How much does a building permit cost in Santa Fe, NM?

The minimum permit fee is $25 for projects valued at $1 to $500; plus $40 administrative fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for primary permits. Secondary permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are fixed amounts by work type. Tiered structure: $1-$500 = $25.00; $501-$2,000 = $25.35 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction; $50,001-$100,000 = $643.75 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$275,000 = $993.75 + $5.93 per $1,000 or fraction.. Plan check fee: Collected at time of application submittal.

How do I apply for a building permit in Santa Fe, NM?

1. Determine permit type and download the relevant submittal checklist from the city website. 2. Prepare required drawings and documents per the checklist for your project type. 3. Submit the application online via CSS or in person by appointment at 200 Lincoln Ave. 4. Pay the plan check fee at time of application submittal. 5. Plans are reviewed for code compliance; applicant receives status updates through CSS dashboard. Reviewer may place holds requesting additional information. 6. If plans are rejected, applicant corrects and resubmits. A Building Permit Expeditor contacts the applicant when revisions can be accepted. 7. Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fees plus any applicable impact fees. 8. Permit is issued; schedule required inspections through CSS or by phone/email. 9. Complete required inspections during construction. 10. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in Santa Fe, NM?

The following work is generally exempt: Interior and exterior painting of residential structures; Minor landscaping (not involving grading or drainage changes); Carpeting, tiling, cabinetry, and countertops (non-structural, no plumbing/electrical); Exterior decks under 120 square feet if not attached to a structure; Most simple maintenance and repair in a Historic District that does not alter the historic fabric. Note: Exemptions for the City of Santa Fe are defined in the adopted building codes and local ordinance; confirm specific projects with the Building Permit Division before proceeding without a permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Santa Fe, NM?

Inspections can be scheduled via: CSS portal (preferred), inspectionscounter@santafenm.gov, 505-955-6150.

City Building Permits

Santa Fe, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

New Mexico Santa Fe County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated city limits of the City of Santa Fe. The city is a Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) designated by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.

Department: City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division
Address: 200 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87504 (First Floor, West Wing)
Phone: 505-955-6588
Email: permitcounter@santafenm.gov
Website: https://santafenm.gov/land-use/building-permits

Online Permit Portal

Open Citizen Self-Service (CSS)

Platform: Citizen Self-Service (CSS) • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine permit type and download the relevant submittal checklist from the city website.
Prepare required drawings and documents per the checklist for your project type.
Submit the application online via CSS or in person by appointment at 200 Lincoln Ave.
Pay the plan check fee at time of application submittal.
Plans are reviewed for code compliance; applicant receives status updates through CSS dashboard. Reviewer may place holds requesting additional information.
If plans are rejected, applicant corrects and resubmits. A Building Permit Expeditor contacts the applicant when revisions can be accepted.
Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fees plus any applicable impact fees.
Permit is issued; schedule required inspections through CSS or by phone/email.
Complete required inspections during construction.
Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all inspections.

Typical processing time: Not published as a fixed number; monitor CSS dashboard for status updates. Note: building inspections may experience a two to three business-day lag due to staffing and volume.

Source: City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division

General Requirements

Building permits are required for most construction work within city limits including new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and most mechanical/electrical/plumbing work. Fences, walls, solar installations, and manufactured home placement also require permits.

Required Documents

Completed application form
Site plan
Construction drawings
Energy compliance documents
Contractor license numbers

Permit validity: A building permit is valid for one year from date of issuance, provided construction commences within 180 days; otherwise the permit becomes invalid.
Building code: 2021 NM Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Existing Building Code; 2021 NM Plumbing Code (2021 UPC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Mechanical Code; 2020 NM Electrical Code; 2021 NM Energy Conservation Code; City of Santa Fe Green Building Code (applies to all new single-family units, guesthouses, additions, and remodels).
Owner-builder: Owner-builder (homeowner builder) permits are available. The applicant must sign an affidavit issued by the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division and the City of Santa Fe acknowledging responsibility and liability for the work.
Contractor requirements: All contractors performing construction work in New Mexico must be licensed with the New Mexico Construction Industries Division. Applicants must list the contractor's company name, address, and CID license number on the permit application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $25 for projects valued at $1 to $500; plus $40 administrative fee
Plan check fee: Collected at time of application submittal
Permit fee formula: Valuation-based for primary permits. Secondary permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are fixed amounts by work type. Tiered structure: $1-$500 = $25.00; $501-$2,000 = $25.35 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction; $50,001-$100,000 = $643.75 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$275,000 = $993.75 + $5.93 per $1,000 or fraction.
Reinspection fee: Not published in public-facing pages; contact division for current amounts
Payment note: Online payment via CSS portal is available. Impact fees also collected at permit issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Interior and exterior painting of residential structures
Minor landscaping (not involving grading or drainage changes)
Carpeting, tiling, cabinetry, and countertops (non-structural, no plumbing/electrical)
Exterior decks under 120 square feet if not attached to a structure
Most simple maintenance and repair in a Historic District that does not alter the historic fabric

Important: Exemptions for the City of Santa Fe are defined in the adopted building codes and local ordinance; confirm specific projects with the Building Permit Division before proceeding without a permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

CSS portal (preferred) (online)
inspectionscounter@santafenm.gov (email)
505-955-6150 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12 PM - 1 PM)
Time windows: CSS allows AM or PM preference but not a set time

Typical inspection sequence: Depends on project type; generally includes foundation/slab, framing, rough mechanical/electrical/plumbing, insulation, and final/CO. See checklist for your permit type.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 NM Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Existing Building Code; 2021 NM Plumbing Code (2021 UPC as amended by NM); 2021 NM Mechanical Code; 2020 NM Electrical Code; 2021 NM Energy Conservation Code; City of Santa Fe Green Building Code (applies to all new single-family units, guesthouses, additions, and remodels).
Zoning information: View zoning info
GIS Services
Development Application Forms and Fees
Code of Ordinances (Municode)
Permit Status Tracking
Inspections and Enforcement
License lookup guide: New Mexico Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: New Mexico Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
New Mexico hub: New Mexico Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Fe Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Santa Fe, NM?: Building permits are required for most construction work within city limits including new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and most mechanical/electrical/plumbing work. Fences, walls, solar installations, and manufactured home placement also require permits.
How much does a building permit cost in Santa Fe, NM?: The minimum permit fee is $25 for projects valued at $1 to $500; plus $40 administrative fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for primary permits. Secondary permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are fixed amounts by work type. Tiered structure: $1-$500 = $25.00; $501-$2,000 = $25.35 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction; $50,001-$100,000 = $643.75 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$275,000 = $993.75 + $5.93 per $1,000 or fraction.. Plan check fee: Collected at time of application submittal.
How do I apply for a building permit in Santa Fe, NM?: 1. Determine permit type and download the relevant submittal checklist from the city website. 2. Prepare required drawings and documents per the checklist for your project type. 3. Submit the application online via CSS or in person by appointment at 200 Lincoln Ave. 4. Pay the plan check fee at time of application submittal. 5. Plans are reviewed for code compliance; applicant receives status updates through CSS dashboard. Reviewer may place holds requesting additional information. 6. If plans are rejected, applicant corrects and resubmits. A Building Permit Expeditor contacts the applicant when revisions can be accepted. 7. Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fees plus any applicable impact fees. 8. Permit is issued; schedule required inspections through CSS or by phone/email. 9. Complete required inspections during construction. 10. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing all inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Santa Fe, NM?: Typical processing time is Not published as a fixed number; monitor CSS dashboard for status updates. Note: building inspections may experience a two to three business-day lag due to staffing and volume..
What work is exempt from building permits in Santa Fe, NM?: The following work is generally exempt: Interior and exterior painting of residential structures; Minor landscaping (not involving grading or drainage changes); Carpeting, tiling, cabinetry, and countertops (non-structural, no plumbing/electrical); Exterior decks under 120 square feet if not attached to a structure; Most simple maintenance and repair in a Historic District that does not alter the historic fabric. Note: Exemptions for the City of Santa Fe are defined in the adopted building codes and local ordinance; confirm specific projects with the Building Permit Division before proceeding without a permit.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Santa Fe, NM?: Inspections can be scheduled via: CSS portal (preferred), inspectionscounter@santafenm.gov, 505-955-6150.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Santa Fe can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Santa Fe County

Santa Fe Edgewood Espanola

View all Santa Fe County jurisdictions →