Chaves County, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Chaves County outside the incorporated limits of Roswell, Dexter, Hagerman, and Lake Arthur. Encompasses rural areas, agricultural land, oil field service facilities, and ranch properties.

Department

New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Southeast Regional Office

Address

1905 W. Second Street, Roswell, NM 88201

Phone

(575) 624-6060

Email

CID.PERMITHELP@rld.nm.gov

Website

https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the property is in unincorporated Chaves County (not within any municipality).
2. Determine permit type: building (general construction), electrical, plumbing, or mechanical. Each discipline may require a separate permit.
3. For projects that may require county zoning approval (subdivision, commercial land use change, etc.), contact Chaves County Community Development at (575) 624-6612 before applying for the CID permit.
4. Prepare required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information, energy compliance documentation).
5. Submit the application online or in-person at the CID Roswell regional office at 1905 W. Second Street, Roswell, NM 88201.
6. Pay the plan review fee at the time of application submittal (20% of the building permit fee).
7. Await plan review by CID. CID will contact the applicant for any corrections or additional information via the online portal or by phone/email.
8. Resubmit any corrected plans and respond to all plan review comments before proceeding.
9. Pay remaining permit fee upon plan approval.
10. Receive issued permit and post it prominently on the job site before commencing construction.
11. Schedule and pass all required phased inspections with CID.
12. Receive final inspection approval from CID inspector. Certificate of Occupancy issued for new construction or additions where occupancy is changing.

Typical processing time: Residential new construction: approximately 5 to 15 business days for plan review depending on project complexity and office workload. Commercial: 15 to 30+ business days. Contact the CID Roswell office at (575) 624-6060 for current backlogs.

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Southeast Regional Office

General Requirements

A permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs to structural elements, demolitions, and changes of occupancy. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are required for any new or modified installations. Agricultural buildings on bona fide farms used solely for agricultural purposes may be exempt from permit requirements under New Mexico law.

Required Documents

• Completed NM CID permit application
• Site plan showing property boundaries, setbacks, proposed construction location, and access road/driveway
• Construction drawings (plans, elevations, sections, structural details)
• Energy compliance documentation per the 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC)
• Contractor license information: NM CID license number, license class, expiration date
• Homeowner permit application and affidavit if owner-builder
• Geotechnical/soils report for projects on unstable soils, sites with significant fill, or where foundation depth requirements are uncertain

Permit validity

Per 14.5.2 NMAC, permits expire if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance, or if work is abandoned or suspended for 180 consecutive days. One extension of up to 180 days may be granted upon written request before expiration.

Building code

2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC) based on 2021 IRC; 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMCBC) based on 2021 IBC; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC); 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC); 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC); 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC); HUD standards and NMMHIS for manufactured homes.

Owner-builder

New Mexico allows owner-builder permits under 14.5.2.18 NMAC with the following conditions: the owner must occupy the completed structure as their primary residence; the owner may not build more than one owner-builder structure per 12-month period; the owner may perform the work themselves or use W-2 employees; they may also subcontract to licensed NM CID contractors. Electrical work requires the homeowner to pass a CID homeowner electrical competency examination (75% passing score required). HVAC, natural gas, and LP gas installations are not permitted under owner-builder permits.

Contractor requirements

All contractors (other than owner-builders) must hold a valid New Mexico CID license. Key license classes: GB-2 (Residential Builder) for residential construction, GB-98 (General Contractor) for residential and commercial, specialty trade licenses for electrical (EE-98, EE-1, etc.), plumbing (PB-98, PB-1), HVAC (MM-98, MM-1). Businesses with less than $7,200 in annual gross revenue are exempt from CID licensing requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

approximately $50

Plan check fee

20% of the building permit fee, paid at time of submittal

Permit fee formula

First $15,000 of construction valuation: $3.00 per $1,000; valuation over $15,000: $1.00 per $1,000

Reinspection fee

approximately $50 to $100 per failed inspection

Payment note

Online payment via the CID online portal (credit/debit card). In-person payment at CID Roswell office by check, money order, or credit card. Construction valuation typically based on the Building Valuation Data (BVD) published by ICC or on the actual contract price, whichever is higher.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural buildings on bona fide farms used solely for agricultural purposes (crop storage, equipment shelters, animal housing) -- must be actively used for bona fide agricultural purposes; confirm with CID
• Temporary construction trailers, scaffolding, and similar temporary structures may not require permits; confirm with CID based on specific structure type and intended duration

Important: Agricultural exemption claims should be documented carefully; misclassification of commercial or residential structures as agricultural to avoid permits can create title, insurance, and liability issues. Confirm the specific structure and use with CID at (575) 624-6060.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (575) 624-6060 (phone)
• NM CID Online Permit System (online)

Scheduling deadline

Provide at least 24 to 48 hours advance notice

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, standard business hours

Time windows

Specific inspection time windows vary by inspector availability and workload. Given the rural nature of unincorporated Chaves County (distances can be significant), allow extra lead time for scheduling.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for residential new construction: (1) Foundation/footing inspection after excavation and rebar placement, before concrete pour; (2) Underground utilities inspection for plumbing and electrical rough-in below slab; (3) Slab inspection after under-slab work complete and formwork set; (4) Framing inspection after structural framing, roofing sheathing, fire blocking, and bracing are complete; (5) Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical after rough-in work is complete and before walls are closed; (6) Insulation inspection after insulation installed, before drywall; (7) Final inspection when all work is complete, systems are operational, and structure is ready for occupancy. Commercial inspection sequence may include additional discipline-specific inspections (structural, fire suppression, accessibility).

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC) based on 2021 IRC; 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMCBC) based on 2021 IBC; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC); 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC); 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC); 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC); HUD standards and NMMHIS for manufactured homes.
• Verify contractor license: NM CID License Verification and Contractor Licensing
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Chaves County Community Development
• Chaves County Zoning and Land Use
• License lookup guide: New Mexico Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: New Mexico Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• New Mexico hub: New Mexico Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Chaves County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

A permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs to structural elements, demolitions, and changes of occupancy. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are required for any new or modified installations. Agricultural buildings on bona fide farms used solely for agricultural purposes may be exempt from permit requirements under New Mexico law.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

The minimum permit fee is approximately $50. Fees are calculated as: First $15,000 of construction valuation: $3.00 per $1,000; valuation over $15,000: $1.00 per $1,000. Plan check fee: 20% of the building permit fee, paid at time of submittal.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

1. Confirm that the property is in unincorporated Chaves County (not within any municipality). 2. Determine permit type: building (general construction), electrical, plumbing, or mechanical. Each discipline may require a separate permit. 3. For projects that may require county zoning approval (subdivision, commercial land use change, etc.), contact Chaves County Community Development at (575) 624-6612 before applying for the CID permit. 4. Prepare required documents (site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information, energy compliance documentation). 5. Submit the application online or in-person at the CID Roswell regional office at 1905 W. Second Street, Roswell, NM 88201. 6. Pay the plan review fee at the time of application submittal (20% of the building permit fee). 7. Await plan review by CID. CID will contact the applicant for any corrections or additional information via the online portal or by phone/email. 8. Resubmit any corrected plans and respond to all plan review comments before proceeding. 9. Pay remaining permit fee upon plan approval. 10. Receive issued permit and post it prominently on the job site before commencing construction. 11. Schedule and pass all required phased inspections with CID. 12. Receive final inspection approval from CID inspector. Certificate of Occupancy issued for new construction or additions where occupancy is changing.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

Typical processing time is Residential new construction: approximately 5 to 15 business days for plan review depending on project complexity and office workload. Commercial: 15 to 30+ business days. Contact the CID Roswell office at (575) 624-6060 for current backlogs..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings on bona fide farms used solely for agricultural purposes (crop storage, equipment shelters, animal housing) -- must be actively used for bona fide agricultural purposes; confirm with CID; Temporary construction trailers, scaffolding, and similar temporary structures may not require permits; confirm with CID based on specific structure type and intended duration. Note: Agricultural exemption claims should be documented carefully; misclassification of commercial or residential structures as agricultural to avoid permits can create title, insurance, and liability issues. Confirm the specific structure and use with CID at (575) 624-6060.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Chaves County, NM?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (575) 624-6060, NM CID Online Permit System. Provide at least 24 to 48 hours advance notice.