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Sign Permit in Unincorporated Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Required for erection or alteration of signs in unincorporated Bernalillo County, per the county's Detailed Property Zone Permit Information matrix (which lists 'Signs' as requiring a permit in all zoning districts) and Bernalillo County Building Ordinance No. 2024-8, which sets sign-specific exemptions, submittal, fee, and inspection rules within the general Building Permit process administered by Planning & Development Services (not a separate department from the standard building permit).

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • A sign permit is required in all zoning districts (A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, M-H) per the county's Detailed Property Zone Permit Information matrix (rev. 3/2019)
  • A separate permit is required for a sign for each business entity, and a separate permit is required for each group of signs on a single supporting structure (Ordinance 2024-8, Sec. 107)
  • Exempt from a sign permit under Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 105.2(14): changing the advertising copy/message on a painted or printed sign only (excluding theater marquees and other signs designed for replaceable copy, and excluding electric signs); painting, repainting, or cleaning of an advertising structure or changing its copy/message, unless a structural change is made; signs less than 6 feet above grade; and non-electric signs with an area of 2 square feet or less
  • Illuminated/electric signs must comply with the governing electrical code, and electrical sign components must bear the label of an approved testing agency (Ordinance 2024-8, Sec. 110.5.6) — the electrical hookup itself requires a separate Electrical Permit, fee-classified as a 'Sign Connections' item ($20.00 each, Resolution 25-2009 Table 3-B, Item 9)
  • The CBO or authorized representative may order removal of any sign not maintained per Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 104.5

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Sign Permit Fee — 2 to 20 sq. ft.Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-E (Sign Permit Fees)
$15.00
Sign Permit Fee — over 20 to 100 sq. ft.Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-E
$30.00
Sign Permit Fee — over 100 sq. ft.Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-E
$45.00
Re-inspection FeeResolution 25-2009, Table 3-E, Other Inspections and Fees, Item 2
$47.00 each
Inspections Outside Normal Business HoursResolution 25-2009, Table 3-E, Other Inspections and Fees, Item 1
$47.00 per hour (2-hour minimum)
Additional Plan Review (changes/additions/revisions to approved plans)Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-E, Other Inspections and Fees, Item 4
$47.00 per hour (half-hour minimum)
Electrical Sign Connection (if illuminated — separate Electrical Permit)Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-B, Item 9 — a distinct electrical permit fee, not part of Table 3-E, required in addition to the sign permit fee when the sign is wired
$20.00 each

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Bernalillo County building department
~3–10 business days

How long did your Sign Permit permit actually take in Unincorporated Bernalillo County?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing

    Required for signs having footings, at the discretion of the CBO or authorized representative (Ordinance 2024-8, Sec. 110.5.6.1)

  2. 2

    Final

    Required for all signs for which a permit was issued; the permittee must notify Bernalillo County Building Department when the sign is complete. Signs may be re-inspected at the discretion of the CBO or authorized agent (Ordinance 2024-8, Sec. 110.5.6.2)

See the full Unincorporated Bernalillo County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • A separate permit is required per business entity and per group of signs on a single supporting structure — a multi-tenant monument sign is not covered by one blanket permit.
  • Small, unlit, or unchanged-copy signs are often exempt — check Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 105.2(14) before applying: signs under 6 ft above grade, non-electric signs 2 sq ft or less, and simple copy/message changes on painted or printed (non-electric, non-marquee) signs do not require a permit.
  • An illuminated sign needs both a Sign Permit (structure, Table 3-E) AND a separate Electrical Permit for the connection ($20.00 'Sign Connections' fee, Table 3-B, Item 9) — budget for both.
  • No county-specific published review timeline exists for sign permits distinct from other structural Building Permits; this entry reuses the general 3–10 business day range applied elsewhere in this corpus to other non-residential structural permit types, consistent with signs being processed through the same Building Ordinance Sections 105–110 review pipeline as other structures.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, in all zoning districts (A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, M-H) per the county's Detailed Property Zone Permit Information matrix, unless the sign qualifies for an exemption under Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 105.2(14) (e.g., non-electric signs 2 sq ft or less, signs under 6 ft above grade, or simple copy changes on a non-electric printed/painted sign).

Per Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-E: $15.00 for signs 2 to 20 sq ft, $30.00 for signs over 20 to 100 sq ft, and $45.00 for signs over 100 sq ft. Illuminated signs also require a separate $20.00 Electrical Permit 'Sign Connections' fee under Table 3-B, Item 9.

Plan review for a sign permit in Unincorporated Bernalillo County typically runs 3–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services — Building Services (Building Safety Division) at (505) 314-0351 (Building Services / Inspection Line); (505) 314-0350 (Planning & Development Services main line / Permitting & Development Center).

You'll need: Building Permit Application (Accela Citizen Access); Sign Plans / Structural Detail. Depending on your project, Unincorporated Bernalillo County may also ask for: Electrical Component Documentation (illuminated signs only). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Bernalillo County requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Footing, Final. Schedule each through Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services — Building Services (Building Safety Division) ((505) 314-0351 (Building Services / Inspection Line); (505) 314-0350 (Planning & Development Services main line / Permitting & Development Center)).

Apply through Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services — Building Services (Building Safety Division) at 415 Silver Ave SW, 2nd Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone: (505) 314-0351 (Building Services / Inspection Line); (505) 314-0350 (Planning & Development Services main line / Permitting & Development Center), email: permits@bernco.gov (Building Services); zoning@bernco.gov (Planning & Development Services main). Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Building Services page separately lists 8–5 p.m.; the FAQ and Residential Building Packet both confirm 8:00 AM–4:30 PM for permit submittal). Official information: https://www.bernco.gov/planning/building-services/.

Unincorporated Bernalillo County, New Mexico has adopted: Bernalillo County Building Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2024-8 (adopted August 13, 2024; repeals and replaces prior Ordinance 2009-5) — Bernalillo County Code Chapter 10, Article II — GOVERNANCE MODEL: Bernalillo County operates its OWN Local Enforcement Agency (the Planning & Development Services Building Program, headed by a County Certified Building Official) for the unincorporated area, rather than defaulting to the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) for plan review/inspection. However, Sec. 10-34 of the ordinance expressly adopts BY REFERENCE 'the current codes adopted by the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division,' amended by the county's own Exhibit A amendments — so the substantive code editions in force track whatever CID has currently adopted statewide, layered with Bernalillo County-specific amendments.; International Building Code (IBC), including Appendix Chapters B, C, E, H, I, and J — adopted by reference to the current CID-adopted edition, per Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(1); International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendix Chapters G, H, and K — adopted by reference to the current CID-adopted edition, per Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(2); International Existing Building Code (IEBC), as published by ICC — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(3); International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(4). NM CID's Construction Industries Commission voted to adopt the 2021 IECC/energy code family (per CID's own 2024 press release 'Construction Industries Commission votes to adopt new energy-efficient building codes' and CID's 2021 Residential Energy Code Fact Sheet), which is the edition presently in force through this reference chain.; New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code — CID-adopted, effective July 1, 2011 — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(5); New Mexico Non-Load Bearing Straw Construction Building Standard — CID-adopted, effective July 1, 2011 — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(6); International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), as published by ICC — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(7); Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), as published by IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(8). NOTE: Bernalillo County uses the IAPMO Uniform Mechanical/Plumbing/Solar/Pool code family rather than the ICC's IMC/IPC/IFGC family used by many other states.; Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), as published by IAPMO — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(9). The county's own homeowner plumbing-test materials (Homeowners Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical Work page, bernco.gov) cite the 2015 IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code as the current test/reference edition in practice.; National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by NFPA — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(10). NOTE: The county's own Homeowners Electrical Exam information sheet (Electrical-HomeOwners-exam-info, rev. 8/2025) specifies the only code books permitted for the county's homeowner electrical exam are the '2020 N.E.C., 2020 N.M.E.C. [New Mexico Electrical Code], and the most current Bernalillo County Ordinance' — indicating 2020 NEC is the edition in practical current use for that exam, even though the ordinance text itself does not hard-code an edition year.; New Mexico Electrical Safety Code, as adopted by CID, effective January 1, 2008 — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(11); Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, as published by IAPMO — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(12); Uniform Solar Energy Code, as published by IAPMO — Ordinance 2024-8 Sec. 10-34(13); Bernalillo County amendments to the above International/Uniform/New Mexico codes are compiled as Exhibit A to Ordinance 2024-8 and together with the base codes are termed the 'Uniform Construction Codes of Bernalillo County,' controlling within the unincorporated area.. Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Bernalillo County overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Unincorporated Bernalillo County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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