# Sign Regulations in Silverthorne, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Silverthorne, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/silverthorne
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Silverthorne/codes/Charter_and_Municipal_Code?nodeId=CO_CH4CODE_ARTIXSI)

## At a glance

Silverthorne, Colorado regulates 27 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Town Core Sign District zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 9 sq ft, and 3 ft wide (Sec. Sec. 4-9-8(i)). Most commercial signs in Silverthorne require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 35 ft (non-residential), 25 ft (residential zones) | 60 sq ft | — |
| Residential Sign District | 6 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft (aggregate per property, 1 per street frontage) | — |
| Town Core Sign District | 10 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 1 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — |
| Commercial Sign District | 9 | 15 ft | 80 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 1.5 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — |
| HWY 9 Sign District | 9 | 18 ft | 150 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 2 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — |
| Interstate Sign District | 10 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 2.5 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — |

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

### Town Core Sign District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 1 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — | — | — | On building wall, below second story ceiling | — | Sec. 4-9-8(b), (g), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-8(c), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Under-Canopy or Hanging Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Under canopy, at least 8 ft above grade, not beyond edge of roof/canopy | — | Sec. 4-9-8(d), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Projects no more than 5 ft from building, lowest element at least 8 ft above walkway | — | Sec. 4-9-8(f), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 9 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | Within 5 ft of business entrance | — | Sec. 4-9-8(i) |
| Construction Sign | — | 18 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 3 | On construction project | — | Sec. 4-9-8(k), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Project Development Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On development project site | — | Sec. 4-9-8(l), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft (aggregate, up to 4 signs) | — | — | 4 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-8(m), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |

### Commercial Sign District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 80 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 1.5 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 4-9-9(b)-(c), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-9(d), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Under-Canopy or Hanging Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Under canopy, min 8 ft above grade, not beyond edge of roof/canopy | — | Sec. 4-9-12(b), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Project Development Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On development project site | — | Sec. 4-9-12(e), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 4 | On construction project | — | Sec. 4-9-12(f), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Drive-through Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-through lane | Along drive-through lane | — | Sec. 4-9-12(g) |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Interior surface of window. | — | Sec. 4-9-12(h) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft (aggregate, up to 4) | — | — | 4 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-12(i) |

### Interstate Sign District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Building) | — | 200 sq ft (per sign), aggregate: 2.5 sq ft/linear ft frontage | — | — | — | On building wall (including above second story for commercial buildings) | — | Sec. 4-9-11(b)-(e), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-11(d), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Under-Canopy or Hanging Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Under canopy, min 8 ft above grade, not beyond edge of roof/canopy | — | Sec. 4-9-12(b), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Project Development Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On development project site | — | Sec. 4-9-12(e), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 4 | On construction project | — | Sec. 4-9-12(f), Table Sec. 4-9-21 |
| Drive-through Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-through lane | Along drive-through lane | — | Sec. 4-9-12(g) |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Interior surface of window. | — | Sec. 4-9-12(h) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft (aggregate, up to 4) | — | — | 4 | On property | — | Sec. 4-9-12(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Silverthorne

- It is unlawful to display, construct, erect, alter, use, or maintain any sign except in conformance with the provisions of this Article.
- It is unlawful to alter, maintain, enlarge, use or display any sign erected or constructed prior to the enactment of this Article except in conformance with the provisions herein set forth.
- Signs that are structurally unsafe, unsanitary, or hazardous to the safety or health of any person.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals, or signs creating an unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators.
- Signs that are in disrepair, damaged, dilapidated, inadequately maintained, or components of signs which do not function as intended.
- Moving, animated, revolving, or rotating signs, except for dials and gauges animated only to the extent necessary to display information.
- Signs that obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, private driveway, alley or other thoroughfare, or which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a required entrance or exit.
- Nonconforming Signs, except legal nonconforming signs.
- Neon, other gas-filled, or LED light tubes, except when used as a window sign; exposed neon signs exterior are only permitted in the Interstate Sign District.
- Banners, except as allowed as part of an approved event permit or by temporary banner permit; and only one banner at a time; must meet additional requirements.
- Signs erected on public rights-of-way, except government signs.
- Wind-driven signs, air-activated graphics, or inflatable signs.
- Signs that utilize or incorporate searchlights.
- Signs mounted on the roof of a building, above canopies or eaves, or extending above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall.
- Walking signs, human signs, or sign spinners.
- Signs with auditory messages or sounds.
- Snipe or poster signs, including signs fastened to trees, fences, utility poles, public benches, streetlights, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way.
- Portable wheeled signs and portable message center signs.
- Billboards or off-premises signs.
- Sandwich board signs, except as permitted in the Town Core Sign District.
- Festoons, freestanding blade signs, or teardrop flags of any shape.
- Statuary signs, except those proposed as part of a building sign, and whose area does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the area of the sign.
- Projected image signs or signs with projected copy.
- Signs with lights or illuminations that flash, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity, or vary in color.
- Freestanding signs supported by a singular pole or post.
- Under-canopy or hanging signs that extend beyond the edge of the canopy or roof from which they are suspended.
- Back-lit awning signs.
- Internally illuminated cabinet signs with a predominantly white, off-white, or other light colored background.

## Signs exempt from permit in Silverthorne

- Commemorative signs, cornerstones, and plaques not exceeding six (6) square feet (exempt from permits).
- Directional/informational signs of six (6) square feet or less each or as indicated on an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan (exempt from permits).
- Flags not exceeding fifty (50) square feet in area, and no flagpole higher than thirty-five (35) feet in all zone districts except residential zones, in which the maximum height shall be twenty-five (25) feet; a maximum of two flags per property (exempt from permits).
- Government signs (exempt from permits).
- Gravestones (exempt from permits).
- Holiday displays and decorations (exempt from permits).
- Private warning signs (exempt from permits).
- Signs showing underground or public utilities (exempt from permits).
- Scoreboards not exceeding twenty (20) feet in height and sixty (60) square feet in size (exempt from permits).
- Window signs (exempt from permits).
- Vehicular signs (exempt from permits) provided that the vehicle is operable and registered, the sign is permanently and directly applied, the vehicle is used for transport or is a government vehicle, and it is parked/stored in designated areas and does not obstruct circulation.
- Addressing information required by code is exempt from aggregate sign area and permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan is required for single-business buildings; the owner, builder, or developer must present the plan to the Community Development Department before certificate of occupancy issuance, showing proposed locations of all signs.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required for multi-business buildings; the owner, builder, or developer must present the plan to the Community Development Department before certificate of occupancy issuance, showing proposed sign locations, types, and sign area allocation among tenants.
- No more than two wall-mounted signs may be placed on any one building facade, unless as part of an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- On multi-business buildings, the owner will allocate the total sign allowance among businesses according to an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan (as specified in the Town Core, Commercial, HWY 9, and Interstate Sign Districts).
- The sign plan must demonstrate coordinated signage by using three out of six elements: color, size, shape, materials, mounting, or lighting.
- All proposed locations of freestanding signs and building directories must be shown in the comprehensive sign plan.
- All signs must comply with the approved comprehensive sign plan.
- The Community Development Department has the authority to approve or reject comprehensive sign plans and amendments.
- When applying for a sign permit, applications must include details about compliance with any applicable sign plan.

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

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