On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Doña Ana County
Building permits are required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, renovations, demolition, land development, mobile/manufactured home installation, and electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work on structures in unincorporated areas.
Minor repairs that do not affect structural integrity
Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work
Cabinet installation and countertop replacement (non-structural)
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep (verify with department)
- Exempt Minor repairs that do not affect structural integrity
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work
- Exempt Cabinet installation and countertop replacement (non-structural)
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep (verify with department)
Note: Specific exemption list not published on county website. Contact Building Services at (575) 647-7350 to confirm whether a specific project requires a permit.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing lot lines and building locations with dimensions
- Construction drawings
- Contractor name, address, and NM license number
- Property owner name and address
- Legal description of property
- Written directions to site
- Description of work, construction materials, and total square footage
- Building code
- International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code, National Electrical Code, International Plumbing Code, and New Mexico state amendments and construction standards as adopted by the county. County cannot provide code documents online due to copyright restrictions; copies available for review at 845 N. Motel Blvd.
- Permit validity
- Work must commence within 180 days of issuance; permit expires if work is abandoned for 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner permits are available for owner-occupied residential projects. A homeowner permit may NOT be used for a project where a GB-2 or GB-98 contractor is acting as general contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractor work must be performed by a contractor licensed with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (Construction Industries Division). General building requires GB-2 (residential, up to 4-unit) or GB-98 (general building). Trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) requires separate state trade licenses. $10,000 bond and Workers Compensation coverage required.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated; contact department for current turnaround times.
- 01 Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Dona Ana County (not inside a city limit).
- 02 Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Building Services office or the county permit forms page.
- 03 Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information.
- 04 Submit application and 25% non-refundable deposit in person or via iWorQ online portal.
- 05 Plans routed to appropriate departments (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) for review.
- 06 Pay remaining 75% of permit fee prior to permit issuance.
- 07 Permit issued; post on site before work begins.
- 08 Schedule inspections as work progresses through the iWorQ portal or by calling (575) 647-7350.
- 09 Final inspection and certificate of occupancy issued upon completion.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current turnaround times.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Doña Ana County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
25% of total permit fee is due at time of application and is non-refundable.
02
Permit fee formula
New construction of single-family dwellings and duplexes: $0.20 per square foot of total floor area measured to outside walls (includes garage and covered porches). All other construction assessed on a valuation scale per the county fee ordinance.
Accepted payment methods are Mastercard, Visa, Discover, check, and cash.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- iWorQ portal (online)
- (575) 647-7350 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday during standard business hours
Typical sequence: Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/footing inspection; framing inspection; rough-in (plumbing, mechanical, electrical); insulation inspection; final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Doña Ana County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
Building permits are required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, renovations, demolition, land development, mobile/manufactured home installation, and electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work on structures in unincorporated areas.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: New construction of single-family dwellings and duplexes: $0.20 per square foot of total floor area measured to outside walls (includes garage and covered porches). All other construction assessed on a valuation scale per the county fee ordinance.. Plan check fee: 25% of total permit fee is due at time of application and is non-refundable..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Dona Ana County (not inside a city limit). 2. Download or pick up the appropriate application form from the Building Services office or the county permit forms page. 3. Prepare required documents: completed application, site plan, construction drawings, contractor license information. 4. Submit application and 25% non-refundable deposit in person or via iWorQ online portal. 5. Plans routed to appropriate departments (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) for review. 6. Pay remaining 75% of permit fee prior to permit issuance. 7. Permit issued; post on site before work begins. 8. Schedule inspections as work progresses through the iWorQ portal or by calling (575) 647-7350. 9. Final inspection and certificate of occupancy issued upon completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM typically run Not publicly stated; contact department for current turnaround times.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM. The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs that do not affect structural integrity; Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work; Cabinet installation and countertop replacement (non-structural); Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep (verify with department). Note: Specific exemption list not published on county website. Contact Building Services at (575) 647-7350 to confirm whether a specific project requires a permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Doña Ana County, NM via: iWorQ portal, (575) 647-7350.
last verified April 2026
source Dona Ana County Building Services Division ↗
entry id permits/new-mexico/dona-ana/dona-ana-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Dona Ana County Building Services Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.