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Sign Code Summary

Aspen, CO

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Aspen, CO

Every outdoor sign in Aspen is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Aspen code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Aspen.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Aspen, Colorado. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in Aspen, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

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Max ground sign height
Freestanding: highest point no higher than the principal building or 6 feet, whichever is less
Ground sign setback
No zone-district setback requirement applies to signs

Awning Signs

Projecting Sign Clearance Requirement
Projecting Signs: Projecting signs, also known as hanging or blade signs, shall not be higher than the eave line or parapet wall of the top of the principal building, shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above grade when located adjacent to or projecting over a pedestrian way and shall not extend more than four (4) feet from the building wall to which they are attached, except where the sign is an integral part of an approved canopy or awning.

Building Signs

Building Sign Formula
Smallest four-sided geometric figure enclosing the sign face, including copy, insignia, background, and borders
Building Sign Illumination
Fixed, shielded illumination only; no direct glare or visible source; one backlit sign and one illuminated channel-letter sign maximum per business; no internal, flickering, variable-color, fluorescent, or neon/gas-tube illumination except indirect use away from the right-of-way

Definitions

Projecting Sign Definition
The area of a Projecting sign is exempt from sign allotment if: a.
Roof Signs Definition
A sign mounted on a roof.
Definition Of Sign
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A Sign Which Obstructs Any Window Or Door Opening Used As A Definition
in full report
Banner Definition
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Cut Out Window Signs That Primarily Contain Text Definition
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Designated Public Posting Sign Definition
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Display Definition
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Engraved Sign Definition
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Flag Definition
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Flags Definition
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Flashing Sign Definition
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Incidental Signs On Vehicles Definition
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Interior Sign Definition
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Machine Sign Definition
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Non Residential Uses In Residential Zone Districts Definition
in full report
Sign Boxes Definition
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Sign Setback Definition
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Signs Causing Direct Glare Definition
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Signs On Parked Vehicles Definition
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Signs Required By Law Definition
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Signs With Optical Illusion Of Movement By Definition
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Television Sign Definition
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Temporary Sign Definition
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22 more definitions rules in the full report →

Electrical Structural

Modified Signage Requirements
Developments subject to special review: Proposed development must comply with modified signage requirements if expressly modified by a valid conditional use or other valid development permit or approval

General Standards

Non Conforming Signs
Home occupations: Signs must comply with Chapter 26.510 Signs
Signage Compliance
Home occupations in all residential dwellings: Signs must comply with Chapter 26.510 Signs
Signage Conditions
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Incidental Sign Maximum Area
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Theater Sign Allowance
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3 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Freestanding Sign Requirement
The highest point of any part of a Freestanding sign shall not be higher than the principal building or six (6) feet, whichever is less, and cannot project into the public or pedestrian right-of-way.
Ground Sign Formula
Freestanding/monument: up to 16 square feet in the listed residential locations; Monument in residential zone districts: up to 12 square feet
Ground Sign Max Height
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Ground Sign Setback
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Ground Sign Type
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3 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Building Mounted Lighting Max Height
Driveway and parking: No higher than twelve (12) feet above finished grade
Illuminated Sign Prohibited
Interior lighting sources visible from exterior, or causing light trespass or direct glare into adjacent property or right-of-way, prohibited
Illumination Brightness Limit
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Illumination Curfew Hours
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Illumination Light Intensity Limit
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Non Building Mounted Lighting Compliance
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Neon And Neon Appearing Sign Prohibition
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5 more illumination rules in the full report →

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Other

Multi Face Sign Area Calculation
Signs with two (2) or more faces: For signs with two or more faces, the area of all faces is included in the total sign area.

Permit Process

Window Displays Permit Requirement
Window Displays: Window displays (for example, the display of merchandise and representations thereof) are not subject to this Chapter, except as provided in this Subsection (n), and do not require a sign permit.

Prohibited Signs

Human Street Blimp Area Limit
City: Maximum area of 6 square feet
Signs Containing Unprotected Speech Prohibition
Signs containing material that advocates and incites imminent lawless action, obscenity, defamation, speech integral to criminal conduct, child pornography, or threats to the public health, safety and general welfare are not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article II, Section 10 of the Colorado Constitution and are prohibited.

Temporary Signs

Temp Sign Rules
Temporary signs authorized to be erected and maintained for a period not to exceed 18 days
Billboards And Other Off Premises Sign Prohibition
Billboards and Other Off-Premises Signs: Billboards and other off-premises signs are prohibited, except as a temporary sign as provided for in Section 26.
Temporary Announcement Sign Display Duration
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Temp Signs Allowed
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2 more temporary signs rules in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Text Logo Allowable Area
CC, C1, NC, SCI, CL and L zones; zones C1, CC, CL, L, NC, SCI: Text and logos shall not exceed 25% of the window sign or wrap area
Window Sign Allowable Area
Up to 50% of a window's area

Zoning

Sign Maximum Area
Signs: Signs placed or preserved by a public agency on or in front of a historic building or site, which sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, as approved by the Historic Preservation Officer in accordance with the Commercial, Lodging, and Historic District Design Standards and Guidelines.
Sign Requirement
Signs: Signs within the Ski Area Base (SKI) Zone District shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 26.

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