Cibola County, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Cibola County. Cibola County has no zoning ordinance and defers all building permits to the New Mexico Construction Industries Division. The county's Planning and Rural Addressing Department handles only subdivision platting, road naming, floodplain administration, and environmental/safety ordinance enforcement.

Department

New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Regulation and Licensing Department -- Albuquerque Regional Office

Address

5500 San Antonio Dr., Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Phone

(505) 222-9800

Email

CID.PERMITHELP@rld.nm.gov

Website

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

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Verify your property is in unincorporated Cibola County (not within City of Grants or Village of Milan limits). Check Cibola County GIS or contact county planning at (505) 287-9431 if unsure of your jurisdiction.
2. Determine whether your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If so, you will also need a Floodplain Development Permit from the Cibola County Floodplain Administrator at (505) 285-2515.
3. Determine whether your project is subject to Cibola County Ordinance 2020-01 (Comprehensive Environment and Safety Ordinance). Contact county planning at (505) 287-9431 to confirm.
4. Determine the permit type: building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or combination.
5. Create an account or log in at https://nmrld.my.site.com/MHD/s/ to apply online. As an alternative, obtain the Multi-Purpose State Building Application form from the CID Albuquerque office or from the CID website.
6. Complete the application. Required information typically includes: property address, legal description, project description, project valuation (labor + materials), proposed use/occupancy, contractor license number (if applicable), and owner information.
7. Prepare and attach required documents.
8. Submit application online or deliver in person to the Albuquerque CID office.
9. Pay plan review fee at time of submittal. Plan review fee = 20% of the combined building permit fee and review fee; if preliminary plan review is requested, 50% of the combined building permit and review fee applies.
10. Await plan review. CID staff will notify applicant of approval or correction requests.
11. Respond to any plan review comments and resubmit revised documents as required.
12. Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fee balance.
13. Receive issued permit. Post permit on the job site, affixed to the window closest to the front exterior door, before beginning any construction work.
14. Schedule required inspections at each mandatory construction milestone. Call (505) 222-9813 or email CID.Inspection@state.nm.us to request inspections.
15. Upon passing all required inspections including the final, receive Certificate of Occupancy or final approval from the CID inspector.

Typical processing time: Allow 2 to 4 weeks for residential plan review; commercial projects may take longer depending on complexity. Contact the Albuquerque office at (505) 222-9800 for current review times.

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Regulation and Licensing Department -- Albuquerque Regional Office

General Requirements

A CID building permit is required for the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of any building or structure in unincorporated Cibola County. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) are separately required for that scope of work.

Required Documents

• Completed CID Multi-Purpose State Building Application
• Site plan (drawn to scale or with measured dimensions) showing: property lines, proposed structure location, setback distances to all property lines, location of adjacent streets, well and septic system locations (if applicable), and any existing structures
• Construction drawings: floor plan(s), elevation views, cross-sections showing structural members, roof framing, foundation design
• Project valuation statement (total dollar value of labor and materials)
• Contractor license number and copy of license if a licensed contractor is performing work
• For homeowner permits: Completed Homeowner Building Permit Application, notarized Responsibility Sheet, proof of identity, and proof of property ownership
• Floodplain determination documentation if in or near an SFHA
• Energy compliance documentation per IECC as adopted by NM
• Soils report for commercial or larger residential projects as required by plan reviewer

Permit validity

A permit expires and becomes void if the authorized work is not commenced within 180 days from the date of issuance. A permit also becomes void if authorized work is abandoned or suspended for any period of 180 days. Renewals may be available; contact the CID Albuquerque office.

Building code

2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC with NM amendments, effective July 14, 2023); 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC with NM amendments, effective July 14, 2023); 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC)

Owner-builder

A homeowner permit may be issued to a property owner only for that owner's primary residence (not rental or commercial property). Only one homeowner permit per single-family dwelling may be issued to the same owner within any 12-month period. The homeowner must personally complete the major portion of the work (by dollar amount). Subcontracted work must be performed by licensed contractors who obtain their own permits. HVAC installations and natural gas/LP gas work are NOT allowed under a homeowner permit -- those require licensed contractors. Electrical work requires the homeowner to pass an exam with a minimum 75% score. Plumbing work requires demonstration of competency. A homeowner permit becomes invalid if a GB-2 or GB-98 licensed contractor is engaged to manage, supervise, or act as general contractor. The property may not be listed for sale during active construction under a homeowner permit.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must hold a valid New Mexico CID license appropriate to their scope of work. General building contractors require GB-98 (commercial and residential) or GB-2 (residential only). Specialty trades require separate CID licenses: electrical (EE-98 or residential-only), plumbing (MM-98 or residential-only), mechanical (MM-98).

Fees

Plan check fee

20% of the combined building permit fee and review fee, payable at time of plan submittal; if preliminary plan review is requested, 50% of the combined building permit fee and review fee applies

Permit fee formula

$3.00 per $1,000 of project valuation up to $15,000 in valuation; then $1.00 per $1,000 of project valuation over $15,000

Payment note

Contact CID Albuquerque office for accepted payment methods and current minimum fees. The CID fee schedule page was not rendering its content at time of research.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not used for habitation, with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet (tool sheds, garden sheds, playhouses)
• Oil derricks
• Retaining walls retaining less than 36 inches of unbalanced fill AND with a total height of 6 feet or less from top of wall to bottom of footing, except where supporting a surcharge load or adjacent to a public way
• Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons and height-to-width (or height-to-diameter) ratio not exceeding 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
• Temporary motion picture and theater stage sets and scenery
• Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools having no permanent connections to service systems
• Agricultural shade cloth structures without service systems (nursery use)
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling
• Window awnings supported by and attached to a residential structure or Group U occupancy and projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
• Interior non-load-bearing partitions under 5 feet 9 inches in height

Important: Electrical work exceptions are limited to those set forth in CILA Section 60-13-45. Mechanical and plumbing exceptions are governed separately by 14.9.2 NMAC and 14.8.2 NMAC respectively. Even when a building permit is not required, trade permits may still be required. Always verify with CID before proceeding without a permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (505) 222-9813 (Albuquerque office) (phone)
• (877) 243-0979 (toll-free) (phone)
• CID.Inspection@state.nm.us (email)

Scheduling deadline

Submit at least one business day in advance. Have permit number, type of inspection needed, requestor name and contact information ready when calling or emailing.

Inspection hours

Contact the CID Albuquerque office for current inspection hours and available windows. Inspections are assigned by CID to available inspectors.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for residential new construction: 1) Footings/foundation inspection (after excavation and rebar/forms placed, before concrete pour); 2) Underground utilities (underground plumbing, electrical conduit, and mechanical below slab, if applicable); 3) Slab inspection (slab-on-grade projects, before pour); 4) Rough framing (after framing, roof sheathing, fire blocking, bracing, and roofing underlayment complete; windows installed; foundation and roof vents in place; air barrier requirements satisfied); 5) Rough electrical (service, feeders, and branch circuit raceways complete to termination); 6) Rough plumbing (all supply and drain/waste/vent rough-in complete and pressure tested); 7) Rough mechanical (HVAC ductwork and rough-in complete); 8) Insulation (all thermal and sound insulation in place before drywall); 9) Final inspection (when construction is fully complete and building is ready for occupancy; all systems operational); 10) Certificate of Occupancy or final approval issued by CID inspector after satisfactory final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC with NM amendments, effective July 14, 2023); 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC with NM amendments, effective July 14, 2023); 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC)
• Verify contractor license: NM CID Contractor License Lookup
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Cibola County Planning and Rural Addressing
• EPA Grants Mining District Resources
• 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

Cibola County Building Permit FAQ

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

A CID building permit is required for the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of any building or structure in unincorporated Cibola County. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, and mechanical) are separately required for that scope of work.

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

Fees are calculated as: $3.00 per $1,000 of project valuation up to $15,000 in valuation; then $1.00 per $1,000 of project valuation over $15,000. Plan check fee: 20% of the combined building permit fee and review fee, payable at time of plan submittal; if preliminary plan review is requested, 50% of the combined building permit fee and review fee applies.

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

1. Verify your property is in unincorporated Cibola County (not within City of Grants or Village of Milan limits). Check Cibola County GIS or contact county planning at (505) 287-9431 if unsure of your jurisdiction. 2. Determine whether your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If so, you will also need a Floodplain Development Permit from the Cibola County Floodplain Administrator at (505) 285-2515. 3. Determine whether your project is subject to Cibola County Ordinance 2020-01 (Comprehensive Environment and Safety Ordinance). Contact county planning at (505) 287-9431 to confirm. 4. Determine the permit type: building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or combination. 5. Create an account or log in at https://nmrld.my.site.com/MHD/s/ to apply online. As an alternative, obtain the Multi-Purpose State Building Application form from the CID Albuquerque office or from the CID website. 6. Complete the application. Required information typically includes: property address, legal description, project description, project valuation (labor + materials), proposed use/occupancy, contractor license number (if applicable), and owner information. 7. Prepare and attach required documents. 8. Submit application online or deliver in person to the Albuquerque CID office. 9. Pay plan review fee at time of submittal. Plan review fee = 20% of the combined building permit fee and review fee; if preliminary plan review is requested, 50% of the combined building permit and review fee applies. 10. Await plan review. CID staff will notify applicant of approval or correction requests. 11. Respond to any plan review comments and resubmit revised documents as required. 12. Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fee balance. 13. Receive issued permit. Post permit on the job site, affixed to the window closest to the front exterior door, before beginning any construction work. 14. Schedule required inspections at each mandatory construction milestone. Call (505) 222-9813 or email CID.Inspection@state.nm.us to request inspections. 15. Upon passing all required inspections including the final, receive Certificate of Occupancy or final approval from the CID inspector.

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

Typical processing time is Allow 2 to 4 weeks for residential plan review; commercial projects may take longer depending on complexity. Contact the Albuquerque office at (505) 222-9800 for current review times..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not used for habitation, with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet (tool sheds, garden sheds, playhouses); Oil derricks; Retaining walls retaining less than 36 inches of unbalanced fill AND with a total height of 6 feet or less from top of wall to bottom of footing, except where supporting a surcharge load or adjacent to a public way; Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons and height-to-width (or height-to-diameter) ratio not exceeding 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below; Temporary motion picture and theater stage sets and scenery; Above-ground prefabricated swimming pools having no permanent connections to service systems; Agricultural shade cloth structures without service systems (nursery use); Swings and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling; Window awnings supported by and attached to a residential structure or Group U occupancy and projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall; Interior non-load-bearing partitions under 5 feet 9 inches in height. Note: Electrical work exceptions are limited to those set forth in CILA Section 60-13-45. Mechanical and plumbing exceptions are governed separately by 14.9.2 NMAC and 14.8.2 NMAC respectively. Even when a building permit is not required, trade permits may still be required. Always verify with CID before proceeding without a permit.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (505) 222-9813 (Albuquerque office), (877) 243-0979 (toll-free), CID.Inspection@state.nm.us. Submit at least one business day in advance. Have permit number, type of inspection needed, requestor name and contact information ready when calling or emailing..