs in Sheridan

- Portable signs are not allowed, except as specifically permitted.
- Roof signs are not allowed.
- Abandoned signs are not allowed.
- Animated signs or signs with animated or moving parts, including any moving, swinging, rotating, or spinning parts or animated light, are not allowed, except electronic message displays, scoreboards, time and temperature signs, and clocks that comply with the ordinance.
- Signs made of cardboard, card stock, or paper are not allowed, except when laminated or used as a window sign.
- Signs displayed on motor vehicles are not allowed unless vehicles are operational, regularly used, and display does not interfere with operation or safety.
- Signs on semi-trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units are not allowed, except when structurally sound, used for their primary purpose, and signage is incidental.
- Signs composed of stacked products (e.g., tires, soft drink cases, bagged soil or mulch) are not allowed.
- Sound or noise-making or transmitting devices used for advertising purposes beyond the confines of a building or lot are not allowed.
- No sign may obstruct building ingress or egress, including doors, egress windows, and fire escapes.
- No sign may obstruct any window, doorway or other opening required for ventilation or light.
- No sign may obstruct equipment, structures, or architectural elements related to public safety, building operations, or utility service.
- No sign may obstruct any required vision triangle.
- No sign may be posted, installed, or mounted on or affixed to any tree or shrub.
- No sign may be posted, installed, or mounted on or affixed to any utility pole or light pole, except specific exceptions for banners/flags with consent.
- No sign may be posted, installed, or mounted on or affixed to utility cabinets or pedestals (except signs applied by or with the owner's consent).
- No sign may be posted, installed, or mounted on or affixed to an exposed metal pole more than six feet in height, except as specified.
- No sign may be located in or over public rights-of-way except as specifically allowed.
- Projecting wall signs shall not be located within 12 inches from building corners/cornice/eave lines/ground planes, or within six inches of doors, windows, downspouts, or dimensional architectural details.
- Wall signs shall not extend beyond the roofline of the building.
- Projecting wall signs shall not extend into parking lots, parking spaces, drive aisles, fire lanes, or loading areas.
- Freestanding signs shall not be located within vision triangles.
- Freestanding signs shall not be located within easements unless allowed by the easement holder.
- No part of a sign may protrude into any applicable sign setback.
- Signs shall not be placed so as to interfere with free movement of traffic, obscure vision for motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians, or interfere with vision triangles.
- A sign shall not be placed on non-residential property without written consent of the owner or authorized representative or on residential property without owner consent.
- It is unlawful to construct, erect, alter, enlarge, move or modify any illuminated or electrical sign without first obtaining an electrical permit from the State of Colorado.
- All power units and their appurtenances shall be concealed. All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
- A permanent sign may not be moved or altered without a new sign permit issued by the city (for changes in text, height, size, shape, material, location, or lighting).
- Signs not meeting the standards are deemed a nuisance.
- All owners and business owners are jointly and severally responsible for safe installation and display of all signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sheridan

- This article does not apply to the United States flag, state flags, pennant flag strings, or any flag, crest, or insignia of an official governmental agency or civic, charitable, or religious organization.
- Merchandise or models of products or services normally displayed in store windows of a merchant are exempt.
- Scoreboards, time and temperature, or stock exchange information devices not related to a product or service are exempt.
- Memorials, including roadside memorials, are exempt.
- Governmental signs are exempt.
- Required signs (by applicable codes or regulations) are exempt.
- Murals that do not advertise or identify a business or depict a business name, symbol, trademark, or logo are exempt.
- Address and identification signs containing only property address, owner, business name, business center name, name of building or development, or professional title of occupant are exempt.
- Light standard decorations are exempt.
- Seasonal decorations are exempt.
- Freestanding works of art not including a commercial message are exempt.
- Building architectural features and decorations integral to building design or providing aesthetic accent and that do not advertise or identify a business or display a business name, symbol, trademark, or logo, and are compliant with height limits, are exempt.
- Permit is not required for routine sign maintenance, painting, replacing a panel in a cabinet sign (unless new manual or electronic message center), or replacing lights with those of comparable brightness.
- No permit is required for interior signs.
- No permit is required for signs applied to/painted on a utility cabinet/pedestal under specific conditions.
- No permit is required for one optional residential wall sign (on front elevation), up to four square feet.
- No permit is required for small signs affixed to a building/structure not exceeding one square foot per elevation.
- No permit is required for signs less than one square foot affixed to machines, equipment, fences, gates, walls, gasoline pumps, public telephones, or utility cabinets.
- No permit is required for temporary signs that are in compliance with temporary sign rules.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any comprehensive sign plan approved prior to the date of adoption of the ordinance remains in effect.
- The planning commission may permit comprehensive sign plans for unique conditions, flexibility, and creativity. Applicants must submit a detailed sign plan with written stipulations for review and approval.
- All owners of properties affected by a comprehensive sign plan must be signatories to the plan, or a duly constituted representative of a management association/firm may sign on their behalf if authorized.
- Once authorized by the planning commission, a comprehensive sign plan may be modified through procedures involving the zoning administrator and/or planning commission, depending on whether the modification is substantial.
- Comprehensive sign plans have no set minimum or maximum standards but must contain such limitations within the plan stipulations, and will be reviewed for compatibility with the purpose of the sign ordinance and city planning/zoning programs.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/sheridan