On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Santa Fe
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.
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
- Exempt Interior and exterior painting of residential structures
- Exempt Minor landscaping (not involving grading or drainage changes)
- Exempt Carpeting, tiling, cabinetry, and countertops (non-structural, no plumbing/electrical)
- Exempt Exterior decks under 120 square feet if not attached to a structure
- Exempt 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.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Energy compliance documents
- Contractor license numbers
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
Source: City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Determine permit type and download the relevant submittal checklist from the city website.
- 02 Prepare required drawings and documents per the checklist for your project type.
- 03 Submit the application online via CSS or in person by appointment at 200 Lincoln Ave.
- 04 Pay the plan check fee at time of application submittal.
- 05 Plans are reviewed for code compliance; applicant receives status updates through CSS dashboard. Reviewer may place holds requesting additional information.
- 06 If plans are rejected, applicant corrects and resubmits. A Building Permit Expeditor contacts the applicant when revisions can be accepted.
- 07 Once plans are approved, pay remaining permit fees plus any applicable impact fees.
- 08 Permit is issued; schedule required inspections through CSS or by phone/email.
- 09 Complete required inspections during construction.
- 10 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Santa Fe building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25 for projects valued at $1 to $500; plus $40 administrative fee
02
Plan check fee
Collected at time of application submittal
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
Not published in public-facing pages; contact division for current amounts
Online payment via CSS portal is available. Impact fees also collected at permit issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Depends on project type; generally includes foundation/slab, framing, rough mechanical/electrical/plumbing, insulation, and final/CO. See checklist for your permit type.
Source: City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Santa Fe permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Santa Fe, NM? ▸
Building permit fees in Santa Fe, NM are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Santa Fe, NM? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Santa Fe, NM, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Santa Fe, NM? ▸
Building permit processing times in Santa Fe, NM typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Santa Fe, NM? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Santa Fe, NM? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Santa Fe, NM via: CSS portal (preferred), inspectionscounter@santafenm.gov, 505-955-6150.
last verified April 2026
source City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division ↗
entry id permits/new-mexico/santa-fe/santa-fe-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Santa Fe Land Use Department - Building Permit Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.