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Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Required for additions, alterations, and remodels of existing residential structures in Albuquerque, including room additions, garage conversions, and structural remodels. Apply online through ABQ-PLAN.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Room additions, structural alterations, and remodels of existing single-family and two-family dwellings require a building permit
  • Submit plans drawn to scale showing scope of work and conformance with the Technical Codes and UAC Section 110.3
  • Permit issued only to a homeowner (owner-occupied residence) or a New Mexico-licensed contractor (GB-2 or GB-98 classification) Owner-builderContractor
  • Metal/aluminum frame construction plans must be certified by a New Mexico-registered professional engineer
  • Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) required for MEP work associated with the addition/remodel

Required documents

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Not ready yet0 of 2 required documents checked.

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

Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, one- and two-family dwelling regional modifier 0.50, including renovations/alterations/additions)2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code, Section 112.2.1 and Table 112-A
Same Table 112-A valuation-based formula as new residential construction, with the 0.50 regional modifier applied to additions, alterations, and renovations of one- and two-family dwellings
Plan Review FeeUAC Section 112.3
65% of the building permit fee
Re-inspection FeeUAC Table 112-A, Other Inspections and Fees
$47.00 each

Review timeline

Plan reviewAlbuquerque’s published plan-review target
13–13 business days

How long did your Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel 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

    Frame Inspection

    After framing, fire blocking, bracing, and framed openings are complete and MEP rough-ins are approved

  2. 2

    Frame Insulation Inspection

    After insulation and vapor barriers installed

  3. 3

    Exterior Lath / Wallboard Inspection

    Before plastering or before wallboard joints/fasteners are taped and finished on firewalls, wet areas, and shear walls

  4. 4

    Final Inspection

    After work is complete and ready for occupancy

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

Tips

  • Residential Building Permits (which include additions/alterations) average 13 business days per the City's live Permit Timeline Dashboard.
  • Garage conversions and covered patios have their own dedicated Building Safety checklists — check the Building Safety Forms, Reports & Permit Searches page for the applicable checklist before submitting.
  • Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade permits are required in addition to the building permit for MEP work.
  • Only a homeowner (owner-occupied) or a New Mexico GB-2/GB-98 licensed contractor may be issued the permit. Owner-builderContractor

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Garage conversions and room additions require a building permit under the Uniform Administrative Code. The City publishes dedicated submittal checklists for Garage Conversion, Residential Addition, Covered Patio, and other common alteration types.

In Albuquerque, the published Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, one- and two-family dwelling regional modifier 0.50, including renovations/alterations/additions) is: Same Table 112-A valuation-based formula as new residential construction, with the 0.50 regional modifier applied to additions, alterations, and renovations of one- and two-family dwellings. Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — 65% of the building permit fee; Re-inspection Fee — $47.00 each. 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 residential addition / alteration / remodel permit is 13–13 business days.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Drawings. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Albuquerque requires 4 inspection(s) for a residential addition / alteration / remodel permit, in order: Frame Inspection, Frame Insulation Inspection, Exterior Lath / Wallboard Inspection, Final Inspection. 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.