Farmington building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Farmington, New Mexico.
Last verified 2026-07-02 · Source
Building department
- Address
- 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd Floor, Farmington, NM 87401
- Phone
- (505) 599-1304
- Office hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. No online permitting or online payment is available; applications and payment (check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card — Discover not accepted) must be made in person at the Annex Building.
- Website
- Official site
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.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for new single-family residential construction in Farmington. Farmington does not accept online applications or payments — all permits must be applied for and paid in person at the Building Inspection Division office. Plans are reviewed against the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended).
Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel Permit
Required for additions, alterations, remodels, and structural renovations to existing residential structures in Farmington, including garage additions/conversions, decks, carports, and interior/exterior renovation affecting structure or life safety.
Residential Electrical Permit
Required for electrical work on residential properties in Farmington, including new wiring, service changes, branch circuits, and low-voltage hardwire work. Electrical work must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (based on the 2020 NEC, adopted via 14.10.4 NMAC, effective March 28, 2023).
Residential Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs on residential properties in Farmington, governed by the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code (2021 UPC as amended, 14.8.2 NMAC).
Residential Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and mechanical equipment installations on residential properties in Farmington, governed by the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code (2021 UMC as amended, 14.9.2 NMAC).
Residential Roofing Permit
Required for roof overlays, re-roofs, and structural roof renovations on residential properties in Farmington. Design must account for the City's local minimum roof live load of 20 PSF.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for installation of solar panels on residential properties in Farmington. Solar installations must comply with the 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code (2012 USEC as amended, 14.9.6 NMAC), which the City has explicitly adopted.
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)
- 5units
5 buildings · $1.1M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 40units
12 of 12 months reported · #7 in New Mexico coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 17units
17 buildings · $5M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 40units
40 buildings · $12.3M 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
- Farmington does NOT offer online permit applications or online payment. All permits must be applied for and paid in person at the Community Development Planning and Zoning Division & Building Inspection Division, 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor (across from City Hall). Accepted payment: check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card by phone (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) — Discover is not accepted.
- The City does not publish a fixed permit fee schedule online. Per the Manual of Fees page, fees are based on type of construction, square footage, materials, and construction codes — call a Building Inspector at (505) 599-1304 for an exact quote.
- Farmington is its own Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) under 14.5.1 NMAC — it enforces the State of New Mexico's Title 14 construction codes (Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 NMAC) locally through its own full-service Building Inspection Division rather than having the State Construction Industries Division (CID) administer permits directly within city limits.
- New Mexico's statewide homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a property owner to obtain a building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit for their own primary residence (and appurtenant structures like garages, carports, and sheds) without a contractor license, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work by dollar value.
- A City of Farmington Business License is required for any contractor or subcontractor performing work within city limits, separate from the state contractor license — call the City Clerk at (505) 599-1170 or apply online.
- Permits are NOT required for: cabinetry, carpeting, countertops, exterior or interior painting (residential or commercial), minor landscaping, or tiling.
- Final inspection is required for ALL permits issued by the City.
- Building permits are valid for 2 years from issuance; if work does not begin within 180 days, the permit becomes invalid (per City FAQ).
- Design criteria: minimum roof live load 20 PSF; frost depth 24 inches minimum, per the City's published Design Loads page.
- Mobile home / manufactured housing additions, alterations, and repairs are handled by the State's Manufactured Housing Division within the Construction Industries Division office, not the City — call (505) 476-4770.
- Schedule inspections by calling (505) 599-1304 at least one business day in advance; have your permit/application number ready. Electrical Service Connect inspections for the Farmington Electric Utility System are scheduled separately at (505) 599-8310, (505) 599-8312, or (505) 599-8317.