Roswell building permits

Requirements

• Required for renovations, remodels, additions, or building of any kind
• Required for storage sheds larger than 200 sq. ft. (residential) or 120 sq. ft. (commercial) — smaller accessory structures use the Placement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure instead
• Required for patio covers, gazebos, decks, pergolas, porches, carports, and pools
• All re-roofs and applications of roof coating systems require a building permit and inspections per 14.5.2.8 NMAC
• Two sets of submittal documents required per 14.5.2.10 NMAC: site plan (with setbacks and drainage plan), specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, and soil investigation/geotechnical reports (including density/compaction tests prior to pouring foundation)
• IECC Thermal Bypass Checklist and IECC Duct Sealing Visual Inspection Checklist must be completed and submitted to the AHJ prior to Certificate of Occupancy issuance
• A homeowner's permit may be issued to a residential property owner subject to the limitations of 14.5.2.18 NMAC
• Persons who are not appropriately, validly, and currently licensed by the Construction Industries Division are not eligible to apply for or be issued a permit (except under the homeowner's permit provision)
• Separate permits required for general building, electrical (now issued by CID), and plumbing/mechanical/LPG work (19.15.40 NMAC)

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit ApplicationOfficial application form; email to permits@roswell-nm.gov or submit via CloudPermit. Does NOT include plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits — those require separate applications.
• RequiredChecklist for Residential PlansCity of Roswell Building & Inspections Division checklist citing NMAC 14.5.2.8 and 14.5.2.10 submittal requirements
• RequiredSite Plan (with setbacks and drainage plan)Required submittal document per 14.5.2.10(A) NMAC
• RequiredGeotechnical / Soil Investigation ReportRequired per 14.5.2.10(A)(1)(f) NMAC; density/compaction tests required prior to pouring foundation for any site including backfill

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All new roof installations and re-roofs require a building permit and inspections
• All applications of roof coating systems require a building permit and inspections
• Does not include manufactured/mobile homes — permits for those are available through the state office
• Must describe existing roof type and re-roofing installation in detail on the application
• Installation detail submitted must not be deviated from without approval from the building inspector
• Permit must be posted on the job site

Required documents

• RequiredRe-Roofing Permit ApplicationCity of Roswell form; email to permits@roswell-nm.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• For accessory structures only: residential up to 200 sq. ft.; commercial up to 120 sq. ft.
• Must submit a sketch showing the lot, including location of street, sidewalk, drive pad, curb and gutter, and their connection to adjacent lots
• All proposed construction must meet Public Works Specifications Ordinance No. 05-01 and Roswell City Code Appendix A
• A traffic control plan is required if proposed construction will obstruct traffic

Required documents

• RequiredPlacement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure ApplicationCity of Roswell form; includes zoning review fields completed by the city
• RequiredTypical Plat or Development Plan / Lot SketchSketch showing the lot, street, sidewalk, drive pad, curb and gutter, and connections to adjacent lots

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All electrical permit applications, plan reviews, and inspections in Roswell are handled by CID, not the city, effective January 1, 2026 until further notice
• Existing City of Roswell electrical permits must be converted to a CID Conversion Permit; a minimum $45.00 conversion/inspection fee applies to any existing permit needing conversion
• New electrical work and new permits are treated as new work and charged normal CID permit and inspection fees per CID fee schedules
• Permits can be applied for online or in person at any of the three CID offices (Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces)
• Contractors must verify their CID account is active before applying online
• Only appropriately, validly, and currently CID-licensed persons (or an eligible homeowner under 14.5.2.18 NMAC) may apply for or be issued an electrical permit

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell / State of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit Application (Conversion Permit)Joint city/CID form used during the transition period; specifies residential or commercial scope of work

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Required before any plumbing or mechanical work is done at any commercial or residential property
• Jobs started without a permit are charged DOUBLE the permit and inspection rate
• Application must be completely filled out or it will not be accepted
• Contractor must provide NM Contractor's License number and City Business License number on commercial jobs

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing/Mechanical Permit ApplicationCity of Roswell form covering both plumbing and gas/HVAC scopes; email to permits@roswell-nm.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• State of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit Application filed with CID (Santa Fe, Albuquerque, or Las Cruces office, or online), since CID — not the City — currently administers all electrical permitting in Roswell
• Check 'Residential' application type and, under 'Alteration/Renovation/Repair/Replace to Existing Electrical System or Equipment,' check 'Lighting/Power' for a new EV charger circuit added to an existing dwelling's electrical system
• If the charger install also requires a service or panel upgrade to support the added load, check 'Service Upgrade' instead of/in addition to 'Lighting/Power,' which is billed per the amperage-based Residential Service AMP/Panel fee table
• Only appropriately, validly, and currently CID-licensed electrical contractors (or an eligible homeowner under 14.5.2.18 NMAC) may apply for or be issued the permit
• All permits carry a minimum inspection fee of $27.00 regardless of scope

Required documents

• RequiredState of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit ApplicationStatewide CID form; no dedicated EV-charger application exists — applicants check the 'Lighting/Power' (or 'Service Upgrade,' if applicable) box under the residential alteration/renovation scope of work

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Structural/roof-mounting scope: submit a City of Roswell Building Permit Application (email to permits@roswell-nm.gov or via CloudPermit), reviewed against the New Mexico Residential/Commercial Building Code (2021 IRC/IBC base) as the City's Building & Inspections Division enforces as the local AHJ under NMAC 14.5.2
• Site plan (with setbacks and drainage plan) and, where roof-mounted, structural adequacy documentation per 14.5.2.10 NMAC submittal requirements
• Electrical-connection scope: apply through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), not the City — check 'Solar' as the scope of work on the CID Electrical Permit Application (residential or commercial)
• Only appropriately, validly, and currently CID-licensed persons (or an eligible homeowner under 14.5.2.18 NMAC) may apply for or be issued the electrical permit
• If the installation includes a solar thermal (water-heating) component, a separate Plumbing/Mechanical Permit line item applies for that plumbing connection ('Solar System (each)')
• Persons who are not appropriately, validly, and currently licensed by CID are not eligible to apply for or be issued a building permit either, except under the homeowner's permit provision

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit Application (structural/roof-mounting scope)Same general City form used for other construction; does not itself cover electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
• RequiredNM CID Electrical Permit Application (electrical-connection scope, 'Solar' scope checkbox)Applied for directly with the New Mexico Construction Industries Division, not the City; 'Solar electrical installations are a checkbox scope of work on the CID electrical application (residential and commercial)' per this file's existing electrical-permit entry
• OptionalPlumbing/Mechanical Permit Application (solar thermal component only)City of Roswell form; itemizes a 'Solar System (each)' line for the plumbing-side connection of a solar thermal (water-heating) installation

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All permits must be secured before work is started; jobs started without a permit are charged DOUBLE the permit and inspection rate
• For new construction, the homeowner must take a plumbing test and pass with a score of 75% or higher to be able to pull a permit
• Application must indicate the quadrant of the city where work is being done (NW, NE, SW, SE)
• Application must be completely filled out or it will not be accepted

Required documents

• RequiredHomeowner's Plumbing Permit ApplicationCity of Roswell form; email to permits@roswell-nm.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A new sign, relocation of an existing sign, altering the height of a sign, or varying the DSA of a sign requires a City Building Permit with fees as determined by the City Building Inspection Department, except for the signs listed in Article 60 Section 3 as not requiring a permit (Article 60, Section 4.A)
• Signs constructed or erected along any State or Federal Highway must separately apply for and receive a Sign Permit from NMDOT per state statute, including adherence to all applicable NMDOT regulations (Article 60, Sections 1 and 4)
• All electrical work for a sign must be approved by the City Electrical Inspector and performed/overseen in the field by a State Licensed Electrical Contractor (Article 60, Section 4.B)
• Companies that install, erect, alter, relocate, dismantle, or repair signs must possess a current State Contractor's License and a City Business License (Article 60, Section 4.C)
• Signs must be constructed, installed, erected, maintained, and/or repaired per the current City-adopted International Building Code Standards; City Staff determines application completeness and notifies the applicant within 5 business days of their decision (Article 60, Section 4.D)
• It is unlawful to change, modify, or otherwise deviate from the terms of the original sign Building Permit without written approval from the Building Inspector and Planning and Zoning Department (Article 60, Section 4.E)
• A foundation, structural, and final inspection by the Building Inspector is required before any sign requiring a Building Permit can be issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O); scheduling inspections is the responsibility of the contractor or sign owner (Article 60, Section 4.H)
• Signs listed in Article 60 Section 3 (any sign placed by a governmental entity, construction signs, directional/information signs, temporary residential signs, signs within an enclosed building, holiday signs, special event signs limited to 45 days before/5 days after the event, nameplates, political signs removed within 5 days after the election, real estate signs removed within 5 days after closing, window signs, and hand-held signs/displays up to 6 sq. ft. DSA) do not require a Building Permit

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit ApplicationSame general form used for other Building Permits (email to permits@roswell-nm.gov or submit via CloudPermit); a sign permit is issued as a Building Permit per Article 60, Section 4.A. Does NOT include electrical work, which is handled separately.
• RequiredSign Plan / Site Plan (DSA, height, and setbacks)Required for Building Inspector and Planning & Zoning review of Display Surface Area, height, and setback standards (Article 60, Sections 4, 9, and 10)
• OptionalNMDOT Sign Permit Application (State/Federal Highway signs only)Required in addition to the City permit for any sign constructed or erected along a State or Federal Highway, per Article 60 Section 1 and NM state statute

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Automatic Sprinkler System Installation and Fire Alarm System Installation permits are administered by the City of Roswell Fire Prevention Division
• The Fire Marshal reviews new business construction plans for fire code compliance and works with the Planning and Zoning Department on plan review
• The Commercial Project Information section of the City of Roswell Building Permit Application (revised 4/15/26) includes 'Sprinkler System: Yes/No' and 'Fire Alarm: Yes/No' fields that must be completed for any commercial building permit
• The electrical wiring portion of a Fire Alarm system is billed as a Low Voltage Item ($27.00 each) under the State of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit fee schedule, since CID (not the City) currently administers all Roswell electrical permitting, effective January 1, 2026 until further notice
• Companies or technicians performing service, repair, or installation on fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire alarms, or fire hydrants within city limits must hold appropriate current state licensure
• The Fire Prevention Division's inspector conducts annual inspections on every business in Roswell to verify continued fire code and life-safety compliance

Required documents

• RequiredFire Prevention Division Sprinkler/Fire Alarm Permit ApplicationApplication forms for Automatic Sprinkler System Installation and Fire Alarm System Installation are available directly through the City of Roswell Fire Prevention Division; no downloadable PDF version of this application was found published online as of this verification date
• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit Application (commercial)Commercial Project Information section includes 'Sprinkler System: Yes/No' and 'Fire Alarm: Yes/No' checkboxes that must be completed for any commercial building permit

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who wants to change the occupancy of a building or structure must first apply to the City of Roswell Building Division and obtain the required permit before the change (Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Building Regulations)
• A Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) is required before an owner may occupy a newly erected building, an existing building that has been remodeled, or after any change in use/occupancy of an existing building
• Where a change of occupancy classification triggers a different fire-protection-system threshold under IBC Chapter 9, or affects structural tributary loads, compliance with the New Mexico Existing Building Code (2021 IEBC) Chapter 10, 'Change of Occupancy,' is required, including means-of-egress and structural (IBC Section 1607) verification
• For qualifying commercial/multi-family developments, all landscaping and irrigation must be installed per the approved Landscape Plan before a permanent Certificate of Occupancy is issued; only one Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, capped at 60 days, may be granted to finish landscaping (Zoning Ordinance 20-08, Article 52, Section 11.F)
• The City's general Building Permit Application has no distinct 'change of use' checkbox — a change-of-occupancy project is filed using the same Building Permit Application, selecting the applicable scope (e.g., Remodel, Alteration, or Other)

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit ApplicationSame general form used for other Building Permits; used to apply for a change of occupancy since no distinct change-of-use application form was found published
• OptionalApproved Landscape PlanRequired before a permanent Certificate of Occupancy for qualifying commercial/multi-family developments, per Zoning Ordinance Article 52, Section 11

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Any required Planning & Zoning approval documents must be included with the submittal (Checklist for Commercial Plans, item 1; P&Z contacts: Merideth Hildreth (575) 637-6294, Miguel Martinez (575) 637-6218)
• Plans must be submitted as 2 sets of hard copies, 24"x36", plus a digital copy on flash drive, and should include: current codes used, egress plans, occupant load, use group or groups, type of construction, site plans, civil plans, specifications, engineering calculations, soil investigation reports, exterior wall envelope in detail, floodplain data if required, landscape plans, sprinkler & fire alarm plans, plumbing plans, mechanical plans, electrical plans, COM-CHECK, RES-CHECK, and any other data or documents required by the AHJ for plan review clarifications (Checklist for Commercial Plans, item 2)
• For an addition to an existing building, all information about the existing building must be submitted, and occupant load is calculated on the combined square footage of the existing structure and the new structure (Checklist for Commercial Plans, item 3)
• Professional seal thresholds (NMAC 16.30.1.7): a single seal of either an engineer or architect suffices on non-residential projects that do NOT exceed $600,000 construction valuation OR a total occupant load of 50; BOTH an architect's and an engineer's seal are required when construction valuation exceeds $600,000 OR total occupant load exceeds 50; Day Care Facilities, H (Hazardous), or I (Institutional) occupancies must be certified by an architect or engineer regardless of occupant load
• It is illegal to use an out-of-state architect's, engineer's, surveyor's, or landscape architect's seal on any New Mexico project — all sealing design professionals must be New Mexico registrants
• Permits CANNOT be issued without a licensed New Mexico contractor; contractors and sub-contractors must also obtain a current City of Roswell Business License (Business License Clerk: (575) 637-6208)
• Fire sprinklers, hoods, and fire alarms require separate permits through the Fire Marshal's Office (contact Esperanza De Leon, (575) 624-6830)
• Plumbing and mechanical/gas work require separate City of Roswell permits; electrical work requires a separate STATE CID electrical permit (as of January 1, 2026, until further notice — see this file's electrical-permit entry)
• Commercial accessory structures larger than 120 sq. ft. require this full building permit; at or under 120 sq. ft. the streamlined Placement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure applies instead

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Roswell Building Permit Application (Commercial Project Information section)Same form as residential (revised 4/15/26) with a dedicated commercial section: construction type, use group, occupant load, sq. ft., number of stories, Sprinkler System Yes/No, Fire Alarm Yes/No, project contract cost. Scope checkboxes are New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Alteration, Demo, Pool, Accessory Structure, and Other — there is no tenant-improvement checkbox. Email to permits@roswell-nm.gov or submit via CloudPermit; does NOT include plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits.
• RequiredChecklist for Commercial PlansCity of Roswell Building & Inspections Division 12-item commercial submittal checklist (revised 4/15/26), covering plan-set format, required plan contents, NM professional-seal thresholds, and licensing prerequisites
• RequiredCommercial plan sets — 2 hard copies (24"x36") plus digital copy (flash drive)Required format per Checklist for Commercial Plans, item 2; contents listed in the requirements above
• RequiredCOM-CHECK energy compliance reportListed as a required plan-set component on the Checklist for Commercial Plans (2021 IECC / New Mexico Energy Conservation Code compliance)
• OptionalPlanning & Zoning approval documents"Any required Planning & Zoning Approval documents" per Checklist for Commercial Plans, item 1 — applicability depends on the project's zoning situation

Fee schedule