Unincorporated Quay County

A building permit from NM CID is required for all construction of new structures, additions, structural alterations, demolitions, changes of use or occupancy, and installation or extension of electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems in unincorporated Quay County. This includes new residential construction (single-family, multi-family, manufactured housing), additions to existing residences, new commercial or agricultural structures that include habitable space or public-accessed facilities, any structure requiring plumbing, electrical, or mechanical rough-in, and mobile/manufactured home placement and re-installation.

• Exempt Open-sided or unenclosed agricultural outbuildings (pole barns, hay storage, livestock shelters) that do not include plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or habitable space are generally exempt from CID building permit requirements

Note: Confirm exemption status with CID before proceeding. Minor repairs and maintenance (routine maintenance and minor repairs that do not affect structural integrity, fire and life safety, or egress, such as replacing like-for-like doors and windows, re-roofing with same materials, and painting) are generally not subject to CID permit requirements but should be confirmed with CID.

Building code

2021 NM Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended by NM; NMAC 14.5.2), 2021 NM Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC as amended by NM), 2021 NM Plumbing Code (2021 UPC as amended by NM; NMAC 14.5.3), 2021 NM Mechanical Code (2021 IMC as amended by NM; NMAC 14.5.4), 2020 NM Electrical Code (2020 NEC; NMAC 14.5.1), 2021 NM Energy Conservation Code (2021 IECC as amended; NMAC 14.5.7), NM Earthen Building Materials Code (for adobe and rammed-earth construction)

Permit validity

A building permit is valid for the duration of active construction. NM CID may expire permits that have had no inspection activity within a set period (typically 180 days); contact CID for current expiration policy. Permits may be extended upon request.

Owner-builder

Homeowner permits are available under 14.5.2.18 NMAC. A homeowner may obtain one residential building permit per 12-month period for their primary residence. The homeowner must personally perform the major portion (by dollar value) of the work. The homeowner must sign the CID Homeowner Responsibility Form (a notarized acknowledgment of responsibilities and limitations). The homeowner may not sell the property within one year of permit issuance without required disclosures.

Contractor requirements

All contractors performing construction work in New Mexico must hold a current NM CID contractor license. For residential work, a GB-2 (residential building) license is required. For general commercial work, a GB-98 (general commercial) license or appropriate trade license is required. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors hold trade-specific licenses. Verify license status at https://www.rld.nm.gov/licensing/

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Albuquerque District Office ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the property is in unincorporated Quay County and that NM CID is the issuing authority.
2. 02
   Download the appropriate CID permit application from https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/forms-and-applications/. For residential construction, use the NM Multi Purpose Building Application (residential). For commercial, use the NM Multi Purpose Building Application (commercial/CID-1). For homeowner-builder projects, use the Homeowner Building Permit Application.
3. 03
   Prepare construction documents: site plan showing property boundaries, structure placement, setbacks, access, and drainage; architectural and structural drawings at a recognized scale with details of footings, framing, and roofing; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plans if applicable.
4. 04
   Obtain E-911 address assignment if building a new structure on an unaddressed parcel. Contact Quay County GIS at (575) 461-1760.
5. 05
   If a well or septic system is involved, obtain approvals from the NM Environment Department (NMED), Water Quality Control Commission, or Office of the State Engineer (OSE) before applying for the building permit.
6. 06
   Submit the completed application, construction documents, and permit fee to the CID district office. Fees are due at time of application.
7. 07
   CID reviews the application and construction documents for code compliance.
8. 08
   If corrections are required, CID notifies the applicant; revised documents are resubmitted.
9. 09
   Upon approval, CID issues the building permit. The permit must be posted on-site and visible during all construction.
10. 10
    Schedule required inspections by calling the CID inspection call center at (505) 222-9813 or toll-free 1-877-243-0979. Request inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
11. 11
    Complete all required inspections. Do not cover work that has not been inspected.
12. 12
    Upon passing all required inspections and submitting as-built documentation if required, CID issues the Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: Not published as a fixed turnaround for Quay County projects; CID workload varies. Contact CID at (505) 476-4616 or (505) 222-9800 for current turnaround times.

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Albuquerque District Office ↗

Fees are paid at time of application submittal at the CID district office. Confirm accepted payment methods (check, money order, credit card) with the CID office before submitting.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• (505) 222-9813 (local) or 1-877-243-0979 (toll-free) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections should be requested at least 24 hours (one business day) in advance. The permit number must be provided when scheduling.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, normal business hours

Time windows

Specific AM/PM windows are not guaranteed; contact the office for scheduling availability in the Quay County area. Rural county inspections may require longer lead times due to travel distances.

Typical sequence: Typical inspection sequence for new residential construction: 1. Foundation / footing (before pouring concrete), 2. Framing / structural (after rough framing is complete, before insulation), 3. Rough electrical (before covering walls), 4. Rough plumbing (before covering walls/floor), 5. Rough mechanical (before covering), 6. Insulation (before drywall), 7. Final building / life safety, 8. Final electrical / final plumbing / final mechanical (trade finals), 9. Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all finals.

Do not proceed past any stage that requires an inspection before the inspection is completed and approved. Covering uninspected work will result in a failed inspection and may require destructive remediation.

Source: New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Albuquerque District Office ↗