# Sign Regulations in Raton, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Raton, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/raton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Raton, New Mexico regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (A-Frame or T-Frame)s in the Commercial zones, Industrial zones, Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (L-I), Highway District (H-1) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall, Max 8 sq ft (4 ft high by 2 ft wide), and 2 feet wide, with a 0 ft min on private property setback (Sec. § 156.132 - Temporary Sign). Most commercial signs in Raton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial zones, Industrial zones, Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (L-I), Highway District (H-1) | 10 | 35 feet, unless a variance is approved | 300 sq ft; max 10 ft high by 30 ft long | — |
| Residential zones | 5 | 10 feet | 100 sq ft | — |
| Governmental zoned properties | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 40 ft pole | 60 sq ft | — |

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

### Commercial zones, Industrial zones, Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (L-I), Highway District (H-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 35 feet, unless a variance is approved | 20% of wall area or 240 sq ft, whichever is larger | — | — | Up to 3 sign structures per business unless designated elsewhere or calculated by wall area. | Attached parallel to, but within 6 inches of, an outside wall | — | § 156.132, § 156.133, § 156.137 |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 12 sq ft per sign face; cumulative sign area not to exceed 32 sq ft per location | — | 0 ft minimum setback | Single or multi-faced; see spacing requirements | On private property at minimum setback 0 feet, spaced at least 300 feet apart per business advertised | — | § 156.132 - Freestanding Sign; Directional Sign, § 156.137 |
| Directional Sign (Freestanding Directional Off-Premise) | 10 feet | 12 sq ft per face; cumulative max 32 sq ft per location | — | 0 ft min | Single or multi-faced per 300 ft per business | On private property, minimum setback of 0 feet; abutting state right-of-way must comply with state rules | — | § 156.132 - Directional Sign |
| Off-Premise Sign (Nonconforming, New before 3-1-2000 only) | 35 feet | 300 sq ft; max 10 ft high by 30 ft long | 30 feet | 10 feet minimum | — | Permitted only on C-3, L-I, or H-1; must meet state and local setbacks | — | § 156.132 - Off-Premise Sign |
| Temporary Sign (A-Frame or T-Frame) | 5 feet | Max 8 sq ft (4 ft high by 2 ft wide) | 2 feet | 0 ft min on private property | 1 per business (2 for corners); counts toward 3-sign limit per business | 1 temporary portable A or T frame sign may be temporarily placed in front of a business, secured with sandbags, on sidewalk in public right of way provided 4-foot sidewalk clearance remains. If not in right-of-way, then must be within property lines. | — | § 156.132 - Temporary Sign |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | 10 feet | No limit stated | — | 0 ft min | 2 per property | Within property lines. | — | § 156.132 - Temporary Sign (Real Estate) |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign (Political) | 10 feet | No limit stated | — | 0 ft min | — | Within property lines. | — | § 156.132 - Temporary Sign (Political) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Commercial, industrial, or governmental zoned properties. Not in medians or city/state right-of-way except as provided herein. | — | § 156.132 - Temporary Sign (Portable) |

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside the home or accessory structure, visible through window or doorway. Outside prohibited. | — | § 156.132 - Residential Sign; Home Occupation |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Temporary) | — | 100 sq ft | — | 10 feet min | — | Within property lines of the property. Must be removed after full sale of lots. | — | § 156.132 - Subdivision Signs |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Permanent) | — | — | — | — | — | Noted as allowed and reviewed administratively (may be works of art) | — | § 156.132 - Subdivision Signs |
| Institutional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | For institutional uses such as churches, schools, funeral homes, cemeteries in residential zones. | — | § 156.132 - Institutional Uses |
| Temporary Sign (Political) | 10 feet | No limit stated | — | 0 ft min | — | Within property lines. | — | § 156.132(D) - Temporary Sign (Political) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 40 ft pole | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 156.132 - Flag |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 156.132 - Banner |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On/attached to marquees | — | § 156.132 - Marquee Sign |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | 3 ft from property line for pole-mounted projecting | — | Affixed to a building, wall, or pole | — | § 156.132 - Projecting Sign |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On and over the roof or parapet of a building | — | § 156.132 - Roof Sign, Roof Sign Integral |
| Suspended Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Suspended from an overhang, canopy, or portico | — | § 156.132 - Suspended Sign |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed inside window or upon window glass, visible from exterior | — | § 156.132 - Window Sign |
| Mobile Home Park Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 156.132 - Mobile Home Park Sign |

## Prohibited signs in Raton

- To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by §§ 156.130 et seq.
- Signs erected without having obtained a sign permit are illegal and prohibited.
- No signs shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, except as provided in the code.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with requirements, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation.
- It is a violation to install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing the sign or the lot on which the sign is located.
- It is a violation to install, create, erect, or maintain any sign requiring a permit without a sign permit.
- Snipe signs (temporary signs or posters affixed to a tree, fence, etc.) are prohibited except for yard sale signs, holiday directional and art signs, which must come down the day after the event is over.
- Signs outside of the home or accessory structure are prohibited in residential zones.
- Commercial advertising is not allowed in Residential Zones outside of the home.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except for directional signs located on private property.
- Portable signs attached or painted to vehicles are prohibited within city limits unless the vehicle is used in day-to-day business operations.
- Projecting signs shall not project over any public property, including right-of-way, over 6 feet and shall not project over any curbs or curb lines.
- No person in parks shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription, or erect any sign on public lands or highways or road adjacent to the park except as authorized.
- No person shall erect or place any sign or banner across any streets or sidewalks without permission of the City Manager.
- Unauthorized use of vehicle signs relating to 'police,' 'fire department,' etc., is prohibited without authority.

## Signs exempt from permit in Raton

- Any public notice or warning required by federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a building, including attached to a window or a door from the inside.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.
- Traffic control signs on private property that meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message.
- Changing the advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign only (not including electric signs, except theater marquees and similar signs designed for replaceable copy).
- Painting, repainting, or cleaning of an advertising structure or changing the advertising copy or message thereon, unless a structural change is made.
- Certain permanent signs in public right-of-way: public signs by governmental body, bus stop signs by public transit company, and informational signs of public utilities.
- Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized work within the public right-of-way.
- Signs, banners, billboards, and similar structures relating to charitable, historical, religious, or other civic services and nonprofit activities may be allowed in the public right-of-way or city property upon a permit issued by the City Commission.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign may be erected, placed, established, created, or maintained in the city only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements of §§ 156.130 et seq.
- Permit system established; owner or agent must secure a sign permit prior to construction, placement, erection, or modification of a sign requiring a permit.
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan showing exact location of structures to be placed on property.
- The building official may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information necessary to ensure compliance.
- Portable signs require zoning officer's approval of site plan.
- Variance procedures may be considered for sign height increases greater than 35 feet if site conditions dictate necessity; refer to §§ 156.210 et seq. for procedural requirements.
- For signs large enough to require substantial structural support or attached to another structure and not free-standing, the proposed sign (temporary or political) shall be reviewed by zoning official.
- No sign permit shall be issued unless the sign is consistent with the requirements of this chapter (excluding those signs covered and maintained under the Grandfather clause).

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

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