Gallup building permits

Requirements

• City of Gallup Site Development Permit required first: covers zoning compliance, fire, water, wastewater, electric services, solid waste, drainage, and pedestrian/vehicular safety infrastructure review, per the City's July 2026 CID Transition notice
• A storm drainage plan stamped/approved by the City Engineer is required prior to building permit issuance (may be waived by the City Engineer for residential development under 1 acre)
• Surveyor's stamped site/plot plan showing setbacks from all property lines, off-street parking, access cut design, curb/gutter/sidewalk locations, and street names, per the City's Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist, Section I
• Utility site/plot plan showing existing utility mains, water meter location/size, sewer main/manhole location, and electrical service entrance location/size
• Building floor plan, elevations, floor framing plan, roof framing plan, and foundation plan drawn to scale
• Once the City's zoning/site-development review is complete, the application and City-approved plans are submitted to a CID office (Albuquerque is the nearest permanent CID office to Gallup/McKinley County) for the actual building permit, plan review, and CID fee calculation, per N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.8
• Sidewalk, curb, and gutter are required for all new construction, built to City standard drawings
• Water-conserving fixtures required in all construction
• Plans must be 24" x 36" for new residential projects (18" x 24" minimum accepted for additions/alterations/demolition per the City's checklist, though this size guidance predates the July 2026 CID routing change and should be confirmed with both the City and the CID office at time of submittal)

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Site Development Permit ApplicationPrerequisite zoning-compliance and municipal-infrastructure review application submitted to the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department before CID will accept the state building-permit application; replaces the City's pre-July-2026 general-construction Building Permit Application for this scope
• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / CID Building Permit ApplicationState of New Mexico CID application form submitted to a CID office (Albuquerque nearest) after City site-development sign-off
• RequiredSurveyor's Stamped Site/Plot PlanRequired per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist, Section I — shows setbacks, access, parking, and utility locations
• OptionalStorm Drainage and Grading PlanRequired for projects exceeding one acre, or where the City Engineer determines one is necessary for smaller residential development

Fee schedule

Requirements

• City of Gallup Site Development Permit prerequisite (zoning compliance, infrastructure review) required before CID will accept the building-permit application, consistent with the City's July 2026 transition notice
• Building floor areas/elevations drawn to scale (existing and proposed)
• Utility site/plot plan showing electrical service entrance location and size
• Floor plan, roof framing plan, and wall framing plan with elevations
• Detailed fixture list for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical scope
• Written scope of work outlining project details, per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist, Section II
• Plans requiring revision are returned and a new revised set/PDF is required before re-review

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Site Development Permit ApplicationPrerequisite zoning/infrastructure review application
• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / CID Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office after City sign-off
• RequiredWritten Scope of WorkOutlining project details, per City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist Section II

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All electrical work must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 NEC), NMAC 14.10.4
• Permit issued by CID, not the City of Gallup — per the City's own Homeowner's Building Permit Application: 'The State of New Mexico provides their own permits and inspections for plumbing, mechanical and electrical'
• All electrical work must be performed by a New Mexico CID-licensed electrical contractor unless the homeowner qualifies for and obtains a CID homeowner's electrical permit for their own primary residence under N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18
• To schedule an inspection, call (505) 222-9813 or (877) 243-0979, per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Application useful phone numbers

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office (Albuquerque is the nearest permanent CID office to McKinley County)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All plumbing work must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code, NMAC 14.8.2
• Permit issued by CID, not the City of Gallup
• Water heater replacement/installation requires a plumbing permit (billed as 'Each Water Heater' on CID's per-fixture fee schedule)
• A homeowner may apply for a homeowner's plumbing permit for their own primary residence subject to N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18(M); all other plumbing work requires a New Mexico CID-licensed plumbing contractor

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / Plumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office (Albuquerque nearest to McKinley County)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All mechanical work must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code, NMAC 14.9.2
• A homeowner's permit shall NOT be issued for HVAC, natural gas, or LP gas installations — per N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18(O), all such work requires a properly licensed CID contractor
• Ductwork, refrigeration systems, and gas piping/appliances are each billed individually on CID's Mechanical/Plumbing fee schedule

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / Mechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office by a licensed mechanical contractor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All new roof installations and re-roofs require a permit and inspections — no minimum square-footage or percentage-of-roof threshold applies, per N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.8(E)(1)
• All applications of roof coating systems also require a permit and inspections — N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.8(E)(2)
• Inspections must include, at minimum, a decking inspection upon removal of the existing roof and a final inspection upon completion of the roofing project — N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.8(E)(3)
• City of Gallup Site Development Permit prerequisite (zoning) may apply per the July 2026 transition process — confirm with the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department
• A homeowner's permit for roofing is NOT available if the work will be subcontracted rather than performed by the homeowner personally — N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18(L)

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application (CID)Submitted to a CID office; the form includes a 'Roofing' scope-of-work checkbox

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Contractor bidding/installing the solar PV electric system must hold a valid CID EE-98, EL-1, or ER-1 license classification (14.6.6 NMAC, Electrical Classifications, PV-specific scope)
• Installer performing the physical PV electrical work must hold a valid CID journeyman certificate (EE-98J, EL-1J, or ER-1J) or be a certified apprentice working under direct journeyman supervision
• If the installation requires structural modifications to the roof or mounting structure, that work must be performed under a GB-2 (residential) or GB-98 (general) building license classification — filed as a CID General Construction Building Permit, since Gallup's own certified building official retired and the City no longer issues general-construction building permits as of July 6, 2026
• City of Gallup Site Development Permit (zoning compliance, infrastructure review) may be required first if the PV installation is part of new construction or a structural addition, per the City's July 2026 CID Transition notice
• Governed by the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4) / 2020 NEC as statewide-adopted

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / Electrical Permit Application (CID)Same statewide electrical permit application used for other electrical work in Gallup, submitted to a CID office (Albuquerque nearest); no separate solar-specific CID form was found published
• OptionalCity of Gallup Site Development Permit Application (if applicable)Filed with the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department if the PV installation is part of new construction or a structural addition requiring zoning/infrastructure review

Fee schedule

Requirements

• All electrical work must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 NEC), NMAC 14.10.4
• Permit issued by CID, not the City of Gallup — per the City's own Homeowner's Building Permit Application: 'The State of New Mexico provides their own permits and inspections for plumbing, mechanical and electrical'
• All electrical work must be performed by a New Mexico CID-licensed electrical contractor unless the homeowner qualifies for and obtains a CID homeowner's electrical permit for their own primary residence under N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18
• To schedule an inspection, call (505) 222-9813 or (877) 243-0979, per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Application useful phone numbers

Required documents

• RequiredMulti Purpose State Building Application / Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office (Albuquerque is the nearest permanent CID office to McKinley County). No separate EV-specific application form was found published.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A surveyor's stamped site/plot plan drawn to scale showing fence location and easements is required, per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist, Section V
• List of fence materials must be submitted
• Fence height and length must be indicated on the plan
• A written scope of work outlining project details must be submitted
• Fence permits continue to be issued by the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department (not CID) after the July 2026 transition, per the City's CID Transition notice

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Building/Fence Permit ApplicationCity of Gallup Homeowner's or Contractor's Building Permit Application, Section V (Fence) checklist items attached
• RequiredSurveyor's Stamped Site/Plot PlanShowing fence location, easements, materials, height, and length

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Sign permit application must be submitted to the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department
• Once approved, installation must be completed by a licensed New Mexico contractor, per the City of Gallup Building Permits FAQ
• Sign permitting is explicitly retained by the City (not routed to CID) per the City's July 2026 CID Transition notice

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Sign Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Traffic control plan required if a street is to be closed, per the City of Gallup Homeowner's Building Permit Checklist, Section III
• Dust and debris control plan required
• Residential demolition requires reporting to the New Mexico Air Quality Bureau ((505) 476-4300 / (800) 224-7009)
• Site plan showing the structure to be demolished and any existing structure to remain
• Interior demolition floor plan showing any structural changes
• Written scope of work outlining project details
• No illegal dumping permitted within City or County boundaries; debris must be deposited at an approved dumping site and copies of dumping tickets provided to the building inspector at final inspection

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Site Development Permit ApplicationPrerequisite zoning/infrastructure review
• RequiredDemolition Permit Application / CID Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to CID after City sign-off, per the July 2026 transition process

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Certificate of Fitness (issued by the NM State Fire Marshal under NMAC 10.25.2) required for any person who installs, inspects, maintains, services, tags, or repairs fire protection equipment or systems — City Code subsection 9-2-1A3, which replaces IFC Section 105 (Permits Required) for Gallup
• Contractor must provide proof of liability insurance to the Chief of the Fire Department, per City Code subsection 9-2-1A3
• Working plans for fire protection equipment and systems must be submitted to the City of Gallup Fire Prevention office for review and approval, stamped by a qualified person for NFPA compliance; water-based fire protection and fire alarm systems require the stamping individual to hold a NICET Level III certification — City Code subsection 9-2-1A4
• A Scope of Work submittal (in lieu of full working plans) is allowed for minor modifications involving 10 or fewer appliances, or fire sprinkler alterations involving 10 or fewer heads; the Fire Code official may still require full working plans based on findings — City Code subsection 9-2-1A4-1
• Hydraulic calculations (with a 10-psi safety margin on commercial buildings requiring an automatic sprinkler system) must be submitted when sprinkler head additions exceed 10, or exceed 10 percent of the system's total heads — City Code subsection 9-2-1A4-2
• Statewide permit process per 10.25.5.18 NMAC: apply for a permit and submit drawings for plan review by the AHJ (the City's Fire Prevention office in Gallup) and approval of the fire protection system by the State Fire Marshal or local Fire Marshal
• Final acceptance testing of each fire protection system must be recorded as complete before the system is approved — 10.25.5.18(G) NMAC
• Fire protection system installation and journeyman work falls under Construction Industries Division (CID) contractor-licensing jurisdiction, per 10.25.5.2(C)(4) NMAC
• Records of post-installation inspections and maintenance must be submitted to the City of Gallup Fire Prevention office within 14 calendar days; the Fire Prevention office must be notified immediately if equipment or a system is found out of service — City Code subsection 9-2-1A5

Required documents

• RequiredFire Protection Equipment and Systems Plans SubmittalWorking plans for the fire sprinkler or fire alarm system, stamped by a qualified person for NFPA compliance (NICET Level III required for water-based fire protection and fire alarm systems), submitted to the City of Gallup Fire Prevention office
• OptionalScope of Work (minor modifications only)Accepted in lieu of full working plans for alterations involving 10 or fewer appliances or 10 or fewer sprinkler heads, at the Fire Code official's discretion
• OptionalHydraulic CalculationsRequired when sprinkler head additions exceed 10, or exceed 10 percent of the system's total heads, with a 10-psi safety margin on commercial buildings requiring an automatic sprinkler system
• RequiredCertificate of FitnessState Fire Marshal-issued proof of competence (NMAC 10.25.2) for the installer/servicer performing the work
• RequiredProof of Liability InsuranceRequired from the fire protection contractor, per City Code subsection 9-2-1A3

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Zoning track: a Conditional Use Permit is required when the proposed use is not permitted-by-right in the applicable zoning district (e.g., multi-family use), per City of Gallup Land Development Standards Section 10-5-B-d-iii
• Zoning track: only the property owner (or their agent) may apply, and a pre-application conference with the Planning & Development Director is required first
• Zoning track: application must include the property's legal description, current zoning designation, a written statement of compliance with the Conditional Use criteria (Section 10-5-B-d-iii-2), and a site plan drawn to scale showing structures, ingress/egress, parking, utilities, and screening/landscape buffers
• Zoning track: applications are due by the second Friday of the month to be heard the following month; the applicant or a representative must be present at the Planning & Zoning Commission hearing or the request will not be heard
• Building/fire-code track: changing a structure's occupancy group or division requires compliance with the currently-adopted New Mexico Commercial Building Code or Existing Building Code, and is subject to Fire Code official approval under amended IFC Section 102.3; a less-hazardous-use change may be allowed without full code conformance at the Fire Code official's discretion
• Building/fire-code track: a City of Gallup Site Development Permit (zoning/infrastructure prerequisite) is required before CID will accept the building-permit application, per the City's July 2026 CID Transition process used for other general-construction-adjacent permits in this jurisdiction
• Building/fire-code track: no change in occupancy classification is allowed until the building official (now CID, post-transition) issues a Certificate of Occupancy or an approved final inspection — 14.5.3.13 NMAC
• A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for a 30-day period (or longer if approved), extendable up to a maximum of 12 months — 14.5.3.13 NMAC; a C/O does not guarantee compliance with other agencies' requirements (fire marshal, environmental, health) and can be revoked or suspended if issued in error

Required documents

• OptionalCity of Gallup Conditional Use Permit ApplicationRequired for the zoning track; includes legal description, zoning designation, written statement of compliance with Conditional Use criteria, and a scaled site plan; submitted to the City of Gallup Planning & Development Department
• OptionalCity of Gallup Site Development Permit ApplicationRequired for the building/fire-code track as the zoning/infrastructure-review prerequisite before CID will accept a building-permit application for occupancy-classification-changing work
• OptionalMulti Purpose State Building Application / CID Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted to a CID office if the change of occupancy requires construction work to bring the structure into compliance with the applicable New Mexico Commercial Building Code or Existing Building Code

Fee schedule

Requirements

• City of Gallup Site Development Permit required first: the City's Contractor's Site Development Permit Application (PLANNING - CSDP APP - 12.01.2021) covers 'New Commercial' and 'Commercial & Residential Additions, Alterations & Repairs' and includes a Tenant/Business Name section; incomplete applications are not accepted and are returned with all plans
• Zoning approval and a signature on the Application for State Building Permit must be obtained before applying to the CID office for the building permit, per CID's Building Permit Guide for Commercial Construction
• Two complete scaled sets of plans (1/4" = 1'-0" minimum) and specifications must be submitted to CID, sufficiently clear to show the project in its entirety; CID's guide provides a 14-item minimum drawing checklist (cover sheet with design-criteria list, site plan, foundation plan with geotechnical report, floor plan, framing/roof framing plans, exterior elevations, building/wall sections, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, structural calculations, specifications, addenda, revisions) for 'new commercial construction, additions, and remodels'
• City submittal: original signed application (faxed/scanned/e-mailed not accepted), two sets of plans plus an unlocked PDF set and a written scope of work, minimum plan size 24" x 36", drafted to an architect's and/or engineer's scale; site/plot plan stamped by a NM licensed architect/engineer with soils report; utility site plan; building floor areas and elevations to scale
• Professional seals: a single seal of either a New Mexico registered engineer or architect suffices for projects not exceeding $400,000 construction valuation AND not exceeding a total occupant load of 50; both an architect's and engineer's seals are required above either threshold. Nonresidential buildings or additions with a total occupant load of 10 or less and not more than 2 stories (excluding E-3, H, or I occupancies) require no seal unless CID determines one is necessary — CID Building Permit Guide for Commercial Construction
• Electrical: plans stamped by a NM-licensed Electrical Engineer are required for any installation with calculated service capacity over 100 kVA single-phase or over 225 kVA three-phase; CID's FAQ also flags PE-sealed electrical plan review where occupant load exceeds 50 people or construction valuation exceeds $600,000
• Mechanical: a NM-licensed Mechanical Engineer's stamp may be required on mechanical permits of $50,000 or more in value and/or commercial buildings three stories and higher — contact the CID Mechanical Bureau Chief, as requirements vary by project
• Valuation basis: CID bases the fee on project valuation per NMAC 14.5.5.10 and requires the signed contract between project owner and contractor; CID calculates the fee for the applicant
• Renovation/demolition of existing commercial structures: the NM Air Pollution Control Bureau ((800) 224-7009) must be notified 10 days in advance regarding asbestos-containing materials, per CID's commercial guide
• A storm drainage plan approved by the City Engineer is required prior to building permit issuance (the under-one-acre waiver is residential-only); sidewalk, curb, and gutter required for all new construction to City standard drawings
• All hazardous materials/chemicals used or stored on site must be reported to the Fire Inspection Department prior to Certificate of Occupancy issuance, and fire protection/alarm system design plans must be submitted to the Fire Inspector before installation, per the City's CSDP packet
• Work within City or State right-of-way requires a separate right-of-way permit from City of Gallup Public Works ((505) 863-1290) or NMDOT
• Permits become invalid unless work commences within 6 months of approval (both the City CSDP packet and City permit terms)

Required documents

• RequiredCity of Gallup Contractor's Site Development Permit ApplicationPLANNING - CSDP APP - 12.01.2021 packet — the City-side prerequisite covering zoning compliance and municipal infrastructure review for commercial construction, additions, alterations, and tenant improvements; includes the Resolution R2004-40 fee schedule as pages 5-6
• RequiredApplication for State Building Permit (CID)Supplied by the CID office; must carry the local zoning-approval signature before submission and be signed by the licensed GB-98 contractor requesting the permit
• RequiredTwo Complete Scaled Plan Sets and Specifications1/4" = 1'-0" minimum scale, covering CID's 14-item commercial drawing checklist; professional seals per the valuation/occupant-load thresholds
• RequiredGeotechnical / Soils ReportRequired with the foundation plan per CID's commercial guide (soil-bearing capacity for the proposed structure at that site); the City's site-plan checklist also requires a soils report
• RequiredSigned Owner-Contractor ContractRequired by CID as the basis for project valuation under NMAC 14.5.5.10
• RequiredStorm Drainage and Grading PlanRequired and approved by the City Engineer prior to building permit issuance; the City Engineer's waiver provision applies only to small residential development

Fee schedule