Loving, NM — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

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

Street address

Town Hall, 117 N. Main St. (approx.), Loving, NM 88256 (verify current address with Town Hall before visiting)

Phone

(575) 748-1232

Contact through https://www.lovingnm.us/ or call Town Hall for current contact email

Coverage

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.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Loving

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.

Scope of work

Permit?

Accessory structures 120 sq ft or less without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (subject to zoning standards)

Exempt

Retaining walls under 4 feet

Exempt

Finish work (interior paint, flooring, wall coverings on existing assemblies)

Exempt

Small above-ground pools and playground equipment

Exempt

Agricultural structures under certain circumstances (confirm with CID or Town Hall)

Exempt

Exempt Accessory structures 120 sq ft or less without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities (subject to zoning standards)
Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
Exempt Finish work (interior paint, flooring, wall coverings on existing assemblies)
Exempt Small above-ground pools and playground equipment
Exempt 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.

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

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.
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.
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/

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

§ 03

Application process

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

01

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?
02

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.
03

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.
04

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).
05

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?
06

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Loving building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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: in-person at Town Hall (if town-issued), or at CID Roswell Regional Office or online via CID portal (if CID-issued).

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

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

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Loving permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Loving, NM? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Loving, NM? ▸

Building permit fees in Loving, NM are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Loving, NM? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Loving, NM, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Loving, NM? ▸

Building permit processing times in Loving, NM typically run Confirm with Town Hall or CID depending on which entity processes permits.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Loving, NM? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Loving, NM? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Loving, NM 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..

last verified April 2026 source Town of Loving -- Town Clerk's office handles permit inquiries ↗ entry id permits/new-mexico/eddy/loving

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Loving -- Town Clerk's office handles permit inquiries before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Loving

Other jurisdictions in Eddy County.