Sign Regulations in Windsor, Colorado
Windsor, Colorado has specific sign regulations covering 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Building-mounted Sign, Projecting Sign, Freestanding Sign (Individual Tenant). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Windsor, Colorado
Sample Sign Requirements in Windsor
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | 15 ft from property line if adjacent to arterial street; 10 ft from property line if adjacent to collector/local street; special: CB zone may be 2 ft from back of sidewalk; directional signs: 5 ft from property lines. |
| Building-mounted Sign | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation; see Sec. 15-17-100 | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation; see Sec. 15-17-100 | — |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | 5 ft from all property lines |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
39
- Building-mounted Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Freestanding Sign (Individual Tenant)
- Freestanding Hanging Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Windsor
Other Cities in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
In Windsor, monument signs are limited to As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Windsor, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Windsor, regulated sign types include Building-mounted Sign, Projecting Sign, Freestanding Sign (Individual Tenant), Freestanding Hanging Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Windsor, monument signs typically require a 15 ft from property line if adjacent to arterial street; 10 ft from property line if adjacent to collector/local street; special: CB zone may be 2 ft from back of sidewalk; directional signs: 5 ft from property lines. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Windsor are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Windsor has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Windsor, Colorado Sign Rules at a Glance
Windsor, Colorado regulates 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation tall and As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation, with a 5 ft from property lines. setback (Sec. Sec. 15-17-50, Sec. 15-17-70(j)(k), Sec. 15-17-60, Sec. 15-17-180). Most commercial signs in Windsor require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Windsor, Colorado
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Windsor (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation; see Sec. 15-17-100 | 200 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Residential (SF-1), Single-Family Attached Residential (SF-2), Estate Residential (ER), Multifamily Residential (MF), Recreation and Open Lands (ROL), Residential Mixed Use One (RMU-1) (residential component), Residential Mixed Use Two (RMU-2) (residential component) | 5 | 10 ft (incl. wall/monument base); wall/monument base max 6 ft | See General Regulations For All Zones: 50 sq ft per 100 ft arterial/major collector frontage, up to 200 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Central Business (CB), General Commercial (GC), Limited Industrial (LI), Heavy Industrial (HI), Residential Mixed Use One (RMU-1) (commercial portions), Residential Mixed Use Two (RMU-2) (commercial portions) | 23 | Lesser of 25% of elevation height or 5 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| I-25 Corridor subarea | 3 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft/side | — |
| Downtown Corridor subarea (East Town Center, Northwest Commercial, West Town Center) | 4 | 10 ft (incl. base) | 48 sq ft/side | — |
| Downtown Corridor subarea (Old Town Windsor, Windsor Lake) | 4 | 6 ft (incl. base) | 24 sq ft/side | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Windsor(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | — | 15 ft from property line if adjacent to arterial street; 10 ft from property line if adjacent to collector/local street; special: CB zone may be 2 ft from back of sidewalk; directional signs: 5 ft from property lines. | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | Subject property; not in right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-50, Sec. 15-17-70(j)(k), Sec. 15-17-60, Sec. 15-17-180 |
| Building-mounted Sign | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation; see Sec. 15-17-100 | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation; see Sec. 15-17-100 | — | — | As permitted by specific zoning/district or subarea regulation | Mounted on building facade; must not project above roof/eave/parapet line | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-70, Sec. 15-17-100, Sec. 15-17-180 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May project over sidewalk/right-of-way with clearance; must comply with Sec. 15-17-60(d) | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-60(d) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 5 ft from all property lines | As necessary | On site only; must be minimum 5 ft from all property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(f) |
| Development Entrance Sign | 10 ft (incl. wall/monument base); wall/monument base max 6 ft | 200 sq ft | — | As per sign setback requirements; must comply with sight visibility at intersections | At separate entrances; if both sides of street at one entrance, the set counts as 1 | At entrances to large-scale developments (residential: >= 50 lots or >= 25 acres; industrial: >= 2 lots and 5 acres); not along local or minor collector streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(e) |
Single-Family Residential (SF-1), Single-Family Attached Residential (SF-2), Estate Residential (ER), Multifamily Residential (MF), Recreation and Open Lands (ROL), Residential Mixed Use One (RMU-1) (residential component), Residential Mixed Use Two (RMU-2) (residential component)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot or parcel | On subject property | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-80(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Identifying Certain Uses) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | As per general setbacks (Sec. 15-17-50) | 1 per street frontage (max 2 per lot) | On subject property, in accordance with setback requirements | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-80(2) |
| Development Entrance Sign (Residential Entry Feature) | 10 ft (incl. wall/monument base); wall/monument base max 6 ft | See General Regulations For All Zones: 50 sq ft per 100 ft arterial/major collector frontage, up to 200 sq ft | — | As per sign setback and sight visibility requirements | At separate entrances to subdivision | Entrances to platted residential subdivisions | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-80(2)f, 15-17-110(e) |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | Max 2 per lot or parcel | On property for sale/lease | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-131(2)a |
| Open House Sign (Off-premises) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | — | Off-premises, subject to placement restrictions | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-80(i), 15-17-131(2)b |
Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Central Business (CB), General Commercial (GC), Limited Industrial (LI), Heavy Industrial (HI), Residential Mixed Use One (RMU-1) (commercial portions), Residential Mixed Use Two (RMU-2) (commercial portions)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Dev. >75,000 sq ft) | 16 ft | 100 sq ft/side | — | As per general sign setbacks (Sec. 15-17-50) | 1 per required frontage | At shopping center (75,000+ sq ft GLA) entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(a), (a)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Dev. 50,000-75,000 sq ft) | 10 ft | 72 sq ft/side | — | As per general sign setbacks (Sec. 15-17-50) | 1 per required frontage | At shopping center (50,000-75,000 sq ft GLA) entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(a),(a)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Arterial, ≤100 ft frontage) | 14 ft | 72 sq ft/side | — | Arterial: 15 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, arterial street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Arterial, >100 ft frontage) | 14 ft | 84 sq ft/side | — | Arterial: 15 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, arterial street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Collector, ≤100 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 60 sq ft/side | — | Collector: 10 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, collector street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Collector, >100 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft/side | — | Collector: 10 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, collector street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Local, ≤100 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft/side | — | Local: 10 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, local street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Large-scale Tenant, Local, >100 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 60 sq ft/side | — | Local: 10 ft; see Sec. 15-17-50 | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On property, local street | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-17-110(b) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Windsor — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Windsor — start freeProhibited Signs in Windsor
- No sign shall be erected on the roof of any building.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent rotating or moving light or lights, except as provided for time and temperature displays.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of strings of lights, ribbons, streamers, spinners, pennants or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices, except as outlined in Section 15-17-135.
- Searchlights (whether stationary or revolving), beacons or other similar illuminating devices used for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention are prohibited, except as outlined in Section 15-7-135.
- Unpainted signs, broken signs and signs on vacated buildings shall be removed or repaired/renovated by order of the Director.
- No sign shall obscure vision or views of the natural landscape or the larger urban area along arterial and collector streets and roads, nor be distracting to motorists.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any street or road in such manner as to obstruct clear vision, or at a location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with traffic signs, signals or control devices.
- No outdoor advertising sign, billboard or other advertising media not directly related to the use of the premises shall be permitted except as a conditional use as provided.
- Pole-mounted signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be mounted to or applied to trees or other landscaping, regulatory traffic signage, utility and light poles or similar structures, and shall not be located within road rights-of-way or private street easements.
- Mobile signs are prohibited, including signs painted or mounted on vehicles, trailers or boats, except for those installed on vehicles operating during normal business.
- Banners are prohibited on construction trailers.
- No sign or other advertising device shall consist of any air- and/or wind-dancing configurations.
Exempt Signs in Windsor
- Traffic control and informational signs erected by national, state, county or municipal government agencies, including school districts and fire protection districts, are exempt from the provisions of this Article.
- Community event signs as authorized by the Town are exempt from temporary sign provisions.
- Window signs and other signs erected within the interior of the business are exempt from temporary sign provisions.
- Open house signs are exempt from temporary sign provisions, subject to requirements.
- Real estate signage for the advertisement of the sale or lease of the property upon which the sign is located does not require a permit but must adhere to the regulations in the Chapter.
- The provisions of this Article shall not apply to any regulatory signs erected by national, state, county or municipal government agencies.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Windsor
- All new site plan applications shall submit a sign criteria plan for review as part of the site plan submittal.
- Such sign criteria plan shall ensure a consistent sign theme, design and material palette for the entire development.
- Sign criteria plans may specify standards more restrictive or specific than this Section, but shall not contain standards less restrictive or less specific.
- Sign criteria plans shall contain information for all signs, including on-site directional and informational signs: design materials, colors, lighting, dimensions, plot plan showing all signs, scale drawings, elevations, side views, size standards if more restrictive, and types/materials allowed.
Source: municode municipal code