Do I Need a Permit to Build a Shed in New Mexico?
Shed permit requirements. Size thresholds, setback rules, and when you can build without a permit.
Under 200 sq ft and under 10 feet tall? Usually no. Bigger? Yes.
The 200 Sq Ft Rule
Most cities exempt sheds under 200 square feet and under 10 feet in height from building permits. This applies to simple storage sheds, garden sheds, and similar structures without plumbing or electrical. Even exempt sheds must comply with setback requirements.
Setbacks Still Apply
Even without a permit, your shed must meet zoning setbacks — typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines. Sheds cannot be placed in utility easements. Corner lots have additional restrictions. Check your city's zoning code before choosing a location.
When You Definitely Need a Permit
A permit is required for: sheds over 200 sq ft, sheds over 10 feet tall, any shed with electrical wiring, any shed with plumbing, and detached garages or carports regardless of size. Prefab and kit sheds over 200 sq ft still need permits — the rule is based on size, not construction method.
HOA Restrictions
Many HOAs have additional shed restrictions: approved materials and colors, maximum size smaller than city code allows, and sometimes outright prohibition of certain shed types. Get HOA approval before purchasing or building.
Small sheds (under 200 sq ft, under 10 ft tall, no utilities) are usually permit-free. Everything else needs one. Always check setbacks.
Permit fees by city in New Mexico
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
| City | Permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | $85Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Albuquerque | $23.50 minimum for valuation $1–$2,000; then $23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 per additional $100 (to $2,000); $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000 (to $25,000); $391.75 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000 (to $50,000); $643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 per additional $1,000 (to $100,000); $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000 thereafter — modifier of 0.50 applied to the resulting valuation for one- and two-family dwellingsVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Artesia | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Aztec | Project valuation × 0.005 (0.5%)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| Bernalillo | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (CID) | Residential Building Permit (CID) → |
| Bloomfield | Project valuation × 0.005Verifiedvia New Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Accessory Building) | New Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Accessory Building) → |
| Carlsbad | $12.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Clovis | $28.00 + $5.60 per $1,000 of valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Deming | $10.00 minimum up to $5,000 valuation, plus $2.00 per additional $1,000 (or portion) above $5,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Edgewood | Valuation-based; contact a CID office for a project-specific quoteVerifiedvia State Building Permit (NM Construction Industries Division) | State Building Permit (NM Construction Industries Division) → |
| Española | $75Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Farmington | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Gallup | Valuation-based per Resolution No. R2004-40: $15.00 minimum for $1-$500 valuation, scaling to $3,539.50 for the first $1,000,000 plus $2.00 per additional $1,000; plus a Plan Check Fee (75% new commercial / 55% commercial additions-remodels under $50,000 / 45% residential) and a Zoning Check Fee ($25 commercial / $15 residential)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Hobbs | $20.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Las Cruces | $0.20 per square foot of gross floor area measured to the outside walls; minimum permit fee $50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Los Alamos County | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling) | Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling) → |
| Rio Rancho | 65% of the Building Permit Fee (non-refundable)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Roswell | $24.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| Santa Fe | $40.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sunland Park | Calculated per the Most Current Version of the Uniform Building Code (ICC Building Valuation Data / BVD formula)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) → |
| Town of Taos | $250.00 per residential dwelling (attached or semi-attached units, up to 5 dwellings)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Zoning Review Application) | Residential Building Permit (Zoning Review Application) → |
| Unincorporated Bernalillo County | $30.00 plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| Unincorporated Doña Ana County | $0.20 per total square foot of floor area (measured to the outside walls; to the outside edge of the floor/roof-line for a carport, covered porch, or similar structure)Verifiedvia Single Family Dwelling Permit | Single Family Dwelling Permit → |
| Unincorporated San Juan County | $45Verifiedvia New Residential Building Permit | New Residential Building Permit → |
| Village of Corrales | $23.50Verifiedvia Construction Permit (New Residential Construction) | Construction Permit (New Residential Construction) → |
| Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | $30.00 plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of valuationVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, or Alteration) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, or Alteration) → |