# Sign Regulations in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (NM)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-mexico/truth-or-consequences
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NM/Truth_or_Consequences/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH16COPLZOCO_ARTXIIISIWAFERE)

## At a glance

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico regulates 44 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (Less than 1 acre)s in the Residential Zones zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a May be located within setback but not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangles setback (Sec. Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(1a)). Most commercial signs in Truth or Consequences require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones | 16 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones, Commercial or Industrial Zones | 19 | 40 ft from ground | 400 sq ft | — |
| Commercially Zoned Building | 1 | — | Cumulative square feet of signage for building may not be exceeded, off-premise sign counts against building total | — |
| Manufacturing District | 1 | Same as Commercial/Industrial: Local: 0 ft; Collector: 0 ft; Minor Arterial: 0 ft; Major Arterial: 0 ft; Freeway: 0 ft | Same as Commercial/Industrial (see frontage table) | — |
| T-1 District | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | Cumulative: 20 sq ft; Individual: 2 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Identification Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At the entrance/exit to a residential development | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(3), Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(7), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Visible from public right-of-way (i.e., entrance/exit) | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(4), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Model Complex Sign | — | One per complex: 32 sq ft; one per model: 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per complex (32 sq ft); 1 per model (4 sq ft) | On project site | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(4), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Real Estate Sign (Less than 1 acre) | 7 ft | 4 sq ft | — | May be located within setback but not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangles | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(1a) |
| Real Estate Sign (1.01–5.00 acres) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | May be located within setback but not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangles | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(1b) |
| Real Estate Sign (5.01–10.00 acres) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | May be located within setback but not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangles | 2 | — | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(1c) |
| Real Estate Sign (Greater than 10.00 acres) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | May be located within setback but not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangles | 3 | — | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(1d) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | As specified in Article 11-5-4 (not given in excerpt) | — | — | 1 | Attached and parallel with dwelling | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(B)(1-5) |

### Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones, Commercial or Industrial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Local Street) | 8 ft | 0–100 ft frontage: 100 sq ft; 101–300 ft: 150 sq ft; 301–600 ft: 200 sq ft; >600 ft: 200 sq ft | — | Front: 10 ft from property line; Side: 5 ft | 1 (2 if >600 ft frontage and 200 ft apart min) | Along street segment; must own direct, unobstructed on-site access. | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(C)(2), Sec. 11-13-2.11 (Table 1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Collector Street) | 12 ft | 0–100 ft frontage: 100 sq ft; 101–300 ft: 150 sq ft; 301–600 ft: 200 sq ft; >600 ft: 200 sq ft | — | Front: 12 ft from property line; Side: 5 ft | 1 (2 if >600 ft frontage and 200 ft apart min) | Along collector streets, where zoning allows | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(C)(2), Sec. 11-13-2.11 (Table 1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Minor Arterial) | 12 ft | 0–100 ft frontage: 100 sq ft; 101–300 ft: 150 sq ft; 301–600 ft: 200 sq ft; >600 ft: 200 sq ft | — | Front: 15 ft from property line; Side: 5 ft | 1 (2 if >600 ft frontage and 200 ft apart min) | Along minor arterial streets, where zoning allows | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(C)(2), Sec. 11-13-2.11 (Table 1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Arterial) | 18 ft | 0–100 ft frontage: 100 sq ft; 101–300 ft: 150 sq ft; 301–600 ft: 200 sq ft; >600 ft: 200 sq ft | — | Front: 15 ft from property line; Side: 5 ft | 1 (2 if >600 ft frontage and 200 ft apart min) | Along major arterial streets, where zoning allows | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(C)(2), Sec. 11-13-2.11 (Table 1) |
| Billboard (Interstate Highway) | 40 ft from ground | 400 sq ft | — | 30 ft from interstate-facing property line, 5 ft from all others | — | Along interstate highways, only in Commercial or Industrial zones and along designated streets | — | Sec. 11-13-2.5(C)(2a,2c-2f) |
| Billboard (Major Arterial) | 30 ft from ground; min clearance: 15 ft from ground to bottom of face | 300 sq ft | — | 5 ft from arterial-facing property line, 5 ft from all others | — | Along major arterials, only in Commercial or Industrial zones and along designated streets, within 1 mile of end of I-25 off-ramp | — | Sec. 11-13-2.5(C)(2b-2f) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (<1 acre) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangle | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(2a), (7), (8) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (1.01–5.00 acres) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way or clear-sight triangle | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11-13-2.6(B)(2b) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Decorations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(2), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Information Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Visible from public right-of-way | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(8), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Product Identification Sign | — | 1/3 sq ft | — | — | — | On structure | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(13), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Point-of-Sale Sign | — | Cumulative: 20 sq ft; Individual: 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Directly on product for sale | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(11), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |
| Pennant, Streamers, Banners (Non-advertising) | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 11-13-2.4(A)(10), (15), Sec. 11-13-2.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Truth or Consequences

- Any sign not expressly permitted within this Article is prohibited.
- Any sign constructed to resemble any official marker or sign normally erected by City, State or Federal Government agency or a sign using words, phrases, movement, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- A sign advertising activities that are illegal according to Federal or State laws, rules or regulations and County or City ordinances or resolutions.
- Any sign erected on, attached to or painted on retaining walls, fences, rocks or natural features. This prohibition shall not include development identification signs placed on walls used for landscaping purposes.
- No sign shall be permitted to violate the 'clear-sight triangle' as defined in the City Zoning Code.
- No sign shall obstruct any door, stairway, fire escape or opening intended to provide ingress and egress for any building or structure.
- Signs may not be located in a manner that obscures or interferes with the effectiveness of any official sign, signal or device. A sign shall not be placed at any location where it obscures or interferes with the clear view of any traveler on any street.
- No sign shall be constructed within any public right-of-way or sidewalk nor shall any portion of any sign extend onto or over a public right-of-way or sidewalk unless a specific exception is provided for elsewhere in this Article.
- No permit for a sign that extends beyond private property onto a public street, public sidewalk or public alley will constitute a permanent easement. Every such permit shall be revocable by the Sign Administrator.
- No banner shall be erected across any street or sidewalk in the City unless express (written) consent has been granted by the City Commission.
- Any sign extending over an area intended for pedestrian use shall not be less than seven feet four inches (7'4") above the finished grade below it.
- No sign shall be placed on any property without written consent of the owner(s) or the owner(s)' authorized agent.
- No part of any sign may protrude into the setback except as specifically allowed (with written agreement for property line placement or allowance for real estate signs within setback but not encroaching into the public right-of-way or clear-sight triangle).
- Every sign shall be identified by a label, nameplate or trademark designating the manufacturer and installer of the sign. (Signs not requiring permits are exempt from this requirement.)
- No sign (temporary or permanent) shall be placed on private property with the exception of signs lawfully permitted.
- Any unlawful sign found in a public right-of-way or on public property shall be summarily removed by the Zoning Administrator or their designee.
- Signs in residential zones shall not be illuminated with the exception of a house or building sign or nameplate.
- Signs which face residentially zoned parcels having a linear distance of seventy five feet (75') or less from the zone shall not be illuminated.
- Illumination from any sign shall not interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
- State of New Mexico Dark Sky Legislation requires all lighting be shielded in order to prevent the escape of light into the sky; up-lighting or other upward-directed lighting is not allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Truth or Consequences

- Government signs (traffic-control and similar signs) are exempt from all requirements of this Article.
- Building identification signs and similar signs do not require permits; however, they must meet the numerical requirements of this Article.
- Legal notices are exempt from the requirements of this Article; however, they must comply with provisions of the clear-sight triangle.
- Accessory use signs: Change of copy on legally established signs.
- Construction/renovation signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in sign area do not require a permit and are exempt from permit fee.
- Decorations for national holidays or community-wide festivals and fiestas do not require a permit.
- Directional signs do not require a permit.
- Flags/decorations do not require a permit.
- Garage sale signs do not require a permit.
- House or building signs or nameplates do not require a permit.
- Information signs do not require a permit.
- Model complex signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in sign area do not require a permit.
- National, State and corporate flags following accepted flag protocol do not require a permit.
- Pennants do not require a permit.
- Point-of-sale signs do not require a permit.
- Political signs (except billboards) do not require a permit.
- Private sale or event signs do not require a permit.
- Product identification signs do not require a permit.
- Promotional displays—Residential do not require a permit.
- Railroad signs do not require a permit.
- Real estate broker identification signs do not require a permit.
- Real estate directional signs do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in sign area do not require a permit.
- Streamers do not require a permit.
- Vehicle signs do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variance requests (for any provision addressed in this Article) must be reviewed and acted upon by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the manner established by the City Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Code; no administrative variances are permitted.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission may allow signs that exceed requirements if the proposed sign is considered to have a quality of architecture, design or construction that far exceeds normal sign standards (up to 20% increase in area/height).
- For freeway-oriented freestanding signs, the maximum height shall be determined by the City Commission upon recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission through the Special Use Permit process; the applicant must propose the need for the sign height.
- No mention is made of a general master sign plan or sign plan for developments, but special review and variances for specific sign types or circumstances must go through the Planning and Zoning Commission.

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

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