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City building permits

Pueblo of Acoma

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Pueblo of Acoma Community Development Office (CDO) / Tribal Council

Street address
Alvin G. Lewis Sr. Community Development Complex, P.O. Box 309, Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034
Coverage
Pueblo of Acoma (Pueblo of Acoma / Sky City) is a federally recognized sovereign tribal nation. Acoma Pueblo holds trust lands within Cibola County (and adjacent Catron and Socorro Counties). ANY construction on Acoma Pueblo trust lands requires exclusively tribal authorization from the Pueblo of Acoma. State CID permits, Cibola County permits, and City of Grants permits DO NOT apply. Historic Acoma (Old Acoma / Sky City) is a UNESCO-recognized heritage site, and the Pueblo maintains strict controls over any development or alteration within and around the historic village. Acoma Pueblo communities include: Sky City (Old Acoma), Acomita, Anzac, McCartys, and surrounding trust land parcels.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Pueblo of Acoma

NM state building codes and CID licensing do NOT apply on Acoma Pueblo trust lands. Federal laws governing environmental protection, historic preservation, and Indian lands remain applicable (NHPA, Clean Water Act, ESA, NEPA for federal nexus projects).

Note: Tribal sovereignty: All state and county building codes and permits are inapplicable on Acoma Pueblo trust lands. This is a complete jurisdictional exclusion.

Building code
Federal laws governing environmental protection, historic preservation, and Indian lands apply (NHPA, Clean Water Act, ESA, NEPA for federal nexus projects). Sky City (Old Acoma): The historic village of Acoma atop the mesa is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Any construction, renovation, or alteration in or adjacent to Sky City is subject to the Pueblo's own historic preservation and cultural resource policies, which go beyond typical building code review. The Pueblo maintains strict controls to preserve the integrity of the historic village.
Owner-builder
Tribal sovereignty applies; state owner-builder rules do not apply.
Contractor requirements
Non-tribal contractors working on Acoma trust lands must comply with any tribal vendor or contractor requirements established by the Pueblo.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Contact the Community Development Office (CDO) at (505) 552-5190 as the first step for any construction project on Acoma trust lands.
  2. 02
    Environmental review by the Acoma Department of Natural Resources may be required for projects affecting natural resources, water, or culturally sensitive areas.
  3. 03
    Federal consultation requirements (Section 106 NHPA, BIA trust land authorization, NEPA for federally funded projects) may apply depending on project type and funding source.
  4. 04
    Non-tribal contractors working on Acoma trust lands must comply with any tribal vendor or contractor requirements established by the Pueblo.
  5. 05
    Note: Construction on Acoma Pueblo tribal lands follows an internal tribal approval process administered by the Community Development Office (CDO) and Tribal Council. Detailed internal construction permit procedures are not publicly published by the Pueblo of Acoma.

Source: Pueblo of Acoma Community Development Office (CDO) / Tribal Council ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (505) 552-5190 (phone)

Typical sequence: Construction inspections on Acoma trust lands are administered by the Pueblo of Acoma's own departments (CDO / Public Works), not by the NM CID or Cibola County.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Pueblo of Acoma permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Pueblo of Acoma, NM?
NM state building codes and CID licensing do NOT apply on Acoma Pueblo trust lands. Federal laws governing environmental protection, historic preservation, and Indian lands remain applicable (NHPA, Clean Water Act, ESA, NEPA for federal nexus projects).
02 How do I apply for a building permit in Pueblo of Acoma, NM?
To apply for a building permit in Pueblo of Acoma, NM, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Community Development Office (CDO) at (505) 552-5190 as the first step for any construction project on Acoma trust lands. 2. Environmental review by the Acoma Department of Natural Resources may be required for projects affecting natural resources, water, or culturally sensitive areas. 3. Federal consultation requirements (Section 106 NHPA, BIA trust land authorization, NEPA for federally funded projects) may apply depending on project type and funding source. 4. Non-tribal contractors working on Acoma trust lands must comply with any tribal vendor or contractor requirements established by the Pueblo. 5. Note: Construction on Acoma Pueblo tribal lands follows an internal tribal approval process administered by the Community Development Office (CDO) and Tribal Council. Detailed internal construction permit procedures are not publicly published by the Pueblo of Acoma.
03 How do I schedule a building inspection in Pueblo of Acoma, NM?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Pueblo of Acoma, NM via: (505) 552-5190.
last verified April 2026 source Pueblo of Acoma Community Development Office (CDO) / Tribal Council ↗ entry id permits/new-mexico/cibola/acoma-pueblo

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pueblo of Acoma Community Development Office (CDO) / Tribal Council before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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