Residential Building Permit in Roswell, New Mexico
VerifiedRequired 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.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- 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
- Required
City of Roswell Building Permit Application
Official application form; email to permits@roswell-nm.gov or submit via CloudPermit. Does NOT include plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permits — those require separate applications.
- Required
Checklist for Residential Plans
City of Roswell Building & Inspections Division checklist citing NMAC 14.5.2.8 and 14.5.2.10 submittal requirements
- Required
Site Plan (with setbacks and drainage plan)
Required submittal document per 14.5.2.10(A) NMAC
- Required
Geotechnical / Soil Investigation Report
Required per 14.5.2.10(A)(1)(f) NMAC; density/compaction tests required prior to pouring foundation for any site including backfill
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $0-$549 | $24.00 | City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule (DocumentCenter/View/26127), verified verbatim from the published PDF and matching the Building Inspections webpage table |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $10,500-$11,499 | $195.00 | City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule — mid-range example tier |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,500-$200,499 | $1,554.00 | City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $900,500 to $1,000,000 | $5,609.00 | City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule; fees above $1,000,000 add $3.65 per additional $1,000 |
| Commercial Plan Review Fee — Building | 10% of the Building Permit Fee | City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule |
Review timeline
~10–15 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Roswell building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Density-Compaction
Density/compaction tests required prior to pouring foundation per 14.5.2.10(A)(1)(f) NMAC
- 2
Roof Decking (for re-roofs)
Required at minimum upon removal of existing roof, per 14.5.2.8(E)(3) NMAC
- 3
Final
Final inspection of the roof system or roof coating application upon completion of a roofing project; general final inspection for all other building permits before Certificate of Occupancy
Tips
- Roswell's Building & Inspections Division enforces the statewide New Mexico codes as the local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) under NMAC 14.5.2 — there is no separately-published Roswell municipal building code.
- Storage sheds 200 sq. ft. or smaller (residential) or 120 sq. ft. or smaller (commercial) use the simpler Placement Permit for Fence or Accessory Structure rather than a full building permit.
- The Building Permit Application explicitly does NOT cover plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work — those require separate permit applications.
- Apply online through CloudPermit (us.cloudpermit.com/gov/login) or submit paper forms by email to permits@roswell-nm.gov.
- Contact Miller Butts, Certified Building Official, at (575) 637-6286 or m.butts@roswell-nm.gov for building permit questions; Mike Christensen, Building Inspector, at (575) 637-6293 or m.christensen@roswell-nm.gov for inspections.
Frequently asked questions
- What building code does Roswell use?
- Roswell enforces the state-adopted 2021 International Building Code (as the New Mexico Commercial Building Code) and 2021 International Residential Code (as the New Mexico Residential Building Code), per the City of Roswell Building Codes reference sheet published by the Building & Inspections Division.
- How much does a residential building permit cost in Roswell?
- Fees are valuation-based per the City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule, ranging from $24.00 for projects valued $0-$549 up to $5,609.00 for projects valued between $900,500 and $1,000,000, plus $3.65 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- City of Roswell Community Development — Building & Inspections Division — official building department
- Building Inspections | City of Roswell
- City of Roswell Building Fee Schedule (PDF)
- Checklist for Residential Plans (PDF)
- City of Roswell Building Codes (PDF)
- Building Permit Application (PDF)
- Residential Permits | City of Roswell
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 Roswell building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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