Revised 7/8/2011 Building Permit Guide for Residential Construction Page 1 of 2
BUILDING PERMIT GUIDE FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division
Albuquerque Office: 5200 Oakland Ave. NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 (505) 222-9800 FAX (505) 765-5670
Las Cruces Office: 505 S. Main, Ste 150 P.O. Box 939 Las Cruces, New Mexico 88004-0939 (575) 524-6320 FAX (575) 524-6319
Santa Fe Office: 2550 Cerrillos Rd P.O. Box 25101 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 (505) 476-4691 FAX (505)476-4619
WHEN BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED
(New Mexico Residential Code 106.1)
Except as specified in Section 105..2 IRC, no building or structure regulated
by this code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired,
moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a permit has
first been obtained from the building official.
WHEN BUILDING PERMITS ARE NOT REQUIRED
(New Mexico Residential Code 105.1)
A building permit shall not be required for the following:
1. One story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds,
playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed
200 square feet.
2. Fences not over 6 feet high.
3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured form the
bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a
surcharge
4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not
exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does
not exceed 2:1.
5. Sidewalks and drive way no more then 30 inches above adjacent grade
and not over any basements or story below.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar
finish work .
7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
8. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one or two-
family dwelling.
9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project
more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require
additional support.
10. Deck not exceeding 200 sq ft in area, that are not more than 30”
above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not
serve the exit door required by section R311.4.
Note: Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical
and mechanical permits will be required for the above-
exempted items.
SEPTIC TANK PERMIT
Obtain a PERMIT TO MODIFY OR INSTALL AN INDIVIDUAL LIQUID
WASTE SYSTEM form from your local New Mexico Environment
Department Office. Call 1-800-219-6157 for the nearest location.
PERMIT APPLICATION DATA
To obtain a building permit, the applicant shall fill out an APPLICATION for
STATE BUILDING PERMIT form. Applicant must list property owner's name
and address, contractor's company name, address and license number (if
applicable), architect's name, address and license number (if applicable),
specific use of building, county in which the project is located, project
address, nearest city/town/village, legal description, written directions to the
site, description of work, construction material, and total square footage.
The qualifying party for the licensed contractor requesting the permit or the
homeowner requesting a homeowner construction permit must sign the
application.
The homeowner must also read sign and notarize the HOMEOWNER’S
RESPONSIBILITIES FORM, FOR BUILDING A HOME OR FOR
ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS OR IMPROVEMENTS TO A HOME WITH A
HOMEOWNER’S PERMIT form.
A homeowner’s permit may not be used to
permit a project where a GB-2 or GB-98 contractor is acting as a general
contractor on the project. Any contractor acting as a general contractor on
a project where there is a homeowner’s permit must obtain a building
permit for his work, and shall be held responsible for any work performed at
this site. Further, licensed subcontractors will be held responsible for their
work, which also must be permitted separately.
A homeowner may not
perform electrical, plumbing or mechanical work unless the homeowner
applies for and passes the required CID exam for such work. Call (505) 476-
4869 for information on the homeowner electrical and plumbing permits
process.
ZONING APPROVAL
Your project may be located in an area requiring zoning approval from a city
or county zoning authority. You must obtain zoning approval and signature
on the APPLICATION for STATE BUILDING PERMIT before applying to this
office for the building permit. Contact the Construction Industries Division
for zoning requirements in your area.
VALUATION AND FEES
Valuation of your project is based CID Rules New Mexico
Administrative code 14.5.5.10 . The project does need the signed
contract between the project owner and contractor. If you are
applying for a homeowner construction permit, the Division will
calculate the valuation based on established valuation tables in
our office. The fee, which covers plan review, the permit notice
and required inspections, is based on the valuation amount. Our
office will calculate the valuation and fee for you. If you are
mailing the application and plans to your nearest CID office, call
any of the offices listed above for the fee prior to mailing.
PLAN SUBMISSION
Two complete sets of plans at 1/4" = 1'-0 minimum with dimensions, on at
least 8 ½ “x 11” paper is required and will provide the following information:
1. __ SITE PLAN. Show proposed new structures and any existing
buildings or structures on site, including existing adjacent
structures
within 10 feet of any adjacent property lines, and north arrow. Show
property lines with dimensions, all streets, easements and setbacks.
Show all water, sewer, electrical points of connection, proposed
service routes and existing utilities on the site. Show general drainage
and grading information.
2. __ FOUNDATION PLAN. Indicate size, location and depth below
grade of all footings, piers, and stem walls. If necessary, provide a
geotechnical report, including soil-bearing capacity for the proposed
structure at the site.
3. __ FLOOR PLAN. Show all floors including basement. Label all the
rooms and provide overall dimensions. Show all doors and windows.
Provide door and window schedules. Locate smoke detection
systems.
4. __ FLOOR & ROOF FRAMING PLANS. Show size, spacing and
spans of joists, girders, rafters, beams and headers. Specify grade and
species of all wood members. All wood trusses must be engineered
and pre-manufactured. The sealed truss engineered specifications
must be submitted with the drawings when applying for permit. The
manufacturer's instructions on placement and attachment of all wood
trusses must be at the job site for the building inspector's review.
5. __ DETAILS. Include typical interior and exterior wall sections showing
floor, wall and ceiling type, size, spacing and insulation required by the
Model Energy Code. Show footing and foundation depth and
dimensions; detail anchor bolt size and spacing, and spacing of steel
reinforcement in masonry, concrete footings and stem walls. Show
stair details showing dimensions of rise and run of steps, handrail
location, guardrail spacing, headroom, etc. Show fireplace details and
section showing masonry reinforcement; if using pre-fabricated unit,
the manufacturer's installation instructions must be at the job site for
the building inspector's review and uses.
6. __ TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE. List the heated, garage, carport,
covered porch and patio square footage on your plans. The total floor
area square footage must be listed on the APPLICATION for STATE
BUILDING PERMIT.
7. __ MODEL ENERGY CODE. A package explaining and detailing
Model Energy Code requirements, including sample worksheets, is
available, as well as one page compliance sheets for your area.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. __ADDITIONS. In addition to the above requirements, the floor plan
shall show the addition and all existing rooms, doors and windows that will
adjoin the addition. Provide distances on all sides of the addition to property
lines and existing structures. Ensure that an existing sleeping room's sole
means of egress to the exterior is not blocked by the addition.