Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Farmington, New Mexico
VerifiedRequired 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).
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- 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
- Required
Building Permit Application
Paper application submitted in person at the Community Development Planning and Zoning Division & Building Inspection Division office
- Required
Construction Drawings (two sets) plus Site Plan
Per 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
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Review timeline
~10–15 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Farmington building department
Inspection process
- 1
Final Inspection
The City of Farmington requires a final inspection for ALL permits issued, per the Residential Building Requirements page.
Tips
- Farmington does not have online permitting or online payment for building permits — you must visit the Building Inspection Division office in person at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor (across from City Hall).
- Submit two (2) sets of plans plus a site plan per the Residential New House Plan Submittal Requirements bulletin.
- New Mexico's homeowner permit exemption lets a property owner pull a building, plumbing, or electrical permit for their own primary residence without a contractor license, provided the homeowner performs the major portion of the work by dollar value (14.5.2 NMAC, Section on Homeowner Permits).
- Mail-order house plans must be built exactly as shown — no alterations, deletions, additions, or remarked plans will be accepted per the City's plan submittal bulletin.
- Call (505) 599-1304 to schedule inspections; requests must be made at least one business day in advance.
- The City's minimum roof live load is 20 PSF and frost depth is 24 inches.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I apply for a building permit online in Farmington?
- No. The City of Farmington does not have permits online and does not accept online payments. You must come into the Community Development Planning and Zoning Division & Building Inspection Division office at 805 Municipal Drive, Annex Building, 2nd floor.
- How much does a residential building permit cost in Farmington?
- The City does not publish a fixed fee schedule online. Per the Manual of Fees page, permitting fees are based on type of construction, square footage, type of materials, and construction codes. The City states the best method of obtaining an exact fee is to contact a Building Inspector at (505) 599-1304.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- City of Farmington Community Development Department — Building Inspection Division — official building department
- Residential Building Requirements | City of Farmington
- Do I need a Construction Permit? | City of Farmington
- Residential New House Plan Submittal Requirements (PDF)
- Manual of Fees | City of Farmington
- Design Loads for the City of Farmington, NM
- 14.5.2 NMAC — New Mexico Permits (Homeowner Permit provisions)
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Farmington building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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