# Sign Regulations in Clovis, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clovis, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/clovis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NM/Clovis/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17CLUNDEOR_CH17.45SICO)

## At a glance

Clovis, New Mexico regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - Single, 30-Days in the Residential Districts (RS-170, RS-7, RM) zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a At least 5 ft from curb/public right-of-way setback (Sec. 17.45.080.D.2). Most commercial signs in Clovis require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (RS-170, RS-7, RM) | 13 | 25 ft or as tall as roof (residential street); 30 ft if adjacent to collector/arterial | 112 sq ft | — |
| Commercial General (CG), Industrial (I), Central Business District (CBD) | 25 | 60 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (I) | 1 | 40 ft (from ground level) | 300 sq ft maximum per sign face | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (RS-170, RS-7, RM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entrance Sign (Residential Development, ≤4 acres) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Total sign area of all signs shall not exceed 32 sq ft | At entrances to residential development | — | 17.45.080.B.1 |
| Entrance Sign (Residential Development, >4 and <40 acres) | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | Total sign area of all signs shall not exceed 48 sq ft | At entrances to residential development | — | 17.45.080.B.2 |
| Entrance Sign (Residential Development, ≥40 acres) | — | 112 sq ft | — | — | Total sign area of all signs shall not exceed 112 sq ft | At entrances to residential development | — | 17.45.080.B.3 |
| Temporary Sign - Standard | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 3 | On owner's property, not further than 5 ft from the principal residential structure | — | 17.45.080.D.1 |
| Temporary Sign - Single, 30-Day | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from curb/public right-of-way | 1 | On owner's property, no closer than 5 ft from the curb or public right-of-way | — | 17.45.080.D.2 |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 8.5 in x 11 in | — | — | 1 | One window on the property | — | 17.45.080.D.3 |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale | — | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from curb/right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 (2 on corner lots) | On property being offered for sale | — | 17.45.080.D.5 |
| Flag | 25 ft or as tall as roof (residential street); 30 ft if adjacent to collector/arterial | 15 sq ft per flag | — | Flagpoles: 10 ft from property boundary | 4 flags, 2 flagpoles | On owner's property | — | 17.45.080.E.1 |

### Commercial General (CG), Industrial (I), Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Street) | 20 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft front, 5 ft side (from property line) | 1 per lot (2 if >600 ft frontage; 200 ft between signs) | On property with direct, unobstructed access to public street | — | 17.45.090.D.2, Table 2 and Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Collector/Arterial Street) | 30 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 12 ft front, 5 ft side (from property line) | 1 per lot (2 if >600 ft frontage; 200 ft between signs) | On property with direct, unobstructed access to collector/arterial | — | 17.45.090.D.2, Table 2 and Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (US 60/84, US 60/70/84 to Norris St.) | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 15 ft front, 5 ft side (from property line) | 1 per lot (2 if >600 ft frontage; 200 ft between signs) | On property with frontage on US 60/84 or US 60/70/84 to Norris St. | — | 17.45.090.D.2, Table 2 and Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (US 60/70/84 from Norris St. East, ≤40 ft height) | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 15 ft front, 5 ft side (from property line) | 1 per lot (2 if >600 ft frontage; 200 ft between signs) | On property with frontage on US 60/70/84 from Norris St. East | — | 17.45.090.D.2, Table 2 and Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (US 60/70/84 from Norris St. East, >40 ft height) | 60 ft | 400 sq ft | — | 15 ft front, 5 ft side (from property line) | 1 per lot (2 if >600 ft frontage; 200 ft between signs) | On property with frontage on US 60/70/84 from Norris St. East | — | 17.45.090.D.2, Table 2 and Table 3 |
| Temporary Sign - Residence 30-Day | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from curb/right-of-way | 1 | No closer than 5 ft from curb or right-of-way | — | 17.45.090.E.3 |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 2 ft from property line | 2 per entrance/exit | At entrances/exits of property | — | 17.45.090.F |
| Flag | 50 ft or height of nearest principal building roof, whichever is less | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Flagpoles at least 10 ft from property boundary | 6 flags, 3 poles per property | On property; flagpoles at least 10 ft from property boundary | — | 17.45.090.G.1-2 |

### Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard (Industrial, Arterial Roadways) | 40 ft (from ground level) | 300 sq ft maximum per sign face | — | 15 ft front, not over 1/3 of property depth (except interstate); 5 ft side/rear | Max 2 faces per structure | Along arterial roadways only | — | 17.45.110 |

## Prohibited signs in Clovis

- Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by special use permit under this chapter, by specific requirements in another portion of this chapter, or otherwise expressly allowed by the city are prohibited.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or emergency device, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- Signs which contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, or other similarly moving devices or signs which are likely to fall or dismount due to unusual weather or unusually high wind (except as otherwise allowed under Section 17.45.090.H).
- Signs which contain blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which exhibit movement and are positioned in such a manner that they significantly distract drivers and are a threat to public safety.
- Signs that would be an original art display but does not have the permission of the owner of the property on which it is located or is graffiti.
- Signs that do not comply with the location, size or use restrictions of this code.
- Signs placed on property without the permission of the property owner or lessee and signs placed on government property or in the public right-of-way.
- Signs which are affixed to or painted on a vehicle, other than to advertise the vehicle itself for sale, if a vehicle is parked in a location, for the purpose of advertising and not for a legitimate business purpose or in the course of regular and ordinary use of the vehicle.
- Abandoned signs as defined in this code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clovis

- These regulations are not intended to and do not apply to signs erected, maintained or otherwise posted, owned or leased by the state of New Mexico, the federal government, or the city.
- Government signs are allowed in every zoning district which form the expression of this government when erected and maintained pursuant to law.
- Traffic control devices on private or public property erected and maintained to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted in New Mexico and/or with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Federal Highway Administration.
- Where a federal, state, or local law requires a property owner to post a sign on the owner's property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the property, the owner shall comply by posting a sign on the property.
- A flag that has been adopted by the federal government, New Mexico, Curry County or the city may be displayed as provided under the law that adopts or regulates its use, and other flags as are provided in this code.
- Signs not in an enclosed building and not exposed to view from a street or public right-of-way, public place or other property, such as those not visible to a person from a public right-of-way, public place or other property.
- Signs constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required under this code and authorized by this code.
- A sign permit is not required for: Signs described in Sections 17.45.050, 17.45.080 and all temporary signs.
- A sign permit is not required for: Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official or directed duties; provided, that all such signs shall be removed no more than ten days after their purpose has been accomplished.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A newly submitted planned unit development (PUD) shall provide a plan for signage that is desired in the new development during the PUD review process.
- Any changes to the signage plan of a PUD shall provide a minor PUD amendment.
- A previously approved and existing PUD or any newly submitted PUD that does not present a plan for signage shall use existing sign regulations of the sign code; sign regulations apply by land use type.
- Permits for commercial promotional displays and events shall be issued pursuant to Section 17.45.070. A new permit is required for each event.
- An application for a new freestanding sign or billboard sign exceeding thirty feet in height above ground level, or for all roof signs, shall be accompanied by a drawing of the sign structure prepared by and certified by a registered professional engineer or licensed architect.

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

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