City Building Permits

Moriarty, NM - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

New Mexico Torrance County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Moriarty is an incorporated municipality issuing its own zoning approvals and land use permits. Structural building permits are issued by the state CID. Moriarty lies at the intersection of I-40 and NM 41, approximately 40 miles east of Albuquerque, and is experiencing steady population growth as an Albuquerque exurb.

Department
City of Moriarty -- Planning and Zoning Department
Address
201 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035 (City Hall / PO Box 130)
Phone
(505) 832-4406

Application Process

  1. Determine jurisdiction: Confirm the parcel is within City of Moriarty limits (not unincorporated Torrance County). Call City Hall at (505) 832-4406 or the Zoning Administrator at (505) 886-3020.
  2. Contact the Zoning Office at (505) 886-3020 or mmartinez@moriartynm.gov to initiate zoning review. Bring a drawing of the proposed project (does not need to be professionally drawn, but must be clear and legible).
  3. Zoning approval is required before any construction proceeds. Zoning Administrator reviews for conformance with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO), which contains 9 zoning classifications. For conditional uses or variances, a Planning and Zoning Board hearing will be required.
  4. After receiving Moriarty zoning approval, proceed to CID Albuquerque at 5500 San Antonio Dr. NE to apply for the structural building permit.
  5. Submit completed CID application, construction plans (two sets), energy compliance docs, and contractor or owner-builder information to CID.
  6. Pay CID plan review fee at submission; pay building permit fee upon permit issuance.
  7. CID issues permit. Post the permit at the job site.
  8. Schedule CID inspections at required milestones.
  9. CID issues Certificate of Occupancy upon successful final inspection.

Typical processing time: Routine zoning review in Moriarty: 1-3 weeks. Conditional uses or variances requiring Board hearing: 4-8 weeks or more. CID plan review: 10-30 days. Budget 4-8 weeks for a straightforward residential project.

Source: City of Moriarty -- Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

All structures exceeding 120 sq. ft.; all trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas). Town zoning clearance also required prior to CID application.

Required Documents

  • Clear project drawing / site plan showing property, proposed construction, and setbacks (zoning step)
  • Legal description or property address
  • Owner contact information
  • Nature of work description
  • Completed CID General Building Permit Application
  • Two complete sets of construction plans
  • Energy compliance documentation (NMAC 14.7.9)
  • Contractor license information or homeowner permit application
  • Soils/geotechnical data where required
Permit validity
CID permits expire if work does not commence within 180 days or is abandoned for 180 days.
Building code
NMAC Title 14 statewide codes (14.5.2 residential, 14.7.2 commercial, 2020 NEC, 14.5.4 plumbing, 14.5.5 mechanical, 14.7.9 energy).
Owner-builder
Same NMAC 14.5.2.18 homeowner's permit provisions apply. One permit per primary residence per 12 months. Owner must take and pass CID exam for self-performed trade work.
Contractor requirements
Contractors must hold current RLD licenses (GB-2 or GB-98) and applicable trade licenses.

Fees

Plan check fee
CID plan review fee: 20% of building permit fee.
Permit fee formula
City zoning/land use fees: Set by city ordinance. Specific amounts not publicly posted online as of this research date. Contact Zoning Administrator at (505) 886-3020. CID fees: $3.00 per $1,000 for first $15,000; $1.00 per $1,000 above $15,000.
Trade permit fee
Separate CID fees per trade; contact (505) 222-9800 or see https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/forms-and-applications/fees/

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Moriarty -- Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • CID Albuquerque Regional Office: (505) 222-9800 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Minimum 48-hour advance notice.

Typical inspection sequence: CID Albuquerque Regional Office conducts all building and trade inspections. Required inspections (residential): footing/foundation; concrete slab/under-floor; rough framing; rough electrical, plumbing, mechanical; insulation (where applicable for energy code); final trades; final building. All inspections must be passed in sequence. City of Moriarty may also conduct a separate zoning compliance inspection to confirm construction matches the approved zoning clearance; confirm with City Hall.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Moriarty -- Planning and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moriarty Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Moriarty, NM?
All structures exceeding 120 sq. ft.; all trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas). Town zoning clearance also required prior to CID application.
How much does a building permit cost in Moriarty, NM?
Fees are calculated as: City zoning/land use fees: Set by city ordinance. Specific amounts not publicly posted online as of this research date. Contact Zoning Administrator at (505) 886-3020. CID fees: $3.00 per $1,000 for first $15,000; $1.00 per $1,000 above $15,000.. Plan check fee: CID plan review fee: 20% of building permit fee..
How do I apply for a building permit in Moriarty, NM?
1. Determine jurisdiction: Confirm the parcel is within City of Moriarty limits (not unincorporated Torrance County). Call City Hall at (505) 832-4406 or the Zoning Administrator at (505) 886-3020. 2. Contact the Zoning Office at (505) 886-3020 or mmartinez@moriartynm.gov to initiate zoning review. Bring a drawing of the proposed project (does not need to be professionally drawn, but must be clear and legible). 3. Zoning approval is required before any construction proceeds. Zoning Administrator reviews for conformance with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO), which contains 9 zoning classifications. For conditional uses or variances, a Planning and Zoning Board hearing will be required. 4. After receiving Moriarty zoning approval, proceed to CID Albuquerque at 5500 San Antonio Dr. NE to apply for the structural building permit. 5. Submit completed CID application, construction plans (two sets), energy compliance docs, and contractor or owner-builder information to CID. 6. Pay CID plan review fee at submission; pay building permit fee upon permit issuance. 7. CID issues permit. Post the permit at the job site. 8. Schedule CID inspections at required milestones. 9. CID issues Certificate of Occupancy upon successful final inspection.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Moriarty, NM?
Typical processing time is Routine zoning review in Moriarty: 1-3 weeks. Conditional uses or variances requiring Board hearing: 4-8 weeks or more. CID plan review: 10-30 days. Budget 4-8 weeks for a straightforward residential project..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Moriarty, NM?
Inspections can be scheduled via: CID Albuquerque Regional Office: (505) 222-9800. Minimum 48-hour advance notice..

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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.

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