Guadalupe County, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Anton Chico is an unincorporated community within Guadalupe County. It does not have independent permit authority. All building permits for properties in Anton Chico are issued by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID). Anton Chico is a small community on the Pecos River in the western part of the county, with Spanish colonial and acequia (irrigation ditch) heritage.

Department

New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) -- Albuquerque Regional Office

Address

2550 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (nearest office); Albuquerque office also available at 5500 San Antonio Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Phone

(505) 476-4700

Email

cid@rld.nm.gov

Website

https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is located in Anton Chico.
2. For projects involving an acequia (irrigation ditch) or works within the Pecos River floodplain, obtain additional approvals from the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and/or the acequia association before or concurrent with the CID building permit.
3. Determine the permit type required: building (residential or commercial), electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or combination.
4. Prepare required documents including site plan (with acequia and Pecos River floodplain noted if applicable), construction drawings, contractor license info, and supporting documents.
5. Create or log in to the RLD ePlanning portal at https://eplanning.rld.nm.gov/.
6. Submit permit application and upload all required plans and supporting documents.
7. Pay the plan review fee at time of submittal.
8. CID staff will review submitted plans. For minor residential projects, review may take 5 to 15 business days. More complex projects may take 3 to 6 weeks.
9. Respond to any plan review comments. Resubmit corrected plans as requested.
10. Once plans are approved and all fees are paid, CID issues the permit.
11. Print and post the permit on the job site before work begins.
12. Contact CID to schedule required inspections. Inspectors may need to navigate unpaved or seasonal roads; confirm site access conditions at time of scheduling.
13. Upon passing the final inspection, CID issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Certificate of Completion.

Typical processing time: 5 to 15 business days for straightforward residential projects; 3 to 6 weeks for complex work. Remote location of Anton Chico adds inspection scheduling lead times (potentially 10 or more business days).

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) -- Albuquerque Regional Office

General Requirements

Same state CID requirements as unincorporated Guadalupe County (NMAC 14.5.2, 14.7.2). A permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs (except ordinary maintenance), demolitions, and changes of use or occupancy.

Required Documents

• Completed CID permit application form
• Two sets of construction drawings (site plan, floor plan, elevations, foundation plan, framing plan, electrical plan, plumbing plan)
• Site plan clearly showing property lines, setbacks, structure location, well location, septic system location, and any acequias or water rights on or affecting the property
• Energy code compliance documentation (COMcheck or REScheck as applicable)
• Soils report or geotechnical investigation for commercial projects or where unstable soils are suspected
• Contractor information: CID license number, license type, and certificate of insurance
• Owner-builder affidavit (if owner-builder)
• Proof of NMED approval for on-site septic system if applicable
• Manufactured home documentation: HUD data plate, installation manual, and tie-down design (if applicable)

Permit validity

CID permits are valid for 180 days from issuance. If work has not commenced within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, the permit expires.

Building code

2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2020 NEC, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 IECC, HUD standards. Adobe/traditional construction: CID has provisions for traditional building methods. Consult CID early for any project involving adobe, rammed earth, or straw bale construction.

Owner-builder

State rule applies (NMAC 14.5.2.18): property owner may act as general contractor, subject to conditions including one permit per 12-month period and structure must be owner's primary residence.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must hold valid CID licenses. Verify licenses at https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/licensing/verify-a-license/

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Approximately $50 to $75

Plan check fee

Typically 65% of the building permit fee, paid at time of initial submittal

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. Representative tiers: Up to $2,000 valuation: minimum fee (~$50-$75); $2,001-$25,000: ~$25 plus $5.60/$1,000; $25,001-$50,000: ~$165 plus $5.00/$1,000 over $25,000; $50,001-$100,000: ~$290 plus $4.50/$1,000 over $50,000; $100,001-$500,000: ~$515 plus $3.50/$1,000 over $100,000; Over $500,000: ~$1,915 plus $3.00/$1,000 over $500,000

Trade permit fee

Electrical: $75-$200; Plumbing: $50-$150; Mechanical/HVAC: $50-$125

Reinspection fee

Approximately $50 to $75 per reinspection

Payment note

Online payment via the RLD ePlanning portal (credit card); in-person payment at CID regional office by check or money order payable to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, or cash.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Routine maintenance and minor repairs that restore existing work to original condition without altering structural elements, utilities, or occupancy
• Detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft used for storage (not occupancy) may be exempt
• Certain agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on bona fide farm operations without human occupancy

Important: All exemptions must be confirmed with CID before beginning work. For Anton Chico specifically: Properties near or within the Pecos River floodplain require FEMA NFIP compliance and Guadalupe County floodplain permit. Acequia water rights and easements must be identified and may restrict structure placement. Projects affecting acequias or Pecos River water flow require New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and acequia association approval.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (505) 476-4700 (phone)
• RLD ePlanning portal (online)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new residential construction: footing/foundation, underground utilities, slab/foundation, framing/rough, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, insulation, wallboard/drywall, final building, final electrical, final plumbing, final mechanical, Certificate of Occupancy.

Anton Chico's remote location means field inspectors may need to navigate unpaved or seasonal roads to reach the site. Confirm site access conditions and road conditions at time of scheduling. Planning scheduling lead times of 10 or more business days is typical.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2020 NEC, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 IECC, HUD standards. Adobe/traditional construction: CID has provisions for traditional building methods. Consult CID early for any project involving adobe, rammed earth, or straw bale construction.
• Verify contractor license: CID Contractor License Verification
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• New Mexico Office of the State Engineer / Interstate Stream Commission (Water rights, acequias, Pecos River)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center (Pecos River corridor)
• NMED Onsite Liquid Waste (Septic)
• New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (Historic Spanish colonial settlement)
• 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

Guadalupe County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

Same state CID requirements as unincorporated Guadalupe County (NMAC 14.5.2, 14.7.2). A permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs (except ordinary maintenance), demolitions, and changes of use or occupancy.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

The minimum permit fee is Approximately $50 to $75. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Representative tiers: Up to $2,000 valuation: minimum fee (~$50-$75); $2,001-$25,000: ~$25 plus $5.60/$1,000; $25,001-$50,000: ~$165 plus $5.00/$1,000 over $25,000; $50,001-$100,000: ~$290 plus $4.50/$1,000 over $50,000; $100,001-$500,000: ~$515 plus $3.50/$1,000 over $100,000; Over $500,000: ~$1,915 plus $3.00/$1,000 over $500,000. Plan check fee: Typically 65% of the building permit fee, paid at time of initial submittal.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

1. Confirm the property is located in Anton Chico. 2. For projects involving an acequia (irrigation ditch) or works within the Pecos River floodplain, obtain additional approvals from the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and/or the acequia association before or concurrent with the CID building permit. 3. Determine the permit type required: building (residential or commercial), electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or combination. 4. Prepare required documents including site plan (with acequia and Pecos River floodplain noted if applicable), construction drawings, contractor license info, and supporting documents. 5. Create or log in to the RLD ePlanning portal at https://eplanning.rld.nm.gov/. 6. Submit permit application and upload all required plans and supporting documents. 7. Pay the plan review fee at time of submittal. 8. CID staff will review submitted plans. For minor residential projects, review may take 5 to 15 business days. More complex projects may take 3 to 6 weeks. 9. Respond to any plan review comments. Resubmit corrected plans as requested. 10. Once plans are approved and all fees are paid, CID issues the permit. 11. Print and post the permit on the job site before work begins. 12. Contact CID to schedule required inspections. Inspectors may need to navigate unpaved or seasonal roads; confirm site access conditions at time of scheduling. 13. Upon passing the final inspection, CID issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Certificate of Completion.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

Typical processing time is 5 to 15 business days for straightforward residential projects; 3 to 6 weeks for complex work. Remote location of Anton Chico adds inspection scheduling lead times (potentially 10 or more business days)..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and minor repairs that restore existing work to original condition without altering structural elements, utilities, or occupancy; Detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft used for storage (not occupancy) may be exempt; Certain agricultural structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on bona fide farm operations without human occupancy. Note: All exemptions must be confirmed with CID before beginning work. For Anton Chico specifically: Properties near or within the Pecos River floodplain require FEMA NFIP compliance and Guadalupe County floodplain permit. Acequia water rights and easements must be identified and may restrict structure placement. Projects affecting acequias or Pecos River water flow require New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and acequia association approval.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Guadalupe County, NM?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (505) 476-4700, RLD ePlanning portal.