Deming, New Mexico Building Permit Guide

Deming is a two-permit town. The first is the City’s own: a paper Application for Building Permit, filed with Planning and Zoning at 1275 E. Pine Street (575-546-8848), which carries the zoning approval and a City fee of $10 up to $5,000 of value plus $2 for every further $1,000. The second is the state permit. The City’s forms library posts the Multi-Purpose State Building Application of the Construction Industries Division (CID) as its building permit application, and the City’s sign form says CID (Las Cruces office, 575-524-6320) issues sign and electrical permits and approves the footing, foundation and electrical inspections.

What needs a permit in Deming?

The City requires its permit before a building or structure is constructed, altered, repaired, removed or demolished (City Code 12-10-1), and its application form lists the kinds of work it expects to see. The state CID permit is needed for the same construction.

Fences are singled out in the fee ordinance: the City’s general permit is required before any fence or wall is built, and the owner or contractor first hands in a sketch of the property showing where the fence goes and its dimensions.

Who issues permits in Deming?

Two offices, in this order. CID’s own FAQ names zoning approval not secured before applying as a reason state building permits are held up, so the City step comes first.

• 1. City of Deming, Planning and Zoning: takes the City’s Application for Building Permit, checks the use zone, gives zoning approval and collects the City permit fee. The City’s staff directory lists a City Planner and a City Engineer for this work.
• 2. State Construction Industries Division (CID): issues the state building permit. Under the heading Building Inspection Forms, the City’s forms library posts CID’s Multi-Purpose State Building Application as the “Building Permit Application”. The City’s sign form adds that a sign permit and any electrical permit must also be issued by CID, and that footing, foundation and electrical inspections must be completed and approved by CID.

The City’s sign form describes the City permit as an approval of layout, size, setbacks and compliance with City rules, and makes the City permit holder responsible for contacting CID and meeting the State’s requirements.

Outside the city limits, Luna County says it issues no building permits because it has no building inspector: County Planning (575-543-6620) reviews each application for zoning and floodplain compliance before it goes to CID in Las Cruces.

Deming permit forms

The City’s forms are PDFs on the Planning and Zoning page and in the Business Applications & Forms library. The one-page Application for Building Permit asks for the owner, the construction company with its state and city licence numbers, the project address, legal description, lot area and specific use, and a short description of the foundation, floors, walls and roof. Tick boxes mark an owner-builder, a residence, a manufactured home, a business, a historic district property or a site in the extraterritorial zone (“ETZ”).

• Multi-Purpose State Building Application: CID’s form, posted by the City as the Building Permit Application. It asks for the contractor and licence number, the type of construction, occupancy group, valuation and total square footage, and which CID bureaus must review the plans: general building, electrical, mechanical/plumbing or LP gas.
• Renewal of permit: the City form offers a renewal at half the fee originally paid.
• Application for City Sign Permit: contractor, licence numbers, setbacks from the property line and estimated cost, with drawings showing all dimensions.
• Request Affecting Building Within Historic District: goes to the Historical Landmark Commission and the City Council, with a sketch of property lines, improvements and streets.
• Variance, Rezoning, Special Use Permit and Subdivision forms for land-use changes heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Deming permit fees

The City’s fees are in City Code 11-1-3 and are paid with the City application. Its general permit, required for any construction or alteration project, is based on the estimated value of the work. The state permit fee is separate and is paid to CID.

For example, a $150,000 house is $145,000 above the threshold, so the City’s general permit is $10 plus 145 x $2, or $300. On residential projects the $10 minimum includes completing the “homeowners’ responsibilities” form.

Plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical work

The City posts no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit application of its own. The state application in its forms library routes plan review to CID’s electrical, mechanical/plumbing and LP gas bureaus, and the City’s sign form says an electrical permit must be issued by CID, which also approves the electrical inspection (Las Cruces office, 575-524-6320).

City Code 11-1-3.B also sets per-item mechanical permit fees that are charged with the City’s general permit for plumbing, gas and HVAC items.

Planning and Zoning posts a sheet of the 25 most common International Fire Code violations found at businesses.

Plans and paperwork

The application comes with a Building Checklist printed on the back, next to a blank plot plan box.

Commercial and public buildings must come with complete construction plans and specifications; other applicants complete the plot plan on the reverse of the form. The finished building has to match the approved plan, and any change must be approved and noted on the plan by the Building Official.

How to apply in Deming

Inspections in Deming

Work done under the state permits is inspected by CID, and the City’s sign form says footing, foundation and electrical inspections must be completed and approved by CID. CID takes inspection requests for its permits on its online inspection request page.

The City’s code sets fees for reinspections and skipped inspections on City permits. A reinspection costs $25 when the structure fails, is not ready, or the inspector has to return for any reason that is not the City’s doing. A required inspection missed through the permit holder’s actions is a skipped inspection: $150 the first time and $400 each time after, counted per permit.

The City application has a line for the date of the final inspection. Before any digging, the form reminds applicants to call 1-800-321-ALERT.

Local Deming points

Historic district: work affecting a building in the district needs a separate request, reviewed by the Historical Landmark Commission and the City Council, and the building permit application has a box to flag it.

Signs: under City Code 11-1-2, off-premises signs are not allowed in Deming without a variance from the City Council, on-premises ground signs are capped at 100 sq ft, and flashing or moving message boards need Council approval. The section was last amended in March 2026 by Ordinance 1340.

Code enforcement: the City lists code enforcement under the Deming Police Department (575-546-3011).

Septic systems: liquid waste permits are issued by the New Mexico Environment Department, whose Deming field office is at 405 E. Florida Street (575-546-1464).

New Mexico building code

New Mexico adopts its building codes statewide; a city or county with its own certified building official issues its own permits, and elsewhere the state Construction Industries Division does. New Mexico rules

Official Deming permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• City of Deming Planning and Zoning (forms and zoning map)
• City of Deming Application for Building Permit (PDF)
• City of Deming Business Applications & Forms (Building Inspection Forms)
• Multi-Purpose State Building Application, as posted by the City of Deming (PDF)
• City of Deming sign permit application (PDF)
• Request affecting a building within the historic district (PDF)
• Deming City Code, Title 11: building regulations and permit fees
• Deming City Code 12-10-1: permit required
• City of Deming departmental staff
• Luna County Planning Department (building permit review outside the city)
• New Mexico Environment Department liquid waste field offices
• New Mexico Construction Industries Division
• New Mexico CID inspection requests

Deming building permit FAQs

Does Deming issue its own building permit?

Yes. A City permit is required under City Code 12-10-1 and is applied for through Planning and Zoning. It does not replace the state permit: the City posts CID’s Multi-Purpose State Building Application next to its own form, and its sign form requires CID permits and CID inspections.

Which comes first, the City permit or the state permit?

The City permit. Its application carries the zoning approval; the state application then goes to the Construction Industries Division, whose Las Cruces office is on 575-524-6320.

How much is a building permit in Deming?

The City permit is $10 for work valued up to $5,000, plus $2 for each additional $1,000 or part of it. A $150,000 project comes to $300, before City mechanical permit items and the separate state permit fee.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Deming?

Yes. The City’s general permit is required before any fence or wall is built, with a sketch showing its location and dimensions.

Where do I apply for the City permit?

At the City offices, 1275 E. Pine Street, with the form from the Planning and Zoning page. Hours are Monday to Thursday until 4:45 p.m. and Friday until 11:45 a.m.

What happens if I start without a permit?

The City code doubles the usual permit and inspection fees, or the violation is referred for action.

Who issues electrical permits in Deming?

CID. The City’s sign form says the electrical permit must be issued by the state Construction Industries Division (Las Cruces office, 575-524-6320), and the City posts no electrical permit form of its own.

Simplify Deming permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in New Mexico. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Deming permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.