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Sign Code Summary

Black Hawk, CO

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

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Understanding sign regulations in Black Hawk, CO

Every outdoor sign in Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk.

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 Black Hawk, 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 Black Hawk, 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
Monument: 8 ft; Pylon: 25 ft
Ground sign setback
5 ft minimum setback from right-of-way

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
The portion of a marquee, awning, or canopy sign used for commercial advertisement counts toward the business's wall-sign allowance
Awning Projection Clearance
Max projection: 6 ft from wall; ground clearance not specified
Awning Sign Max Height
in full report
Awning Sign Setback
in full report
Awning Sign Sf Calc
in full report

3 more awning signs rules in the full report →

Building Signs

Building Sign Formula
Total sign area awarded = Maximum frontage length allowed × 1.35
Building Sign Max Number
No more than two (2) permanent signs
Building Sign Illumination
in full report

1 more building signs rule in the full report →

Definitions

Electronic Message Center Definition
a sign, including television screens, that is capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images that can be periodically changed by manual, electronic, remote or automatic means.
Exempt Sign Definition
a sign which requires no City review or approval.
Exterior Sign Definition
in full report
Freestanding Sign Definition
in full report
Historical Signs Definition
in full report
Animated Sign Definition
in full report
Billboard Definition
in full report
Contractor Signs Definition
in full report
Development Sign Definition
in full report
Individual Detached Sign Definition
in full report
Marquee Definition
in full report
Motor Vehicle Signs Definition
in full report
Nonconforming Sign Definition
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On Premises Sign Definition
in full report
Permanent Sign Definition
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Public Notice Signs Definition
in full report
Sign Face Or Display Surface Definition
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Sign Spinner Definition
in full report
Sign Structure Definition
in full report
Special Event Signs Definition
in full report
Street Address And Identification Signs Definition
in full report
Temporary Hard Sign Definition
in full report
Temporary Signs Definition
in full report
Three Dimensional Object Sign Definition
in full report
Vehicle Sign Definition
in full report
Wall Sign Definition
in full report
Window Sign Definition
in full report
Awning Definition
in full report
Banner Definition
in full report
Building Permits Definition
in full report
Feather Flag Definition
in full report
Halo Illumination Definition
in full report
Internal Illumination Definition
in full report
Off Premises Sign Definition
in full report
Permanent Signs As Provided By Section 15 53 Of This Chapter Definition
in full report
Public Sign Definition
in full report
Roof Sign Definition
in full report
Sandwich Board Definition
in full report
Temporary Signs As Provided By Section 15 54 Of This Chapter Definition
in full report
Wall Art Definition
in full report
Window Exterior Sign Definition
in full report

39 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
not more than four (4) square feet

General Info

Jurisdiction Name
Black Hawk, CO

General Standards

Abandoned Sign Removal Deadline
Signs must be removed or text obliterated within 90 days after the associated enterprise vacates the premises
Comprehensive Sign Plan Prohibition
Residential Districts; zones Residential: Comprehensive sign plans not permitted within Residential Districts
Max Building Sides
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Max Signs Per Property
in full report
Sign Maintenance Requirements
in full report
Tenant Sign Plan Conformance
in full report
Instructional Sign Allowance
in full report
Sign Variances Requirement
in full report
Vehicle Sign Display Duration
in full report
Windows Upon Which A Sign Allowance
in full report

8 more general standards rules in the full report →

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Ground Signs

Ground Sign Type
Monument (small, ~6-8 ft) and Pylon/Pole (larger)
Ground Sign Formula
Monument: 32 sq ft; Pylon: 100 sq ft
Ground Sign Max Height
in full report
Ground Sign Setback
in full report
Flagpole Max Height Building
in full report
Flagpole Max Height Ground
in full report
Freestanding Sign Max Area
in full report
Freestanding Sign Min Spacing
in full report

6 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Emc Illumination Residential Approval
EMC signs visible from residential areas: Electronic message center (EMC) signs shall not be visible from a residential area unless specifically approved by City Council in accordance with the notice provision in Section 15-45(a)(1)
Installation Of Electronic Message Center Of Any Size Allowance
Replacement of a previously approved electronic message center may be approved administratively by staff only if the replacement sign is the exact same dimensions and in the same location.
Landscape Lighting Allowance
in full report

1 more illumination rule in the full report →

Permit Process

Permit Time Frame
Application process pursuant to Section 15-52 shall comply with Section 15-13 and 16-368
Comprehensive Sign Plan Approval Process
Nonresidential Districts; zones Nonresidential: Comprehensive sign plan must follow City Council design review and compatibility process
Comprehensive Sign Plan Requirement
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Permit Review Time Frame
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Sign Plan Administrative Review
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Sign Plan Approval Criteria
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Sign Plan Modification Review
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Standard Sign Plan Review
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Variance Approval Process
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7 more permit process rules in the full report →

Temporary Signs

Temp Signs Allowed
Yes, temporary signs allowed with permit required
Temp Sign Rules
Max area: 6 sq ft per face; max height: 4 ft for freestanding; max duration: 30 days, 6 times/year; permit required
Community Event Sign Max Area
in full report
Community Event Sign Max Height
in full report
Limited Duration Sign Max Area
in full report
Max Temporary Banner Signs
in full report
Temp Banner Sign Placement Duration
in full report
Temp Banner Sign Size Limit
in full report
Vehicle Mounted Sign As Detached
in full report
Limited Duration Sign Allowance
in full report
Temporary Banner Sign Allowance
in full report

9 more temporary signs rules in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Allowable Area
25% of any window area

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