New Mexico building permits

Where to get a building permit in New Mexico

Apply to the building department of the city, town or county where the property is (the steps).

Our New Mexico city guides, with each department's contacts, fees, inspections and project rules:

• Albuquerque

New Mexico state agencies

These offices set statewide codes or license the trades. They do not issue permits for most home projects.

Building code in New Mexico

For homes, the residential code is the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code⁷, in effect since July 14, 2023⁷ (statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹).

Every code family, edition and effective date is on New Mexico building codes.

State rules on which work needs a permit

NMSA 1978, § 60-13-45(B); 14.5.2.8 and 14.5.2.9 NMAC

• Permit generally required. …no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished, no electrical wiring, plumbing or mechanical work or LP gas work as defined and described in the applicable New Mexico construction codes for those trades, may be installed, repaired, altered or maintained in or on such building or structure, unless the applicable permit has first been obtained from the appropriate AHJ, unless otherwise provided by statutes or rule.¹⁷
• Re-roofs and roof coatings require a permit. All re-roofs and applications of roof coatings require a building permit and inspections.¹⁷
• Minor repairs and similar work exempt. …minor repairs, replacement of lamps, the connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable receptacles which are permanently installed, minor repairs or replacement of or to faucets, taps or jets or connection of portable equipment to suitable connections or inlets which have been permanently installed…¹
• Temporary test wiring exempt. …installation of temporary wiring for testing electrical equipment or apparatus or installation of temporary fixtures or devices for testing fixtures, equipment, apparatus or appliances…¹
• Signal and intelligence wiring exempt. …installation, alteration or repair of electrical equipment for the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence by wire…¹
• After-hours emergency work: apply next business day. …installation or work which is done after regular business hours or during a holiday when immediate action is imperative to safeguard life, health or property, provided the person making the installation or performing the work applies for a permit covering the installation or work not later than the next business day.¹
• 120 square feet. (1) Section 105.2 (1) - One-story detached accessory structures provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (18.58 m2).¹⁷
• 36 inches. (3) Section R105.2 (3) - Retaining walls that retain less than 36 inches (915mm) of unbalanced fill, and have a total height equal to or less than six feet from top of wall to bottom of footing.¹⁷
• Items 5 and 6 of the IRC list deleted. (5) Section R105.2 (5) - Delete this section of the IRC.¹⁷
• Water heater or furnace replacement requires a permit by a licensed contractor. Yes, a permit needs to be pulled by a New Mexico licensed contractor prior to the work being performed and inspected.¹⁸
• Farm and ranch work exempt except outside-powered wiring. …provided that the state codes and any local codes adopted pursuant to Subsection F of Section 60-13-44 NMSA 1978 shall not require any permits or inspections for such construction on a farm or ranch except for electrical wiring to be connected to a power source outside the premises…¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes¹

Homeowners doing their own work

NMSA 1978, § 60-13-3(D)(10)-(11); 14.5.2.18 NMAC

• Owner-occupant single-family dwelling exempt from contractor definition. …an individual who, by himself or with the aid of others who are paid wages and who receive no other form of compensation, builds or makes installations, alterations or repairs in or to a single-family dwelling owned and occupied or to be occupied by him; provided that the installation, building, alteration or repair is required to be done in conformity with all other provisions of the Construction Industries Licensing Act and with the orders, rules, regulations, standards and codes adopted pursuant to that act…¹
• A homeowner may apply for a homeowner’s building, plumbing or electrical permit to construct a residence or to remodel or construct an addition to an existing residence.¹⁷
• Primary residence only. Each permit authorizes work at the primary residence only and does not apply to rental property, other owned property or to any commercial work or property.¹⁷
• Homeowner must complete the major portion of the work. In order to qualify for the homeowner permit the major portion of the work to be performed, based on dollar amount, must be completed by the homeowner.¹⁷
• Subcontracted work must go to licensed contractors. All work subcontracted must be subcontracted to licensed contractors who must apply for the appropriate permits for their work and pass all required inspections.¹⁷
• No homeowner permit for HVAC, natural gas or LP gas. A homeowner’s permit shall not be issued for HVAC, natural gas or LP gas installations.¹⁷
• Roofing or window jobs must be self-performed. Single-scope projects, including but not limited to, roofing or window installations are not eligible for a homeowner’s permit if the work is to be subcontracted and is not performed by the homeowner, either personally or with the aid of valid employees who are issued a W-2 form.¹⁷
• One per 12 months. No more than one homeowner’s permit for a single-family dwelling shall be issued to the same property owner within any 12-month period.¹⁷
• Yes, after showing sufficient knowledge. A homeowner may apply for a homeowner’s permit for plumbing work by complying with Subsection D and by demonstrating sufficient knowledge as determined by the appropriate TBC or CBO.¹⁷
• Yes, after plan approval and passing the CID exam. Once the plans are approved, the permit may be issued to the homeowner only if the homeowner passes the electrical exam for homeowners, with a minimum passing score of seventy-five percent, administered by CID. Failed examinations may not be repeated sooner than 30 days after the date of the failed exam.¹⁷
• May not be listed while under construction. Homeowner’s permit projects may not be placed on the market for sale while under construction.¹⁷
• Signed, notarized responsibility sheet. A signed and notarized homeowner’s permit responsibility sheet acknowledging legal responsibility, verification of the major portion of the work based on dollar amount being completed by the homeowner and the liability of the homeowner for the construction that is completed by subcontractors.¹⁷
• CID says photovoltaic work on your own house needs a contractor license. Yes. Electrical plan review, permit, and inspection are required.¹⁸

Contractor licensing

NMSA 1978, §§ 60-13-12, 60-13-52; 14.6.3 NMAC

• License required. A. No person shall act as a contractor without a license issued by the division classified to cover the type of work to be undertaken.¹
• Contracting defined. …means any person who undertakes, offers to undertake by bid or other means or purports to have the capacity to undertake, by himself or through others, contracting.¹
• $10,000. Upon initial licensure and as a condition of renewal each applicant shall furnish to the division a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) underwritten by a corporate surety authorized to transact business in New Mexico.¹⁹
• GB-2 is the residential building classification. Classification GB-2 indicates the contractor is licensed in the General Construction field (G), Building Construction type of work (B), Residential Building (2).²⁰
• Criminal penalties described by CID. If the dollar value of the contracting work is $5,000 or less, the contractor may be sentenced to the county jail for 90 days or to the payment of a fine of $300 to $500, or both.²¹
• Reapplication wait after conviction. Violators will be eligible for licensure 1 year from date of conviction.²¹

Handyman limits

NMSA 1978, § 60-13-3(D)(14); 14.6.2 NMAC

• $7,200. …an individual who works on one undertaking or project at a time that, in the aggregate or singly, does not exceed seven thousand two hundred dollars ($7,200) compensation a year, the work being casual, minor or inconsequential, such as handyman repairs; provided that this exemption shall not apply to any undertaking or project pertaining to the installation, connection or repair of electrical wiring, plumbing or gas fitting as defined in Section 60-13-32 NMSA 1978 and provided…¹
• No advertising as a contractor. …the individual does not advertise or maintain a sign, card or other device which would indicate to the public that he is qualified to engage in the business of contracting…¹
• Annual declaration required. …the individual files annually with the division, on a form prescribed by the division, a declaration substantially to the effect that he is not a contractor within the meaning of the Construction Industries Licensing Act, that the work he performs is casual, minor or inconsequential and will not include more than one undertaking or project at one time and that the total amount of such contracts, in the aggregate or singly, will not exceed seven thousand two hundred dollars ($7,200) compensation a year…¹
• Rule repeats the limit. …does not exceed seven thousand two hundred dollars ($7,200) compensation a year…²²

Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections

• CID published processing time, not a legal deadline. Residential permits are being processed in 3 to 4 working days. Commercial permits are processed in 5 to 10 working days.¹⁸
• CID homeowner package: five working days. Upon receipt of the complete permit package CID will enter, review, and approve the permit request and issue a building permit within five (5) working days.¹⁸
• 7 business days. …to an installation if, the appropriate AHJ has failed to approve or disapprove the work or installation to which the connection will be made within seven working days after receiving notification that the work is ready to inspect.²³

Private plan review and inspections

NMSA 1978, § 60-13-41

• Inspectors work for a government employer. D. An inspector shall be employed by a county, municipality or other political subdivision in order to inspect work under permits issued in the trade bureau for which the inspector is certified; provided that the county, municipality or other political subdivision has a certified building official in its employ and has adopted the current minimum code standards as established by the commission.¹
• Otherwise the state inspects. E. Except as provided in Subsection F of this section, the state or its agent shall conduct all inspections if a county, municipality or other political subdivision does not have a certified building official in its employ.¹
• Appointed inspection agencies cover modular and premanufactured units. The division may appoint inspection agencies to inspect the construction, installation, alteration or repair of manufactured commercial units, modular homes and premanufactured homes…¹

Selling a home with unpermitted work

NMSA 1978, §§ 47-13-1 to 47-13-5; 16.61.19 NMAC

• Act requires a property tax estimate. …request from the county assessor the estimated amount of property tax levy with respect to the property and shall specify the listed price as the value of the property to be used in the estimate…²⁴
• Act removes duty for certain stigma facts. A seller, lessor or landlord of real property, including a participant in an exchange of real property and any agent involved in such a transaction, shall not be liable for failure to disclose and shall not have a duty to disclose to any person who acquires, by voluntary or involuntary transfer, a legal or equitable interest in the real property, including any leasehold interest or security interest for an obligation, the fact or suspicion that the real property is or has been…²⁴
• Brokers must disclose known adverse material facts. …disclosure of any adverse material facts actually known by the associate broker or qualifying broker about the property or the transaction…²⁵
• Homeowner-permit work is stated on the C/O or final. A C/O issued for new construction or final inspection approved for a remodel of a residence constructed pursuant to a homeowner’s permit shall expressly state that the residence was so constructed or remodeled pursuant to a homeowner permit.²³

What local governments may change

NMSA 1978, §§ 60-13-44(F), 60-13-51

• State codes are the local floor. F. All political subdivisions of the state are subject to the provisions of codes adopted and approved under the Construction Industries Licensing Act. Such codes constitute a minimum requirement for the codes of political subdivisions.¹
• No additional municipal license bond. No municipality shall require any person or corporation licensed under the provisions of the Construction Industries Licensing Act to file or obtain as a condition of doing business as a licensed contractor within the municipality any additional license bond as proof of responsibility if the person or corporation has met the responsibility requirements of the commission.¹
• CID rules name local zoning and floodplain as separate. …historical authorities; and local zoning, and floodplain.²

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes¹

Solar permitting

NMSA 1978, § 60-13-10.2; 14.5.2.8(F) NMAC

• Uniform solar permit procedure by rule. As provided in the Solar Collector Standards Act [71-6-4 to 71-6-10 NMSA 1978], the division and commission shall promulgate rules to establish a uniform procedure for the issuance of permits for the construction and installation of solar collectors and to identify the trade bureau having jurisdiction over the construction and installation of solar collectors.¹
• Electrical permit issued to a licensed electrical contractor. Submittal documents shall be prepared and submitted to the appropriate electrical AHJ for review and approval pursuant to Subsection K of 14.5.2.10 NMAC. The submittal documents shall consist of, at a minimum, the following documentation and upon approval an electrical permit shall be issued to a New Mexico electrical contractor properly licensed for the specific solar PV installation…¹⁷
• PV on your own house. Yes. Electrical plan review, permit, and inspection are required.¹⁸

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

• 2026 HB 17 would have required ADUs in home rule municipalities. House Bill 17 amends New Mexico's zoning laws by removing "morals" as a basis for zoning restrictions, eliminating the term "multigenerational," and requiring home rule municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily housing in designated areas.²⁶
• HB 17 is not on the governor 2026 signed list. 2026 Signed Legislation…²⁷
• Current zoning statute still says "morals". For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals or the general welfare, a zoning authority may regulate and restrict within its jurisdiction the…²⁸