City Building Permits

Roswell, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Roswell, New Mexico. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

New Mexico Chaves County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for properties within the City of Roswell incorporated limits. Roswell is the county seat of Chaves County and the largest city in southeastern New Mexico.

Department
City of Roswell Planning and Zoning / Building Services (Development Services Department)
Address
425 N. Richardson Ave., Roswell, NM 88201
Phone
(575) 624-6700
Website
https://www.roswell-nm.gov/departments/planning-zoning

Online Permit Portal

Open City of Roswell Planning and Zoning

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the property is within Roswell city limits. The city GIS or the Planning and Zoning Department at (575) 624-6700 can confirm.
  2. Contact the Roswell Building Services / Planning and Zoning Department at (575) 624-6700 to identify the required permit type(s) and obtain current application forms.
  3. Prepare the required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information, energy compliance documentation).
  4. Submit the completed application and plans in person at City Hall, 425 N. Richardson Ave.
  5. Pay the plan review fee at time of submittal.
  6. Await plan review. Staff will contact the applicant with corrections or approval.
  7. Respond to any plan review comments and resubmit corrected plans if requested.
  8. Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval.
  9. Receive the issued permit. Post the permit on the job site before commencing work.
  10. Schedule required phased inspections by calling (575) 624-6700.
  11. Pass all required inspections. Do not cover or enclose any work before inspection.
  12. Receive Certificate of Occupancy for new construction or change of occupancy.

Typical processing time: Residential permits: typically 5 to 15 business days for plan review. Commercial permits: 10 to 30 business days or longer for larger projects. Contact the department for current review times; delays may occur during periods of high volume related to oil field activity or commercial construction cycles.

Source: City of Roswell Planning and Zoning / Building Services (Development Services Department)

General Requirements

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, re-roofs (structural), and changes of occupancy. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade permits are required for all new or modified installations. Fences, signs, pools, and accessory structures above the exempt threshold also require permits.

Required Documents

  • Completed building permit application form
  • Site plan: property lines, existing structures, setbacks, proposed new construction location, access, utilities
  • Construction drawings: floor plans, elevations, sections, structural details as required by project complexity and size
  • Energy compliance documentation per NMECC (2021)
  • Contractor license information: NM CID license number, type, expiration
  • Homeowner permit application and affidavit if owner-builder per 14.5.2.18 NMAC
  • For commercial projects: structural engineering calculations, engineer-stamped drawings, geotechnical report where required, fire sprinkler and alarm plans, grading/drainage plan, ADA/accessibility compliance documentation
Permit validity
Per 14.5.2 NMAC (state rule), permits expire if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or if work is abandoned or suspended for 180 days. Extensions may be granted; request in writing before expiration.
Building code
2021 NM Residential Building Code (14.5.2 NMAC); 2021 NM Commercial Building Code (14.5.3 NMAC); 2020 NEC (14.5.7 NMAC); 2021 UPC (14.5.4 NMAC); 2021 UMC (14.5.5 NMAC); 2021 NMECC (energy). Local amendments, if any, are codified in the Roswell Code of Ordinances.
Owner-builder
New Mexico state rules under 14.5.2.18 NMAC apply. Owner must occupy the completed structure as primary residence; one permit per 12-month period; homeowner electrical competency exam required for electrical work under owner-builder permit; HVAC and gas piping must be done by licensed contractors.
Contractor requirements
All contractors must hold a valid NM CID license (RLD). General residential: GB-2; general commercial: GB-98. Specialty trades require separate CID licenses (electrical, plumbing, mechanical). License verification: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/

Fees

Plan check fee
Approximately 20% of building permit fee, paid at time of application. Commercial discipline reviews (electrical, mechanical, fire, ADA) may each carry additional plan review fees.
Permit fee formula
Typically valuation-based per NM CID state baseline: first $15,000 of construction valuation $3.00 per $1,000; over $15,000 $1.00 per $1,000. Cities may adopt their own fee schedules by ordinance. Roswell may charge higher rates than the state baseline.
Payment note
In-person at City Hall by check, credit card, or money order. No online fee schedule published as of time of research. All fee data must be obtained directly from the Planning and Zoning Department.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Roswell Planning and Zoning / Building Services (Development Services Department) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (575) 624-6700 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Typically 24 to 48 hours
Inspection hours
Standard city business hours, Monday through Friday
Time windows
Specific inspection time windows not published; confirm with department

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for residential new construction: (1) Pre-pour footing/foundation after excavation and rebar placement, before concrete pour; (2) Underground utilities (below slab) for plumbing and electrical conduit; (3) Concrete slab (pre-pour) with forms and reinforcement in place; (4) Framing after structural framing, sheathing, fire blocking, bracing complete; (5) Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical in-wall rough-in complete, before walls closed; (6) Insulation after insulation installed, before drywall; (7) Final inspection when all work complete, systems operational, site clean; (8) Certificate of Occupancy issued after passing final. Commercial inspection sequence may include structural steel, concrete, fire suppression, alarm, and final occupancy inspections.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Roswell Planning and Zoning / Building Services (Development Services Department) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roswell Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Roswell, NM?
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, re-roofs (structural), and changes of occupancy. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade permits are required for all new or modified installations. Fences, signs, pools, and accessory structures above the exempt threshold also require permits.
How much does a building permit cost in Roswell, NM?
Fees are calculated as: Typically valuation-based per NM CID state baseline: first $15,000 of construction valuation $3.00 per $1,000; over $15,000 $1.00 per $1,000. Cities may adopt their own fee schedules by ordinance. Roswell may charge higher rates than the state baseline.. Plan check fee: Approximately 20% of building permit fee, paid at time of application. Commercial discipline reviews (electrical, mechanical, fire, ADA) may each carry additional plan review fees..
How do I apply for a building permit in Roswell, NM?
1. Determine whether the property is within Roswell city limits. The city GIS or the Planning and Zoning Department at (575) 624-6700 can confirm. 2. Contact the Roswell Building Services / Planning and Zoning Department at (575) 624-6700 to identify the required permit type(s) and obtain current application forms. 3. Prepare the required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information, energy compliance documentation). 4. Submit the completed application and plans in person at City Hall, 425 N. Richardson Ave. 5. Pay the plan review fee at time of submittal. 6. Await plan review. Staff will contact the applicant with corrections or approval. 7. Respond to any plan review comments and resubmit corrected plans if requested. 8. Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. 9. Receive the issued permit. Post the permit on the job site before commencing work. 10. Schedule required phased inspections by calling (575) 624-6700. 11. Pass all required inspections. Do not cover or enclose any work before inspection. 12. Receive Certificate of Occupancy for new construction or change of occupancy.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Roswell, NM?
Typical processing time is Residential permits: typically 5 to 15 business days for plan review. Commercial permits: 10 to 30 business days or longer for larger projects. Contact the department for current review times; delays may occur during periods of high volume related to oil field activity or commercial construction cycles..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Roswell, NM?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (575) 624-6700. Typically 24 to 48 hours.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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