Socorro City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Signs, Walls and Fences
§ 250-13.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to allow signs, wall and fences to be erected in such a manner as to not obstruct free and clear vision and create traffic hazards. It is also intended to regulate size in specific areas so as to not create blighted areas throughout the City. Walls and fences are allowed to permit security, privacy, and aesthetic improvement. Walls and fences are regulated, however, so as to not create traffic hazards.
§ 250-13.2 General sign regulations.
A.
Illuminations. Sign illumination shall not flash, blink, vary in intensity, revolve or otherwise appear to be in motion. Sign illumination shall be indirect with the source of the light concealed from direct view.
B.
Location. No sign shall be erected or maintained on or over public property except as specifically authorized by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer for:[1]
C.
Safety.
(1)
No signs shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(2)
No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by this chapter shall be erected along any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision and create a traffic hazard.
(3)
Signs shall not be located with less than six feet horizontal nor 12 feet vertical clearance from overhead electric conductors.
(4)
No sign shall have movable parts or audible devices.
(5)
Clear-sight triangle. There shall be no freestanding sign more than three feet in height above street curb level within the clear-sight triangle, measured 30 feet in both directions on the property line from the corner, or in the clear-sight triangle for primary entry and exit of a commercial property.
§ 250-13.3 Specific sign regulations by type.
A.
Home occupation signs. A sign that identifies trade or services conducted within a residence shall be permitted, provided that it conforms to the following:[1]
B.
Building sale or rental signs (a sign for identification, sale, or rental of an apartment or dwelling unit). Temporary signs such as those used for the sale or rental of real estate are addressed under § 250-13.3F.
C.
Trade and services signs (a sign located on private property that advertises, identifies or directs towards a use conducted on the same premises).
(1)
The total aggregate of all faces or signs or combinations of signs allowed for the property on which the use is located shall not exceed 150 square feet of sign area except as stated herein.
(2)
Businesses fronting on more than one street will be allowed an additional sign area equal to 50% of the sign area on the main street frontage.
(3)
The height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 26 feet. A sign mounted or attached to a building may not extend more than two feet above the building height.
(4)
Not more than two signs are permitted on lots with street frontages of 60 feet or less. Not more than four signs are permitted on any lot regardless of size. A composite of small signs integrated into one framed unit shall constitute one sign.[2]
(5)
Trade and services oriented toward interstate highway traffic and which are located within 300 feet of the termination of the interstate highway access control line at any on- or off-ramp shall be permitted one freestanding business sign consisting of one name and/or emblem, which shall not be included in the computation of total allowable sign area specified, but shall be included as one of the maximum number of signs allowed per business, provided:
(6)
On-premises signs directing customer traffic to a specific services area shall be allowed in excess of the number and square footage limitations, provided the aggregate area does not exceed 20 square feet.
(7)
Axle-mounted or other similar portable signs are permissible for trade and service sign use. The aggregate of portable and other signs on a single private property shall not exceed the maximum number of signs and maximum square footage allowable elsewhere in this section. Portable signs shall not be located within six feet of the nearest street right-of-way or driveway entrance and shall not violate the clear-sight triangle requirements stated elsewhere in this article.
(8)
Trade and services signs greater than 128 square feet must be approved by the City Council prior to erection and shall be considered a special use in any zone.
D.
Advertising signs (a sign located on vacant private property).
(1)
The total area of each face or side of such signs shall not exceed 72 square feet. Signs may be placed back to back.
(2)
The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed 15 feet.
(3)
No sign shall be nearer than 75 feet to any adjacent conforming residential property or within 12 feet of the nearest street right-of-way.
E.
Billboards. Billboards as defined in Article XVI must be approved by the City Council prior to erection and shall be considered as a special use in any zone.
F.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs containing the message that the real estate on which the signs are located shall not exceed six square feet in area. They shall be removed within one week after sale, lease, or rental.
(2)
Construction site identification signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Such signs will be removed within seven days after final occupancy.
(3)
Signs erected in connection to elections or political campaigns shall not exceed 20 square feet in surface area. Such signs may not be erected more than 45 days prior to the election and shall be removed within seven days following the election or conclusion of the campaign.
G.
Sign removal. Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, lot or structure upon which such sign may be found.
§ 250-13.4 Sign permits. [1]
Permits are not required for signs, except billboards and trade and service signs greater than 128 square feet. The Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer shall have the right to inspect all signs for compliance with this chapter and shall recommend to the City Council for action any sign that does not meet the requirements of this article.
§ 250-13.5 Alteration of nonconforming signs.
No nonconforming sign that exceeds the height, size, or spacing limitations stated herein or is nonconforming in some other way shall be altered or modified unless said modifications bring it into compliance with this chapter.
§ 250-13.6 Fence and wall requirements.
A.
Height.
(1)
Residential. An eight-foot maximum height fence above ground surface level shall be permitted on any part of a yard, provided such fence is in accord with Subsection A(3) below.
(2)
Commercial or industrial. An eight-foot maximum height fence above ground surface level shall be permitted on any part of a yard, provided such fence is in accord with Subsection A(3) below.
(3)
There shall be no fence, wall or obstruction more than three feet above street curb level within the clear-sight triangle, measured 30 feet in both directions on the property line from a street corner, or in the clear-sight triangle for entry and exit of an off-street parking area which provides space for more than two vehicles.
(4)
A wall retaining four or more feet of soil must be designed and stamped (signed) by a professional engineer registered in the State of New Mexico.
B.
Exclusion from public right-of-way. No wall or fence shall be permitted in a public right-of-way.
C.
Walls and fences for swimming pools. All swimming pools or yards in which swimming pools are located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence at least four feet in height.
E.
Electrical field fence. Electrical field fence is permissible only in RA and RR Districts and shall be only utilized for livestock fence.