How building permits work in New Mexico
These rules apply across New Mexico. Each local guide above covers what is specific to that city or county: its building department and contacts, permit types, fees and inspections.
State codes, local building departments and the Construction Industries Division
New Mexico sets its codes once, at state level, and then divides the enforcement. The Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department adopts the statewide codes under the Construction Industries Licensing Act — the New Mexico Commercial Building Code at 14.7.2 NMAC and the New Mexico Residential Building Code at 14.7.3 NMAC, both adopting the 2021 International Codes as amended by the state and in force since 14 July 2023. The same chapter holds the 2021 existing building code and the residential and commercial energy codes. The trade codes have their own chapters: the 2024 New Mexico Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code, in force since 1 August 2026 (until 1 January 2027 permits may still be issued under the 2021 editions), and the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code. Those codes are the minimum everywhere in the state. What changes is who administers them: a city or county that employs a certified building official and has adopted the state codes issues its own permits and carries out its own inspections, and where a city or county has no certified building official, the division does both itself. A city or county with its own building department may also adopt local rules that are stricter than the state codes.
The state permit rule, 14.5.2 NMAC, draws the exemption line, and it applies in every jurisdiction. Minor repairs need no permit under state law, but every re-roof does, and so does replacing a water heater or furnace; construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, change of use or occupancy, and demolition all need one. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses of not more than three storeys fall under the residential code; other buildings under the commercial code; and an existing building outside the residential code that undergoes a change of occupancy, repair, alteration or addition falls under either the commercial code or the existing building code, as applicable. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work carries its own permits and its own state licences.
Local building departments
A local building department is run by a city or county that employs a full-time certified building official, approved by the division, and has adopted the state codes. There the code is still the state’s, but the process is local: the local department takes the application, reviews the plans and inspects the work. A few older local departments cover only some trades, and there the division issues the other trade permits. Many larger cities and some counties run their own building departments; much of the rest of the state, including a good deal of unincorporated county land, is permitted and inspected by the Construction Industries Division directly. Confirm which office covers the site before you apply. Zoning and platting are always handled by the city or county, not by the division, and a septic system on an unserved lot needs a permit from the state Environment Department.
Contractor and trade licensing
New Mexico licenses contractors at state level. The Construction Industries Division issues contractor licences under the Construction Industries Licensing Act in three fields — general construction (including building, fixed works and specialty classes), electrical, and mechanical and plumbing — each tied to a qualifying party. A licence is valid throughout the state, so the credential does not have to be re-earned in each jurisdiction — though a municipality may still require a local business registration. The division also certifies journeymen in the trades. Natural gas piping needs a gas-fitting licence and follows the Mechanical Code. Unlicensed contracting is a crime under state law; the division investigates it and can stop the job and file charges.
Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work is permitted separately and performed by contractors holding the matching state licence from the Construction Industries Division.