# Sign Regulations in Taos Town, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Taos Town, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/taos-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/41965186#41965186)

## At a glance

Taos Town, New Mexico regulates 11 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Historic Overlay Zone (HOZ) zoning district are capped at Cannot extend above roofline or parapet; overall sign height for any sign is 20 ft tall and 10% of building facade or at least 12 sq ft (Sec. §16.20.010.5.9(H), §16.20.010.5.10B1.a, §16.20.010.5.16M). Most commercial signs in Taos Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historic Overlay Zone (HOZ) | 10 | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet; overall sign height for any sign is 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet; overall sign height for any sign is 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Historic Overlay Zone (HOZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet; overall sign height for any sign is 20 ft | 10% of building facade or at least 12 sq ft | — | — | No more than 3 permanent signs per business (§16.20.010.5.10A1). | Affixed to facade of building | — | §16.20.010.5.9(H), §16.20.010.5.10B1.a, §16.20.010.5.16M |
| Projecting Sign | Must not project above roofline | Counts toward maximum total sign area (60 sq ft) | — | — | 3 permanent signs max per business (all types combined) | Projecting from building | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.d, §16.20.010.5.16M, §16.20.010.5.16I |
| Hanging Sign | At least 7.5 ft clearance from grade to bottom | Counts toward maximum total sign area (60 sq ft) | — | — | 3 permanent signs max per business (all types combined) | Hanging from building | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.c |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | No more than 3 permanent signs total per business, combined of all types (§16.20.010.5.10A1) | On the ground, not projecting above roofline; must not be in right-of-way (see prohibitions) | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.e, §16.20.010.5.9G, §16.20.010.5.16M, §16.20.010.5.16I |
| A-frame Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | Counts toward maximum of 3 permanent signs per business | Specific location as approved by code administrator; placed during business hours only. | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.f |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 at a time, 4 temporary sign permits per year | Affixed to facade of building | — | §16.20.010.5.9E, §16.20.010.5.10A2, §16.20.010.5.10B2 |
| Multi-Tenant Center Freestanding Sign (2-5 tenants) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §16.20.010.5.11B1 |
| Multi-Tenant Center Wall Sign | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet | 10% of building facade | — | — | 1 | On wall of building | — | §16.20.010.5.11B2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet; overall sign height for any sign is 20 ft | 10% of building facade or at least 12 sq ft | — | — | No more than three permanent signs per business (§16.20.010.5.10A1) | Affixed to facade of building | — | §16.20.010.5.9(H), §16.20.010.5.10B1.a, §16.20.010.5.16M |
| Hanging Sign | Minimum of 7.5 ft from grade to bottom | Counts toward total sign area (60 sq ft) | — | — | Counts toward maximum of 3 permanent signs per business | Hanging from building | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.c |
| Projecting Sign | — | Counts toward maximum sign area (60 sq ft) | — | — | Counts toward maximum of 3 permanent signs per business | Projecting from building wall | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.d |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward maximum of 3 permanent signs per business | On the ground | — | §16.20.010.5.9G, §16.20.010.5.10B1.e |
| A-frame Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | Counts toward 3 permanent signs max per business | Specific location approved by code administrator, only during business hours | — | §16.20.010.5.10B1.f |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 at a time; 4 temporary sign permits per year | Affixed to facade of building | — | §16.20.010.5.9E, §16.20.010.5.10A2, §16.20.010.5.10B2 |
| Multi-Tenant Center Freestanding Sign (2-5 tenants) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §16.20.010.5.11B1 |
| Multi-Tenant Center Wall Sign | Cannot extend above roofline or parapet | 10% of building facade | — | — | One | Affixed to building wall | — | §16.20.010.5.11B2 |

## Prohibited signs in Taos Town

- Signs that flash, blink, rotate, or vary the degree of internal illumination.
- Signs with any moving parts.
- Signs utilizing or incorporating an audio device.
- Billboards.
- Commercial flagpole signs.
- Inflatable signs.
- Animated signs.
- Signs which obstruct a motor vehicle or pedestrian, or the view/path of an operator of any motor vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian upon any public right-of-way; signs present within the “clear sight triangle” or not permitted as specified within the town’s access management manual.
- Signs erected or placed within, or suspended or projecting above, a public right-of-way, except for directional, safety, and construction-related signs or other governmental signs for valid public reasons.
- Signs bearing a similarity in style or design with common traffic signs or signals, including use of words like “stop”, “look”, “danger”, or similar, which tend to mislead or impede traffic.
- Signs illuminated by floodlights or spotlights not complying with Title 15, Chapter 15.28 (dark skies).
- Signs that restrict free ingress or egress of any street, alley, sidewalk, window, door, or fire exit.
- Signs projecting above a roofline, eave, or parapet.
- Signs spanning any public walkway or public access area with a lower edge less than seven feet (7’) above average grade.
- Signs that are hazardous, in dilapidated or dangerous condition, or from which nails, tacks, screws, wires, or sharp objects may protrude.
- Commercial signs constructed of cardboard, paper, cloth, or other nondurable material.
- Signs attached to a tree, fence, utility pole, transit facility enclosure, or street seating, within any state or town right-of-way.
- The use of neon or LED or similar illumination device to graphically outline any building, exterior walls, fence, or structure.
- Commercial signs placed on or affixed to a sidewalk or stairs unless specifically permitted.
- Signs placed in or affixed to public property, except permitted banners or governmental signs, or those approved through designated space rental.
- Off-premises signs.
- No person shall erect or place any sign or banner of wood, cloth, metal or other material across any street or sidewalk in the town without the permission of the town manager.
- All signs not specifically permitted by the sign ordinance are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Taos Town

- Government, school, or hospital signs.
- Government sponsored wayfinding signs.
- Historic or commemorative markers.
- Noncommercial flags.
- Picketing signs.
- Signs required by law.
- Bulletin boards (up to 8 sq. ft. and 7' height, one per premises).
- Construction signs (no more than 2 per site, no larger than 24 sq. ft. and 6' height).
- Commercial sign walkers (one per business, up to 3 sq. ft., prohibited in historic overlay zone).
- Directional signs (up to 2 per premises, no larger than 6 sq. ft. and 3' height).
- Drive-through menu signs (max 2 per premises, not in street frontage facade).
- Election campaign signs (up to 5 per site, up to 6 sq. ft., not placed earlier than 60 days prior and removed within 3 days after the election, not on public right-of-way or town property).
- Garage sale and yard sale signs (one on-premise, up to 3 off-site with owner consent, displayed up to 2 days prior and removed within 1 day after event).
- Gasoline station price signs (one on-premises, up to 12 sq. ft. per face, brand name and price only).
- Government sponsored special event signs (temporary, authorized by the town).
- Menu signs (up to 6 sq. ft., mounted near entrance).
- Memorial signs (on-premises, permanently attached, up to 3 sq. ft.).
- Permanent noncommercial, civic, church, service club, political, or other noncommercial signs or emblems.
- Residential real estate signs (one per frontage, up to 6 sq. ft., up to 5' height, removed within 3 days of closing).
- Commercial/Industrial/Agricultural real estate signs (one per frontage, up to 12 sq. ft., up to 8' height, removed within 3 days of closing).
- Street address signs (up to 3 sq. ft.).
- Subdivision signs (up to 12 sq. ft., up to 6' height, at main entry intersection).
- Time and temperature signs (up to 12 sq. ft., up to 6' height, not in historic overlay zone).
- Window signs (total not to exceed 20% of visible window area).
- Illuminated window signs (except HOZ, up to 3 sq. ft. in total area for interior static neon, LED, etc.).
- Vehicle and equipment signs (so long as vehicle/equipment is not primarily used for display, is operational and registered, not used as storage/shelter, and is parked in designated spaces when inactive).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any person, corporation, or other entity must obtain a sign permit prior to the erection, alteration, or relocation of any sign.
- All applicants for a multi-tenant center sign are required to submit a master sign program to the code administrator or designee prior to issuance of any sign permit for the overall premises. The master sign program should foster design compatibility among all tenant businesses within the center.
- The ordinance establishes a permit system to allow signs suitable for their location, requiring compliance with regulations and permit procedures.
- Alteration, improvement, or replacement of any one legal nonconforming sign on a premises requires all signs on the property to conform to current sign regulations.

## Full detail

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

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