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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Melrose
New construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work within Melrose village limits.
One-story detached accessory structures not used for habitation (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet and no utility connections
Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes without service systems
Retaining walls not over 36 inches of unbalanced fill and not more than 6 feet total height, not supporting a surcharge
Water tanks on grade, 5,000 gallons or less, height-to-diameter ratio 2:1 or less
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
Above-ground swimming pools with no permanent utility connections
Playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling
Window awnings not projecting more than 54 inches from the exterior wall (R-3 and U occupancies)
Partitions less than 5 feet 9 inches in height
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not used for habitation (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet and no utility connections
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes without service systems
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 36 inches of unbalanced fill and not more than 6 feet total height, not supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade, 5,000 gallons or less, height-to-diameter ratio 2:1 or less
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Above-ground swimming pools with no permanent utility connections
- Exempt Playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling
- Exempt Window awnings not projecting more than 54 inches from the exterior wall (R-3 and U occupancies)
- Exempt Partitions less than 5 feet 9 inches in height
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) may be required even when a building permit is not. Agricultural structures on lands outside the village limits fall under the unincorporated county / CID regime.
Required documents
- NM CID application
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Proof of ownership
- Contractor license numbers
- Building code
- NM state construction codes as enforced through NM RLD/CID. 2021 NM Residential and Commercial Building Codes, 2020 NEC, 2021 UPC, 2021 UMC, and 2021 NM Energy Codes.
- Permit validity
- Per NMAC 14.5.2 -- expires if work not commenced within 180 days or suspended more than 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- State homeowner permit (14.5.2.18 NMAC) applies. Requirements: (1) Owner must occupy the structure as their primary residence; (2) The major portion of the work must be completed by the owner; (3) Owner may use W-2 employees or subcontract to licensed contractors; (4) Maximum one homeowner permit per 12-month period per owner; (5) For electrical work, owner must pass a CID homeowner electrical competency examination with a minimum score of 75%; (6) HVAC, natural gas, and LP gas work may not be performed under a homeowner permit; (7) Documentation required includes a notarized Homeowner Permit Responsibility Sheet and proof of identity and property ownership. Confirm local process with Village Hall.
- Contractor requirements
- NM CID license required for all contractors. Trade licenses required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly specified; contact Village Hall.
- 01 Contact Village Hall at (575) 253-4274 or clerk@villageofmelrosenm.com to confirm requirements and identify the responsible staff member for your project type.
- 02 Obtain the NM State CID Multi-Purpose State Building Application or Homeowner Building Permit Application from https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/forms-and-applications/.
- 03 Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, proof of ownership, contractor license information.
- 04 Submit application to Village Hall. The Code Enforcement Officer or Clerk will review for local ordinance compliance.
- 05 Village coordinates with or routes to NM CID for permit issuance as applicable.
- 06 Pay applicable fees.
- 07 Obtain permit; schedule required inspections.
- 08 Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy upon project completion.
Typical processing time: Not publicly specified; contact Village Hall.
Source: Village of Melrose (Code Enforcement Officer handles construction-related code matters) ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Melrose building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
20% of building permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
State CID baseline applies: $3.00 per $1,000 of valuation up to $15,000; $1.00 per $1,000 over $15,000. Plan review fee: 20% of building permit fee. Village may have adopted its own schedule; confirm with Village Hall.
Payment at Village Hall; contact for accepted payment methods.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Village Hall: (575) 253-4274 (phone)
- NM CID Statewide: (877) 243-0979 (phone)
- cid.inspection@state.nm.us (email)
- Inspection hours
- Village Hall hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM daily for lunch). CID inspectors travel to Melrose from regional offices.
Typical sequence: Standard NM sequence: foundation, framing/rough-in, insulation, final. Confirm list with permit issuer.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Melrose permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Melrose, NM? ▸
New construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work within Melrose village limits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Melrose, NM? ▸
Building permit fees in Melrose, NM are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: State CID baseline applies: $3.00 per $1,000 of valuation up to $15,000; $1.00 per $1,000 over $15,000. Plan review fee: 20% of building permit fee. Village may have adopted its own schedule; confirm with Village Hall.. Plan check fee: 20% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Melrose, NM? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Melrose, NM, follow these steps: 1. Contact Village Hall at (575) 253-4274 or clerk@villageofmelrosenm.com to confirm requirements and identify the responsible staff member for your project type. 2. Obtain the NM State CID Multi-Purpose State Building Application or Homeowner Building Permit Application from https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/forms-and-applications/. 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, proof of ownership, contractor license information. 4. Submit application to Village Hall. The Code Enforcement Officer or Clerk will review for local ordinance compliance. 5. Village coordinates with or routes to NM CID for permit issuance as applicable. 6. Pay applicable fees. 7. Obtain permit; schedule required inspections. 8. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy upon project completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Melrose, NM? ▸
Building permit processing times in Melrose, NM typically run Not publicly specified; contact Village Hall.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Melrose, NM? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Melrose, NM. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not used for habitation (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet and no utility connections; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes without service systems; Retaining walls not over 36 inches of unbalanced fill and not more than 6 feet total height, not supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade, 5,000 gallons or less, height-to-diameter ratio 2:1 or less; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below; Above-ground swimming pools with no permanent utility connections; Playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling; Window awnings not projecting more than 54 inches from the exterior wall (R-3 and U occupancies); Partitions less than 5 feet 9 inches in height; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) may be required even when a building permit is not. Agricultural structures on lands outside the village limits fall under the unincorporated county / CID regime. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Melrose, NM? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Melrose, NM via: Village Hall: (575) 253-4274, NM CID Statewide: (877) 243-0979, cid.inspection@state.nm.us.
last verified April 2026
source Village of Melrose (Code Enforcement Officer handles construction-related code matters) ↗
entry id permits/new-mexico/curry/melrose
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Village of Melrose (Code Enforcement Officer handles construction-related code matters) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.