Skip to main content
PermitBase

Commercial Tenant Improvement / Alteration Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Required for interior alterations, remodels, and tenant improvements of existing commercial buildings and tenant spaces in Albuquerque. The City publishes a dedicated Commercial Alterations submittal track with its own plan requirements and a shorter review routing (IBC, Zoning, Fire Prevention, Environmental Health) than new commercial construction. Fees use the same valuation-based commercial schedule; projects involving first-time occupancy or a change of occupancy are instead reviewed under the New Commercial Construction track.

Verified 2026-08-01 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Commercial remodeling and alteration work requires a building permit and plan review; apply through the ABQ-PLAN electronic plan review portal (the Commercial Alterations handout's paper process calls for two sets of plans)
  • All construction plans must be certified by a Registered New Mexico Professional Architect and/or Engineer, with all documents signed, sealed, and dated by the preparing professional
  • Permit is issued only to a general contractor holding a New Mexico GB-98 license; out-of-state contractors may need a TS-43 surety bond verification form Contractor
  • Code data must include occupancy, separated/non-separated use, type of construction, square footage of each building/tenant space, allowable area calculation, and IECC energy code path; Energy Code checklist required on all submittals
  • Where applicable, plans must include wall sections with partition details, accessibility information, door assemblies with hardware and frames, glazing, accessories schedules, and a reflected ceiling plan
  • Alteration plans are routed to IBC (building) plan review, Zoning, Fire Prevention, and Environmental Health (food establishments) — a shorter routing than the seven-division new-construction track
  • Fire Prevention requires a dedicated 'Fire 2' floor plan sheet locating fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire protection systems, and sprinklers
  • Electrical plans must be PE-sealed when the installation exceeds 200A single-phase or 50 kVA three-phase; mechanical plans when mechanical valuation exceeds $50,000 or the building exceeds 2 stories; plumbing plans above the 4-inch building drain fixture-unit threshold (UPC Table 7-3) or over 2 stories
  • First-time occupancy or change of occupancy of a tenant space is processed under the New Commercial Construction submittal track, not the alterations track
  • Application expires if no permit is issued within 180 days of submittal; Minor Alteration and Repair Permits expire 180 days from the date of issuance (UAC Sections 110.5 and 111.4)

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 4 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, commercial regional modifier 0.67)2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code, Table 112-A and Section 112.2.1 — the City does not publish a separate tenant-improvement fee table; TI permits are priced on project valuation under the commercial schedule
Same valuation-based Table 112-A formula as new commercial construction ($23.50 minimum up to $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000), with the 0.67 Albuquerque Regional Modifier for apartments, public, and commercial construction
Plan Review FeeUAC Section 112.3 and Building Safety FAQs
65% of the building permit fee, paid at time of plan submittal, plus zoning and hydrology fees where applicable
FasTrax Expedited Plan Review (optional)Guaranteed initial review completion date, ~10-day average turnaround, first review cycle only
3 times the regular plan review fee, $1,000 minimum
Preliminary IBC Plan Review (optional)Commercial Alterations handout and UAC Table 112-A Other Inspections and Fees item 7
$75.00 per hour, by appointment
Re-inspection FeeUAC Table 112-A Other Inspections and Fees item 2
$47.00 each
Investigation Fee (work commenced without a permit)UAC Section 112.4.2
Equal to the amount of the permit fee otherwise required
Certificate of Occupancy / Temporary COUAC Table 112-A Other Inspections and Fees items 9 and 10
$50.00 Certificate of Occupancy; $100.00 Temporary Certificate of Occupancy

Review timeline

Plan reviewAlbuquerque’s published plan-review target
18–18 business days

How long did your Commercial Tenant Improvement / Alteration Permit permit actually take in Albuquerque?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Framing Inspection

    Interior framing/partition inspection before concealment, per the City's commercial inspection sequence (foundation inspection applies only if the scope includes foundation work)

  2. 2

    Plumbing Inspection

    Rough plumbing inspection under the associated trade permit, as applicable to scope

  3. 3

    Mechanical Inspection

    Rough mechanical/HVAC inspection under the associated trade permit, as applicable to scope

  4. 4

    Electrical Inspection

    Rough electrical inspection under the associated trade permit, as applicable to scope

  5. 5

    Insulation Inspection

    After insulation is installed, before covering, as applicable to scope

  6. 6

    Structural Inspection

    Structural inspection where the alteration affects structural elements

  7. 7

    Fire Protection Inspection

    Fire protection systems inspection (sprinkler/alarm modifications carry their own permits)

  8. 8

    Final Inspections

    Final construction approval; for occupancy-affecting projects the city agencies (Zoning, Solid Waste, Environmental Health, Hydrology, Fire Marshal) approve final construction before a Certificate of Occupancy is prepared

See the full Albuquerque inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • If the tenant space has never been occupied (new shell building) or the use/occupancy classification is changing, the project is reviewed under the New Commercial Construction track — 'Including FIRST TIME or CHANGE Of OCCUPANCY' per the City's own handout — with the fuller seven-division routing.
  • Plan review comments are posted online (Building Safety 'Plan Review Comments' quick link) and the designee is notified by phone when review is complete — list a reachable contact person and number on the application.
  • Only the architect, engineer, or their written-authorized representative may make changes to the plans before or after permit issuance; substantive deviations during construction must be resubmitted for approval (UAC 110.4.10).
  • Food-service TIs (restaurants, bars, bakeries, commissaries) get an additional Environmental Health review against the City Food Sanitation Ordinance — engage that division early.
  • The Commercial Alterations handout (last revised 2019) lists superseded code editions; the currently enforced technical codes are the 2021 New Mexico suite plus the 2020 NM Electrical Code.
  • FasTrax expedited review (3x plan review fee, $1,000 minimum, ~10-day average initial review) is available for TI projects on a compressed schedule.

Frequently asked questions

A Certificate of Occupancy ($50) is prepared after final inspections are approved; occupancy- or use-affecting projects require final approval from Zoning, Solid Waste, Environmental Health, Hydrology, and the Fire Marshal. A Temporary CO ($100, 30 days, extendable to 12 months) is available when qualifying portions can be occupied safely.

In Albuquerque, the published Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, commercial regional modifier 0.67) is: Same valuation-based Table 112-A formula as new commercial construction ($23.50 minimum up to $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000), with the 0.67 Albuquerque Regional Modifier for apartments, public, and commercial construction. Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — 65% of the building permit fee, paid at time of plan submittal, plus zoning and hydrology fees where applicable; FasTrax Expedited Plan Review (optional) — 3 times the regular plan review fee, $1,000 minimum; Preliminary IBC Plan Review (optional) — $75.00 per hour, by appointment; Re-inspection Fee — $47.00 each; Investigation Fee (work commenced without a permit) — Equal to the amount of the permit fee otherwise required; Certificate of Occupancy / Temporary CO — $50.00 Certificate of Occupancy; $100.00 Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

The City's Permit Timeline dashboard reports commercial building permits (including alterations) averaging 18 business days to issuance as of July 2026; the City does not publish a separate TI-only figure. FasTrax expedited review (3x plan review fee, $1,000 minimum) averages about 10 days for the initial review.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Drawings (Alteration Set); Fire 2 Floor Plan; Energy Code Checklist. Depending on your project, Albuquerque may also ask for: Interior Detail Sheets (as applicable); PE-Sealed Trade Designs (threshold-dependent). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Albuquerque requires 8 inspection(s) for a commercial tenant improvement / alteration permit, in order: Framing Inspection, Plumbing Inspection, Mechanical Inspection, Electrical Inspection, Insulation Inspection, Structural Inspection, Fire Protection Inspection, Final Inspections. Schedule each through City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety Division ((505) 924-3320).

Apply through City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety Division at Plaza Del Sol Building, 600 2nd St. NW, Suite 190, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone: (505) 924-3320. Office hours: Building Permits & Plan Review: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday. Building/Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical Inspections & Trade Permits: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday. The Building Safety permit counter is closed every Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.. Official information: https://www.cabq.gov/planning/building-safety-division.

Albuquerque processes TIs as commercial alteration building permits — the City publishes a dedicated Commercial Alterations submittal track with its own plan requirements and a shorter review routing (IBC, Zoning, Fire Prevention, Environmental Health) than new commercial construction, but the permit instrument and Table 112-A valuation-based fees are the same. First-time or change-of-occupancy projects are routed through the New Commercial Construction track instead.

Yes — all commercial construction plans must be certified, signed, sealed, and dated by a Registered New Mexico Professional Architect and/or Engineer. Separate PE seals are additionally required for electrical designs over 200A single-phase or 50 kVA three-phase, mechanical designs over $50,000 or 2 stories, and plumbing designs above the 4-inch building drain fixture-unit threshold.

This one’s complicated · Get an expediter

Tell us about your project and we’ll connect you with a permit expediter who works in Albuquerque.

PermitBase may receive a referral fee from the expediter. This is a service introduction, not verified permit data or legal advice.

Other permits in Albuquerque

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel PermitElectrical PermitEV Charger / EVSE PermitPlumbing / Mechanical PermitRe-Roof PermitSolar Photovoltaic (PV) PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) PermitWall / Fence PermitSign PermitDemolition PermitFire Alarm & Automatic Sprinkler System Permit (Albuquerque Fire Rescue)Certificate of Occupancy / Change of OccupancyCommercial Building Permit (New Construction & Additions)

Commercial Tenant Improvement / Alteration Permit in other cities

Las Cruces, New MexicoLos Alamos County, New MexicoSanta Fe, New MexicoAlpine, UtahAmerican Fork, UtahApache Junction, ArizonaArvada, ColoradoAurora, Colorado

Compare commercial tenant improvement / alteration permit fees across New Mexico →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Albuquerque project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Albuquerque — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →