Roswell building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Roswell, New Mexico.
Last verified 2026-07-02 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 400 W. 2nd St., Roswell, NM 88201 (mailing: PO Box 1838, Roswell, NM 88202-1838)
- Phone
- (575) 637-6280
- Office hours
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Roswell's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Roswell — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
New Mexico sets construction codes statewide by rule, not through home-rule discretion. Under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA 1978 §§ 60-13-1 et seq.), the state's Construction Industries Commission and Division (CID, within the Regulation & Licensing Department) adopt the technical construction codes codified at New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) Title 14 — including the state's own Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Solar Energy, and Swimming Pool codes, and the National Electrical Code (14.10.4 NMAC currently adopts the 2020 NEC; the CID Commission periodically updates individual code chapters, so confirm the current edition with the applicable authority). Per NMSA 1978 § 60-13-44(E), these state codes "constitute a minimum requirement" binding every political subdivision in New Mexico — no city or county may adopt anything less stringent, though a jurisdiction may adopt stricter local amendments. Enforcement authority runs through whichever entity is the project's Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ, defined at NMAC 14.5.1.7.B): under NMSA 1978 § 60-13-41(D)-(F), a municipality or county that employs its own full-time certified building official may self-administer permitting, plan review, and inspection locally (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Farmington, and Roswell all operate this way); jurisdictions without a certified building official default to direct enforcement by a CID field office (e.g., Hobbs, Alamogordo). Some jurisdictions run a hybrid — locally certified for some trades while CID directly enforces others (Roswell's electrical permitting, for example, reverted to direct CID administration as of January 1, 2026). Always confirm with the specific jurisdiction whether it or the state CID is the acting AHJ for a given trade before submitting plans.
- 2021 International Building Code, adopted as the New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMCBC)
- 2021 International Residential Code, adopted as the New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC)
- 2021 International Existing Building Code, adopted as the New Mexico Existing Building Code (NMEBC)
- 2021 International Fire Code (IFC)
- 2020 National Electrical Code, adopted as the New Mexico Electrical Code (NMEC)
- 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, adopted as the New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC)
- 2017 ANSI A117.1 (Accessibility)
- 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, adopted as the New Mexico Mechanical Code (NMMC)
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, adopted as the New Mexico Plumbing Code (NMPC)
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit
Required for new construction, additions, remodels, alterations, and demolition of residential structures in Roswell, plus specified accessory uses (large storage sheds, patio covers, gazebos, decks, pergolas, porches, carports, and pools). Reviewed against the New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC base) by the City of Roswell Building & Inspections Division, which acts as the state's local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) under NMAC 14.5.2. Applications are submitted through CloudPermit or by paper application to Community Development.
Re-Roofing Permit
Required for all new roof installations, re-roofs, and applications of roof coating systems on residential and commercial buildings in Roswell, per 14.5.2.8(E) NMAC. Excludes manufactured/mobile homes, which are permitted through the state office. Reviewed by the City of Roswell Building & Inspections Division.
Placement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure
A streamlined permit for installing a fence or a small accessory structure (such as a storage shed) that falls below the size threshold requiring a full building permit. Reviewed by the City of Roswell Building & Inspections Division for zoning and Public Works Specifications compliance.
Electrical Permit (State-Administered)
As of January 1, 2026, and until further notice, the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) — not the City of Roswell — conducts all electrical permit applications, plan review, permit issuance, and inspections within the City of Roswell. Existing City of Roswell-issued electrical permits must be converted to CID permits via a Conversion Permit. New electrical work is permitted directly through CID under standard statewide CID fee schedules.
Plumbing / Mechanical (Gas/HVAC) Permit
Required before any plumbing or mechanical (gas/HVAC) work is performed at a commercial or residential property in Roswell, including water heater installation, sewer taps, re-piping, solar (thermal) systems, swimming pools, and HVAC/duct/gas-appliance installations. Issued by the City of Roswell Building & Inspections Division.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit (State CID Electrical)
Installing a Level 2 (240V) or other electric vehicle charging station within Roswell city limits requires an electrical permit — as of January 1, 2026 (until further notice), the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), not the City of Roswell, handles all electrical permitting, plan review, and inspections in Roswell. The CID Electrical Permit Application's residential 'Alteration/Renovation/Repair/Replace to Existing Electrical System or Equipment' scope-of-work section has a 'Lighting/Power' checkbox used for adding a dedicated EV charger circuit; there is no EV-charger-specific line item on CID's fee schedule.
Solar PV Permit (City Building Permit + State CID Electrical)
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems within Roswell city limits. The structural/roof-mounting scope is processed as a standard City of Roswell Building Permit, valuation-based per the City's Building Fee Schedule. The electrical-connection scope is NOT issued by the City — as of January 1, 2026 (until further notice), the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) handles all electrical permitting, plan review, and inspection in Roswell, and 'Solar' is an explicit checkbox scope of work on the CID electrical permit application (residential and commercial). A separate small plumbing-side fee applies if the installation includes a solar thermal (water-heating) component.
Homeowner's Plumbing Permit
A dedicated plumbing permit application for homeowners performing plumbing work themselves on their own residence in Roswell, covering the same scope as the general plumbing permit but issued to the property owner rather than a licensed contractor.
Sign Permit
Required for a new sign, relocation of an existing sign, altering the height of a sign, or varying the Display Surface Area (DSA) of a sign within Roswell city limits, per Article 60 (Signs) of the City of Roswell Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 20-08, amended August 13, 2020). Issued as a City Building Permit by the Building & Inspections Division. Signs constructed or erected along any State or Federal Highway additionally require a separate Sign Permit from the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) per state statute.
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit
Covers installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems and Fire Alarm Systems within Roswell city limits. Administered primarily by the City of Roswell Fire Prevention Division (Fire Marshal), which reviews new construction plans for fire code compliance and issues sprinkler/alarm installation permits; the scope is also disclosed via 'Sprinkler System' and 'Fire Alarm' Yes/No checkboxes on the standard City of Roswell commercial Building Permit Application. The electrical/wiring connection portion of a fire alarm system is billed separately as a Low Voltage Item under the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Electrical Permit, since CID — not the City — has administered all Roswell electrical permitting since January 1, 2026 (the same hybrid arrangement documented in this file's electrical-permit entry).
Change of Occupancy / Certificate of Occupancy Permit
Required before a building may be occupied for the first time, after a remodel, or whenever its use/occupancy classification changes, per the City of Roswell Code of Ordinances Chapter 6 (Building Regulations) and, where a fire-protection-system threshold or structural load changes as a result, the New Mexico Existing Building Code (2021 IEBC) Chapter 10, 'Change of Occupancy' (already adopted per this file's codesAdopted list). Applications are made to the City of Roswell Building Division through the standard Building Permit process; no separate 'change of use' application form or fee schedule is published.
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new construction, additions, remodels, alterations, and demolition of commercial (non-residential) buildings in Roswell. Issued directly by the City of Roswell Community Development, Building & Inspections Division — not by the state Construction Industries Division (CID) — because Roswell operates its own certified local building program as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) under NMAC 14.5.2 and the Construction Industries Licensing Act; only electrical permitting has (temporarily, since January 1, 2026) shifted to CID. Commercial projects use the same Building Permit Application form as residential, completing its dedicated Commercial Project Information section (construction type, use group, occupant load, square footage, number of stories, sprinkler-system and fire-alarm Yes/No, project contract cost), but follow the separate Checklist for Commercial Plans, are reviewed against the New Mexico Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC base), and carry commercial plan review fees on top of the valuation-based permit fee. Tenant improvements are filed through this same permit as a Remodel or Alteration scope — Roswell publishes no distinct tenant-improvement permit type, fee, or timeline.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- No data reported
- Trailing 12 months
- No data reported
- Year to date (2026 YTD)
- No data reported
- Full year 2025
- No data reported
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All New Mexico building activity
Tips & gotchas
- As of January 1, 2026 (until further notice), the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) — not the City of Roswell — handles ALL electrical permitting, plan review, and inspections in Roswell. Existing city electrical permits must be converted via a CID Conversion Permit (minimum $45 fee). Verify current status on the City of Roswell Building Inspections page before applying, since this is stated as a temporary arrangement.
- Roswell's Building & Inspections Division enforces the statewide New Mexico construction codes (2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC/IFC, 2020 NEC, 2021 IECC, 2021 UMC/UPC, 2017 ANSI A117.1) as the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) under NMAC 14.5.2 and the Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA, NMSA 1978 §§ 60-13-3 and 60-13-45) — there is no separate Roswell-specific building code.
- Building, plumbing, and mechanical/gas permits remain issued directly by the City of Roswell Community Development, Building & Inspections Division, via CloudPermit (us.cloudpermit.com/gov/login) or by emailing paper applications to permits@roswell-nm.gov.
- The general Building Permit Application explicitly does NOT include plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work — always check whether a separate trade permit is also required.
- Storage sheds 200 sq. ft. or smaller (residential) or 120 sq. ft. or smaller (commercial), and fences, use the simpler Placement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure rather than a full Building Permit.
- All re-roofs and roof coating applications require a permit and inspection, per 14.5.2.8(E) NMAC — this includes roof coatings alone, not just full tear-offs.
- Homeowners may self-perform plumbing work on their own residence via the Homeowner's Plumbing Permit, but must pass a 75%-minimum plumbing test for new construction.
- Jobs started without a permit are charged DOUBLE the standard permit and inspection rate across all City of Roswell permit types.
- Design standards for structural work: ground snow load per ASCE-7 Table 7.2-6, Seismic Design Category II B, basic wind speed 115(51) mph with Exposure Category B, frost depth 12 inches, Climate Zone 3B.
- Manufactured/mobile home re-roofs and electrical work are handled by the state (CID), not the city.
- Key contacts: Miller Butts, Certified Building Official, (575) 637-6286, m.butts@roswell-nm.gov; Mike Christensen, Building Inspector, (575) 637-6293, m.christensen@roswell-nm.gov; Paul Cordova, primary CID electrical inspector for the Roswell area during the electrical transition, (505) 670-2025, Paul.Cordova@rld.nm.gov.