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PermitBase

Sign Permit in Hobbs, New Mexico

Required for most permanent signs erected on private property in Hobbs. Governed by City of Hobbs Municode Chapter 15.32 (Signs), which was amended in its entirety by City Ordinance in 2016. The sign permit fee is cross-referenced by Municode Section 15.32.150 to the fee schedule at Section 15.28.050, 'as established by the City.'

Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Application for a sign permit must be made in writing on forms furnished by the Building Official, stating the sign's street address location and the names/addresses of the premises owner, the permittee, and the sign contractor (Municode 15.32.020)
  • A plot plan must be furnished showing the sign and structure's location relative to property boundary lines, improvements, easements, curb lines, and rights-of-way (Municode 15.32.020)
  • Two sets of plans and/or specifications must be submitted with the application, indicating size, height, material used, method of attachment or support, and location; one copy is returned to the applicant when the permit is granted (Municode 15.32.050(A))
  • Plans for a freestanding sign exceeding 24 feet in height or with a sign face exceeding 128 square feet, or for any billboard, must be accompanied by a structural computation certified by a New Mexico licensed architect or engineer (Municode 15.32.050(B))
  • A sign permit becomes null and void unless construction of the sign and structure is completed within 180 days of issuance, or the permit is renewed for an additional 180 days upon payment of one-half of the original fee (Municode 15.32.020)
  • Each commercially developed site may have no more than one free-standing sign (one additional per 300 feet of additional street frontage beyond 300 feet); no free-standing sign may exceed 35 feet in height or 144 square feet, and wall signs may not exceed 144 square feet per leased-space facade (Municode 15.32.030(C))
  • Signs on private property fronting a minor residential roadway within a residential area may not exceed 15 feet in height or 48 square feet (Municode 15.32.030(C)(4))
  • Billboards are permitted only on private property fronting a Major Arterial per the City of Hobbs Major Thoroughfare Plan, limited to one per site (with distance/frontage exceptions), maximum 35 feet in height or 300 square feet, and must be constructed of metal (Municode 15.32.030(D))
  • Electronic/changeable-copy signs must display a static message for a minimum of 8 seconds (2 seconds for message boards) and may not use animated transitions (Municode 15.32.130)

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Sign Permit FeeMunicode Section 15.32.150 states the sign permit fee 'shall be in accordance with Section 15.28.050 as established by the City,' but the currently codified dollar figure at Section 15.28.050 could not be retrieved: Municode's hosted code text for Hobbs is JavaScript-rendered and returns HTTP 403 to automated fetches, no City of Hobbs PDF (Commercial/Residential Construction Guides, permit application forms, legal notices) reproduces this specific fee section, and no Wayback Machine snapshot of the rendered page exists. This is a genuine, exhausted-chase gap, not an inferred figure -- confirm the current fee with the Building Inspection Department at (575) 391-8158 before applying.
Not independently verified -- see note
Sign Connection (Electrical)City of Hobbs Code of Ordinances Section 15.28.090 -- a separate Electrical Permit fee applies if the sign requires an electrical hookup for illumination, in addition to the sign permit itself. Already documented as the 'Sign Connection' line item in this jurisdiction's electrical-permit entry.
$31.00
Permit Renewal (if not completed within 180 days)Municode 15.32.020 -- a sign permit is void if construction is not completed within 180 days of issuance unless renewed for one additional 180-day period at this rate.
One-half of the original sign permit fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Hobbs building department
~1–10 business days

How long did your Sign Permit permit actually take in Hobbs?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Sign Construction / Final Approval

    The Building Official determines, prior to final approval, that the sign as erected, constructed, or structurally altered is safe for the area in which it is placed (Municode 15.32.040)

See the full Hobbs inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Signs under 4 square feet, signs erected by governmental entities/public schools/utility companies, and certain temporary signs (political, construction, real estate signs, and banners displayed 60 days or less) are exempt from the sign permit requirement under Municode Section 15.32.070.
  • A sign permit expires if construction is not completed within 180 days of issuance; it can be renewed once for an additional 180 days by paying half the original fee (Municode 15.32.020).
  • If your sign is illuminated and needs an electrical hookup, budget for a separate Electrical Permit 'Sign Connection' fee ($31.00, Municode 15.28.090) in addition to the sign permit itself.
  • If your sign is damaged, blown down, or otherwise destroyed, it cannot be re-erected, reconstructed, or rebuilt without first obtaining a new permit (Municode 15.32.140).

Frequently asked questions

Hobbs requires a sign permit for: Application for a sign permit must be made in writing on forms furnished by the Building Official, stating the sign's street address location and the names/addresses of the premises owner, the permittee, and the sign contractor (Municode 15.32.020); A plot plan must be furnished showing the sign and structure's location relative to property boundary lines, improvements, easements, curb lines, and rights-of-way (Municode 15.32.020); Two sets of plans and/or specifications must be submitted with the application, indicating size, height, material used, method of attachment or support, and location; one copy is returned to the applicant when the permit is granted (Municode 15.32.050(A)); Plans for a freestanding sign exceeding 24 feet in height or with a sign face exceeding 128 square feet, or for any billboard, must be accompanied by a structural computation certified by a New Mexico licensed architect or engineer (Municode 15.32.050(B)); A sign permit becomes null and void unless construction of the sign and structure is completed within 180 days of issuance, or the permit is renewed for an additional 180 days upon payment of one-half of the original fee (Municode 15.32.020); Each commercially developed site may have no more than one free-standing sign (one additional per 300 feet of additional street frontage beyond 300 feet); no free-standing sign may exceed 35 feet in height or 144 square feet, and wall signs may not exceed 144 square feet per leased-space facade (Municode 15.32.030(C)); Signs on private property fronting a minor residential roadway within a residential area may not exceed 15 feet in height or 48 square feet (Municode 15.32.030(C)(4)); Billboards are permitted only on private property fronting a Major Arterial per the City of Hobbs Major Thoroughfare Plan, limited to one per site (with distance/frontage exceptions), maximum 35 feet in height or 300 square feet, and must be constructed of metal (Municode 15.32.030(D)); Electronic/changeable-copy signs must display a static message for a minimum of 8 seconds (2 seconds for message boards) and may not use animated transitions (Municode 15.32.130). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Hobbs Building Inspection Department (Planning & Engineering / Community Development) at (575) 391-8158 before starting work.

Municode Section 15.32.150 sets the sign permit fee 'in accordance with Section 15.28.050 as established by the City,' but the current codified dollar figure at Section 15.28.050 could not be independently verified -- Municode's hosted code text is JavaScript-rendered and blocks automated access, and no other City-published document reproduces this fee. Contact the Building Inspection Department at (575) 391-8158 to confirm the current fee before applying.

Plan review for a sign permit in Hobbs typically runs 1–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Hobbs Building Inspection Department (Planning & Engineering / Community Development) at (575) 391-8158.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application; Plot Plan; Sign Plans and Specifications (two sets). Depending on your project, Hobbs may also ask for: Structural Computation. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Hobbs requires 1 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Sign Construction / Final Approval. Schedule each through City of Hobbs Building Inspection Department (Planning & Engineering / Community Development) ((575) 391-8158).

Apply through City of Hobbs Building Inspection Department (Planning & Engineering / Community Development) at 200 E. Broadway, Hobbs, NM 88240. Phone: (575) 391-8158, email: hobbs.permits@hobbsnm.org. Office hours: City Hall: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon). Official information: https://www.hobbsnm.org/building_services.html.

Hobbs, New Mexico has adopted: New Mexico is a statewide-code state administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA), NMSA 1978 Sections 60-13-3 and 60-13-45. City of Hobbs Municode Section 15.04.010 formally adopts by reference NMAC Articles 14.7.2 and 14.7.3 (New Mexico Commercial Building Code and Residential Building Code) as the City's Building Codes; NMAC 14.10.4 (New Mexico Electrical Code / National Electrical Code) as the City's Electrical Code; and NMAC 14.8.2, 14.9.2, 14.9.6, and 14.8.3 (New Mexico Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Solar Energy Code, and Swimming Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Code) as the City's Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. Hobbs is NOT a separately state-certified 'Local Enforcement Agency' with its own amended code body (unlike Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, or Rio Rancho) — it enforces the CID/NMAC-adopted statewide code set locally through its own Building Inspection Department (Municode 15.04.020), acting as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for permit issuance and inspection within city limits and its 5-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), per NMAC 14.5.2.8.; 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMCBC, NMAC 14.7.2) — based on the 2021 IBC; 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC, NMAC 14.7.3) — based on the 2021 IRC; 2021 International Fire Code; 2021 International Existing Building Code; 2012 Solar Energy Code (IAPMO), NMAC 14.9.6; 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (Commercial and Residential); ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities); 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code (NMAC 14.8.2, 14.9.2); 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO); 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO); 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (NMAC 14.8.3); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code / 2020 National Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4); 2012 National Electrical Safety Code; Liquefied Petroleum Gas Standards, NMAC 19.15.40; 2020 NFPA 58; 2012 NFPA 57 (incorporated into NFPA 52 (2005)); 2021 NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code); 2011 NFPA 52 (Vehicle Gaseous Fuel Systems Code); 2021 NFPA 1192 (Standard on Recreational Vehicles). Local amendments apply — see the Hobbs overview page for the full list.

No. Signs under 4 square feet, signs erected by government entities/public schools/utility companies, and certain temporary signs (political, construction, real estate signs, and banners displayed 60 days or less) are exempt under Municode Section 15.32.070. All other permanent signs on private property require a sign permit.

Sources & verification

Key facts 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 Hobbs building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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