Santa Fe County, NM — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division

Street address

240 Grant Avenue, Second Floor, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone

505-986-6225 (main permit desk: 505-986-6307)

inspections@santafecountynm.gov

Coverage

All unincorporated areas of Santa Fe County - all lands outside the incorporated city limits of the City of Santa Fe, the Town of Edgewood, and the City of Espanola. Tribal lands (Tesuque, Pojoaque, Nambe, San Ildefonso, and Santa Clara Pueblos) have their own governance and may have separate or concurrent permitting requirements.

Online portal

Online Pre-Application Inquiry

Online pre-application inquiry form (not a full self-service portal; staff respond with project-specific application packet and checklist)

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Santa Fe County

All building and development in the unincorporated county requires a development permit under the Sustainable Land Development Code (SLDC), including: residential or commercial construction or additions; grading; lot splits or subdivisions; fences or walls over 6 feet high; solar electric systems; any change in use; demolition; manufactured home or modular home placement; accessory structures.

Scope of work

Permit?

Routine maintenance and repair that does not alter the structure, occupancy, or use

Exempt

Interior cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinetry, countertops) that does not involve structural changes or new plumbing/electrical

Exempt

Agricultural structures in rural areas may have reduced requirements (varies - confirm with division)

Exempt

Exempt Routine maintenance and repair that does not alter the structure, occupancy, or use
Exempt Interior cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinetry, countertops) that does not involve structural changes or new plumbing/electrical
Exempt Agricultural structures in rural areas may have reduced requirements (varies - confirm with division)

Note: Santa Fe County's SLDC is broadly inclusive; very little construction or land alteration is exempt. When in doubt, contact the division at 505-986-6225 to confirm.

Required documents

Completed application form and applicable permit packet
Proof of property taxes paid
Approved E-911 assigned address form
GIS Information Form and 11x17 PDF property map (provided by county GIS)
Site plan and construction drawings
Proof of water supply (well permit, water meter, or cistern documentation)
Proof of sewer/septic (NM Environment Dept. approval required if plumbing involved)
Owner's consent or contract if a contractor or agent is applying
Contractor CID license number (if applicable)

Building code: 2015 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (2015 IBC as amended by NM); 2015 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2015 IRC as amended by NM); NM Earthen Building Materials Code; 2018 NM Residential Energy Conservation Code; 2018 NM Commercial Energy Conservation Code. Santa Fe County also enforces its Sustainable Land Development Code (SLDC). County code adoption may lag state updates - confirm current adopted codes with the division.
Permit validity: Conditional use permits require commencement of substantial construction within 24 months (extendable up to 12 additional months by Planning Commission). Variances expire within one year if not implemented. Conceptual plans expire after 5 years (extendable 2 years). Contact division for standard construction permit expiration policy.
Owner-builder: Owner-builder permits are available in unincorporated Santa Fe County; NM CID owner-builder affidavit requirements apply. Contact division for specifics.
Contractor requirements: All contractors must hold a valid New Mexico CID license. License number must be provided on the application.

Source: Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Approximately 15 working days for standard residential applications not requiring a public hearing. Applications with public hearings vary.

01

Submit an online pre-application inquiry or pick up an application packet at 240 Grant Ave.
02

Staff contacts applicant within one business day with a project-specific checklist.
03

Assemble all required documents per the checklist.
04

Submit the completed application packet in person with the required non-refundable application fee.
05

All applications are routed for code enforcement initial inspection and County Fire review. If violations are found, applicant must resolve them before permit is released.
06

Plans are reviewed by Building and Development staff (standard residential timeline: approximately 15 working days for applications not requiring a public hearing).
07

Applicant is notified of approval or requested changes.
08

If public hearing is required (variances, conditional use permits), additional time is added; CUPs must commence construction within 24 months.
09

Once approved, permit and development order are issued.
10

Applicant schedules required inspections by emailing inspections@santafecountynm.gov or calling 505-986-6307.
11

Required inspections are completed; Certificate of Completion is issued.
12

New Mexico CID issues the Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: Approximately 15 working days for standard residential applications not requiring a public hearing. Applications with public hearings vary.

Source: Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Santa Fe County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Fees are due at time of application and are non-refundable unless otherwise stated; minimum not published in public web sources

Plan check fee

Included in the fee schedule under Ordinance 2016-8; paid at application

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based; permit fees calculated according to project valuation and type of process required. In addition to permit fees, Fire fees and Impact Fees apply based on structure size and type.

Reinspection fee

Not published in public-facing pages; contact 505-986-6225

Fees must be paid at time of submittal; applications received without payment will not be reviewed. If multiple approvals are required, cumulative fees for each review apply.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

inspections@santafecountynm.gov (include 'Inspection Request' in subject line with active permit number) (email)
505-986-6307 (phone)

Inspection hours: Business hours Monday - Friday; specific window times not published

Typical sequence: Initial code enforcement inspection and County Fire inspection after application submission; pre-final and final inspections as required for project type. County staff inspect well meters, cisterns, rainwater harvesting systems, and off-site improvements. NM CID performs trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) and issues Certificate of Occupancy.

Source: Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Santa Fe County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Fees are due at time of application and are non-refundable unless otherwise stated; minimum not published in public web sources. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based; permit fees calculated according to project valuation and type of process required. In addition to permit fees, Fire fees and Impact Fees apply based on structure size and type.. Plan check fee: Included in the fee schedule under Ordinance 2016-8; paid at application.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM, follow these steps: 1. Submit an online pre-application inquiry or pick up an application packet at 240 Grant Ave. 2. Staff contacts applicant within one business day with a project-specific checklist. 3. Assemble all required documents per the checklist. 4. Submit the completed application packet in person with the required non-refundable application fee. 5. All applications are routed for code enforcement initial inspection and County Fire review. If violations are found, applicant must resolve them before permit is released. 6. Plans are reviewed by Building and Development staff (standard residential timeline: approximately 15 working days for applications not requiring a public hearing). 7. Applicant is notified of approval or requested changes. 8. If public hearing is required (variances, conditional use permits), additional time is added; CUPs must commence construction within 24 months. 9. Once approved, permit and development order are issued. 10. Applicant schedules required inspections by emailing inspections@santafecountynm.gov or calling 505-986-6307. 11. Required inspections are completed; Certificate of Completion is issued. 12. New Mexico CID issues the Certificate of Occupancy.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM typically run Approximately 15 working days for standard residential applications not requiring a public hearing. Applications with public hearings vary.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM. The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and repair that does not alter the structure, occupancy, or use; Interior cosmetic work (painting, flooring, cabinetry, countertops) that does not involve structural changes or new plumbing/electrical; Agricultural structures in rural areas may have reduced requirements (varies - confirm with division). Note: Santa Fe County's SLDC is broadly inclusive; very little construction or land alteration is exempt. When in doubt, contact the division at 505-986-6225 to confirm. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Santa Fe County, NM via: inspections@santafecountynm.gov (include 'Inspection Request' in subject line with active permit number), 505-986-6307.

last verified April 2026 source Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division ↗ entry id permits/new-mexico/santa-fe/santa-fe-county

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Santa Fe County Building and Development Services Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Santa Fe County