Understanding sign regulations in Colorado Springs, CO
Every outdoor sign in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.
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 Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, 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
0.07 ft per linear ft of frontage to a max of 30' high
Ground sign setback
5' back from property line
Awning Signs
Awning Sign Sf Calc
Entire awning counts toward SF
Awning Projection Clearance
8' off grade, 3' off the wall, wall calculation used for awning sf (if LL allows)
Building Signs
Commercial Banner Area
In commercial zones, banners may not exceed 0.75 square feet per linear foot of exterior wall for a single-story building, or 5% of the elevation for multi-story buildings.
Building Sign Formula
1.5 sf per linear ft of building frontage, no limit, but shall not exceed max total sq ft per elevation
12in projection from building = projecting sign; clearance 8ft from sidewalk/grade
General Standards
Banner Maintenance
Banners must be kept in good repair and remain firmly attached to the building or private light pole where displayed.
Residential Banner Area
In residential zones, banners are allowed up to 0.20 square feet for each linear foot of property line; at least three dwelling units are required for approval.
banner signs: Feather/wave banners and banners attached to T-posts, fences, retaining walls, vehicles, trailers, handrails, or trees, and banners in landscape or parking areas, are prohibited.
Prohibited Sign Types
Works of art, interior signs not visible from exterior, street numbers/addresses, flashing signs, signs projecting over facade or attached to roof
Temporary Signs
Banner Display Duration
Banners are allowed for a maximum of 90 days per approved calendar year; display time may be consecutive days or equal weekend periods and is cumulative for all banners on the property.