# Sign Regulations in Bloomfield, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bloomfield, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/bloomfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NM/Bloomfield/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH15STSIOTPUPL_ARTIINUBU_S15-18SISTNABEIN)

## At a glance

Bloomfield, New Mexico regulates 14 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Portable Signs in the Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD), Community Commercial District (CCD), Heavy Industrial District (HID), Light Industrial District, Limited Commercial District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 32 sq ft (per face); 64 sq ft if double sided, with a 10 ft from front and side property lines (all temporary signs) setback (Sec. Section 15.7. Temporary signs; Portable Signs). Most commercial signs in Bloomfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Zoning District | 1 | — | 400 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Residential Zone, R-2 Residential Zone, Residential-3 (R-3) Zoning District, Rural Residential-1 (RR-1) Zoning District, Residential-4 (R-4) | 1 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD), Community Commercial District (CCD), Heavy Industrial District (HID), Light Industrial District, Limited Commercial District | 4 | 5 ft | 250 sq ft (per face, one side) | — |
| Mobile Home Park (Trailer Court), Mobile Home Subdivision, TR-1 Trailer Residence District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| L-C District, TH-1 District, TH-2 District | 1 | — | 250 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Agricultural Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Product Sales) | — | 400 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises for sale of products raised on site | — | Section 5, Agricultural Zoning District, #5-6 |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD), Community Commercial District (CCD), Heavy Industrial District (HID), Light Industrial District, Limited Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Wall, Awning, Projecting, Roof) | — | — | — | 10 feet from front property line, 10 feet from side property line | 1 per street frontage (2 if frontage >500 feet) | Attached to principal building | — | Section 15. Sign Regulations, General Provisions; On Premise Sign Provision |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 10 ft front, 10 ft side property line | 1 per street frontage (2 if frontage >500 feet) | On property of business; not public right-of-way/easement | — | Section 15. Sign Regulations; On Premise Sign Provision; General Provisions |
| Billboard Sign | — | 250 sq ft (per face, one side) | — | 30 ft minimum from property line on arterial streets or behind established easement, whichever is greater. | — | Only on arterial roadways in Commercial, Limited Commercial, or Light Industrial Districts (with possible special exception in Ag districts). Not on minor/marginal/collector streets. | — | Section 15.5-5. Billboard signs |
| Portable Sign | 5 ft | 32 sq ft (per face); 64 sq ft if double sided | — | 10 ft from front and side property lines (all temporary signs) | — | On private property; not on sidewalk/right-of-way; must be securely anchored | — | Section 15.7. Temporary signs; Portable Signs |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 15.13(e) |
| Traffic Signs (government) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 15.13(f) |
| Real Estate Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 15.13(c) |
| Legal Notice/House Number Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 15.13(a) |
| Neon Window Signs | — | — | — | — | — | In window | — | Section 15.13(d) |
| Garage Sale Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 15.13(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Bloomfield

- No sign shall be erected or constructed that obstructs any fire escape, window or door opening used as a means of ingress or egress.
- No sign shall be suspended by non-rigid attachments that will allow the sign to swing in the wind. Exception: a banner may move in the wind.
- All signs must be properly maintained: exposed surfaces must be clean and painted (if paint is required). Defective parts must be replaced.
- The city has the right to order the repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged or deteriorated.
- All signs that require lighting shall not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic and adjacent residential areas.
- A sign may not exceed four (4) feet in height from the adjacent street grade within a clear sight triangle at intersections. At ingress/egress access points, sign cannot exceed three (3) feet in height from adjacent street grade.
- Portable signs shall not be electrified.
- Portable signs shall not be placed on any sidewalk or placed in any public right-of-way.
- Any sign found in violation shall be subject to penalty provision of the Bloomfield Municipal Code.
- Signs on public rights-of-way are prohibited unless express consent has been obtained first from the City Council.
- Stacking of billboards vertically or horizontally is prohibited.
- Billboards shall not be located along any marginal, minor, or collector streets (permitted only on arterial roadways).
- No billboards may be placed in any R-1, R-2, R-3, Mobile Home, TH-1, or TH-2 districts.
- No sign shall be placed, constructed or allowed on any public right-of-way or utility easement.
- No sign shall be displayed for a period longer than ninety (90) days when designated as a temporary sign.
- Temporary and portable signs are not eligible for non-conforming status.
- A non-conforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring it into complete compliance with the ordinance.
- No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of non-conforming sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bloomfield

- Legal notices and house numbers are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Garage sale signs are exempt from sign permit requirements; garage sale signs must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after sale ends.
- Real estate signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Neon window signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- On-premise directional signs which direct traffic to and from parking are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Traffic signs erected by the City, County, State of New Mexico or Federal government are exempt from sign permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must be accompanied by a site plan showing the location of the proposed sign and all existing structures.
- Permit applications shall include name and address of property owner, contractor, street address, type of sign(s), and site plan.
- All sign permit applications shall be accompanied by payment of the appropriate fee established by the City Council.
- A special exception and/or a zone change may be requested for billboard signs in an Agricultural district.
- Any individual or business who believes the requirements of this ordinance cause hardship may request a special exception by completing a special exception application form and submitting it to the City Council via the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
- A site plan is required as part of the sign permit application process.
- A permit becomes null and void if work does not commence within ninety (90) days and the project is not completed within one hundred eighty (180) days.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Bloomfield — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bloomfield+NM&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bloomfield

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