# Sign Regulations in Hobbs, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hobbs, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/hobbs
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/nm/hobbs/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT15BUCO_CH15.32SI)

## At a glance

Hobbs, New Mexico regulates 11 sign types across 1 zoning district. Freestanding Sign (Minor Residential Roadway within Residential Area)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 48 sq ft per sign, with a Must be located wholly within the prescribed building setback setback (Sec. §15.32.030(C)(4); §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130). Most commercial signs in Hobbs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per billboard | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercially Developed Site) | 35 ft | 144 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per commercially developed site; +1 additional per each 300 ft of public street frontage or fraction thereof | On private property; not within or above the public right-of-way | — | Hobbs City Code §15.32.030(C)(1)-(2); §15.32.020; §15.32.050(A)-(B); §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130; §15.32.030(D) (interaction with billboards) |
| Wall Sign (Commercially Developed Site) | — | 144 sq ft per leased space facade | — | — | — | On building facade on private property | — | §15.32.030(C)(2); §15.32.020; §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130 |
| Multi-Tenant Main Sign (Shopping Centers, Strip Malls, Similar Uses) | 35 ft (freestanding sign height limit applies) | 144 sq ft (main sign); sum of tenant panels within the main sign also may not exceed 144 sq ft total | — | — | Typically 1 main multi-business sign per site (subject to overall freestanding sign count limits in §15.32.030(C)(1)) | On private property of malls, shopping centers, strip malls, or similar uses | — | §15.32.030(C)(3) (area limits); §15.32.030(C)(2) (freestanding height limit); §15.32.050(B); §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130 |
| Freestanding Sign (Minor Residential Roadway within Residential Area) | 15 ft | 48 sq ft per sign | — | Must be located wholly within the prescribed building setback | — | On private properties fronting a minor residential roadway and within a residential area | — | §15.32.030(C)(4); §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130 |
| Wall Sign (Minor Residential Roadway within Residential Area) | — | 48 sq ft (maximum) | — | — | — | On building facade on private properties fronting a minor residential roadway within a residential area | — | §15.32.030(C)(4); §15.28.050; §15.28.090; §15.32.130 |
| Billboard | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per billboard | — | — | 1 per site; +1 additional if frontage >800 ft on a Major Arterial and 800-ft spacing is maintained | On private property fronting a Major Arterial (per the City of Hobbs Major Thoroughfare Plan); prohibited on residential streets; prohibited on any private property that also contains a freestanding sign | — | §15.32.030(D)(1)-(5); §15.32.050(B); §15.28.050; §15.32.130 |
| On-Premises Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit/Monument/Directional – Commercial Parcels) | May not exceed the height restriction for a structure within the building setback, if located therein | 6 sq ft sign area (each) | — | If within a building setback, height may not exceed the height limits for structures in that setback | — | On-premises, on parcels developed for commercial use | — | §15.32.030(A)(1); §15.32.130; §15.28.050 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line OR 15 ft from street curb or pavement edge, or as directed by the Engineering Department to minimize visibility hindrances | A single location may contain a single portable sign for one 60-day period, then must be removed for 30 days | On private property | — | §15.32.070 (Portable signs subsection); §15.32.130 (electronic features) |

## Prohibited signs in Hobbs

- Signs may not be erected or maintained so as to obstruct free and clear vision at intersections, alleys, or driveways, or be positioned, shaped, or colored in a way that could interfere with or be confused with authorized traffic control devices (15.32.030(A)).
- No signs may be erected on or above public property except signs placed by government agencies; limited directional signs to certain public facilities may be allowed on City street name supports or traffic signposts if they meet specified conditions and MUTCD standards (15.32.030(B)).
- It is unlawful to place a sign upon or above public streets, bridges, sidewalks, alleys, rights-of-way, curbs, public buildings/structures, or in any public place, except as allowed by subsection H or with written consent of the City Commission; unlawful signs on public property may be impounded and disposed of (15.32.030(G)).
- No signs shall be placed on private property without a permit, except as otherwise exempted; signs must also meet the stated private property standards (15.32.030(C)).
- No signs shall be placed or painted on any tree, rock, retaining wall, fence, or natural formation located on or above public property (15.32.030(E)).
- No signs shall be placed on utility poles except for utility identification installed by utility agencies or as specifically allowed under banner provisions (15.32.030(F), 15.32.070(C)).
- Sign illumination must be shaded, shielded, dimmed, and directed to avoid adverse effects on surrounding premises and safe vision of pedestrians and drivers; there shall be no direct glare onto adjoining properties or into the eyes of motorists/pedestrians (15.32.130).
- Electronic signs may not use animation, and transitions between messages may not be animated; static display duration must be at least 8 seconds (2 seconds for message boards) (15.32.130).
- Electronic features of monument and portable signs are only permissible if the sign is located fully within required setbacks (15.32.130).
- Abandoned signs (including when the advertised business/event no longer applies or the face has no advertising for 6 months) are prohibited and must be removed or repaired upon notice; failure may result in City removal (15.32.080).
- Re-erecting, reconstructing, or rebuilding a damaged/removed sign without first obtaining a permit and full compliance with the chapter is prohibited (15.32.140).

## Signs exempt from permit in Hobbs

- Signs, signals, or devices erected by governmental entities, public schools, and utility companies are exempt from the provisions of this chapter and are controlled by other applicable laws and regulations (15.32.030(A)(2)).
- Painting, repainting, maintenance, or cleaning of an existing advertising structure is not considered an erection or alteration and does not require a sign permit (15.32.070(A)).
- Temporary signs, including political, construction, and real estate signs as defined, do not require a sign permit (15.32.070(B)).
- Temporary banner signs may be used without a sign permit for up to 60 days, provided they comply with the chapter and other ordinances; banners may not be installed, supported, or anchored to City- or utility-owned poles without written consent from the City Manager or designee (15.32.070(C)).
- Signs lawfully permitted or erected prior to adoption of the current ordinance are excepted from the prohibition on signs upon or above public rights-of-way and public property stated in 15.32.030(G) (15.32.030(G)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- On-premises entrance, exit, monument, and directional signs on commercially developed parcels must be constructed and maintained in accordance with an approved sign plan (15.32.030(A)(1)).
- Sign permit applications must include a plot plan showing the sign location relative to property lines, improvements, easements, curbs, and rights-of-way, and two sets of plans/specifications indicating size, height, materials, method of attachment/support, and location (15.32.020, 15.32.050(A)).
- Structural computations certified by a New Mexico licensed architect or engineer are required for any freestanding sign over 24 feet in height, any sign with a sign face over 128 square feet, and for billboards; documentation must show supporting surfaces are adequate (15.32.050(B)).
- Variances and waivers to sign requirements may be granted by the City of Hobbs Planning Board only after a duly conducted public hearing, upon sufficient justification and a finding of consistency with the chapter’s purpose and intent (15.32.160).
- Written consent from the City Commission is required to place any sign on or above public streets, rights-of-way, public buildings/structures, or other public places unless covered by specific exceptions (15.32.030(G)).
- Written consent from the City Manager or designee is required before installing, supporting, or anchoring temporary banner signs to City- or utility-owned poles (15.32.070(C)).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Hobbs, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hobbs+NM&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hobbs

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