Farmington building permits

Requirements

• Building permit required for all new residential construction (Category 101 Single Family Residence in the City's permit reporting system)
• Must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended, 14.7.3 NMAC) and 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (14.7.6 NMAC)
• Homeowner or a contractor representing the owner may take out the permit; New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a property owner to obtain a building permit for their own primary residence without a contractor license, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work by dollar value
• Submit two (2) sets of construction plans plus a site plan
• Zoning/setback compliance verified by the Planning and Zoning Division — call (505) 599-1317
• Applications and payment must be made in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd Floor — no online permitting or payment

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at the Community Development Planning and Zoning Division & Building Inspection Division office
• RequiredConstruction Drawings (two sets) plus Site PlanPer the Residential New House Plan Submittal Requirements bulletin: legal description and address (street address, subdivision, lot and block number); building location with distances to property lines; proposed driveway and sidewalks drawn to engineer's scale (1"=10' to 1"=30'); drawn to scale no less than 1/4 inch to the foot, in blue-line or black-line print; foundation design and foundation plan; floor framing plan; roof framing plan (truss plans must be on site before framing inspection); wall and roof section details showing insulation, anchor bolts, plate, and stud spacing; indicated insulation R-value and NM Energy Conservation Code compliance; type and size of all exterior doors and windows; drawn on paper no smaller than 18"x24"; plot plan on 8.5"x11" or 8.5"x14"

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for residential additions, alterations, remodeling, interior and exterior renovation, garage additions and conversions, decks, carports, porch covers, and retaining/soil retention walls
• Must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (14.7.3 NMAC)
• Homeowner permit exemption available for the owner's primary residence (14.5.2 NMAC)
• Applications and payment made in person only at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at the Building Inspection Division office
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlans showing scope of work, dimensions, and structural details of the addition or alteration

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for hardwired low voltage work and all electrical installations, changes, or repairs
• Must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 NEC as amended) — 14.10.4 NMAC, effective March 28, 2023
• New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a homeowner to obtain an electrical permit for their own primary residence, limited to appurtenant structures such as garages, carports, and sheds, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work
• Only a New Mexico-licensed electrical contractor (or exempt homeowner) may perform and permit the work
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for plumbing equipment installation, sewer line work, and water line work
• Must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code (2021 UPC as amended) — 14.8.2 NMAC
• New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a homeowner to obtain a plumbing permit for their own primary residence, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredPlumbing Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for mechanical equipment installation
• Must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code (2021 UMC as amended) — 14.9.2 NMAC
• New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a homeowner to obtain a mechanical permit for their own primary residence, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for roof overlay, re-roof, and structural roof renovations — explicitly listed on the City's 'Do I need a Construction Permit?' page
• Must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (14.7.3 NMAC) and the City's local minimum roof live load of 20 PSF
• New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption applies to the owner's own primary residence
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Solar panel installation is explicitly listed among work requiring a permit on the City's 'Do I need a Construction Permit?' page
• Must comply with the 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code (2012 Uniform Solar Energy Code as amended) — 14.9.6 NMAC, which applies to all solar energy system construction work in New Mexico subject to CID jurisdiction, in effect since May 1, 2015
• Electrical permit and inspection also required for the PV system's electrical connections, per the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor; solar PV plan review includes application and permit provisions under Section 103.3 of the adopted Solar Energy Code

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for the electrical work associated with EV charger/EVSE installation (new wiring, branch circuit, or panel/service work), same as any other electrical installation
• Must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 NEC as amended, including Article 625) — 14.10.4 NMAC, effective March 28, 2023
• New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption (14.5.2 NMAC) allows a homeowner to obtain the electrical permit for their own primary residence, limited to appurtenant structures such as garages and carports, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work
• Only a New Mexico-licensed electrical contractor (or exempt homeowner) may perform and permit the work
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office

Required documents

• RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationSame paper application used for all electrical work, submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Sign installation is explicitly listed among work requiring a permit on the City's 'Do I need a Construction Permit?' page
• Governed by UDC Article 5 – Development Standards, Section 5.8 – Signs, of the Farmington Code of Ordinances
• Applications and payment made in person only at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor — no online permitting or payment
• Questions about which signs are allowed without a permit, or which signs are prohibited, are directed by the City's own FAQ to the Planning Division at (505) 599-1301

Required documents

• RequiredSign Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at the Building Inspection Division office; no dedicated online sign-permit application form was found published on the City's site.
• RequiredSign Plans/DrawingsPlans showing sign location, dimensions, height, and structural attachment/support, consistent with standard permit submittal practice for structures reviewed under UDC Section 5.8.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Both fire protection (sprinkler) systems and fire alarm systems are explicitly listed among work requiring a permit on the City's 'Do I need a Construction Permit?' page
• Plans for new construction and for alterations involving significant changes or a change in occupancy are reviewed by the Fire Marshal's Office, which maintains a working relationship with the City Building Department
• The Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) will only accept digital plan submittals, in accordance with current Building Department procedures
• Governed by the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted and locally amended by City of Farmington Ordinance No. 2024-1358
• A complete set of as-built plans must be printed and available on-site at final inspection, and a digital copy of as-built plans must be submitted to the FMO prior to or at the time of final inspection
• Applications and payment made in person only at the Building Inspection Division office, 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Required documents

• RequiredFire Protection System / Sprinkler or Fire Alarm Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor; no dedicated online fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm permit application form was found published on the City's site.
• RequiredDigital Fire Protection System PlansDigital plan submittal is required by the Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) for all life safety system plan review, per the Building Inspection Division's published Plans Review requirements.
• RequiredAs-Built Plans (printed and digital)A complete printed set of as-built plans must be available on-site at final inspection, and a digital copy must be submitted to the FMO prior to or at the time of final inspection.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A Certificate of Occupancy requires inspections from various departments depending on the nature of the occupant; inspections are scheduled and handled by the proper departments
• Once inspections are done and everything is up to code, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued — per the City's FAQ, this is usually for new construction only
• The City requires final inspections (including life safety system finals) prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy
• A business inspection must additionally be completed to obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office
• For alterations involving significant changes or a change in occupancy in an existing structure, the Fire Marshal's Office conducts plan review as part of the same process
• Applications and inquiries handled in person/by phone through Building Inspection at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor

Required documents

• RequiredCertificate of Occupancy Request / Inspection SchedulingNo standalone downloadable Certificate of Occupancy or change-of-occupancy application form was found published on the City's site; the process is initiated by contacting Building Inspection at (505) 599-1304 to schedule the required departmental inspections.
• RequiredBusiness License ApplicationA City of Farmington Business License, and the associated business inspection, is required to open for occupancy/operation — apply via the City Clerk's office at (505) 599-1170.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Up to six (6) sets of construction drawings must be submitted for new commercial projects; up to four (4) sets for commercial tenant improvements — per the City's Commercial Building Requirements page
• Per the Commercial New Construction bulletin: submit six (6) complete sets of plans including building computations and specifications indicating type of construction and occupancy group per the International Building Code; plot plan; floorplan; footing/foundation plan; roof plan; foundation, wall and roof section drawings; plumbing and mechanical plans; electrical plan; and any specification/project manual
• Plot plan must indicate proposed paving, off-street parking layout (including striping and handicapped-accessible parking with posted signage), and trash receptacle location with any required screening per City standards
• Farmington Fire Department approves all commercial plans and automatic fire-sprinkler systems — no permit is issued until ALL applicable departments/agencies have approved their portion of the application
• Any commercial building, regardless of valuation, must be permitted to a general contractor licensed in the State of New Mexico (GB-98)
• NM professional seal thresholds (per the City's Commercial New Construction bulletin and 14.5.2.10 NMAC): occupant load over 10, or Group E, Daycare H (Hazardous), or I (Institutional) occupancies, require a New Mexico Architect's and/or Registered Engineer's stamp; occupant load over 50 OR valuation greater than $400,000 requires plans stamped/signed by BOTH a New Mexico Licensed Architect and a New Mexico Registered Professional Engineer — all pages of the plans must be stamped and signed
• Under 14.5.2.10 NMAC, alterations to buildings or structures that present no unusual conditions or hazards and no change in occupancy are excepted from the architect/engineer seal requirement (at the building official's discretion) — relevant to many tenant improvements
• Electrical: installations with calculated service capacity over 100 kVA single-phase or over 225 kVA three-phase must be stamped by a registered electrical engineer; mechanical/plumbing work valued at $50,000+ or in commercial buildings three stories and higher may require a PE stamp (14.5.2.10 NMAC)
• Restrooms and building access must be accessible per the New Mexico Commercial Building Code and ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003; eating establishments where food is consumed on premises must have accessible public restrooms
• Secondary permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work may be submitted without accompanying construction drawings, though equipment cut-sheets may be required
• A City of Farmington Business License is required for the general contractor and all subcontractors working within city limits
• Applications and payment made in person only at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor — hard copies required, no online permitting or payment

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationPaper application submitted in person at the Building Inspection Division office, 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor
• RequiredConstruction Drawings — six (6) complete sets (new commercial) or up to four (4) sets (tenant improvement)Complete sets including building computations/specifications with IBC construction type and occupancy group, plot plan, floorplan, footing/foundation plan, roof plan, foundation/wall/roof section drawings, plumbing and mechanical plans, electrical plan, and any specification/project manual — stamped and signed on all pages by a NM Architect and/or Registered PE where occupant-load/valuation thresholds apply
• RequiredPlot Plan with Site DetailsMust indicate proposed paving, off-street parking layout including striping and handicapped-accessible parking with posted signage, and trash receptacle location with required screening per City standards
• OptionalDigital Fire Protection System Plans (if applicable)The Fire Marshal's Office reviews all commercial plans and requires digital plan submittal for fire sprinkler/alarm and life-safety systems, alongside the Building Inspection Division's hard-copy requirement

Fee schedule