# Sign Regulations in South Fork, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Fork, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/south-fork
- **Data last verified:** 2025-02-28
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/South_Fork/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=CD_ORD_CH16LAUSDE_ART8SIRE)

## At a glance

South Fork, Colorado regulates 7 sign types across 3 zoning districts. On-premises Signs in the Rural Residential, Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Zone Districts zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 32 square feet (Sec. Sec. 16-8-60(a)). Most commercial signs in South Fork require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rural Residential, Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Zone Districts | 2 | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Commercial Business, Mixed Use, Heavy Industrial and Light Industrial Zone Districts | 3 | 30 feet | 600 square feet total, no single sign exceeding 200 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 6 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Rural Residential, Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Zone Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-60(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-60(a)(5) |

### Commercial Business, Mixed Use, Heavy Industrial and Light Industrial Zone Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Sign | 30 feet | 600 square feet total, no single sign exceeding 200 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-60(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-60(b)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-60(b)(5) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | First- and second-story building frontages | — | Sec. 16-8-110(1) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-110(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Site frontage adjoining a public street | — | Sec. 16-8-110(4) |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Site frontage adjoining a public street | — | Sec. 16-8-110(5) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 square feet | 3 feet | — | 1 per business | Ground floor facade | — | Sec. 16-8-110(7) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 16-8-110(11) |

## Prohibited signs in South Fork

- Any sign that is erected in such a location as to cause visual obstruction or interference with motor vehicle traffic, or traffic control devices, including any sign that obstructs clear vision in any direction from any street intersection or driveway.
- Roof signs of any kind, whether erected or painted except those signs located on the facade or gable end of a building not exceeding two feet (2') above the highest point of the building, is of scale appropriate for the building, and attached to the building facade or gable.
- Any sign, other than traffic control signs, erected, constructed or maintained within, over or upon the right-of-way of any road or highway, except in the case of a sign for which a permit has been issued in accordance with the requirements of this Article.
- Off-premises advertising signs or any other sign not pertinent and clearly incidental to the permitted use on the property where located, except for temporary subdivision directional signs and special event signs, and except for signs permitted in Section 16-8-110 of this Article.
- Any sign which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder or opening intended as a means of ingress or egress, or providing light or air.
- Any sign located in such a way as to intentionally deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign.
- Vehicle-mounted signs or signs painted on vehicles, including immobile and/or vehicles regularly parked for thirty (30) cumulative (not sequential) days, including but not limited to, signs painted on or attached to semi-trailers or cargo containers, when exhibited on private property adjacent to public rights-of-way, for the purpose of advertising the business or services offered on the property.
- Portable signs or signs not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to any structure, except for real estate signs attached to posts driven into the ground, window signs and temporary barriers.
- Searchlights.
- Signs with the optical illusion of movement by means of a design which presents a pattern capable of reversible perspective, giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy, except as permitted under Section 16-8-110 of this Article.
- Any sign (together with its supporting structure), now or hereafter existing, which, six (6) months or more after the premises have been vacated, advertises an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted upon the premises upon which such sign is located.
- Any sign or sign structure which 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 shock to persons likely to come in contact with it.
- Any sign or sign structure which obstructs the view of, may be confused with or purports to be an official traffic sign, signal or device or any other official sign, uses any words, phrases, symbols or characters implying the existence of danger or the need for stopping or maneuvering a motor vehicle, uses any words, phrases, symbols or characters which constitutes a personal attack or contains obscene language, creates in any other way 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.
- Home occupation signs.
- Billboards, defined as a large roadside sign for displaying advertisements or message.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Fork

- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, provided that the content and size do not exceed the requirements of such law, order, rule or regulation.
- Building identification, historical markers. Non-illuminated signs constructed of metal or masonry which are permanently affixed to buildings or structures for the purpose of identifying the name of a building, date of erection or other historical information as approved by the Land Use Administrator.
- Bulletin boards not over thirty-two (32) square feet for public, charitable or religious institutions, where the same are located on the premises.
- Contractor signs not more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area naming the contractors engaging in the construction on the property.
- Courtesy. Non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated signs which identify, as a courtesy to customers, items such as credit cards accepted, redemption stamps offered, menus or prices; limited to one (1) such sign for each use, not to exceed four (4) square feet per face or eight (8) square feet in total area.
- On-premises directional and instructional signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area each.
- Signs affixed to door and window glass which identify the name and/or address and contact information of an establishment.
- Flags and emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or other not-for-profit organization displayed on private property.
- Signs which advertise a private garage or yard sale on the lot on which the sign is located; provided that such signs are displayed no more than twice per year per dwelling unit for a period not to exceed three (3) days.
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by the Town, public utility companies, oil and gas companies or construction companies to warn of danger or hazardous conditions, including signs indicating the presence of underground cables, gas lines and similar devices.
- Clear decorative lighting is allowed. Multi-colored, seasonal lights are allowed from October through March.
- Signs in the nature of decorations, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday, provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period of not more than sixty (60) days in any one (1) year; and may be of any type, number, area, height, location, illumination or animation.
- Identification signs not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in gross surface area accessory to a multi-family dwelling.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface, permanently attached to or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material.
- Nameplate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross surface area accessory to a one-unit or two-family dwelling.
- Occupant signs limited in content to name of occupant, address or premises and signs of danger or a cautionary nature which are limited to: wall and ground signs; no more than two (2) per street front; no more than four (4) square feet per sign in area; no more than ten (10) feet in height above grade; signs which may be illuminated only from a concealed light source which does not flash, blink or fluctuate; and signs which are not animated.
- On-site information signs commonly associated with, and limited to, information and directions relating to the permitted use on the lot on which the sign is located, provided that each such sign is only for the convenience of the public and is limited to: wall, window and ground signs; not more than five (5) feet in height above grade; may be illuminated only from a concealed light source which does not flash, blink or fluctuate; and shall not be animated except that gauges and dials may be animated to the extent necessary to display correct measurement.
- Professional nameplate signs not more than two (2) square feet in area which are of a wall or window type.
- Public signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance; which may be of any type, number, area, height above grade, location, illumination or animation authorized by the law, statute or ordinance under which the signs are erected.
- Real estate signs not projecting beyond the property line, and not more than thirty-two (32) square feet per face in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located.
- Election campaign signs may be placed no more than sixty (60) days prior to, and must be removed within fourteen (14) days after, election date.
- Organization symbols located on a building or lot used for conducting the organization's business.
- Score boards in athletic stadiums.
- Signs in the display window of a business use, which are incorporated with a display of merchandise or a display relating to services offered.
- Signs within buildings that comply with state and local building codes.
- Signs displaying time and temperature devices, provided that they are not related to a product.
- Signs for the control of traffic or other regulatory purposes, including signs for the control of parking on private property, and official messages erected by, or on the authority of, a public officer in the performance of his or her duty.
- All 'vacancy' and 'no vacancy' signs, where they are non-illuminated, internally illuminated, indirectly illuminated or directly illuminated signs; provided that the area of the sign does not exceed two and one-half (2½) square feet per face.
- Motor vehicle 'for sale' signs, provided that there is only two (2) signs per vehicle, the sign does not exceed two (2) square feet each.
- Signs displayed on trucks, buses, trailers not semi-trailers or other vehicles which are being operated or stored in the normal course of a business, such as signs indicating the name of the owner or business which are located on moving vans, delivery trucks, rental trucks and trailers and the like, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article, provided that the primary purpose of such vehicles is not for the display of signs, and provided that they are parked or stored in areas appropriate to their use as vehicles.
- Vending machine signs, provided that the advertisement upon the vending machine sign is limited to the product vended.
- Special events. Temporary special event signs and banners for charitable, civic, fraternal or similar non-profit or not-for-profit organizations provided that: Signs shall be erected no sooner than thirty (30) days prior and removed no later than seven (7) days after the event. No such sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet. No such sign shall be illuminated. All such signs shall be located off the street right-of-way, unless otherwise granted permission for such location by the Town of South Fork or the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). In no case may any such sign impede the view or travel of any motorists or pedestrians or be attached to any structure within the right-of-way (government signs, telephone poles, etc.)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any request for an increase in the maximum allowable area for a sign, or for signs not expressly permitted in these regulations, must be approved through a waiver granted by the Board of Trustees. Such request shall be made in writing to the Land Use Administrator using the appropriate forms and procedure.

## Full detail

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

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