Skip to main content
PermitBase

Sign Permit in Bernalillo, New Mexico

Required for most sign types within Town limits, including temporary signs, per the Town of Bernalillo Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, and 21. Issued directly by the Town's Planning and Zoning Department (not CID-routed); electrified signs additionally require a separate Electrical Permit from the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID).

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Required for all sign types, including Temporary Signs, located in an R-2 Zone (containing apartments), C-R, C-1, or M-1 Zone, per the Town of Bernalillo Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, and 21
  • Signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way, including roads, sidewalks, parks, and ditches, per the Sign Permit Application
  • A drawing of the proposed sign(s) is required, showing sign type, dimensions, colors, height, materials, illumination details, and location on the property and/or building face, and identifying property lines and adjacent roadways
  • Signs that utilize electricity require a separate Electrical Permit obtained by a licensed electrician from the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Contractor
  • A Building and Safety Inspection is conditionally required if the sign uses steel or reinforced footings other than concrete, per the application's Official Use Only section
  • A property in the Historic Overlay Zone (Mainstreet Overlay District) must refer to that district's separate Design Standards, per the application's Historic Overlay Zone checkbox
  • Off-Premise Signs additionally require a Conditional Use Permit and carry their own separate application and annual renewal fee

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 2 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

Zoning ReviewTown of Bernalillo Fee Schedule, updated 7/8/24 (SIGNS section), and the Sign Permit Application's Official Use Only fee table.
$25.00
Temporary Sign PermitTown of Bernalillo Fee Schedule, updated 7/8/24 (SIGNS section).
$25.00
Permanent Sign PermitTown of Bernalillo Fee Schedule, updated 7/8/24 (SIGNS section); matches the Sign Permit Application's fee table.
4.35% of Valuation of Sign
Off-Premise Sign ApplicationTown of Bernalillo Fee Schedule, updated 7/8/24 (SIGNS section) — a Conditional Use Permit is required for an off-premise sign.
$100.00 + Notification Fee
Off-Premise Sign Annual FeeTown of Bernalillo Fee Schedule, updated 7/8/24 (SIGNS section).
$100.00

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

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

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Building and Safety Inspection

    Conditionally required if the sign uses steel or reinforced footings other than concrete, per the Sign Permit Application's Official Use Only section.

  2. 2

    Electrical Inspection

    Required separately through CID if the sign utilizes electricity; the Sign Permit Application refers the applicant to CID for a separate Electrical Permit.

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

Tips

  • Off-premise signs are treated differently from on-premise signs: they require a separate $100 application plus a Conditional Use Permit and carry their own $100 annual renewal fee, on top of the standard $25 zoning review.
  • A sign in the Mainstreet Overlay District (Historic Overlay Zone) must additionally comply with that district's separate Design Standards — the Sign Permit application itself asks whether the property is in the Historic Overlay Zone.
  • An illuminated or electrified sign effectively needs two permits: the Town's Sign Permit plus a separate CID Electrical Permit obtained by a licensed electrician. Contractor

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for most sign types (including temporary signs) in an R-2 zone containing apartments, or a C-R, C-1, or M-1 zone. Fees range from $25 (temporary) to 4.35% of valuation (permanent), plus a $25 zoning review fee. Source: Town of Bernalillo Sign Permit Application and Fee Schedule.

In Bernalillo, the published Zoning Review is: $25.00. Additional published fees: Temporary Sign Permit — $25.00; Permanent Sign Permit — 4.35% of Valuation of Sign; Off-Premise Sign Application — $100.00 + Notification Fee; Off-Premise Sign Annual Fee — $100.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Bernalillo does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Town of Bernalillo Planning and Zoning Department at (505) 771-7118 (Planning and Zoning); (505) 867-3311 (Town Hall general information); fax (505) 867-0481 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application; Sign Drawing. Depending on your project, Bernalillo may also ask for: CID Electrical Permit. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Bernalillo requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Building and Safety Inspection, Electrical Inspection. Schedule each through Town of Bernalillo Planning and Zoning Department ((505) 771-7118 (Planning and Zoning); (505) 867-3311 (Town Hall general information); fax (505) 867-0481).

Apply through Town of Bernalillo Planning and Zoning Department at 829 S. Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo, NM 87004 (mail: P.O. Box 638, Bernalillo, NM 87004). Phone: (505) 771-7118 (Planning and Zoning); (505) 867-3311 (Town Hall general information); fax (505) 867-0481, email: pzdept@tobnm.gov. Office hours: Not separately published by the Planning and Zoning Department as of 2026-07-18; the department directs applicants to submit electronically to pzdept@tobnm.gov. General Town Hall information line: (505) 867-3311.. Official information: https://www.tobnm.gov/departments/planning_zoning/index.php.

Bernalillo, New Mexico has adopted: The Town of Bernalillo does not self-administer building permits — the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) issues building permits, trade permits, and all inspections on behalf of the Town, per the Town's own Planning and Zoning page: 'CID issues building permits, trades permits and all inspections on behalf of the Town.' The codes below are the codes CID currently enforces, as published in the 'Building Permit Guide for Commercial Construction' (rev. 5/23/2023) and 'Building Permit Guide for Residential Construction' (rev. 5/23/2023) — both bundled inside the Town's own linked CID application PDFs.; 2021 New Mexico Commercial & Residential Building Code (based on the 2021 IBC / 2021 IRC); 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code; 2012 New Mexico Uniform Solar Energy Code (IAPMO); 2018 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code; ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility — the CID Commercial guide cites the 2009 edition; the CID Residential guide cites the 2017 edition. Both editions appear verbatim in CID's own bundled documents as of 2026-07-18 — flagged here as published rather than reconciled.; 2021 New Mexico Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO) / 2021 New Mexico Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO); 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (IAPMO); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (based on the 2020 National Electrical Code); 2012 National Electrical Safety Code; 2021 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code; 2021 New Mexico Historic Earthen Building Code; Liquefied Petroleum Gas Standards: 2020 NFPA 58, 2021 NFPA 54, 2021 NFPA 52, 2021 NFPA 1192 (Residential guide additionally cites 2012 NFPA 57); Town of Bernalillo Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance No. 247), enforced locally by the Town's Floodplain Manager independent of CID. Local amendments apply — see the Bernalillo overview page for the full list.

Yes. Per the Town's Sign Permit Application, signs that utilize electricity require a separate Electrical Permit obtained by a licensed electrician from the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), in addition to the Town's Sign Permit.

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

Other permits in Bernalillo

Residential Building Permit (CID)Commercial Building Permit (CID)Re-Roof Permit (CID)Demolition Permit (CID)Placement Permit (Manufactured/Mobile Home & Small Structures)Fence & Wall PermitFloodplain Development PermitSolar PV PermitEV Charger / EVSE Installation PermitFire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Permit (State Fire Marshal's Office)Change of Occupancy / Certificate of Occupancy

Sign Permit in other cities

Alamogordo, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New MexicoArtesia, New MexicoAztec, New MexicoBloomfield, New MexicoCarlsbad, New MexicoClovis, New MexicoDeming, New Mexico

Compare sign permit fees across New Mexico →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Bernalillo project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Bernalillo — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →