Installing an Amateur Radio Antenna or Tower in Ruidoso and Lincoln County, NM

This page is offered as a service by SBARC to provide information to any ham who is considering installing an amateur radio antenna structure in Ruidoso or Lincoln County, New Mexico. Except where otherwise controlled by Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R) or by deed restriction, the installation of amateur antenna structures in Ruidoso and Lincoln County is governed by the following local regulations:

Relevant Local Amateur Antenna Ordinances
• County of Lincoln Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance
• Village of Ruidoso Municipal Code of Ordinances
• Lincoln County Historic District

Before you purchase property or acquire tower and antenna hardware, make certain you understand all restrictions applicable to your planned site. The following overview of local antenna regulations provides a starting point.

Licensed amateur radio facilities are specifically exempted from regulation by the Lincoln County Wireless Telecomunications Facilities ordinance (ref. Ordinance 2007-3, Section 4(C)5). This means that other than the exceptions noted above, there are no zoning restrictions on amateur antennas in the unincorporated areas of Lincoln County, NM. While unincorporated land accounts for the large majority of the 4,831 sq. miles that makes up Lincoln County, verify the status of your property with the County Planning Department to be sure.

As of January 27, 2009 the previously restrictive language in the Village of Ruidoso Municipal Code was modified (ref. Ordinance 2009-04) to be reasonably accommodating of amateur radio antennas. The Village ordinance applies to amateur antenna structures within the Village of Ruidoso limits. The text of the Ruidoso Amateur Antenna Ordinance is available from the following link:

We understand there are no specific zoning regulations applicable to amateur radio antenna structures in the City of Ruidoso Downs, NM. As always, check with local P&Z before you start excavating for your tower base!

Also, be aware that an "extraterritorial zone" exists around the Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. If you locate in the ETZ check the applicability of local Code to your specific property.

Links to Further Information

Please refer to the links below for additional information regarding applicable regulations:

SBARC encourages local amateurs to be active on-the-air and utilize their FCC authorized band allocations. This means installing antennas! Club members are available to assist local amateurs with their antenna planning and installations. Contact any club member or visit us at a monthly meeting or Saturday breakfast gathering.