Pueblo of Laguna, NM — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department / Engineering Office

Street address

11 Rodeo Drive, Building B, Laguna Housing Complex (MAP), Laguna, NM 87026

Phone

(505) 552-1218

Coverage

Pueblo of Laguna is a federally recognized sovereign tribal nation. ANY construction on Laguna Pueblo trust lands (including all Laguna village communities -- Old Laguna, New Laguna, Paguate, Paraje, Mesita, and Encinal) is subject exclusively to Laguna Pueblo tribal permits and approval processes. State of New Mexico building codes, CID permits, and county permits DO NOT apply to construction on Laguna Pueblo trust lands. Laguna Pueblo has its own Tribal Code. The Laguna Pueblo reservation is contiguous and substantial -- roughly 537,000 acres of trust land -- straddling the Cibola/Valencia County line.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Pueblo of Laguna

NM state building codes and CID licensing do NOT apply on Laguna Pueblo trust lands. The Pueblo of Laguna has its own Tribal Code governing government, civil matters, and resource protection.

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

Building code: Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Code. Federal laws (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act) may still apply to projects on tribal lands, triggering federal agency consultation.
Owner-builder: Tribal sovereignty applies; state owner-builder rules do not apply.
Contractor requirements: Outside contractors working on tribal lands must comply with Laguna Pueblo's contractor requirements, which may include tribal business preferences or additional licensing requirements beyond the NM CID license.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Contact the Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department at (505) 552-1218 to initiate the approval process for any construction project on tribal trust lands.
02

For projects with cultural resource implications, notify the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (Richard Smith, Sr., (505) 552-5033 / rsmith@pol-nsn.gov). The THPO reviews projects for cultural resource impacts under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
03

Coordinate with BIA if approval is required for certain projects involving trust land leases or federal funding. (Note: The 2020 HEARTH Act approval streamlined residential leasing authority for Laguna Pueblo.)
04

Outside contractors working on tribal lands must comply with Laguna Pueblo's contractor requirements, which may include tribal business preferences or additional licensing requirements beyond the NM CID license.
05

Note: Detailed internal construction permit procedures are not publicly published by the Pueblo of Laguna. All process details must be obtained directly from the Pueblo.

Source: Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department / Engineering Office ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(505) 552-1218 (phone)

Typical sequence: Construction inspections on tribal lands are administered by the Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department (Engineering Office), not the NM CID or Cibola County.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Pueblo of Laguna permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Pueblo of Laguna, NM? ▸

NM state building codes and CID licensing do NOT apply on Laguna Pueblo trust lands. The Pueblo of Laguna has its own Tribal Code governing government, civil matters, and resource protection.

02 How do I apply for a building permit in Pueblo of Laguna, NM? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Pueblo of Laguna, NM, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department at (505) 552-1218 to initiate the approval process for any construction project on tribal trust lands. 2. For projects with cultural resource implications, notify the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (Richard Smith, Sr., (505) 552-5033 / rsmith@pol-nsn.gov). The THPO reviews projects for cultural resource impacts under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 3. Coordinate with BIA if approval is required for certain projects involving trust land leases or federal funding. (Note: The 2020 HEARTH Act approval streamlined residential leasing authority for Laguna Pueblo.) 4. Outside contractors working on tribal lands must comply with Laguna Pueblo's contractor requirements, which may include tribal business preferences or additional licensing requirements beyond the NM CID license. 5. Note: Detailed internal construction permit procedures are not publicly published by the Pueblo of Laguna. All process details must be obtained directly from the Pueblo.

03 How do I schedule a building inspection in Pueblo of Laguna, NM? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Pueblo of Laguna, NM via: (505) 552-1218.

last verified April 2026 source Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department / Engineering Office ↗ entry id permits/new-mexico/cibola/laguna-pueblo

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pueblo of Laguna Public Works Department / Engineering Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Pueblo of Laguna

Other jurisdictions in Cibola County.