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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Espanola
Residents are not allowed to build without a permit within the City of Espanola. Permit (site development approval) is required for: new home construction; additions to existing homes; placement of mobile/manufactured home, carport, fence, and/or other accessory structure; utility connections; and opening a business. A separate state building permit from NM CID is required for construction.
Note: Not published on public-facing city pages. NM CID code exemptions apply for state-issued building permits. Contact the department at 505-747-6081 to confirm what work requires a site development permit vs. what is exempt locally.
- Completed Site Development Permit Application
- Site Plan
- Proof of Ownership or Lease
- Detailed Project Description
- Additional documents may be required by CID for the state building permit
- Building code
- City of Espanola adopted building codes as Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances (Ordinance No. 2013-02, adopted Nov 19, 2013). State NM codes adopted by CID apply for construction permits.
- Permit validity
- Not published for city-level permits; NM CID permit validity rules apply to state-issued building permits. Contact department.
- Owner-builder
- NM CID owner-builder affidavit rules apply for the state building permit; confirm any city-specific requirements with the department.
- Contractor requirements
- NM CID license required for all contractors; license number must be provided to CID when applying for the building permit.
Application process
Typical processing: Not published; contact department at 505-747-6081
- 01 Contact the Planning and Land Use Department at 505-747-6081 to confirm requirements for your project.
- 02 Obtain and complete a Site Development Permit Application from the department or online.
- 03 Submit in person at 409 N. Paseo de Onate with required documents: Site Plan, Proof of Ownership or Lease, and Detailed Project Description.
- 04 Pay the $25 permit application fee at submission (cashier closes at 4:30 PM).
- 05 Staff reviews the application for zoning and land use compliance.
- 06 Once zoning approval is granted by the Planning and Land Use Department, contact the NM Construction Industries Division (CID) to obtain the actual building permit for construction. CID Santa Fe office: 2550 Cerrillos Road, 3rd Floor, Santa Fe, NM 87505; 505-476-4700.
- 07 CID reviews plans for construction code compliance and issues the building permit.
- 08 Construction proceeds; CID and/or city conduct required inspections.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact department at 505-747-6081
Fee schedule
Espanola building permit fees
City fees paid in person; cashier window closes at 4:30 PM.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Building inspections for CID-issued permits: NM CID Santa Fe office at 505-476-4700. City code enforcement and site development inspections: Planning and Land Use at 505-747-6081. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- City office hours Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Determined by NM CID for building permits; city may conduct site development compliance inspections.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Espanola permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Espanola, NM? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in Espanola, NM? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Espanola, NM? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Espanola, NM? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Espanola, NM? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Espanola Planning and Land Use Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.