# Sign Regulations in Wheat Ridge, Colorado

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wheat Ridge, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/wheat-ridge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Wheat_Ridge/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOLA_CH26ZODE_ARTVIISICO)

## At a glance

Wheat Ridge, Colorado regulates 25 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Multi-Unit Dwelling)s in the Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, PRD) zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 26-710.J.6). Most commercial signs in Wheat Ridge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, PRD) | 12 | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in (otherwise) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural Zone Districts (A-1, A-2) | 12 | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in (otherwise) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Public Facilities (PF) | 7 | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in (otherwise) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zone Districts (NC, RC, C-1, C-2) | 14 | 50 ft (if within 1/4 mile of interstate), otherwise 15 ft, or 7 ft in MU zones | 60-400 sq ft (see formula) | — |
| Mixed Use Zone Districts (MU-C, MU-C TOD, MU-C interstate, MU-N) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial-Employment (I-E) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development Districts (PCD, PID, PHD, PMUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Billboard District | 1 | 32 ft to highest point | 750 sq ft per face (single, two-sided, or V-shape with angle <60 deg); if >60 deg, combined area as specified | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | — | — | Sec. 26-710.J.9 |
| Wall or Painted Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | — | — | Sec. 26-710.M.5 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Unit Dwelling) | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage; max 2 | — | — | Sec. 26-710.J.6 |
| Directional Sign | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in (otherwise) | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | Not located within public street right-of-way | — | Sec. 26-710.H |
| Window or Door Sign | — | May not exceed 25% of door/window area | — | — | — | On or in window/door visible from exterior | — | Sec. 26-710.N |
| Yard Sign (Small) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited | Not in city right-of-way or municipal property | — | Sec. 26-711.H |
| Yard Sign (Large) | 7 ft | 9 sq ft (up to 9 units); 32 sq ft (10+ units) | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage/major drive; max 2 | Allowed only on properties with active sale/rent listing, active permits, or urban gardens | — | Sec. 26-711.I |
| Signs Carried by Persons | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Along public right-of-way, not in vehicular/bike lanes or medians | — | Sec. 26-711.G |

### Agricultural Zone Districts (A-1, A-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | — | — | Sec. 26-710.J.9 |
| Wall or Painted Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | — | — | Sec. 26-710.M.5 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Unit Dwelling) | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage; max 2 | — | — | Sec. 26-710.J.6 |
| Directional Sign | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in (otherwise) | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | Not located within public street right-of-way | — | Sec. 26-710.H |
| Window or Door Sign | — | May not exceed 25% of door/window area | — | — | — | On or in window/door visible from exterior | — | Sec. 26-710.N |
| Yard Sign (Small) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited | Not in city right-of-way or municipal property | — | Sec. 26-711.H |
| Yard Sign (Large) | 7 ft | 9 sq ft (up to 9 units); 32 sq ft (10+ units) | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage/major drive; max 2 | Allowed only on properties with active sale/rent listing, active permits, or urban gardens | — | Sec. 26-711.I |
| Signs Carried by Persons | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Along public right-of-way, not in vehicular/bike lanes or medians | — | Sec. 26-711.G |

### Commercial Zone Districts (NC, RC, C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arcade Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Beneath/attached to underside of balcony/canopy/awning/passageway. May extend into ROW with permit. | — | Sec. 26-710.C |
| Barber Shop Pole | 5 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage or major drive | Wall mounted; may extend in ROW with permit | — | Sec. 26-710.D |
| Blade Sign (2D) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage/business | On building wall; may extend into ROW with permit | — | Sec. 26-710.E |
| Changeable Copy Sign | Subject to freestanding/wall sign regs per 26-710.J/L | Subject to freestanding/wall sign regs per 26-710.J/L, never to exceed those respective regs | — | 5 ft minimum (freestanding type) | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 per development | Freestanding signs: min 5 ft setback from any property line | — | Sec. 26-710.G, Sec. 26-707.G |
| Directional Sign | 36 in (if within sight triangle), 48 in otherwise | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | Not within public street right-of-way | — | Sec. 26-710.H |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant) | 50 ft (if within 1/4 mile of interstate), otherwise 15 ft, or 7 ft in MU zones | 35-300 sq ft (see formula) | — | 5-30 ft depending on height and adjacent zoning | 1 per street frontage; max 2 | 1 per street frontage, max 2; must be in landscaped area if new/redeveloped | — | Sec. 26-710.J |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 50 ft (if within 1/4 mile of interstate), otherwise 15 ft, or 7 ft in MU zones | 60-400 sq ft (see formula) | — | 5-30 ft depending on height and adjacent zoning | 1 per street frontage; max 2 | 1 per street frontage, max 2; must be in landscaped area if new/redeveloped | — | Sec. 26-710.J |
| Sign Oriented to Drive-Through Lane | 6 ft | 35 sq ft per drive-through lane | — | — | — | Screened from ROW | — | Sec. 26-710.K |

## Prohibited signs in Wheat Ridge

- No sign may be structurally unsafe as determined by the chief building official.
- No sign shall obscure or distract the vision of motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians, or interfere with motor vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
- No sign shall be located within a required sight distance triangle or violate sight distance requirements.
- No sign is allowed to interfere with the free movement of traffic.
- No sign is allowed in or above the public right-of-way, except as specifically allowed (bus benches/shelters, public/traffic/regulatory/licensed signs, or certain permitted signs).
- Attachment of any sign to utility poles or other poles or structures within public right-of-way is prohibited, except as approved by the public works director.
- No sign is allowed which employs a lighting or control mechanism which causes radio, radar, cellular telephone or television interference.
- No sign is allowed which is judged as dangerous due to interference with a traffic control device or visual competition with such devices.
- No sign is allowed which may be construed as a traffic sign or signal or which may be confusing to motorists.
- No sign shall obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door, or opening used for egress, ingress, or firefighting, or interfere with required openings for light or ventilation.
- No sign shall be erected in such a location or manner that it is structurally unsafe or fails to conform to required building or electrical codes.
- Merchandise displayed outside in a manner to attract attention by placement on a pole, fence, platform, roof, or similar device is considered a sign and is prohibited (with exceptions for customary outdoor merchandise).
- No flashing signs are permitted.
- No new billboards are permitted within the city (billboards: see specific regulations).
- Signs may not be fabricated, constructed, or purchased prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- Illumination of temporary signs is prohibited.
- Signs that become discolored, ragged, shredded, detached, etc., must be removed or repaired.
- No animated sign is permitted except barber shop poles.
- Off-premise signs are not permitted.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- No permanent sign shall be erected or maintained upon a lot, tract, or parcel without an established primary use.
- Changeable copy signs are not permitted in certain districts (but generally only one per street frontage, never more than two per development).

## Signs exempt from permit in Wheat Ridge

- Copy changes (with no modifications to the sign structure, support, cabinets, electricity, or other features) are exempt from building permit requirements.
- Traditional holiday season decorations are not prohibited, unreasonably regulated, or required to obtain permits, provided they are installed and maintained safely.
- Traffic control or regulatory signs placed or erected by federal, state or local authority are allowed within the public right-of-way.
- Address number signs must be consistent with related code and policies; such signs are generally allowed.
- Signs carried by persons are permitted along public right-of-way if safety requirements are met.
- Temporary signs do not require building permits.
- Merchandise customarily stored outside of buildings and placed upon shelves or tables, such as automobiles, campers, boats, plant materials, produce, or lumber, are not considered signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan may be approved by the planning commission for commercial, mixed use, or industrial developments of at least two acres under unified control.
- All master sign plans must be approved at a public hearing by the planning commission, recorded with the County Recorder's Office, and constitute a binding covenant for all current and future owners/lessees.
- No substantial variations from an approved master sign plan are allowed without planning commission approval; the process must follow the noticing procedures in section 26-109.
- Well-designed master sign plans are eligible for bonus signs and/or up to a 50% increase in maximum square footage per sign, and/or nonstandard sign locations, on planning commission findings.
- Application for a sign permit must include a to-scale drawing and a plot plan showing other existing and proposed signs on the lot.
- For permanent signs, building permits are required (except for specified exemptions).
- Owner authorization is required for single tenant signs on multitenant properties.
- Signs for marijuana-related businesses require city review and approval prior to installation.
- Signs in the right-of-way may require both a sign permit and a right-of-way use permit.

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

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