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Sign Permit (Permanent & Temporary) in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Required for permanent and temporary signage in Rio Rancho under R.O. 2003 Chapter 156 (Sign Code), reorganized effective January 1, 2024. Two separate application tracks exist: the Permanent Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-013) for permanent building-mounted/freestanding signs, and the Temporary Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-04) covering both Attention-Getting Devices (banners, flex poles, sails, pennants, inflatables on private property) and Right-of-Way Display permits.

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permanent signs: submit the Permanent Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-013) via Click2Gov, listing sign type, sign area, sign height, vertical clearance, sign depth, length of building frontage, and whether illuminated, for up to three signs per submittal
  • Temporary Attention-Getting Devices (banners, flex poles, sails, pennants, inflatables placed on private property) require a permit as of the 2024 Sign Code Update, limited to 1 building-mounted sign and 1 freestanding sign per 25 feet of lot frontage, with a display period tied to an event or a maximum of 15 days
  • Temporary signs placed in the public right-of-way require choosing either a Weekend Right-of-Way Display Period or a 60-Day Right-of-Way Display Period, limited to 8 sq ft max area and 3 ft max height per sign, and are prohibited in medians, sight triangles, or attached to posts/traffic signals
  • Multi-tenant/master-planned developments use a Unified Sign Plan procedure (effective 2024, combining the former separate Common and Master Sign Plans), which must go before the Planning and Zoning Board
  • Window signage may cover up to 50% of each contiguous window surface area; transparent or solid-color window film without messaging or graphics does not count toward that area
  • Full sign regulations are organized by numbered section under R.O. 2003 Chapter 156; an educational (no-citation) period ran through July 1, 2024 following the reorganization

Required documents

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Fee schedule

New ApplicationCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees (rrnm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/68282), SIGN PERMIT section
$46 or $2.50 per sf of sign face, whichever is greater
Change of FaceCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$0
Master/Unified Sign PlanCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section — listed as "Master Sign Plan" on the current published fee schedule; the 2024 Sign Code Update flyer refers to this procedure as the "Unified Sign Plan"
$266
Special Exception to the Sign CodeCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$266
Off-Premise Advertising (Digital) Sign Use PermitCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$300
Off-Premise Advertising (Digital) Sign Annual Review FeeCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$200
Off-Premise Advertising (Directional) Sign Annual Review FeeCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$100
Subdivision Directional SignsCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$30 + $5 per sign
Temporary Signs in the Right-of-WayCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$30 + $1 per sign
Illegally installed sign, not conforming to codeCity of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees, SIGN PERMIT section
$92 or $5 per sf of largest sign face, whichever is greater

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Sign Permit (Permanent & Temporary) permit actually take in Rio Rancho?

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

Inspection process

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

    Tips

    • Use the correct form for the sign type: Permanent Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-013) for permanent signs, Temporary Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-04) for banners/inflatables/flex poles or right-of-way displays — they are not interchangeable.
    • A Change of Face (replacing the sign copy/panel on an existing conforming sign cabinet) costs $0, while a New Application is the greater of $46 flat or $2.50 per square foot of sign face.
    • The former separate Common and Master Sign Plan processes were combined in 2024 into a single Unified Sign Plan procedure that goes before the Planning and Zoning Board.
    • This file's research found no published inspection step or fee-schedule line item for a routine field sign inspection — the Schedule of Fees only lists an "Illegally installed but not conforming to code" fee ($92 or $5/sf of largest face, whichever is greater), suggesting compliance is verified on a complaint/enforcement basis rather than a scheduled inspection.
    • No sign-permit review timeline is published; call Development Services at (505) 891-5005 to ask for a project-specific estimate before planning installation.

    Frequently asked questions

    Most sign types require a permit. Permanent signs use the Permanent Sign Permit Application; temporary signs (banners, inflatables, flex poles, or right-of-way displays) use the Temporary Sign Permit Application. Simply replacing the copy/face on an existing, conforming sign (a "Change of Face") does not carry a fee. Source: City of Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Division Forms & Fees page and Schedule of Fees.

    A new sign application fee is the greater of $46 flat or $2.50 per square foot of the sign face, per the City's Schedule of Fees. Off-premise (digital or directional) advertising signs and Unified Sign Plans carry separate, higher fees ($100-$300). Source: City of Rio Rancho Schedule of Fees.

    Rio Rancho does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Rio Rancho Development Services — Building Inspection Division at (505) 891-5005 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Permanent Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-013, Rev 2023-12); Temporary Sign Permit Application (DS-PZ-04, Rev 2023-12). Depending on your project, Rio Rancho may also ask for: Unified Sign Plan Submittal. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Rio Rancho Development Services — Building Inspection Division at 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, Suite 130, Rio Rancho, NM 87144. Phone: (505) 891-5005, email: Permits@rrnm.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Official information: https://www.rrnm.gov/77/Building-Division.

    Rio Rancho, New Mexico has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — with New Mexico state amendments; 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Code; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC); 2012 Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code; Current New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) Title 14 construction code chapters, as adopted and amended by the Construction Industries Division; City of Rio Rancho Code of Ordinances, Title XV Land Use: Chapter 151 (Building Regulations), Chapter 152 (Flood and Erosion Control), Chapter 153 (Storm Drainage Requirements), Chapter 154 (Planning and Zoning). Local amendments apply — see the Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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