# Sign Regulations in Belen, New Mexico

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Belen, New Mexico, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Belen, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/belen
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NM/Belen/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.58SIRE)

## At a glance

Belen, New Mexico regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial zones, Business zones, Industrial zones zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 150 sq ft per sign; 500 sq ft total for all signs on premises (Sec. 17.58.030.A.1,3; 17.58.070). Most commercial signs in Belen require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial zones, Business zones, Industrial zones | 9 | 40 ft above highest ground level at interstate (either direction) | 2,000 sq ft total per premises | — |
| Agricultural/Residential (A-R) | 1 | — | 10 sq ft of sign face per sign | — |
| Residential zones | 2 | — | 5 sq ft of sign face per sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Signs not exceeding 1 sq ft for property/mailbox numbers/names exempt | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Commercial zones, Business zones, Industrial zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than building height unless variance granted | — | — | — | Limited by cumulative maximum sign face (500 sq ft). | On exterior walls of buildings on the premises | — | 17.58.030.A.1-4; 17.58.070 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area per window | — | — | Limited by 25% of each window area and cumulative total for premises | Inside or on window facing exterior | — | 17.58.030.A.2; 17.58.020 (definition); 17.58.080.H (exempt) |
| Building-mounted Sign | No higher than building height unless variance granted | — | — | — | Limited by cumulative sign face | Attached to any part of a building | — | 17.58.030.A.2-3; 17.58.070 |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per sign; 500 sq ft total for all signs on premises | — | — | Limited by cumulative sign face (500 sq ft); size per sign 150 sq ft max | On premises | — | 17.58.030.A.1,3; 17.58.070 |
| Off-premises Sign | — | 10 sq ft per sign | — | — | 3 per referenced property | Off the premises with written property owner permission | — | 17.58.030.A.4; 17.58.030.F |
| Interstate Sign | 40 ft above highest ground level at interstate (either direction) | 2,000 sq ft total per premises | — | — | Limited by cumulative square footage (2,000 sq ft). | Within 1200 ft of interstate facing the interstate | — | 17.58.030.B |
| Temporary Sign | No temporary sign higher than its distance to property line or the height of the highest building on premises | 5 sq ft per sign, 32 sq ft for portable signs | — | — | 5 per lot (temporary); 1 portable sign | On premises; portable signs may not be on residential lots | — | 17.58.040.A-F; 17.58.080.A |
| Portable Sign | No higher than its distance to property line or the height of the highest building | 32 sq ft | — | — | No explicit limit; part of temporary sign total | On any lot not used for residential purposes, with owner permission | — | 17.58.040.D |

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign | — | 5 sq ft of sign face per sign | — | — | 1 per home | On premises for each home | — | 17.58.050.B |
| Temporary Sign | — | Not specified for residential; realtor's notice allowed | — | — | — | Residential property | — | 17.58.080.B |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sign | — | Signs not exceeding 1 sq ft for property/mailbox numbers/names exempt | — | — | — | Any property | — | 17.58.020 - Definitions |
| Wayfinding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As allowed by city | — | 17.58.020 - Definitions |

## Prohibited signs in Belen

- No sign shall be installed or maintained unless it conforms to the regulations in this chapter.
- Every sign shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Signs which extend over any public highway such that free movement of traffic on the public highway is impaired are prohibited.
- Signs which extend over or onto any public sidewalk such that free movement on the public sidewalk is impaired are prohibited.
- Signs which are over three (3) feet in height and less than eight (8) feet in height within a clear sight triangle area at street intersections are prohibited.
- Signs applied to trees, rocks, or other natural objects are prohibited.
- Signs on public property are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the city of Belen.
- Signs which are or may become a public safety hazard are prohibited.
- Business signage except as otherwise allowed in the city ordinance is prohibited.
- Unused or abandoned signs (where the advertised activity, product, business, etc., has ceased or vacated the premises for not less than one year) must be removed after notice, or will be removed by the city at property owner's expense.
- It is unlawful to erect or relocate any sign (not exempted herein) without first obtaining a sign permit from the city and paying any required fees.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belen

- Temporary signs, provided they are in compliance with this chapter, are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Residential signs such as realtor's notice for sale or lease, provided they are in compliance with this chapter, are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Flags and insignia of any government are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Legal notices, identification information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters and trademarks, are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Signage support structure on property purchased within the prior twelve months so long as the signage support structure is safely maintained is exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Window signage is exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.
- Signs otherwise allowed by federal and state law are exempt from sign permit and/or removal of signage support structure requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications require two permanent copies of plans and specifications drawn to scale, including dimensions, materials, height, clearance, and location details.
- A variance may be granted to allow increased total sign face area or height under specific circumstances in accordance with the Belen zoning ordinance.
- Exceptions to certain requirements, particularly for interstate and billboard signs, may be granted via approval of a variance by the planning and zoning commission.
- No explicit mention of a master sign plan requirement is made in this ordinance.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Belen — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Belen+NM&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-belen

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