2 Colo. Code Regs. § 601-3-7.00

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 2 CCR 601-3-7.00 - Signs in Areas Zoned by Law for Industrial or Commercial Uses

[23 C.F.R. § 750.708; § 43-1-404(1)(e)(I); § 43-1-406(2)(b)(I) and (II), C.R.S.]

A. Location

1. Advertising Devices may be located in areas Zoned for Commercial or Industrial Uses as defined in section 1.33 of these Rules. Primary land use of the Sign location must be commercial or industrial and the zoning must be part of a comprehensive zoning.

2. Advertising Devices located adjacent to the Interstate Right-of-Way:

a. Cotton Area: Adjacent to right-of-way that was acquired prior to July 1, 1956 for roadway purposes and zoned as commercial or industrial prior to January 1, 1970 (Cotton Area, see § 43-1-406(2)(b)(II) C.R.S.); or

b. Kerr Area: Outside the boundaries of incorporated municipalities, as those boundaries existed on September 21, 1959 and clearly established by state law as industrial or commercial before that date and zoned for industrial or commercial uses under authority of state law prior to January 1, 1970; see § 43-1-404(1)(d) and § 43-1-406(2)(b)(I) C.R.S.; or

c. Kerr Area: Within the boundaries of incorporated municipalities, as those boundaries existed on September 21, 1959 and zoned for industrial or commercial uses before January 1, 1970 (§ 43-1-406(2)(b)(I) C.R.S.).

B. Size Requirements [§ 43-1-404(1), C.R.S.]

1. Advertising Device measurements shall be inclusive of any border and trim, but excluding the base, apron, supports, and other structural members.

2. The maximum size limitations shall apply to each side of a Sign structure. Signs may be placed back-to-back, or in V-type construction with not more than two displays to each facing.

3. In areas Zoned for Commercial or Industrial Uses by law prior to January 1, 1970, the Sign shall have:

a. A maximum area for any one Sign of 1200 square feet Visible in any one direction of travel;

b. A maximum Sign face height of 30 feet; and

c. A maximum Sign face length of 60 feet.

4. In areas Zoned for Commercial or Industrial Uses on or after January 1, 1970, located along non-interstate Controlled Routes, the Sign shall:

a. Be no larger than 150 square feet; and

b. Be located within one thousand feet of an industrial or commercial building.

5. Repealed.

C. Lighting

1. Advertising Devices that contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights are prohibited.

2. Advertising Devices are prohibited that are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of the State Highway System and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

3. No Sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.

4. All lighting shall be subject to any other provisions relating to lighting of Signs presently applicable to all Controlled Routes under the jurisdiction of the State.

5. CEVMS technology shall not, in itself, constitute the use of flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights.

6. An Advertising Device may contain a message center display with moveable parts and a changeable message that is changed by electronic processes or by remote control. The illumination of an Advertising Device containing a message center display is not the use of a flashing, intermittent or moving light for the purposes of these Rules. [§ 43-1-404(1)(f), C.R.S.]

D. Spacing of Signs

1. Advertising Devices on Control Routes may not be located in such a manner as to obscure, or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal, or device, obstruct or physically interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.

2. Interstate Highways and Freeways:

a. No two Signs shall be spaced less than 500 feet apart.

b. Outside of incorporated villages and cities, no Advertising Device may be located adjacent to or within 500 feet of an interchange, intersection at grade, or safety Rest Area. The 500 feet is to be measured along the Interstate or Freeway from the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way.

3. All other Controlled Routes except Interstate and Freeways

a. Outside of incorporated villages and cities, no two structures shall be spaced less than 300 feet apart.

b. Within incorporated villages and cities, no two structures shall be spaced less than 100 feet apart.

4. The above provisions for spacing-between-structures do not apply to structures separated by buildings or other obstructions in such a manner that only one Sign face located within the above spacing distances is Visible from the highway at any one time.

5. The minimum distance between structures shall be measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the Advertising Devices along each side of the State Highway and shall apply only to structures located on the same side of the State Highway.

6. Signs that are not lawfully maintained shall not be counted nor shall measurements be made from them for purposes of determining compliance with spacing requirements.

7. If a Sign was erected prior to July 9, 1971 in an area Zoned for Commercial or Industrial Uses, see Rule 6.03.2 "Nonconforming Advertising Devices."

2 CCR 601-3-7.00

38 CR 02, January 25, 2015, effective 2/14/2015

44 CR 21, November 10, 2021, effective 11/30/2021