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Mesa County, CO Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Illumination method allowed
Downward-facing, downcast light only
Zoning districts permitted
C-2, I-1, I-2
Max sign height
40 feet above street/ground level
Max sign face area
300 square feet
Signs per parcel
1

Summary

Mesa County requires outdoor advertising signs lit by indirect or external illumination to use only downward-facing, downcast light that keeps beams confined to the sign face and out of drivers' and neighbors' direct line of sight.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Mesa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Outdoor advertising signs that are illuminated by indirect or external illumination shall use only downward facing, downcast light to confine direct light beams to the sign and out of the direct vision.

View official code

Full Breakdown

11 of the Land Development Code governs outdoor advertising signs, limiting them to one per parcel on land zoned C-2, I-1 or I-2, capped at 40 feet in height and between 15 and 300 square feet of face area under subsection A. Subsection C, Illumination, addresses lighting directly: signs illuminated by indirect or external light sources must use only downward-facing, downcast fixtures that confine the light beam to the sign itself and keep it out of direct vision, preventing glare toward roadways and adjacent properties.

05 where applicable. B, requiring two feet of separation from adjacent outdoor advertising signs for every square foot of sign face, further limits how many illuminated billboards can cluster along a single corridor, reducing cumulative light impact from the outdoor advertising sign inventory in the county's commercial and industrial districts.

Violations & Fines

An outdoor advertising sign lit with upward-facing, glare-producing, or otherwise non-downcast fixtures violates Section 9.11.C's illumination standard, and the Director can require repair or removal of the offending fixture under Section 9.12.A, with immediate removal authority in cases of danger to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a billboard in Mesa County use floodlights?
Only downward-facing, downcast floodlighting is allowed. Section 9.11.C requires that any outdoor advertising sign lit by indirect or external illumination confine its light beam to the sign face and keep it out of direct vision.
Which zones allow illuminated outdoor advertising signs?
Section 9.11 limits outdoor advertising signs, illuminated or not, to the C-2, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts, at one sign per parcel of land.
Do electronic billboards face extra lighting rules beyond the downcast requirement?
Yes. If the billboard includes a digital or electronic display, it must also meet Section 9.05's separate 0.3 footcandle brightness cap and dusk-to-dawn photocell dimming requirement, on top of the downcast-light standard in Section 9.11.C.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mesa County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsDark Sky RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Mesa County rules

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