City of Sterling, Colorado Sign Code & Sign Permit Guide
Wall, monument, and freestanding sign limits for City of Sterling by zoning district — cited to the exact code section, with the sign permit process. Every number is checked against the published code text before it ships.
Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3 & MH)
Zones like R-1
Appendix A §1006.1 and Table 10.1 (row labeled 'R1, R2, R3, WH' in the table itself — WH is a source typo for MH, corrected here; see Gotchas). Signs are only permitted as an accessory to a legal NONRESIDENTIAL use in these districts.
One continuous rectilinear perimeter (framed signs); sum of rectangles (unconnected letters): A sign on a background, frame, or cabinet is measured as one continuous perimeter of squares/rectangles enclosing the extreme limits of the message. Individual letters/numerals with no background or frame are measured as the SUM of the smallest square/rectangle around each individual letter — a favorable multi-rectangle method for channel letters.
Freestanding
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 2 ft |
| Max height | 6 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Flat Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Max height | Top of wall |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Under Canopy
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 10 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 |
Awning
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 10 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 |
Marquee
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 of this type, 2 total |
Portable
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Min setback | At the property line |
| Max height | 6 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Banner
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 5 ft |
| Max height | 10 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Projecting Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 |
See the exact numbers
Height, setback, area, count, and lighting limits for Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3 & MH) — cited to the code section, ready to quote from.
Get notified at launch- Signs are only allowed as an accessory to a legal nonresidential use (church, hospital, school, legal nonconforming use) — not for an ordinary residence, per §1006.1.
- No sign type may be illuminated or off-premise in these districts (Table 10.1).
Commercial (MS, NB, CB & CBD)
Zones like MS
Appendix A, Table 10.1, the 'MS, NB, CB, CBD' row group. Every number splits by the adjacent street's posted speed limit (0-39 MPH vs. 40+ MPH) — both values shown per row.
One continuous rectilinear perimeter (framed signs); sum of rectangles (unconnected letters): A sign on a background, frame, or cabinet is measured as one continuous perimeter of squares/rectangles enclosing the extreme limits of the message. Individual letters/numerals with no background or frame are measured as the SUM of the smallest square/rectangle around each individual letter — a favorable multi-rectangle method for channel letters.
Freestanding
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 2 sq ft per linear ft of structure frontage (0-39 MPH street) or 4 sq ft/lf (40+ MPH street) |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 2 ft |
| Max height | 35 ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 ft (40+ MPH) |
| Number allowed | 1 per street front |
Illuminated signs allowed. Off-premise (billboard) signs allowed — see the Billboards card.
Flat Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 2 sq ft/lf (0-39 MPH) or 4 sq ft/lf (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Max height | Top of wall |
| Number allowed | 2 per street front |
Illuminated and off-premise signs both allowed.
Under Canopy
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 per street front |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Awning
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 per street front |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Marquee
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 50 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 of this type, 4 total |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Portable
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Min setback | At the property line |
| Max height | 10 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Banner
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 30 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 3 ft |
| Max height | 10 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Projecting Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 50 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 100 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 2 per street front |
Illuminated and off-premise signs both allowed.
Rooftop
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 2 sq ft/lf (0-39 MPH) or 4 sq ft/lf (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Max height | 35 ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 ft (40+ MPH) |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Billboards (off-premise signs)
Appendix A §1005.8| Max area | 320 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Max height | 30 ft |
| Min setback | 35 ft from the property line |
| Spacing | 100 ft minimum from any other billboard (political/noncommercial billboards exempt from this) |
| Residential buffer | 200 ft from a residential district if facing into it |
See the exact numbers
Height, setback, area, count, and lighting limits for Commercial (MS, NB, CB & CBD) — cited to the code section, ready to quote from.
Get notified at launch- Every area/height/count value in this district group depends on the ADJACENT STREET'S POSTED SPEED LIMIT (0-39 MPH vs. 40+ MPH), not the zone alone — confirm the actual speed limit before quoting.
- Billboards (off-premise signs) are allowed here for Freestanding, Flat Wall, and Projecting Wall types, subject to separate limits: max 320 sq ft, 30 ft height, 35 ft setback, 100 ft from any other billboard, 200 ft from a residential district if facing it (§1005.8).
Industrial (LI & HI)
Zones like LI
Appendix A, Table 10.1, the 'LI, HI' row group — identical structure to Commercial minus the Rooftop sign type. Every number splits by the adjacent street's posted speed limit (0-39 MPH vs. 40+ MPH).
One continuous rectilinear perimeter (framed signs); sum of rectangles (unconnected letters): A sign on a background, frame, or cabinet is measured as one continuous perimeter of squares/rectangles enclosing the extreme limits of the message. Individual letters/numerals with no background or frame are measured as the SUM of the smallest square/rectangle around each individual letter — a favorable multi-rectangle method for channel letters.
Freestanding
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 2 sq ft/lf (0-39 MPH) or 4 sq ft/lf (40+ MPH) of structure frontage |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 2 ft |
| Max height | 35 ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 ft (40+ MPH) |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated and off-premise signs both allowed.
Flat Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 2 sq ft/lf (0-39 MPH) or 4 sq ft/lf (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Max height | Top of wall |
| Number allowed | 2 per street front |
Illuminated and off-premise signs both allowed.
Under Canopy
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 per street front |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Awning
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 per street front |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Marquee
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 50 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 1 of this type, 4 total |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Portable
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 25 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Min setback | At the property line |
| Max height | 10 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Banner
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 30 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 50 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Min setback | 3 ft |
| Max height | 10 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
Illuminated allowed; off-premise not allowed.
Projecting Wall
Appendix A §1006 · Table 10.1| Max area | 50 sq ft (0-39 MPH) / 100 sq ft (40+ MPH) |
|---|---|
| Number allowed | 2 per street front |
Illuminated and off-premise signs both allowed.
Billboards (off-premise signs)
Appendix A §1005.8| Max area | 320 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Max height | 30 ft |
| Min setback | 35 ft from the property line |
| Spacing | 100 ft minimum from any other billboard (political/noncommercial billboards exempt from this) |
| Residential buffer | 200 ft from a residential district if facing into it |
See the exact numbers
Height, setback, area, count, and lighting limits for Industrial (LI & HI) — cited to the code section, ready to quote from.
Get notified at launch- Every area/height/count value in this district group depends on the ADJACENT STREET'S POSTED SPEED LIMIT (0-39 MPH vs. 40+ MPH), not the zone alone — confirm the actual speed limit before quoting.
- Billboards (off-premise signs) are allowed here for Freestanding, Flat Wall, and Projecting Wall types, subject to separate limits: max 320 sq ft, 30 ft height, 35 ft setback, 100 ft from any other billboard, 200 ft from a residential district if facing it (§1005.8).
Sign permits in City of Sterling
City of Sterling Public Works Department (Planning & Zoning) — (970) 522-9700 ext. 1109
City of Sterling sign code FAQ
What is the sign code for City of Sterling, Colorado?
City of Sterling's sign regulations are set by Appendix A Ch. X Sign Regulations · Municode Library, and vary by zoning district. Sightline tracks 3 verified zone families for City of Sterling below, each with wall, freestanding, and other sign-type limits cited to the exact section.
Do I need a permit for a sign in City of Sterling?
In nearly every Colorado municipality, including City of Sterling, permanent signs — wall signs, channel letters, cabinets, monument signs — require a sign permit. City of Sterling's permit process is linked below. Always confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before finalizing a design.
Look up an exact address in City of Sterling
Get the live zoning district and the sign limits that apply to a specific parcel, with a frontage calculator and a permit-ready citation.
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