7-60 Signs

Pitkin County hereby grants a general permit for each of the signs listed in this Sec. 7-60-40 provided such signs comply with the design standards in Sec. 7-60-50.

• (a) Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface;
• (b) Official governmental regulatory signs, government street identifications sign, or governmental signs to warn of danger;
• (c) Graphic signs that in no way advertise or identify a product or business;
• (d) Temporary decorations or displays that are clearly incidental to and are customarily associated with any national, local or religious holiday or celebration; provided that such decorations are maintained in an attractive condition and do not constitute a fire hazard;
• (e) Temporary or permanent signs created by public utility companies or construction companies to warn of danger or hazardous conditions, including signs indicating the presence of underground cables, gas lines and similar devices;

• (f) Any signs required by law;
• (g) Signs erected in public rights-of-way by local, State or Federal agency controlling or directing traffic;
• (h) Mail boxes and house numbers;
• (i) Religious symbols at a place of worship or at a church owned or operated facility for purpose of worship;
• (j) On-site and off-site signs advertising garage sales or pet giveaways provided such signs do not exceed two (2) square feet in area and that such signs shall be removed within one (1) day of such sale;
• (k) Window display or merchandise signs not visible off the lot or premises;
• (l) Other signs not visible off the lot or premises;
• (m) Political signs;

This Section establishes the general design standards for all signs and additional specific standards that apply to individual types of signs.

a) General Standards

• All signs shall comply with the standards in this Section.
  • Signs shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height as measured from the adjacent grade.
  • Signs must be located no less than twenty (20) feet from any right-of-way, and no less than ten (10) feet from any property boundary, except for directional signs approved by a governmental entity.
  • Signs shall identify only interests conducted on the premises.
  • Lettering, including cutout letter signs, shall riot exceed twelve (12) inches in height, except for the initial letter of each word, which may be eighteen (18) inches in height.
  • Signs shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet above grade when located adjacent to or projecting over a pedestrian way.
  • In the case of business premises occupied by more than one business entity, total sign area shall be allowed as follows:
    • (a) For a free standing sign: the total area allowed is as if the building were occupied by a single business entity, or
    • (b) For wall signs located on the principal structure: each business entity shall be allowed one six (6) square foot sign, which square footage shall not be combined with other business entities.
  • Moving, flashing, portable, unsafe, noise emitting and billboard signs are prohibited.
  • Illumination of signs must comply with Sec. 7-20-140.
  • All metallic surfaces shall be treated in order to reduce the effects of sunlight reflection on nearby residential properties and/or the vision of passing motorists.
  • Signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days after premises have been vacated.
  • Local government jurisdictional signs (applicable to incorporated municipalities only) may vary from these general design standards, subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners for general design standards and Board of Adjustment variances where necessary for signs located in the road setback.
  • The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) shall apply to all County regulatory signs.

(b) Free-standing Identification Signs

• In addition to complying with the standards in Sec. 7-60-50(a), free-standing signs shall be larger than two (2) square feet in area, but not exceed eight (8) square feet in area and six (6) in height.

(c) Projecting Identification Signs

• In addition to complying with the standards in Sec. 7-60-50(a), projecting identification signs shall not:
  • Be higher than the eave line or parapet wall of the principal building;
  • Extend more than four (4) feet from the building wall except where a sign is part of an approved canopy or awning; and
  • Exceed eight (8) square feet in area.

(d) Wall Identification Signs

• In addition to complying with the standards in Sec. 7-60-50(a), wall identification signs shall not:
  1. Be higher than the eave line or parapet wall of the principal building; and
  2. Contain sign parts, including letters, projecting more than twelve (12) inches from the building wall.

(e) Identification Signs Adjacent to State Highway 82

In addition to complying with standards in Sec. 7-60-50(a), signs adjacent to State Highway 82:

1. May be used to identify an access road for a business or principal authorized use of the premises where the sign is located;
2. May contain lettering on two (2) sides;
3. Shall not exceed eight (8) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet as measured from the adjacent grade of State Highway 82; and
4. Shall be setback at least one-hundred (100) feet from the edge of the State Highway 82 right-of-way.

(f) Directional Signs

In addition to complying with the standards in Sec. 7-60-50(a), directional signs shall comply with the standards in this section.

1. Directional signs shall be six (6) inches by thirty (30) inches.
2. Directional signs are prohibited within a public right-of-way unless an applicant receives approval for the sign from the governmental agency controlling the right-of-way.
3. Directional sign standards may be varied by the Board of County Commissioners to assist the public transportation system.