SIGN MEASUREMENT AND ORIENTATION
Colorado Springs City Code § 7.4.1311
in effect7.4.1311: SIGN MEASUREMENT AND ORIENTATION:
A. General Provisions:
1. Clearance for projecting signs shall be measured by the smallest vertical distance between existing grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other embellishments.
2. All sides of a sign that are visible from any one vantage point shall be measured in determining the area of a sign, except that only one (1) side of a sign shall be measured if the two (2) sides are back-to-back or separated by an angle of forty-five (45) degrees or less, as set forth in the figure below. If the two (2) sides are not of equal size, the larger side shall be measured.
[image omitted; see the official code]
B. Methods For Calculating Sign Area:
1. Wall Sign Area: Includes the entire face of the sign, frame, and artwork incidental to its decoration and includes any spacing between letters, figures, and designs, but does not include any architectural, bracing, or structural features that are part of the building, as set forth in the figure below. When the sign consists only of letters, designs, or figures, the total area of the sign shall be calculated by using no more than three (3) standard geometric shapes, regardless of orientation, within which all of the fixed lettering, spacing between letters, or artwork is inscribed. Standard geometric shapes include the square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, and half-circle. Proper font tails of lowercase letters will not be included in the sign area calculation. Customized or extended tails are included.
[image omitted; see the official code]
a. Measurement by one (1) geometric shape, as set forth in the figure below:
[image omitted; see the official code]
b. Measurement by two (2) geometric shapes, as set forth in the figure below:
[image omitted; see the official code]
c. Measurement by three (3) geometric shapes, as set forth in the figure below:
[image omitted; see the official code]
2. Freestanding Sign Area:
a. Freestanding Sign Area Elements: Freestanding sign area includes the frame, if any, but does not include:
(1) A pole or other structural support unless the pole or structural support is internally illuminated or otherwise designed to constitute a display device or part of a display device.
(2) Architectural features that are part of a freestanding structure and not an integral part of the sign, and which may consist of landscaping or structural forms complementing the site in general.
b. Calculation of freestanding sign area as set forth in the figures below:
[image omitted; see the official code]
[image omitted; see the official code]
C. Method For Calculating Sign Height: The height of any sign shall be determined by the distance between the topmost portion of the sign structure and the ground elevation at the base of the sign as set forth in the figure below. The grade may not be artificially changed to affect the sign height measurement. Signs on a slope are measured at the midpoint of the sign.
[image omitted; see the official code]
(Ord. 26-01)
Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-53757Fetched: 11/1/2026