Sign Permit in Aztec, New Mexico

Aztec requires a sign permit for: A permit is required before installing or significantly modifying (≥50% of replacement cost) any sign, sign structure, awning, or other sign device within Aztec city limits (Sec. 20-2-1(1)); Sign must comply with Chapter 20's measurement standards, the zone-district sign table (Sec. 20-4-1), construction/clearance/maintenance standards, and illumination standards, including New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act compliance (NMSA 1978, Chapter 74, Article 12) for illuminated signs; A Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) is required for sign development/installation in all PUD zone districts, and is optionally available elsewhere for unique sites, approved via a Quasi-Judicial Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board with final City Commission approval; Mural permit applications (a category the Sign Code separately regulates) require a rendering of the proposed mural; murals may not depict illegal activity, nudity, or violence; Issuance of a City Sign Permit does not exempt the applicant from the New Mexico Highway Beautification Act (NMSA 1978, 67-12-1 et seq.); a sign near a state/US highway may also need a separate New Mexico Department of Transportation outdoor-advertising permit, and City approval does not guarantee NMDOT approval. If your project isn't listed, confirm with San Juan County Building Department (administers building permits, plan review, and inspections for the City of Aztec under an interlocal service agreement; the City of Aztec Community Development Department separately issues its own required Land Use Permit) at (505) 334-4313 (Building Division, permit/inspection scheduling); (505) 334-4550 (San Juan County Community Development main line); (505) 334-7605 (City of Aztec Community Development / Planning & Zoning, for the City's own Land Use Permit) before starting work.

In Aztec, the published Administrative Fee (per sign application) is: $10.00. Additional published fees: Temporary Sign — $25.00; Temporary Sign — 30-day extension (each additional 30-day extension) — $15.00; Permanent Wall Sign(s) — $50.00; Significant Modification (of an existing sign) — $50.00; Permanent Freestanding or Monument Sign(s) — $50.00; Illuminated Sign (additional, on top of the base permit fee) — $25.00; Electronic Message Center (additional, on top of the base permit fee) — $25.00; Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) — $75.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

10 business days from submission of a completed application. The City defines its business week as Monday through Thursday (excluding City-recognized holidays) for this purpose, so the real-world turnaround is roughly 2.5 calendar weeks, not 2.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application. Depending on your project, Aztec may also ask for: Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP); Mural Rendering. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Aztec requires 1 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Sign Compliance Inspection. Schedule each through San Juan County Building Department (administers building permits, plan review, and inspections for the City of Aztec under an interlocal service agreement; the City of Aztec Community Development Department separately issues its own required Land Use Permit) ((505) 334-4313 (Building Division, permit/inspection scheduling); (505) 334-4550 (San Juan County Community Development main line); (505) 334-7605 (City of Aztec Community Development / Planning & Zoning, for the City's own Land Use Permit)).

Apply through San Juan County Building Department (administers building permits, plan review, and inspections for the City of Aztec under an interlocal service agreement; the City of Aztec Community Development Department separately issues its own required Land Use Permit) at 209 South Oliver Drive, Aztec, NM 87410. Phone: (505) 334-4313 (Building Division, permit/inspection scheduling); (505) 334-4550 (San Juan County Community Development main line); (505) 334-7605 (City of Aztec Community Development / Planning & Zoning, for the City's own Land Use Permit). Office hours: San Juan County Community Development: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, closed Friday. City of Aztec Community Development: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Some permit types are available online via the County's SmartGov Community portal at https://permitting.sjcounty.net/ (redirects to co-sanjuan-nm.smartgovcommunity.com); others remain paper applications submitted to the Building Division at 209 South Oliver Drive.. Official information: https://www.sjcounty.net/government/community-development/building-department.

Aztec, New Mexico has adopted: 2021 New Mexico Commercial & Residential Building Code; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — 14.7.3 NMAC; 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — 14.7.2 NMAC; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — 14.7.7 NMAC; 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code — 14.7.6 NMAC (residential) / 14.7.9 NMAC (commercial); ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code — 14.8.2 NMAC (plumbing) / 14.9.2 NMAC (mechanical); 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC); 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC); 2021 International Fire Code (IFC); 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code — 14.10.4 NMAC; 2012 Uniform Solar Energy Code — 14.9.6 NMAC; 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code — 14.8.3 NMAC; 2017 NFPA 58 (LP-Gas Code); 2018 NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code); All codes are adopted and amended by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) and apply statewide, per the San Juan County Building Department's own published Construction Codes list, which explicitly states its scope covers the City of Aztec.. Local amendments apply — see the Aztec overview page for the full list.

Yes. Mural permit applications are reviewed and approved or denied by the Community Development Department based on a submitted rendering; murals may not depict illegal activity, nudity, or violence, and the same 15-business-day resubmission/appeal process applies to denials.