Silver City, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Silver City limits (~10,000 population). Silver City is the county seat of Grant County and the economic and civic center of the region. The City has its own Building Division that issues permits and conducts inspections within city limits. Silver City is home to Western New Mexico University (WNMU) and has a designated Historic District in the downtown core that imposes additional design review requirements on construction and renovation projects.

Department

City of Silver City Planning and Community Development Department -- Building Division

Address

101 W. Broadway, Silver City, NM 88061 (Town Hall)

Phone

(575) 538-3731

Website

https://www.townofsilvercity.org/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project address is within Silver City incorporated limits (not unincorporated Grant County). Use Grant County GIS or call (575) 538-3731.
2. Contact Silver City Building Division at (575) 538-3731 to discuss the project and obtain the correct application forms and document checklist.
3. For projects in or adjacent to the Silver City Historic District: contact the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) staff early to determine whether Historic District Review (HDR) is required before or concurrent with building permit review.
4. Prepare required documents: completed building permit application; site plan showing lot boundaries, setbacks, and building footprint; construction drawings (residential: scaled plans; commercial: stamped by NM-licensed architect/engineer); contractor NM license number and insurance; property owner information; legal description.
5. Submit complete application package in person at Town Hall (101 W. Broadway) or by mail (P.O. Box 1188, Silver City, NM 88062).
6. Plans reviewed by Building Division staff. For Historic District projects, HPC review occurs in parallel or prior to building permit issuance.
7. Pay applicable permit fees.
8. Permit issued; post on job site before work begins.
9. Schedule all required inspections through the Building Division as work progresses.
10. Final inspection; Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued upon passing all finals.

Typical processing time: Simple residential permits: typically within 5 to 10 business days. Commercial or Historic District projects may take longer. HPC review depends on meeting schedule; HPC meets monthly (verify current schedule at Town Hall). Contact Building Division at (575) 538-3731 for current estimates.

Source: City of Silver City Planning and Community Development Department -- Building Division

General Requirements

New construction (residential and commercial), additions, alterations, structural repairs, reroofing, demolition, fences and walls over applicable height thresholds, swimming pools and spas, accessory structures (detached garages, sheds over threshold size), electrical work, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC work, and manufactured/mobile home installation within city limits.

Required Documents

• Completed Silver City building permit application
• Site plan: parcel boundaries, building locations with dimensions, setbacks, easements, driveways, utilities, and north arrow
• Construction drawings (floor plan, elevations, foundation plan, framing plan, section details as applicable); commercial projects require engineer/architect stamp
• Contractor NM license number and license class; Workers Compensation certificate; $10,000 bond confirmation
• Owner-builder: notarized CID/state homeowner affidavit and Silver City Building Division owner-builder acknowledgment
• For Historic District projects: additional elevation drawings, material specifications, photographs of existing conditions, and Historic District Review application materials
• Grading and drainage plan for larger projects or sites with significant slope
• Legal description and Grant County parcel ID (available at Grant County Assessor's office)

Permit validity

Work must commence within 180 days of permit issuance. Permits expire if work is abandoned for 180 continuous days. Extensions available upon written request to Building Division before expiration; one 180-day extension typically allowed for good cause.

Building code

2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with NM amendments (residential); 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with NM amendments (commercial); 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) with NM amendments; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Silver City Municipal Code Chapter 6 (Building Regulations) governs local amendments and adopted codes. Review at: https://library.municode.com/nm/silver_city. Silver City has historically adopted ICC model codes, consistent with state practice. Verify current adopted editions with Building Division.

Owner-builder

Silver City recognizes the NM state owner-builder exemption under NMAC 14.5.2.18. Owner must occupy structure as primary residence; one permit per 12-month period; notarized affidavit required. The Building Division may have additional local requirements -- confirm at (575) 538-3731.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must hold a valid NM RLD/CID license. Applicable license classes same as statewide (GB-2, GB-98, EE-98, EE-1, MM-98, WW-1, WW-2 as applicable). Contractor must register with Silver City Building Division at first job (provide license copy, bond, and insurance). License verification: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/licensing/

Fees

Plan check fee

Typically 25% to 65% of the building permit fee; due at time of submittal; non-refundable. Confirm exact percentage with Building Division.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based, consistent with standard NM practice. Building permit fees are typically calculated using the ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) table multiplied by a local rate factor.

Payment note

Check, money order, cash accepted at Town Hall. Credit card availability not confirmed; contact Town Hall. No public fee schedule document was located. Obtain current fee schedule in person or by phone at (575) 538-3731 before budgeting permit costs.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Interior alterations that do not affect the exterior appearance are generally exempt from HPC review but still require standard building permits
• Owner-builder exemption: single family residential on owner's property, primary residence only, one permit per 12 months, requires notarized affidavit
• Manufactured housing: contact Building Division for manufactured home installation requirements within city limits
• Solar/photovoltaic systems: solar installations on existing residential structures may qualify for expedited or simplified permit process
• Accessibility modifications: residential projects with accessibility modifications may qualify for streamlined review

Important: Historic District properties are subject to additional restrictions. Exterior alterations, new construction, moving, or demolition affecting the exterior appearance of a structure within the Historic District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the HPC before a building permit is issued. For Historic District properties, solar panels visible from the public right-of-way require HPC review before installation.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (575) 538-3731 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Advance notice of 24 to 48 hours typically required.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday during standard business hours (approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); confirm current hours at (575) 538-3731.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence (residential new construction): 1) Footing/foundation -- before concrete pour; verify depth, width, rebar placement 2) Foundation/slab -- before backfill 3) Framing -- before insulation or sheathing 4) Rough-in electrical, plumbing, and mechanical -- before wall cover 5) Insulation -- before drywall; verify energy code compliance 6) Final building -- all work complete; verify life safety, egress, CO detectors, smoke alarms 7) Final electrical, plumbing, mechanical 8) Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued upon passing all final inspections. For exterior work in the Historic District, the Historic Preservation Commission may conduct a final review to confirm work matches the approved Historic District Review application before CO is issued. Coordinate with HPC staff during construction.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with NM amendments (residential); 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with NM amendments (commercial); 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) with NM amendments; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Silver City Municipal Code Chapter 6 (Building Regulations) governs local amendments and adopted codes. Review at: https://library.municode.com/nm/silver_city. Silver City has historically adopted ICC model codes, consistent with state practice. Verify current adopted editions with Building Division.
• Verify contractor license: NM RLD/CID Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Silver City Historic District -- National Register of Historic Places
• NM State Historic Tax Credit (50% for income-producing properties)
• Federal Historic Tax Credit (20% credit)
• Grant County GIS (parcel verification)
• 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

Silver City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Silver City, NM?

New construction (residential and commercial), additions, alterations, structural repairs, reroofing, demolition, fences and walls over applicable height thresholds, swimming pools and spas, accessory structures (detached garages, sheds over threshold size), electrical work, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC work, and manufactured/mobile home installation within city limits.

How much does a building permit cost in Silver City, NM?

Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based, consistent with standard NM practice. Building permit fees are typically calculated using the ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) table multiplied by a local rate factor.. Plan check fee: Typically 25% to 65% of the building permit fee; due at time of submittal; non-refundable. Confirm exact percentage with Building Division..

How do I apply for a building permit in Silver City, NM?

1. Confirm the project address is within Silver City incorporated limits (not unincorporated Grant County). Use Grant County GIS or call (575) 538-3731. 2. Contact Silver City Building Division at (575) 538-3731 to discuss the project and obtain the correct application forms and document checklist. 3. For projects in or adjacent to the Silver City Historic District: contact the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) staff early to determine whether Historic District Review (HDR) is required before or concurrent with building permit review. 4. Prepare required documents: completed building permit application; site plan showing lot boundaries, setbacks, and building footprint; construction drawings (residential: scaled plans; commercial: stamped by NM-licensed architect/engineer); contractor NM license number and insurance; property owner information; legal description. 5. Submit complete application package in person at Town Hall (101 W. Broadway) or by mail (P.O. Box 1188, Silver City, NM 88062). 6. Plans reviewed by Building Division staff. For Historic District projects, HPC review occurs in parallel or prior to building permit issuance. 7. Pay applicable permit fees. 8. Permit issued; post on job site before work begins. 9. Schedule all required inspections through the Building Division as work progresses. 10. Final inspection; Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued upon passing all finals.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Silver City, NM?

Typical processing time is Simple residential permits: typically within 5 to 10 business days. Commercial or Historic District projects may take longer. HPC review depends on meeting schedule; HPC meets monthly (verify current schedule at Town Hall). Contact Building Division at (575) 538-3731 for current estimates..

What work is exempt from building permits in Silver City, NM?

The following work is generally exempt: Interior alterations that do not affect the exterior appearance are generally exempt from HPC review but still require standard building permits; Owner-builder exemption: single family residential on owner's property, primary residence only, one permit per 12 months, requires notarized affidavit; Manufactured housing: contact Building Division for manufactured home installation requirements within city limits; Solar/photovoltaic systems: solar installations on existing residential structures may qualify for expedited or simplified permit process; Accessibility modifications: residential projects with accessibility modifications may qualify for streamlined review. Note: Historic District properties are subject to additional restrictions. Exterior alterations, new construction, moving, or demolition affecting the exterior appearance of a structure within the Historic District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the HPC before a building permit is issued. For Historic District properties, solar panels visible from the public right-of-way require HPC review before installation.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Silver City, NM?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (575) 538-3731. Advance notice of 24 to 48 hours typically required..

Other cities in Grant County