City Building Permits

Town of Loving, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

New Mexico Eddy County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated Town of Loving limits. Loving is a small community of approximately 1,200-1,400 residents located about 12 miles south of Carlsbad along the Pecos River and NM State Road 31. Loving has incorporated municipal status within Eddy County but has limited administrative capacity typical of small New Mexico municipalities. The practical question is whether Loving processes permits directly or defers to the NM CID. Applicants should call Town Hall to confirm the current permit process before submitting any application. If CID processes Loving permits, all terms and fees described in the Eddy County Unincorporated / CID section apply.

Department
Town of Loving -- Town Clerk's office handles permit inquiries
Address
Town Hall, 117 N. Main St. (approx.), Loving, NM 88256 (verify current address with Town Hall before visiting)
Phone
(575) 748-1232

Application Process

  1. Call Loving Town Hall at (575) 748-1232 to determine the current permitting process: does the town issue its own building permits, or does it direct applicants to NM CID?
  2. Confirm any local zoning requirements, setback rules, or land-use regulations the town enforces, regardless of which entity issues the building permit. Even if CID issues the permit, the town may have separate zoning compliance requirements.
  3. If town-issued: obtain application from Town Hall; complete with site plan, construction drawings, and contractor information; submit in person; pay fees at Town Hall.
  4. If CID-issued: follow the Eddy County Unincorporated / NM CID application process described in the CID section (online or in-person to Roswell Regional Office; use CID Form B-01 or B-02).
  5. For either scenario, confirm inspection scheduling procedure: are inspections conducted by a town inspector, the Artesia or Carlsbad city inspector through a mutual aid arrangement, or CID Roswell?
  6. Obtain permit, post on-site, schedule inspections, and obtain final approval upon completion.

Typical processing time: Confirm with Town Hall or CID depending on which entity processes permits.

Source: Town of Loving -- Town Clerk's office handles permit inquiries

General Requirements

All categories that require a state CID permit apply within Loving regardless of the permit-issuing entity: new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, manufactured homes. State codes apply throughout New Mexico regardless of the permit-issuing entity.

Required Documents

  • Completed permit application (town form or CID Form B-01)
  • Site plan drawn to scale
  • Construction drawings: two sets for residential; three sets for commercial
  • Energy compliance documentation if required
  • Proof of property ownership
  • Contractor NM CID license number and expiration date
  • Homeowner building permit declaration if applicable under 14.5.2.18 NMAC
Permit validity
Per NM state codes (14.5.2.7 NMAC): permits expire 180 days after issuance if work has not commenced, or after 180 consecutive days of work suspension or abandonment. One extension available upon written request.
Building code
State of New Mexico codes apply: 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC); 2021 NM Commercial Building Code; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC); Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC); Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC); 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC). Loving is in NM Climate Zone 3B.
Owner-builder
State 14.5.2.18 NMAC applies within Loving. Same conditions as CID section. Owner may perform major portion of work; limited to one permit per 12 months. Homeowners performing electrical work must pass the NM Journeyman Electrician competency examination with a minimum score of 75%. Gas/HVAC excluded from owner-builder scope.
Contractor requirements
NM CID license required statewide; this applies to all work in Loving regardless of permit-issuing entity. All contractors must hold current license in appropriate class (GB-2, GB-98, EE-1, EE-98, MM-98, PB-98, etc.). Verify contractor license status at: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/verify-a-license/

Fees

Plan check fee
Per CID baseline (if CID-processed): 20% of building permit fee. Confirm with Town Hall if town-issued.
Permit fee formula
If CID processes permits: CID fee schedule under 14.5.5 NMAC applies. Minimum permit fee: $50.00 per CID baseline. See Eddy County Unincorporated section for complete fee table. If town-issued: contact Town of Loving Town Hall at (575) 748-1232 for current fee schedule.
Trade permit fee
Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees per applicable authority schedule.
Reinspection fee
Per CID policy (if CID-processed): $75.00 reinspection fee per failed attempt after the first. Confirm with Town Hall if town-issued.
Penalty (no permit)
Per CID or town policy: double permit fee for work without permit.
Payment note
Payment: in-person at Town Hall (if town-issued), or at CID Roswell Regional Office or online via CID portal (if CID-issued).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Accessory structures 120 sq ft or less without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (subject to zoning standards)
  • Retaining walls under 4 feet
  • Finish work (interior paint, flooring, wall coverings on existing assemblies)
  • Small above-ground pools and playground equipment
  • Agricultural structures under certain circumstances (confirm with CID or Town Hall)

Important: Standard NM code exemptions apply. Electrical permits are still required for agricultural structures. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Town Hall or CID before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (575) 748-1232 (Town Hall) (phone)
  • (575) 624-6060 (CID Roswell, if CID-processed) (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Minimum 24-48 hours advance notice. If CID Roswell: allow additional lead time (48 hours minimum) given travel distance from Roswell. Roswell CID inspectors traveling to Loving (approximately 15 miles south of Carlsbad, or approximately 60 miles from Roswell) may need 48-hour advance scheduling given travel commitments.
Inspection hours
Business hours (confirm with Town Hall)

Typical inspection sequence: Standard NM sequence applies (footing, underground utilities, slab, framing/rough-in, WRB, insulation, final). Sequence is the same regardless of which entity performs inspections.

Inspector travel note: Roswell CID inspectors traveling to Loving may need 48-hour advance scheduling given travel commitments. Build inspector lead time into construction schedules.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Loving -- Town Clerk's office handles permit inquiries before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Loving Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Loving, NM?
All categories that require a state CID permit apply within Loving regardless of the permit-issuing entity: new construction, additions, alterations, demolitions, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, manufactured homes. State codes apply throughout New Mexico regardless of the permit-issuing entity.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Loving, NM?
Fees are calculated as: If CID processes permits: CID fee schedule under 14.5.5 NMAC applies. Minimum permit fee: $50.00 per CID baseline. See Eddy County Unincorporated section for complete fee table. If town-issued: contact Town of Loving Town Hall at (575) 748-1232 for current fee schedule.. Plan check fee: Per CID baseline (if CID-processed): 20% of building permit fee. Confirm with Town Hall if town-issued..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Loving, NM?
1. Call Loving Town Hall at (575) 748-1232 to determine the current permitting process: does the town issue its own building permits, or does it direct applicants to NM CID? 2. Confirm any local zoning requirements, setback rules, or land-use regulations the town enforces, regardless of which entity issues the building permit. Even if CID issues the permit, the town may have separate zoning compliance requirements. 3. If town-issued: obtain application from Town Hall; complete with site plan, construction drawings, and contractor information; submit in person; pay fees at Town Hall. 4. If CID-issued: follow the Eddy County Unincorporated / NM CID application process described in the CID section (online or in-person to Roswell Regional Office; use CID Form B-01 or B-02). 5. For either scenario, confirm inspection scheduling procedure: are inspections conducted by a town inspector, the Artesia or Carlsbad city inspector through a mutual aid arrangement, or CID Roswell? 6. Obtain permit, post on-site, schedule inspections, and obtain final approval upon completion.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Loving, NM?
Typical processing time is Confirm with Town Hall or CID depending on which entity processes permits..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Loving, NM?
The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures 120 sq ft or less without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (subject to zoning standards); Retaining walls under 4 feet; Finish work (interior paint, flooring, wall coverings on existing assemblies); Small above-ground pools and playground equipment; Agricultural structures under certain circumstances (confirm with CID or Town Hall). Note: Standard NM code exemptions apply. Electrical permits are still required for agricultural structures. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Town Hall or CID before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Loving, NM?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (575) 748-1232 (Town Hall), (575) 624-6060 (CID Roswell, if CID-processed). Minimum 24-48 hours advance notice. If CID Roswell: allow additional lead time (48 hours minimum) given travel distance from Roswell. Roswell CID inspectors traveling to Loving (approximately 15 miles south of Carlsbad, or approximately 60 miles from Roswell) may need 48-hour advance scheduling given travel commitments..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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