N.M. Code R. § 18.21.3.19 – Fees

A. Application fees: All application fees are a one-time charge and are payable on application approval. The application fee for each business sign placed on a motorist informational panel shall be in accordance with the current, approved logo fee schedule. A separate fee in accordance with the current, approved logo fee schedule, shall be applicable for each business sign placed on a supplemental ramp directional panel. A separate fee, in accordance with the current, approved logo fee schedule, shall be applicable for each business sign installed as trailblazer at a crossroads between the ramp terminus and the location of the business. If a business is not visible from the exit ramp terminal, the motorist services information, shown on the specific information panels shall be repeated on the supplemental panels located along the interchange ramp where distance allows or at the ramp terminal.
B. Annual rental fees: In addition to the application fee, an annual rental fee, in accordance with the current, approved logo fee schedule, for each business sign affixed to a traveler informational panel, not including supplemental ramp signs and/or trailblazers shall be paid annually. The advertiser shall be notified when the traveler information panel is erected and the logo installed and the rental fee is then due. Rental fees shall be reviewed periodically to determine their relationship to the cost of operation of this program. Rental fees not received within thirty (30) days of notification to the applicant by the department shall subject applicant's application to revocation and removal of his sign without application fees being refunded.
C. Fee schedule preparation: In the event the department chooses to use an independent contractor, the contractor will prepare a logo sign fee schedule that shall be included as part of his proposal and is, therefore, subject to approval by the department. At the end of four years the logo sign fee schedule should be reviewed by the department and the contractor, at which time any necessary changes can be made. If the department does not choose to use an independent contractor, the department will prepare the logo sign fee schedule.
D. Retention and refunding fees.
(1) If an application for a permit is, for any reason not granted or renewed, all fees tendered with the application shall be refunded. If the permit is revoked under Subsection J of 18.21.3.16 NMAC, or if the rental is not timely tendered under Subsection B of 18.21.3.19 NMAC, the department or when applicable the program manager shall not refund any application fees.
(2) If an application is approved and contract has been awarded for the erection of the sign, no part of the permit fee shall be refunded. If a permit has been renewed, no part of the permit fee shall be refunded. If the business sign is subsequently removed by a taking of eminent domain of the business being advertised, a proportional refund of the permit fee may be made; however, in case of any removal, the rental fee for any months or major portion (16 days or more) of a month remaining to the anniversary date of placement of the business sign may be refunded. There shall be no refund of rental fees for any business sign temporarily removed or covered pursuant to Subsection K of 18.21.3.16 NMAC.
E. Department administered logo sign program: If the department chooses to continue the administration of the logo sign program, the department shall fully administer the program, including marketing, issuing permits and collecting fees as well as providing, erecting informational panels, installing business signs and maintaining all logo informational sign panels. A separate logo signing program account shall be established to receive any and all fees from the program. All funds in this account shall be used to furnish, erect and maintain traveler informational panels as needed as well as to pay costs associated with the administration of the logo sign program.
[9/30/98; 18.21.3.19 NMAC - Rn & A, 18 NMAC 21.3.19, 1/14/2005]