Sign Permit in Las Cruces, New Mexico

No. Real estate signs not exceeding 16 sq ft, garage sale signs, and political signs (other than billboards) are exempt from the sign permit requirement under LDC Sec. 36-9(b), and the Schedule of Fees lists a $0.00 fee for 'Real Estate or Construction Signs.'

$50.00 for an attached sign, $80.00 for a pole sign, $110.00 for a monument sign, $270.00 for a site plan with multiple signs, and $280.00 for a billboard (new installation or alteration). Face/copy changes on an existing sign cabinet are free. Illuminated signs require an additional $75.00 electrical permit. Source: City of Las Cruces 2023 Schedule of Fees.

Plan review for a sign permit in Las Cruces typically runs 0–8 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) at 575-528-3222.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application; Site Plan. Depending on your project, Las Cruces may also ask for: Engineer-Stamped Structural Drawing; Electrical Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Las Cruces requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Footing / Foundation, Final. Schedule each through City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) (575-528-3222).

Apply through City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) at 700 N. Main St., Suite 1100, P.O. Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Phone: 575-528-3222, email: inspectionrequest@lascruces.gov. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (afternoon closed for admin/training); online access 24 hours. Official information: https://lascruces.gov/property/remodeling-and-construction/.

Las Cruces, New Mexico has adopted: New Mexico is a statewide-minimum-code state under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA 1978 § 60-13-44(E)): 'All political subdivisions of the state are subject to the provisions of codes adopted and approved under the Construction Industries Licensing Act. Such codes constitute a minimum requirement for the codes of political subdivisions.' A county or municipality may become its own code-enforcement authority (operate independently of the state Construction Industries Division field offices) if it employs a certified building official and has adopted at least the current state minimum code standards (NMSA 1978 § 60-13-41(D)-(F)). The City of Las Cruces operates its own Building and Development Services / Community Development Department with its own building official and inspection staff (rather than routing permits through the state CID field office model used in unincorporated areas), enforcing the state-adopted codes as the applicable minimum within city limits.; 2021 New Mexico Commercial & Residential Building Code (based on the 2021 IBC / 2021 IRC), per NM Construction Industries Division (CID) current adoption; 2021 International Building Code (IBC), as adopted/amended by CID; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), as adopted/amended by CID; 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (based on the International Energy Conservation Code, IECC) — addresses the New Mexico climate zone for energy conservation; applies to new and renovated residential and commercial buildings; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code, incorporating the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO) and 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code / 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), adopted by reference at 14.10.4 NMAC, effective March 28, 2023 (permits issued only under this rule after September 28, 2023) — this is the current, in-force edition; it supersedes any references to a 2023 NEC edition found on third-party aggregator sites; 2012 Solar Energy Code (IAPMO), as adopted by CID; 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities), as adopted by CID; 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, as adopted by CID; Las Cruces Land Development Code, Chapter 30 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and Chapter 38 (Zoning) — local building-permit administration, fee schedule, and zoning provisions. Local amendments apply — see the Las Cruces overview page for the full list.

Most do. LDC Sec. 36-9(a) requires a sign permit for all signs unless the specific sign type is listed as exempt in Sec. 36-9(b) — for example, real estate signs and construction/renovation signs not exceeding 16 sq ft, directional signs, political signs other than billboards, and government signs.