Hobbs building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Hobbs, New Mexico.
Last verified 2026-07-02 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 200 E. Broadway, Hobbs, NM 88240
- Phone
- (575) 391-8158
- Office hours
- City Hall: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon)
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Hobbs — 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.
- New Mexico is a statewide-code state administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA), NMSA 1978 Sections 60-13-3 and 60-13-45. City of Hobbs Municode Section 15.04.010 formally adopts by reference NMAC Articles 14.7.2 and 14.7.3 (New Mexico Commercial Building Code and Residential Building Code) as the City's Building Codes; NMAC 14.10.4 (New Mexico Electrical Code / National Electrical Code) as the City's Electrical Code; and NMAC 14.8.2, 14.9.2, 14.9.6, and 14.8.3 (New Mexico Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Solar Energy Code, and Swimming Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Code) as the City's Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. Hobbs is NOT a separately state-certified 'Local Enforcement Agency' with its own amended code body (unlike Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, or Rio Rancho) — it enforces the CID/NMAC-adopted statewide code set locally through its own Building Inspection Department (Municode 15.04.020), acting as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for permit issuance and inspection within city limits and its 5-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), per NMAC 14.5.2.8.
- 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMCBC, NMAC 14.7.2) — based on the 2021 IBC
- 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC, NMAC 14.7.3) — based on the 2021 IRC
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2012 Solar Energy Code (IAPMO), NMAC 14.9.6
- 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (Commercial and Residential)
- ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)
- 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code (NMAC 14.8.2, 14.9.2)
- 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO)
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO)
- 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (NMAC 14.8.3)
- 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code / 2020 National Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4)
- 2012 National Electrical Safety Code
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas Standards, NMAC 19.15.40; 2020 NFPA 58; 2012 NFPA 57 (incorporated into NFPA 52 (2005)); 2021 NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code); 2011 NFPA 52 (Vehicle Gaseous Fuel Systems Code); 2021 NFPA 1192 (Standard on Recreational Vehicles)
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for new single-family and duplex residential construction in Hobbs. Reviewed against the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMRBC, based on the 2021 IRC) as adopted by City of Hobbs Municode 15.04.010. Fees are valuation-based per Municode 15.28.010.
Residential Electrical Permit
Required for all electrical service and wiring installations in Hobbs residential properties. Governed by the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code / 2020 National Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4) as adopted by Municode 15.04.010. Fee schedule set by Municode 15.28.090.
Residential Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Hobbs residential properties, including water heater replacement. Governed by the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code / 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO) per NMAC 14.8.2, adopted by Municode 15.04.010. Per-item fee schedule set by Municode 15.28.080.
Residential Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and fuel gas installations in Hobbs residential properties. Governed by the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing and Mechanical Code / 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO) per NMAC 14.9.2, adopted by Municode 15.04.010. Per-item fee schedule set by Municode 15.28.080.
Residential Re-Roof Permit
Required for all roof replacements and applications of roof coatings on residential properties in Hobbs. Governed by 2021 IRC Section R908 Reroofing as amended by New Mexico for state-specific conditions (NMAC 14.7.3.17(D), effective 7/14/2023). Eligible for the Over-the-Counter/Call-In Permit Program for contractors.
Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for rooftop or ground-mounted residential solar PV installations in Hobbs. The structural/mounting portion is billed under the City's own valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule (Municode 15.28.010, same table used for other construction); the electrical interconnection portion is billed under the City's amperage-based Electrical Permit fee schedule (Municode 15.28.090). Hobbs enforces the statewide 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code (NMAC 14.9.6) as adopted by Municode 15.04.010, and the statewide NMAC 14.5.2.8(F) solar-installer licensing and submittal requirements apply the same way in Hobbs as anywhere else CID's NMAC code set governs — Hobbs is not a separately state-certified Local Enforcement Agency with its own amended solar provisions.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Hobbs has no dedicated EV charger or EVSE permit and no distinct fee line item for electric vehicle charging equipment. A retrofit EV charger circuit is billed as standard electrical work under the City's amperage-based Electrical Permit fee schedule (Municode 15.28.090) -- the same schedule used for the interconnection portion of the sibling solar-pv-permit entry. Separately, the statewide 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (14.6.6 NMAC, effective 7/30/2024, enforced by Hobbs as an NMAC-code-enforcing jurisdiction) requires NEW single-family homes to be built with a dedicated 50-amp/240V EV-ready circuit and outlet, and the 2021 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code (14.7.9 NMAC) requires new commercial buildings to provision EV charging capacity for 1-5% of parking spaces depending on use -- these are new-construction wiring-capacity mandates, not a separate retrofit EV charger permit or fee.
Sign Permit
Required for most permanent signs erected on private property in Hobbs. Governed by City of Hobbs Municode Chapter 15.32 (Signs), which was amended in its entirety by City Ordinance in 2016. The sign permit fee is cross-referenced by Municode Section 15.32.150 to the fee schedule at Section 15.28.050, 'as established by the City.'
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit
Required for installation of new water-based fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm/detection systems in Hobbs commercial buildings. These systems are not permitted as a stand-alone product -- their plans are submitted as part of the Commercial Building Permit plan set and are specifically routed to the City of Hobbs Fire Marshal's Office for approval (City of Hobbs Commercial Construction Guide, Revised 06-10-24, plan-submittal item 9). Governed by the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted by City of Hobbs Municode Section 8.32.010 (Ord. 923 SS1,2, 2004; Ord. 991, 6-16-2008; Ord. 1054, 4-16-2012), whose Chapter 80 Referenced Standards incorporate NFPA 13 (sprinkler systems) and NFPA 72 (fire alarm/signaling), 2019 editions.
Change of Occupancy / Certificate of Occupancy
Hobbs does not operate a separate 'change of use' permit product distinct from its general Building Permit. City of Hobbs Municode Section 15.04.030(A) makes it unlawful to 'convert, or change occupancy of any building, structure, or sign... within City limits AND the 5-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), without first obtaining a permit,' so a change of occupancy is processed through the same general Building Permit Application used for new construction and remodels (marked 'Other' for project type), reviewed against the 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (NMAC 14.7.2) and the 2021 International Existing Building Code (NMAC 14.7.7), both adopted by Municode 15.04.010. The City issues a Certificate of Occupancy as the final step of the standard building permit process.
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial construction, commercial additions, and commercial remodels/alterations in Hobbs and its 5-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (Municode 15.04.030(A)). Hobbs is NOT a CID-direct jurisdiction: although New Mexico's Construction Industries Division (CID) issues permits directly in uncertified localities, the City of Hobbs runs its own Building Inspection Department (a unit of Planning/Engineering) that issues commercial building permits locally as the AHJ, enforcing the statewide NMAC code set (2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code, NMAC 14.7.2, based on the 2021 IBC) adopted by Municode 15.04.010. The process, plan-set standard, and inspections are set out in the City of Hobbs Commercial Construction Guide (Revised 06-10-24); fees are valuation-based per Municode 15.28.010 plus a 20% commercial plan-review fee.
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 through 2026-05)
- 56units
56 buildings · $16.4M valuation
2 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 143units
143 buildings · $42.4M valuation
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
- Hobbs is enforced under New Mexico's statewide Construction Industries Division (CID) code framework, not a separately state-certified Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) with its own amended code — City of Hobbs Municode 15.04.010 formally adopts the NMAC-codified statewide building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and solar/pool codes by reference, and the City's own Building Inspection Department administers permitting and inspection locally as the AHJ.
- Permits are required not just within Hobbs city limits but throughout its 5-mile Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) — ETJ projects also require Lea County approval notification.
- Permit fees for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing are individually codified with exact dollar figures in City of Hobbs Code of Ordinances Chapter 15.28 (Sections 15.28.010 through 15.28.090) — this is unusually granular compared to many jurisdictions that only publish valuation percentages.
- Homeowners can self-permit residential construction, but self-performing electrical, plumbing, or mechanical trade work requires passing the New Mexico CID homeowner trade exam — call (505) 476-4869.
- New Mexico has state-specific amendments to the 2021 IRC reroofing section (NMAC 14.7.3.17) — pumice/granular fill is banned in roof assemblies, and canale/scupper metal pan lining requirements apply, reflecting the region's adobe/flat-roof construction tradition.
- Refunds on cancelled permits are 80% of total fees paid (Municode 15.28.010).
- A red tag (working without a permit) results in a double permit fee (Municode 15.28.060).
- Re-inspection fees are a flat $60.00 across building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, and must be paid before the next inspection is scheduled (Municode 15.28.070).
- Completed permit application sets can be submitted by email as PDF to hobbs.permits@hobbsnm.org, and inspections can be requested by email or by texting the inspector directly.
- Note: the current fillable Electrical Permit Application form lists slightly different dollar amounts for flat miscellaneous fee items (sign connection, HVAC unit, swimming pool, temp pole, low voltage) than the codified Municode 15.28.090 ordinance ($20-30 on the form vs. $31 in the ordinance). This file uses the codified Municode figures as authoritative.