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Plumbing / Mechanical Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Required for heating/cooling installation, exhaust hood installation, bathroom/kitchen piping work, ductwork/equipment installation, house sewer or water service work, and water heater installation in Albuquerque. Governed by the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code and 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code as locally administered under the Uniform Administrative Code. Apply through ABQ-PLAN.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Heating or cooling installation requires a plumbing/mechanical permit
  • Installation of an exhaust hood requires a permit
  • Installation or alteration of bathroom or kitchen piping requires a permit
  • Installation of equipment or ductwork must be completed by a licensed contractor and requires a permit Contractor
  • Installation or alteration of house sewer or water service outside the structure requires a permit
  • Installation of a water heater must be completed by a licensed contractor and requires a permit (residential water heater replacement is eligible for Express Permitting — same-day issuance) Contractor
  • May be issued to a homeowner who passes a written plumbing exam with a score of 75% or greater, otherwise a New Mexico-licensed plumbing/mechanical contractor is required

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Administrative charge (applies to all applications and additions to permit; exception: re-inspection fee)UAC Table 112-C item 1 (mechanical) and Table 112-D item 1 (plumbing)
$47.00 each
Plumbing fixture (includes drain and vent)UAC Table 112-D, item 6
$10.00 each
Water service (from property line to house/building)UAC Table 112-D, item 8
$14.00
House or building sewer (from property line to house/building, including 2-way cleanout)UAC Table 112-D, item 10
$28.00 each
Each appliance (mechanical), includes plenums and venting (excludes boilers, refrigeration, A/C, absorption units)UAC Table 112-C, item 6
$14.00 each
Ventilation fan connected to a single ductUAC Table 112-C, item 15
$14.00 each
Installation of a hood served by mechanical exhaust, including ductsUAC Table 112-C, item 17
$90.00 each
Gas outletUAC Table 112-C item 5 / Table 112-D item 5
$6.00 each
Re-inspection FeeUAC Tables 112-C and 112-D, Other Inspections and Fees, per Section 113.5.8
$47.00 each
Plan Review Fee (mechanical/plumbing)UAC Section 112.3
25% of the total permit fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewAlbuquerque’s published plan-review target
1–1 business days

How long did your Plumbing / Mechanical 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

    Building or House Sewer

    Sewer inspected before backfill, minimum depth 12 inches, properly graded, per Uniform Plumbing Code Table 717.1

  2. 2

    Sanitary Rough-In

    All drain/waste/vent piping below first floor tested (water fill or 5 psi air test, 15 minutes)

  3. 3

    Rough Piping / Heating Top-Out

    After piping and ductwork installed, before covering or concealment; includes gas line test

  4. 4

    Plumbing / Mechanical Final

    When all plumbing/mechanical equipment is complete, fixtures installed and ready for use

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

Tips

  • Per the City's live Permit Timeline Dashboard, plumbing/mechanical permits average next-day issuance.
  • Residential water heater replacement is one of the permit types currently eligible for the Express Permitting System (same-day issuance).
  • Homeowners may take a written plumbing exam (75% passing score) to obtain their own permit; otherwise a licensed contractor is required, and equipment/ductwork/water heater installation specifically must be performed by a licensed contractor per the City's permit page. Contractor
  • No temporary gas connection is allowed before October 1 or after April 30 per UAC Table 112-C/112-D notes.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Water heater installation requires a plumbing/mechanical permit and must be completed by a licensed contractor. Residential water heater replacement is eligible for the City's Express Permitting System, which allows same-day permit issuance.

In Albuquerque, the published Administrative charge (applies to all applications and additions to permit; exception: re-inspection fee) is: $47.00 each. Additional published fees: Plumbing fixture (includes drain and vent) — $10.00 each; Water service (from property line to house/building) — $14.00; House or building sewer (from property line to house/building, including 2-way cleanout) — $28.00 each; Each appliance (mechanical), includes plenums and venting (excludes boilers, refrigeration, A/C, absorption units) — $14.00 each; Ventilation fan connected to a single duct — $14.00 each; Installation of a hood served by mechanical exhaust, including ducts — $90.00 each; Gas outlet — $6.00 each; Re-inspection Fee — $47.00 each; Plan Review Fee (mechanical/plumbing) — 25% of the total permit fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Albuquerque's published plan-review target for a plumbing / mechanical permit is 1–1 business days.

You'll need: Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Albuquerque requires 4 inspection(s) for a plumbing / mechanical permit, in order: Building or House Sewer, Sanitary Rough-In, Rough Piping / Heating Top-Out, Plumbing / Mechanical Final. 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, New Mexico has adopted: 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code — adopted statewide by the NM Construction Industries Commission (NMAC Title 14), effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code — adopted statewide by the NM Construction Industries Commission (NMAC Title 14), effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code — effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code — effective in Albuquerque September 28, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code, including Appendixes A, B, C, D, E, F, I, K, and L; 2012 New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code; 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (includes EV-charging-readiness requirements adopted by the Construction Industries Commission, required on new construction starting July 30, 2024); 2021 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code (includes EV-charging-infrastructure parking requirements, required on new construction starting July 30, 2024); 2021 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code; 2021 New Mexico Historic Earthen Buildings Code; New Mexico Boiler Code; 2023 Uniform Administrative Code of the City of Albuquerque (ROA 1994, Chapter 14, Article 1) — the City's local administrative amendment governing permitting, fees, and inspections; effective February 2, 2024; a 2024 edition (Exhibit A) is the current administrative chapter on file with Building Safety; City of Albuquerque Ordinance O-2022-024 (Council Bill O-22-23) — adopted the Uniform Administrative Code and technical codes, repealing the prior Chapter 14, Article 1, ROA 1994. Local amendments apply — see the Albuquerque overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Albuquerque building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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