Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces requires a residential building permit (new construction) for: Building permit required for all new single-family dwellings, townhouses, and duplexes; Must have a valid address assigned by the City before applying; Apply online through the City of Las Cruces Citizen Portal (Accela Citizen Access); Site plan required for all project types; Construction plans with work description required; Subdivision Acceptance Form required for new residential construction; Wind Erosion Control Plan (WECP) required; Storm Water Pollution Plan (SWPP) required for new residential construction; A signed contract between permittee and property owner, with proof of ownership, required for all project types; Reviewed by multiple agencies: Building, Fire, Utilities, Traffic, Environmental Compliance, Engineering, Zoning/Landscaping, Electrical, Plumbing/Mechanical. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) at 575-528-3222 before starting work.

The residential building permit fee is $0.20 per square foot of gross floor area (measured to the outside walls), with a $50 minimum. A 25% plan check fee is also due at submittal. Source: City of Las Cruces 2023 Schedule of Fees, effective February 1, 2023.

3 business days for standard residential projects (and for any project in the flood zone, with no exceptions). Projects qualifying for Over-The-Counter (OTC) review, or using an approved master plan set in non-flood-zone R1a/R1b zoning, get 1-business-day review. Source: City of Las Cruces Residential Construction Process guide.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Site Plan; Construction Plans with Work Description; Subdivision Acceptance Form; Wind Erosion Control Plan (WECP); Storm Water Pollution Plan (SWPP); Signed Contract Between Permittee and Property Owner. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Las Cruces requires 5 inspection(s) for a residential building permit (new construction), in order: Foundation, Concrete Slab / Under-Floor, Frame, Weather-Resistive Barrier, Final. Schedule each through City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) (575-528-3222).

Apply through City of Las Cruces Community Development Department — Building and Development Services (One Stop Shop) at 700 N. Main St., Suite 1100, P.O. Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Phone: 575-528-3222, email: inspectionrequest@lascruces.gov. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (afternoon closed for admin/training); online access 24 hours. Official information: https://lascruces.gov/property/remodeling-and-construction/.

Las Cruces, New Mexico has adopted: New Mexico is a statewide-minimum-code state under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA 1978 § 60-13-44(E)): 'All political subdivisions of the state are subject to the provisions of codes adopted and approved under the Construction Industries Licensing Act. Such codes constitute a minimum requirement for the codes of political subdivisions.' A county or municipality may become its own code-enforcement authority (operate independently of the state Construction Industries Division field offices) if it employs a certified building official and has adopted at least the current state minimum code standards (NMSA 1978 § 60-13-41(D)-(F)). The City of Las Cruces operates its own Building and Development Services / Community Development Department with its own building official and inspection staff (rather than routing permits through the state CID field office model used in unincorporated areas), enforcing the state-adopted codes as the applicable minimum within city limits.; 2021 New Mexico Commercial & Residential Building Code (based on the 2021 IBC / 2021 IRC), per NM Construction Industries Division (CID) current adoption; 2021 International Building Code (IBC), as adopted/amended by CID; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), as adopted/amended by CID; 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (based on the International Energy Conservation Code, IECC) — addresses the New Mexico climate zone for energy conservation; applies to new and renovated residential and commercial buildings; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code, incorporating the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO) and 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code / 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), adopted by reference at 14.10.4 NMAC, effective March 28, 2023 (permits issued only under this rule after September 28, 2023) — this is the current, in-force edition; it supersedes any references to a 2023 NEC edition found on third-party aggregator sites; 2012 Solar Energy Code (IAPMO), as adopted by CID; 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities), as adopted by CID; 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, as adopted by CID; Las Cruces Land Development Code, Chapter 30 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and Chapter 38 (Zoning) — local building-permit administration, fee schedule, and zoning provisions. Local amendments apply — see the Las Cruces overview page for the full list.