HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020CV30580 - City Of Fort Collins V. Board Of County Commissioners Of Larimer County, Colorado And Streetmediagroup, Llc - 001C - Exhibit C - Land Use Code 10.010.0 - SIGNS[1]
Footnotes:
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Editor's note— Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, adopted Apr. 1, 2008, deleted the former Ch. 10, §§
10-1—10-19, and enacted a new Ch. 10 as set out herein. The former Ch. 10 pertained to similar subject
matter. For complete derivation see the Land Use Code Comparative Table at the end of this volume.
10.1. - PURPOSE
The purpose of this section is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public; to provide the
public and property owners with an opportunity for safe and effective identification of uses and locations
within the county; and to avoid clutter and protect and maintain the visual appearance and property
values of the agricultural, residential, business, commercial and industrial areas of the county.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.2. - GENERAL SIGN REGULATIONS
A. The regulations of this section 10.0 shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts including signs not
requiring a sign permit, except for address numerals, street name signs, and bus stop signs.
B. Signs may not be placed on or over public roads or rights-of-way unless approval from the Road and
Bridge Director has been given. Signs may not be placed in road or access easements, except for
utility warning signs. On private property, signs can be placed in private utility easements.
C. No sign shall be located to impair traffic visibility or the health, safety or welfare of the public. Sight
triangle standards for signs are contained in the Larimer County Rural Area Road Standards and the
Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
D. Any light used to illuminate a sign must be oriented to reflect light away from nearby residential
properties and away from the vision of passing motorists and pedestrians. See also section 8.4.5.B.6
regarding wildlife development standards for exterior lighting.
E. All signs must be permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a structure, except for those
temporary signs and vehicle signs that are specifically allowed in this chapter 10.0.
F. All electrical signs placed in Larimer County shall bear the label of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
G. All electrical service to a freestanding sign shall be underground. [moved from section 10.16]
H. In addition to sign permits and requirements as described in this section 10, signs and sign
structures may be subject to other applicable requirements of the county including requirements for
building permits and permit requirements of the State of Colorado.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011; Res.
No. 02142012R001, Exh. A, 2-14-2012)
10.3. - CALCULATION OF SIGN AREA
The following methods shall be used to calculate the total square footage of the sign area of any
sign.
EXHIBIT C
DATE FILED: August 25, 2020 3:09 PM
FILING ID: C6398199960F8
CASE NUMBER: 2020CV30580
A. All sign faces shall be counted and considered part of the maximum total sign area allowance.
The sign area of building mounted signs shall not include structural elements used to attach or
support the sign that do not contribute to the display.
B. Cabinet signs and signs other than individual letter signs. Sign area shall be determined by the
outer edge of the sign background, frame or cabinet that encompasses all text, decorative
artwork, logos, or other information displayed. In instances where the background, frame or
cabinet is an irregular shape, the sign area shall be calculated as the entire area within a
continuous perimeter drawn with not more than eight straight lines enclosing the extreme limits
of the background, frame or cabinet encompassing the background material.
C. Individual letter signs. Signs which consist of individual letters that are mounted to a wall, or
"race-way" type signs that consist of individual letters that are mounted to a base that is
mounted to a wall, which utilize the building wall as the background, and freestanding individual
letters that are mounted to a monument base shall be considered individual letter signs. The
sign area of such signs shall be calculated as the entire area within a continuous perimeter
drawn with not more than eight straight lines enclosing the extreme limits of the sign.
D. Freestanding signs. The measurement of the sign area of a freestanding sign shall include, in
addition to the sign face area, any portion of the freestanding sign base which exceeds one and
one-half times the area of the sign face. The base shall include any structural component of the
sign, including raised landscape planter boxes. Freestanding signs with two or more faces that
are aligned to each other at an angle greater than 90° shall be considered a single sign face.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.4. - CALCULATION OF SIGN HEIGHT AND SETBACK
A. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the average
finished grade of the ground below the sign excluding any filling, berming, mounding or excavating
solely for the purposes of increasing the height of the sign, to the top edge of the highest portion of
the sign including any architectural appurtenances. For purposes of this section, average finished
grade shall be considered the lower of:
1. The lowest elevation where the base of the sign meets ground level or
2. The nearest public or private sidewalk within 25 feet of the sign.
B. The required setback for freestanding signs shall be the distance between the nearest edge of the
sign and the road right-of-way or lot line.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.5. - PROHIBITED SIGNS
The following signs are not allowed in any zoning district.
A. Rooftop signs, except in the RFLB-Red Feather Lakes Business district, where rooftop signs
that extend no higher than the peak of the roof shall be allowed.
B. Signs which contain any flashing, rotating, animated or otherwise moving features. The
appearance of electronic or changeable message signs cannot change more frequently than
once every minute.
C. Strings of light bulbs used for commercial purposes other than traditional holiday decorations.
D. Wind-driven signs, except as allowed in section 10.6 (flags) and section 10.8.
E. Billboards, off-premises signs, except that a home occupation and an accessory rural
occupation may have a temporary, off-premises directional sign as described in section 10.6.K.
F. Searchlights, whether stationary or revolving, beacons or other similar devices used for the
purpose of advertising or attracting attention to a property.
G. Inflatable signs such as blimps, animals, inflatable representations of a product for sale and
other inflatable devices used for the purposes of advertising or attracting attention, but not
including ordinary balloons with a diameter of two feet or less that are used for temporary
displays.
H. Signs mounted to landscaping, trees, traffic signage, utility and light poles or other similar
structures.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011; Res.
No. 07192011R004, Exh. A, 7-19-2011)
10.6. - SIGNS NOT REQUIRING A SIGN PERMIT
Due to their small size, limited time duration, limited aesthetic impact and strong community interest
in identifying land uses, locations and historic structures, the following signs may be erected without a
sign permit, but shall meet all applicable standards of this section 10.0 and any other applicable
requirements of the county and the State of Colorado.
All signs are limited to six feet in height, except rural property identification signs located on entryway
arches over private driveways. If any sign in this section exceeds the limits stated herein; an appeal to the
requirement must be approved by the board of county commissioners and a sign permit shall be obtained
from the building department.
A. Nameplate signs. One nameplate sign which does not exceed a total of two square feet in area,
per street frontage.
B. Rural property identification signs. One sign per primary driveway entrance to the property and
located at that entrance, not exceeding six square feet of total sign area for properties that are
less than ten acres and 32 square feet of total sign area for properties that are ten acres or
greater.
C. Agricultural product signs. One sign per frontage of a property, advertising agricultural products
that are produced and available for sale on the property, not exceeding 16 square feet in sign
face area per sign.
D. Business vehicle identification signs.
1. All business vehicle identification signs shall be permanently affixed, painted, magnetically
applied or otherwise mounted upon a vehicle.
2. For purposes of this section, the term vehicle shall include trucks, buses, vans, railroad
cars, automobiles, tractors, trailers, motor homes, semi-tractors, hot air balloons or any
other motorized or nonmotorized transportational device, whether or not such vehicle is in
operating condition.
3. The primary purpose of any vehicle upon which a sign is affixed must be to serve a useful,
current function in the transportation or conveyance of persons or commodities from one
place to another, including transportation to and from work, and such intermittent delays
and stops as are customary in the routine conduct of the business or activity for which the
transportation or conveyance occurs.
4. No vehicle upon which a sign is affixed may be parked on any property for the primary
effect of directing or attracting the attention of the public to a building, institution, product,
service, organization, event or location offered or existing elsewhere than upon the same
property where such vehicle is parked.
5. Signs mounted on construction trailers directly related to construction on a site shall be
allowed to be located on the site for the duration of construction, and shall be removed
immediately upon receipt of the last certificate of occupancy for the site.
E. Commemorative signs. One commemorative sign, tablet or plaque per property, not exceeding
a total of two square feet in sign face area.
F. Crop signs. Signs identifying seed brands and varieties in use, test plots, and similar signs that
are customary in agricultural production areas.
G. Daily special signs. Signs for daily specials such as menu boards, sandwich boards or A-frame
type signs shall be allowed for the purpose of advertising nonrecurring daily specials. Such
signs shall be limited to one sign per business and a maximum of six square feet in area per
side and two sides. Signs shall be placed within 15 feet of the business entrance and shall not
impede pedestrian sidewalk circulation. Such signs shall be taken in daily at the close of
business.
H. Flags, commercial. No more than one commercial flag per property, where no single side
exceeds 48 square feet.
I. Flags, noncommercial. No more than two governmental or other noncommercial flags per
property, where no single side exceeds 48 square feet. Note that flags of the United States are
not defined as signs.
J. Home occupation and accessory rural occupation signs. Signs for home occupations and
accessory rural occupations shall be limited to one sign per property and be located on the
same lot as the home occupation or accessory rural occupation.
1. A home occupation sign shall not exceed four square feet in area per face and six feet in
height.
2. A rural occupation sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area per face and six feet in
height.
K. A home occupation or an accessory rural occupation may have one temporary on or off
premises directional sign that is located on private property no farther from the subject parcel
than the nearest arterial road, has a one or two sided sign face that is no more than nine square
feet per face, a sign height no more than eight feet, and is in place only during allowed retail
sales events.
L. Noncommercial event signs (such as community event or nonprofit fundraiser signs). Any
number of signs is allowed, provided such signs do not exceed nine square feet in face area in
residential and rural districts, and 32 square feet in face area in nonresidential districts. Signs
may not be placed more than 45 days prior to the event and must be removed within five days
after the event.
M. On-site traffic directional signs. Signs may not exceed four square feet per face or ten feet in
height. The minimum horizontal distance between such signs shall be 15 feet, except for signs
designating the purpose for which parking stalls may be used, such as for handicap parking.
N. Private sale signs. One on-premises sign per street frontage which does not exceed four
square feet per sign face. Signs shall be displayed only during the sale or event specified.
O. Real estate signs. One sign per street frontage on the property being advertised. Each real
estate sign advertising a single-family or two-family dwelling unit is limited to eight square feet in
area per face and six feet in height. Each real estate sign advertising vacant land is limited to 48
square feet in area per face and six feet in height. Real estate signs may not be illuminated.
P. Regulatory signs.
Q. Signs over gas pumps. One per pump that is no larger than two square feet per face.
R. Warning signs. Signs with messages of warning, danger or caution such as underground utility
location signs, no trespassing, no hunting, and similar warning messages.
S. Window signs.
T. Small construction signs. One construction sign per property on which construction is taking
place, and limited to eight square feet in area per face and six feet in height. Such signs must
be removed within one week of final inspection or completion of the project, whichever occurs
first. Note that larger construction signs may be permitted according to the requirements of
section 10.8.
U. Election signs. Any number of signs is allowed, provided such signs do not exceed nine square
feet in face area in residential and rural districts, and 32 square feet in face area in
nonresidential districts. Signs must be removed within five days after the applicable election.
V. Ideological signs. Any number of signs is allowed, provided such signs do not exceed ten
square feet in area per face within a maximum aggregate of 20 square feet in face area per lot
and are unlighted. In addition, where an identification sign is allowed, all or any portion of said
sign may be used as an ideological sign.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011; Res.
No. 07192011R004, Exh. A, 7-19-2011; Res. No. 12152015R001 , Exh. A, § 10, 12-15-2015)
10.7. - TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT MARKETING SIGNS
A sign permit is required for the following construction and project marketing signs.
A. One construction sign shall be allowed per street frontage per property not exceeding 16 square
feet in area per face in residential and rural districts or 32 square feet in area per face in
nonresidential districts. Such signs must be removed within one week of final inspection or
completion of the project, whichever occurs first. Note that one construction sign of eight square
feet in area per face or less per property is allowed without a sign permit; see section 10.6. The
total number of construction signs per property includes all such signs whether they require a
sign permit or not.
B. One project marketing sign per project shall be allowed per entrance from any adjacent street
and no more than two signs per project or phase of a project. The maximum sign face area shall
be 50 square feet in residential and rural districts and 64 square feet in nonresidential districts
and all such signs shall be located within the development.
1. Signs shall be allowed to remain for no more than two years following issuance of the
temporary sign permit.
2. In addition to the sign(s) above, a temporary project sales office shall be entitled to one
indirectly lit sign not to exceed ten square feet in size.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.8. - TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL SIGNS
Temporary signs that promote a temporary commercial event such as a sale or grand opening on the
property of a principal legal nonresidential use require a temporary sign permit.
A. Allowed sign types:
1. A banner or banners that do not cumulatively exceed 100 square feet in total sign area and
which are mounted flush to a building wall.
2. Pennants.
3. Balloons and other types of lighter than air objects which have no linear dimension greater
than two feet.
B. The temporary sign permit may specify such conditions and limitations as are deemed
necessary to protect adjoining properties and the public. The permit may not be approved for a
time period that exceeds 30 consecutive days in any calendar year for each property, or each
business in a multi-tenant center.
C. The applicant shall remove any temporary signs on or before the expiration date of the permit.
D. If a person erects any temporary commercial signs without receiving a permit as herein
provided, the person shall be ineligible to receive a temporary sign permit for the remainder of
the calendar year.
E. If a temporary sign remains up for longer than 30 days, the sign will be considered a permanent
sign, it will require a sign permit and all other regulations in this section 10 apply.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011)
10.9. - STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
The following regulations shall apply to all signs in residential zoning districts.
A. In addition to those signs which are allowed without a sign permit [see section 10.6], signs in
residential zoning districts may include the following signs which do require a sign permit:
1. One identification sign for a multi-family complex per driveway access from the public
street, not exceeding 32 square feet in area per face, and one wall sign per multi-family
structure, not exceeding 20 square feet in area per face per street frontage.
2. One identification sign per entrance to the property identifying a residential subdivision or
housing project, provided that such sign does not exceed 32 square feet in area per face.
When such signs are placed on subdivision entry wall structures, only the sign face shall
be used to calculate the size of the sign. In the event that entrance identification signs are
proposed for both sides of the street at any one entrance, this "set" of signs shall be
considered as one identification sign.
3. One identification sign per street frontage for a principal legal nonresidential use in a
residential district including nonconforming uses and uses approved by special review,
minor special review and special exception shall be allowed, subject to a maximum sign
area of 20 square feet per sign face and not to exceed a total of two such signs per
property.
4. One identification sign per street frontage or per structure for public or semipublic facilities,
such as churches, libraries, schools, fire stations and public recreation facilities, subject to
a maximum sign area of 32 square feet per sign face and not to exceed a total of two such
signs per property.
B. All freestanding and ground signs in residential zoning districts are limited to six feet in height,
excepting rural property identification signs located on entryway arches over private driveways.
C. All signs in residential districts shall be unlit or indirectly illuminated. All lighting shall be aimed
and/or shielded to insure that no direct light is seen upon any nearby street or upon any nearby
residential property.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.10. - STANDARDS FOR RURAL DISTRICTS
The following regulations shall apply to all signs in rural zoning districts.
A. In addition to those signs which are allowed without a sign permit [see section 10.6], signs in
rural zoning districts may include the following signs which do require a sign permit:
1. One identification sign for a multi-family complex per driveway access from the public
street, not exceeding 32 square feet in area per face, and one wall sign per multi-family
structure, not exceeding 20 square feet in area per face per street frontage.
2. One identification sign per entrance to the property identifying a residential subdivision or
housing project, provided that such sign does not exceed 32 square feet in area per face.
When such signs are placed on subdivision entry wall structures, only the sign face shall
be used to calculate the size of the sign. In the event that entrance identification signs are
proposed for both sides of the street at any one entrance, this "set" of signs shall be
considered as one identification sign.
3. One identification sign per street frontage for a principal legal nonresidential use in a rural
district including nonconforming uses and uses approved by special review, minor special
review and special exception shall be allowed, subject to a maximum sign area of 32
square feet per sign face and not to exceed a total of two such signs per property.
4. One identification sign per street frontage or per structure for public or semipublic facilities,
such as churches, libraries, schools, fire stations and public recreation facilities, subject to
a maximum sign area of 32 square feet per sign face and not to exceed a total of two such
signs per property.
B. All freestanding and ground signs in rural zoning districts are limited to six feet in height,
excepting rural property identification signs located on entryway arches over private driveways.
C. All signs in rural districts shall be unlit or indirectly illuminated. All lighting shall be aimed and/or
shielded to insure that no direct light is seen upon any nearby street or upon any nearby
residential property.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.11. - STANDARDS FOR NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
All permanent signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall be subject to the following standards.
A. Total allowable sign area.
1. The total sign area for all signs for which permits are required shall not exceed two square
feet per linear foot of building frontage for the first 200 linear feet of building frontage, plus
one square foot per linear foot of building frontage thereafter. No more than two sides of a
building may be counted as building frontage. The total sign area shall include all sign
faces and shall be calculated according to the standards of section 10.3.
2. For the purpose of this section, the sign allowance shall be calculated on the basis of the
length of the one building frontage which is most nearly parallel to the street it faces. If a
building does not have frontage on a dedicated public street, the owner of the building may
designate the one building frontage which shall be used for the purpose of calculating the
sign allowance.
3. However, each property shall be at a minimum entitled to one freestanding sign per street
frontage of 50 square feet per face and one wall sign per business of 32 square feet in size
so long as all other requirements of this section 10 are met. If permits are approved for
signs based on the minimum provisions of this paragraph, the allowable sign area based
on the building frontage as set forth above shall not be recognized as allowable sign area
for the property.
B. Freestanding signs.
1. The total number of freestanding signs allowed shall be one per street frontage per
property.
2. The maximum size per side for freestanding signs shall be 90 square feet per side. The
maximum height for freestanding sign shall be 18 feet above grade. (See accompanying
table below.)
Requirements for freestanding signs
Setback (feet) Maximum height (feet) Maximum size allowed per side (square feet)
0 8 20
5 8 27
10 10 33
15 12 50
20 14 60
25 16 70
30 18 80
36 and more 18 90
3. The required setback of any freestanding sign shall be measured from the right-of-way line.
4. No freestanding sign shall be located within 15 feet of any interior side lot line.
5. When electrical service is provided to freestanding signs, all such electrical service shall be
underground.
6. A drive-in restaurant shall be allowed one freestanding sign per drive-thru lane, for the sole
purpose of a menu board for drive-thru customers that shall not be included in the number
of such signs allowed for the property. Such sign(s) shall not exceed five feet in height and
35 square feet in sign face area. Fifty percent of the square footage of such sign(s) shall be
exempted from the total allowed for the property. Individual drive-in menu boards that are
four square feet or less shall be exempted from the total sign area allowed for the property.
7. In order to encourage their use, the following modification of the freestanding sign
requirements table is allowed for monument signs.
Requirements for monument signs
Setback (feet) Maximum height (feet) Maximum size allowed per side (square feet)
0 7 45
5 8.5 60
10 10 75
15 and more 12 90
C. Signs mounted to structures.
1. Wall signs. No wall sign or individual letter sign shall exceed 100 square feet in sign area or
seven feet in vertical measurement from bottom of sign to top of sign. A wall sign may not
extend above the top of the wall or parapet wall of the building to which the wall sign is
attached. Signs may not project more than 12 inches horizontally from the face of the building
on which they are erected. Signs that are mounted on mansards or similar architectural features
may not project more than 12 inches horizontally, measured at the bottom of the sign, from the
surface to which they are mounted.
2. Canopy signs. No canopy sign shall project above the top of the canopy upon which it is
mounted. No canopy sign shall project from the face of a canopy. Under-canopy signs which
are perpendicular to the face of the building shall be deemed to be projecting signs. Under
canopy signs which are parallel to the face of the building shall be deemed flush wall signs and
shall be a minimum of eight feet above grade.
3. Projecting signs. No sign may project over a public right-of-way. Signs may not project more
than six feet from the face of the building or into the minimum required building setback for the
zone district in which they are located. Such signs shall not exceed 15 square feet per face and
must be a minimum of eight feet above grade.
4. Awning signs. Awning signs shall not be allowed above the first story of a building. No awning
sign shall project above the top of an awning on which it is mounted. No awning sign shall
project from the face of an awning. The maximum amount of sign area allowed on an awning
per street frontage shall be 50 square feet excluding banding and striping. When extended over
either a public or private sidewalk, the minimum clearance from the lowest point of the awning
to the top of pavement shall be eight feet. No awning sign shall be allowed to project over a
private or public vehicular way.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.12. - MAINTENANCE
A. All signs shall be maintained in good condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly finished and
repaired, including all parts and supports. The building official may inspect any sign governed by this
code and shall have authority to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of a sign which
constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance,
dilapidation or obsolescence.
B. The building official shall have the power to order a change in the illumination of any sign that
becomes a hazard or nuisance.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008)
10.13. - SIGN PERMITS
A. A sign permit is required prior to the placement of any new sign, relocation of an existing sign or
remodeling of any sign, although the content an existing sign may be changed without a permit.
B. No sign permit shall be required for those signs regulated by section 10.6, signs not requiring a sign
permit.
C. Approval criteria. No permit for a new sign shall be approved unless such sign is in conformance
with the requirements of this section 10 and includes a non-residential property sign inventory form.
D. Non-residential property sign inventory form.
1. A sign inventory form shall be submitted prior to or concurrent with the issuance of a sign permit
for any permanent sign in a nonresidential district.
2. The form may include a graphic representation or photos showing all existing and/or proposed
signage for the subject property.
3. Properties and uses subject to the site plan requirement in Section 6 of the Larimer County
Land Use Code may include a sign inventory form as part of the site plan review process.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011)
10.14. - NONCONFORMING SIGNS
A. A nonconforming sign shall not be:
1. Structurally or physically changed to another nonconforming sign, although its content may be
changed;
2. Structurally or physically altered in order to prolong the life of the sign, including a change from
the original materials of the sign, except to meet safety requirements;
3. Altered so as to increase the degree of nonconformity of the sign.
B. All nonconforming signs on a property must be brought into conformance with this section 10 when:
1. A change of use, as defined in the Land Use Code, occurs on the property;
2. A new sign is added to the property;
3. A change to any sign except in the content of a sign occurs on the property; or
4. An extension of non-conforming sign agreement has expired.
C. If the conditions listed in 10.14.B have not been met, a nonconforming sign can remain on a property
with an extension of nonconforming sign agreement signed by the owner of the property. An
extension agreement allows an owner to keep a nonconforming sign for seven years from the date of
a change on the property or until an appeal for the sign(s) has been approved by the board of county
commissioners.
D. A nonconforming sign shall not be re-established after damage or destruction if the estimated cost of
reconstruction exceeds 50 percent of the appraised replacement cost.
E. A nonconforming sign and sign structure shall be removed from a property in the event that the sign
is blank or displays obsolete advertising material for a period 12 consecutive months.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011)
10.15. - DEFINITIONS
As used in this [section 10], the following words and phrases have the meanings set out in this
section:
Agricultural product sign. A sign advertising agricultural products that are produced and available for
sale on the property.
Awning sign. A sign which is mounted on a temporary shelter supported entirely from the exterior
wall of the building.
Banner. A sign which is constructed of cloth, canvas or other type of natural or manmade fabric, or
other similar light material which can be easily folded or rolled, but not including paper or cardboard.
Billboard. See off-premises sign.
Building frontage. The side of the building which is parallel to or most nearly parallel to a public
street.
Bus stop sign. Signs located on benches or shelters placed in the public rights-of-way or in private
property adjacent to public rights-of-way at a bus stop.
Business. An activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of goods and services. For
purposes of this section, the term "business" shall not include an activity which is accessory to a
residential use, such as a home occupation. The term "business" shall include principal agricultural uses.
See also "Multi-tenant center" regarding two or more businesses located on a single property.
Business vehicle identification sign. A sign which is painted on, affixed to or otherwise mounted on
any vehicle or on any object which is placed on, in, or attached to a vehicle. For purposes of this
definition, the term "vehicle" shall include trucks, buses, vans, railroad cars, automobiles, tractors, trailers,
hot air balloons, motor homes, semi-tractors or any other motorized or nonmotorized transportational
device, whether or not such vehicle is in operating condition.
Cabinet sign. A sign that contains all the text, artwork, logos and/or other information displayed
within an enclosed cabinet.
Canopy sign. A wall sign which is mounted on a permanently-roofed shelter covering a sidewalk,
driveway or other similar area, which shelter may be wholly supported by a building or may be wholly or
partially supported by columns, poles or braces extended from the ground.
Commemorative or memorial sign. A sign, table or plaque commemorating or memorializing a
person, event, structure or site.
Construction sign. A temporary sign erected on the property on which construction, alteration or
repair is taking place, during the time of active continuous construction, displaying only the names of the
architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors or similar artisans, and the owners, financial
supporters, sponsors and similar individuals or firms having a role or interest with respect to the structure
or project.
Election sign. A sign relating to a candidate, issue, proposition, or other matter to be voted upon by
the electors of the county.
Flag, commercial. A flag displaying the name, insignia, emblem or logo of a for-profit entity.
Flag, noncommercial. A flag displaying the name, insignia, emblem or log of any nation, state,
county, municipality or nonprofit organization.
Freestanding sign. A nonmoveable sign that is anchored directly to the ground or supported by one
or more posts, columns, or other vertical structures or supports, and not attached to or dependent for
support from any building.
Identification sign. A sign giving only the name, logo or other identifying symbol, address, or any
combination of name, symbol and address of a building, business or residential development,
establishment or rural property.
Ideological sign. A sign conveying a philosophical, religious, political, charitable or other similar
noncommercial message.
Indirect lighting. A source of external illumination of any sign.
Menu board sign. A wall or freestanding sign which lists the foods or other products available at
drive-through facilities.
Monument sign. A freestanding sign where the base of the sign structure is on the ground or a
maximum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade. The width of the top of the sign structure can be no
more than 120 percent of the width of the base.
Multi-tenant center. One or more buildings, located on a single property, containing two or more
separate and distinct businesses or activities which occupy separate portions of the building with
separate points of entrance, and which are physically separated from each other by walls, partitions,
floors or ceilings. For purposes of this section 10, the term "multi-tenant center" shall include buildings
containing condominium units. See also "property."
Nameplate sign. A sign, located on the property, giving only the name or address or both, of the
owner or occupant of a building or property.
Neon sign. An illuminated sign consisting of a neon or gas tube that is bent to form letter, symbols or
other shapes that advertise or identify a product, business, organization or location. For purposes of this
section 10, neon tubing that is used as an architectural decoration is not considered to be a sign.
Noncommercial event sign. A temporary sign announcing a noncommercial event such as a
community or neighborhood event or nonprofit fundraising campaign and containing no commercial
content.
Nonconforming sign. A sign that does not meet one or more of the requirements of this section 10
but which was erected in conformance with any adopted standards and procedures in existence at that
time.
Nonresidential districts. The A-Accommodations, T-Tourist, B-Business, C-Commercial, RFLB-Red
Feather Lakes Business, I-Industrial, I-1 Industrial zoning districts, and areas of the AP-Airport and PD-
Planned Development zoning districts approved for nonresidential uses.
Obsolete advertising material. Advertising material that has gone out of date; for example, the name
of a business that no longer exists.
Off-premises sign. A sign which is used or intended for use to advertise, identify, direct or attract the
attention to a business, institution, product, organization, event or location offered or existing elsewhere
than upon the same property where such sign is displayed.
On-site traffic directional sign. A sign intended solely for the purpose of guiding or directing
pedestrian or vehicular traffic within an establishment and not including promotional advertising
unnecessary to such directional purpose. Examples of such signs include "entrance", "exit", "no parking",
"loading only" and other similar directives.
Permanent sign. A sign that is permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a structure.
Portable sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a structure and
that is designed to be easily transportable from one location to another, including but not limited to a sign
designed to be displayed while mounted or affixed to the trailer by which it is transported.
Premises. See "property."
Private sale sign. A sign advertising a private sale of personal property such as a house sale, garage
sale, rummage sale and the like.
Project marketing sign. A sign that is placed at one or more locations within a project, which
identifies the project and offers for sale or lease, as part of the original marketing of the project, the lots,
tracts, structures or units within the project.
Property. A lot, tract or parcel of land together with the buildings or structures thereon. For purposes
of this section 10, individual condominium ownerships in a structure shall not be considered separate
property. See also "multi-tenant center."
Real estate sign. A sign indicating the availability for sale, rent or lease of a specific parcel, building
or portion of a building, and the name, address and telephone number of the owner or listing of the real
estate broker.
Regulatory sign. A sign having the primary purpose of conveying information concerning rules,
ordinances, or laws.
Remodeling. A change in any aspect or character of a sign including addition or change in the type
of lighting, increase in height or size, addition of sign faces or change from wood posts and frame to
metal posts and frame, but not including a change in the content or message of the sign face.
Residential districts. The FA-Farming, FA-1 Farming, FO-Forestry, FO-1 Forestry, E-Estate, E-1
Estate, RE-Rural Estate, RE-1 Rural Estate, R-Residential, R-1 Residential, R-2 Residential, M-Multiple
Family, M-1 Multiple Family and AP-Airport zoning districts; the O-Open zoning district located within a
growth management area (GMA) overlay zoning district of Larimer County or the LaPorte Plan Area; and
areas of the PD-Planned Development zoning district which have been approved for residential use.
Rooftop sign. A sign erected upon or above a roof or above a parapet wall of a building.
Rural districts. The O-Open zoning district located outside a growth management area (GMA)
overlay zoning district of Larimer County, and located outside the LaPorte Plan Area.
Rural property identification sign. A sign intended to identify the entrance to a rural property. For
purposes of this section 10, the term rural property shall be limited to properties that are located outside a
growth management area (GMA) overlay zoning district of Larimer County.
Setback. The distance, measured perpendicular or radial from a street right-of-way or property line,
between the leading edge of a sign and the right-of-way or property line.
Sign. Any object, device or structure, or part thereof, which is visible beyond the boundaries of the
property upon which it is located, and which advertises, identifies, directs or attracts the attention of the
public to a business, institution, product, organization, event or location by any means, including, but not
limited to, words, letters, graphics, fixtures, symbols, colors, motion, illumination and projected images.
The term "sign" shall not include the following:
(1) Works of fine art which in no way identify a product or business and which are not displayed in
conjunction with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may benefit or realize direct
commercial gain from such display;
(2) Temporary decorations or displays clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated
with national, local or religious holiday celebrations;
(3) Products, merchandise, materials or equipment which are offered for sale or used in
conducting a business, along with any incidental and customary product labels on such items,
when such items are kept or stored in a location which is designed and commonly used for the
storage of such products, merchandise, materials or equipment; and
(4) Flags of the United States of America, provided that such flags are sized and displayed in such
a manner that they do not extend beyond the property lines of the property upon which they are
located, and that they do not interfere with utility lines.
Sign face. The area of a sign upon or through which the message is displayed.
Sign plan. A graphic representation showing a comprehensive detailed presentation of all signage
proposed for a particular property.
Street frontage. A property line that abuts a public right-of-way that provides public access to or
visibility to the property.
Temporary sign. A sign which, due to the materials used or the method, manner or location of
display; is suited only for brief display, including but not limited to those signs regulated under section
10.6, section 10.7 and section 10.8.
Wall sign. A sign attached to, painted on or erected against the wall of a building or structure in such
a manner that the wall is the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign.
Warning sign. A sign limited to a message of warning, danger or caution such as underground utility
location signs, no trespassing, no hunting, and similar warning messages.
Wind-driven sign. Any sign consisting of one or a series of banners, pennants, ribbons, spinners,
streamers, captive balloons or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move, upon
being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze.
Window sign. A sign that is applied to or attached to the exterior or interior of a window or located in
such a manner within a building that it is visible from the exterior of the building through a window.
(Res. No. 04012008R003, Exh. A, 4-1-2008; Res. No. 01112011R008, Exh. A, 1-11-2011; Res.
No. 02142012R001, Exh. A, 2-14-2012)