PermitBasepermitbase.app
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction) — Santa Fe, New Mexico · Requirements sheet
Verified 2026-08-01 · Source: https://www.santafenm.gov/land-use/building-permits
PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency. Requirements change and vary by project — confirm current details with the building department before you submit.
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction) in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Required for new commercial buildings (including multi-family residential) in Santa Fe, submitted via the City's dedicated New Commercial Construction Building Permit Checklist to the Building Permit Division at 200 Lincoln Avenue. Santa Fe runs its own certified local building department as a delegated Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) under NMAC 14.5.1.7.B — the state Construction Industries Division (CID) does NOT issue building permits inside city limits. Reviewed against the New Mexico Commercial Building Code (the checklist document, revised 3/6/2020, cites the 2015 NM Commercial Code; the City's Adopted Construction Codes page now lists the 2021 NM Commercial Building Code as current).
Verified 2026-08-01 · Source
When you need this permit
- Pre-requisite approvals must accompany the building permit application: Water Budget Approval (REQUIRED — Technical Review Division) and Impact Fee Assessment (REQUIRED — Building Permit Division); plus, if applicable: Address Issuance/Verification (GIS Division), Final Board or Committee Action with recorded plats/development plans (Current Planning Division), Flood Plain Verification/Flood Hazard Report, Historic Preservation District Approval (Historic Preservation Division), Escarpment Overlay District Approval, Prairie Dog Clearance, Archeological Clearance Permit, Evaluation Form for Architectural Design, and Waste Water Utility Expansion Charge Approval
- Six (6) complete sets of proposed construction plans per the checklist's Minimum Submittals section (the same checklist's 'Important Information About Submittal' section says four (4) sets — confirm the current count with the Building Permit Division), submitted in person to 200 Lincoln Avenue, First Floor, West Wing
- Title page must state fundamental code design information: Type of Construction, Occupancy Group, occupant loads, number of stories, floor areas, fire sprinkler status, area separation walls/occupancy separations/horizontal exits, plus an Egress/Life Safety Plan with travel distances, rated wall locations, and exit locations
- Architectural plans sealed by a New Mexico-registered architect; structural drawings sealed by a NM-registered structural or civil engineer (with geotechnical information: soils class, allowable bearing pressure); plumbing and mechanical plans sealed by a NM-registered mechanical engineer; electrical plans sealed by a NM-registered electrical engineer
- Building elevations must complete the 'Architectural Design Points Sheet' (Form O) from the Architectural and Site Design ordinance (Article 14-8.7 SFCC); parking layout per Article 14-8.6 SFCC with required-parking calculation table
- Landscape Plan required on all projects with more than 500 sq ft of new construction and/or disturbing more than 1,000 sq ft of land and/or project valuation greater than $100,000 (Articles 14-8.4 & 14-8.9 SFCC)
- Terrain management: projects exceeding 'Minor Development' thresholds (3,500 sq ft new impervious surface / 5,000 sq ft disturbance / 10% slopes / drainage pattern maintained) are 'All Other Development' and require a SEPARATE grading permit (application type 'GRAD') with NM-licensed-engineer-stamped stormwater calculations before earthwork beyond clearing and grubbing (Article 14-3.10(E) SFCC)
- General contractor must hold a valid Santa Fe City Business License and a valid New Mexico State Contractor's License before the permit will be issued Contractor
- Permit is valid for one year from issuance provided construction commences within 180 days; written extension requests must be filed before expiration ($100 per 6-month extension)
Required documents
Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.
Not ready yet — 0 of 6 required documents checked.
This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →
Fee schedule
Administrative FeeCity of Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Schedule of Fees (effective 01/01/2021), Primary Building Permit Administrative Fees section
$40.00
Building Permit Fee — construction valuation $1 to $500Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021; same valuation-based table applies to commercial and residential primary permits
$25.00
Building Permit Fee — construction valuation $100,001 to $275,000Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021 (intermediate tiers: $501-$2,000; $2,001-$25,000; $25,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000 — see this file's residential-building-permit entry for the full identical table)
$993.75 for the first $100,001 plus $5.93 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
Building Permit Fee — construction valuation $275,001 to $500,000Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021
$1,830.00 for the first $275,001 plus $7.30 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
Building Permit Fee — construction valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021
$3,518.37 for the first $500,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
Building Permit Fee — construction valuation $1,000,001 and upFee Schedule effective 01/01/2021
$5,893.37 for the first $1,000,001 plus $4.40 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
Commercial Plan Review FeeFee Schedule effective 01/01/2021 — higher than the residential rate (50%); the plan check fee is collected at application, the remainder plus any impact fees at permit issuance per the checklist
75% of the Building Permit Fee
Mandatory Pre-Submittal Building Permit Meeting — Large ProjectsFee Schedule effective 01/01/2021 — 1.5-hour meeting with multiple subject matter experts; an optional small-project pre-submittal meeting (1-2 experts, 1 hour) is $150.00
$500.00 per meeting
Expedited Plan Review (Third-Party Plan Review)Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021; TPPR launched April 22, 2024 as a pilot with SAFEbuilt and per the City's Building Permits page is currently open to New Commercial Building projects
Cost of pre-approved third-party plan review plus 20% service charge
Building Permit Extension (6 months)Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021
$100.00 per extension
Building Without a PermitFee Schedule effective 01/01/2021
Double the original permit fee
Review timeline
Plan review
Not published — contact the department
Inspection process
- 1
Footing and Foundation
Before concrete placement; per the building inspection sequence at NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(1)
- 2
Concrete Slab or Under-Floor
Per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(2)
- 3
Frame and Masonry
Per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(3); special inspections and structural observations identified in the sealed structural drawings' General Structural Notes run alongside city inspections
- 4
Weather-Resistive Barrier
After installation, before it is covered; per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(6)
- 5
Energy Efficiency
Per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(7); commercial envelope requirements per the NM Energy Conservation Code documented on the plans
- 6
Lath and Gypsum Board
Per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(8)
- 7
Final Inspection
Per NMAC 14.5.3.9.B(11); required before Certificate of Occupancy. Fire sprinkler/alarm systems require separate SFFD Fire Marshal acceptance (see this file's fire-sprinkler-alarm-permit entry)
See the full Santa Fe inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →
Tips
- Water Budget Approval and Impact Fee Assessment are the two universally REQUIRED pre-requisites — start both before assembling the plan set, and budget for impact fees at permit issuance.
- All five plan disciplines need New Mexico-registered professional seals (architect, structural/civil, mechanical for both plumbing and mechanical, electrical) — Santa Fe does not accept unsealed commercial plans.
- If your site exceeds any 'Minor Development' terrain threshold (3,500 sq ft new impervious / 5,000 sq ft disturbance / >10% slopes), a separate GRAD grading permit with engineer-stamped stormwater calculations is required before meaningful earthwork.
- Much of downtown commercial Santa Fe sits inside one of the five Historic Districts — Historic Preservation Division approval (staff-level, or HDRB public hearing at 0.5% of construction cost, $250 min/$2,000 max) is a pre-requisite that must accompany the building permit application, not a parallel process.
- Large projects must book the mandatory $500 pre-submittal meeting with the City's subject matter experts before applying.
- Commercial construction disturbing one acre or more must also file a US EPA NOI under the Construction General Permit for stormwater.
Frequently asked questions
Santa Fe requires a commercial building permit (new construction) for: Pre-requisite approvals must accompany the building permit application: Water Budget Approval (REQUIRED — Technical Review Division) and Impact Fee Assessment (REQUIRED — Building Permit Division); plus, if applicable: Address Issuance/Verification (GIS Division), Final Board or Committee Action with recorded plats/development plans (Current Planning Division), Flood Plain Verification/Flood Hazard Report, Historic Preservation District Approval (Historic Preservation Division), Escarpment Overlay District Approval, Prairie Dog Clearance, Archeological Clearance Permit, Evaluation Form for Architectural Design, and Waste Water Utility Expansion Charge Approval; Six (6) complete sets of proposed construction plans per the checklist's Minimum Submittals section (the same checklist's 'Important Information About Submittal' section says four (4) sets — confirm the current count with the Building Permit Division), submitted in person to 200 Lincoln Avenue, First Floor, West Wing; Title page must state fundamental code design information: Type of Construction, Occupancy Group, occupant loads, number of stories, floor areas, fire sprinkler status, area separation walls/occupancy separations/horizontal exits, plus an Egress/Life Safety Plan with travel distances, rated wall locations, and exit locations; Architectural plans sealed by a New Mexico-registered architect; structural drawings sealed by a NM-registered structural or civil engineer (with geotechnical information: soils class, allowable bearing pressure); plumbing and mechanical plans sealed by a NM-registered mechanical engineer; electrical plans sealed by a NM-registered electrical engineer; Building elevations must complete the 'Architectural Design Points Sheet' (Form O) from the Architectural and Site Design ordinance (Article 14-8.7 SFCC); parking layout per Article 14-8.6 SFCC with required-parking calculation table; Landscape Plan required on all projects with more than 500 sq ft of new construction and/or disturbing more than 1,000 sq ft of land and/or project valuation greater than $100,000 (Articles 14-8.4 & 14-8.9 SFCC); Terrain management: projects exceeding 'Minor Development' thresholds (3,500 sq ft new impervious surface / 5,000 sq ft disturbance / 10% slopes / drainage pattern maintained) are 'All Other Development' and require a SEPARATE grading permit (application type 'GRAD') with NM-licensed-engineer-stamped stormwater calculations before earthwork beyond clearing and grubbing (Article 14-3.10(E) SFCC); General contractor must hold a valid Santa Fe City Business License and a valid New Mexico State Contractor's License before the permit will be issued; Permit is valid for one year from issuance provided construction commences within 180 days; written extension requests must be filed before expiration ($100 per 6-month extension). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Santa Fe Planning, Land Use and Housing Department — Building Division (Permitting) at (505) 955-6571 (Planning, Land Use and Housing Department main line); Building Permit Division direct: (505) 955-6588 before starting work.
75% of the valuation-based Building Permit Fee (versus 50% for residential), per the City's Schedule of Fees effective 01/01/2021. The plan check fee is collected at application; the balance of the permit fee plus impact fees is collected at issuance.
The City publishes no formal commercial review turnaround — it asks applicants to allow five business days after submittal before even requesting a status update. Since April 2024, an expedited Third-Party Plan Review option (currently open to new commercial buildings) is available at the cost of the third-party review plus a 20% administrative service charge.
You'll need: New Commercial Construction Building Permit Checklist; City of Santa Fe Building Permit Application; Legal Lot of Record; Full Sealed Plan Set; Water Budget Approval; Impact Fee Assessment. Depending on your project, Santa Fe may also ask for: Historic Preservation District Approval. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.
Santa Fe requires 7 inspection(s) for a commercial building permit (new construction), in order: Footing and Foundation, Concrete Slab or Under-Floor, Frame and Masonry, Weather-Resistive Barrier, Energy Efficiency, Lath and Gypsum Board, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Santa Fe Planning, Land Use and Housing Department — Building Division (Permitting) ((505) 955-6571 (Planning, Land Use and Housing Department main line); Building Permit Division direct: (505) 955-6588).
Apply through City of Santa Fe Planning, Land Use and Housing Department — Building Division (Permitting) at Santa Fe City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., 1st Floor (southwest entrance facing Marcy Street nearest the Convention Center), Santa Fe, NM 87501; Mailing: City of Santa Fe Building Permit Division, P.O. Box 909, Santa Fe, NM 87504-0909. Phone: (505) 955-6571 (Planning, Land Use and Housing Department main line); Building Permit Division direct: (505) 955-6588, email: permitcounter@santafenm.gov. Office hours: By appointment only, 8:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. Drop-off hours for revision/amendment submittals only: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.. Official information: https://www.santafenm.gov/land-use/building-permits.
Santa Fe, New Mexico has adopted: 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code (2021 IBC as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (2021 IRC as amended by the State of New Mexico), plus the City of Santa Fe Residential Green Building Code; 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code (2021 International Existing Building Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code (2021 Uniform Plumbing Code as amended by the State of New Mexico), plus City of Santa Fe UPC amendments; 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code (2021 Uniform Mechanical Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 National Electrical Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2012 New Mexico Electrical Safety Code (2012 National Electrical Safety Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2021 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code; 2021 New Mexico Historic Earthen Buildings Code; 2021 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (2021 International Energy Conservation Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2012 New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code (2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code (2012 Uniform Solar Energy Code as amended by the State of New Mexico); 2021 International Fire Code, plus City of Santa Fe IFC amendments; New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) Title 14, Chapter 5: 14.5.1 General Provisions, 14.5.2 Permits, 14.5.3 Inspections; 2017 ICC A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Local amendments apply — see the Santa Fe overview page for the full list.
The City of Santa Fe. New Mexico's Construction Industries Division (CID) issues permits directly only in jurisdictions without a certified local building department; Santa Fe operates its own full-service Building Division as a delegated Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ, per NMAC 14.5.1.7.B), so commercial permits are applied for at 200 Lincoln Avenue, not through the state.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-08-01.
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 Santa Fe building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
This one’s complicated · Get an expediter
Tell us about your project and we’ll connect you with a permit expediter who works in Santa Fe.
PermitBase may receive a referral fee from the expediter. This is a service introduction, not verified permit data or legal advice.
Other permits in Santa Fe
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration PermitElectrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitRoofing Permit (Re-Roof)Solar PV PermitEV Charger / EVSE Permit (Electrical Permit)Accessory Dwelling Unit (Guesthouse) PermitWall / Fence PermitSign Permit (Free-Standing, Wall-Mounted, Temporary, and Price Reduction Signs)Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System PermitChange of Use / Change of Occupancy PermitCommercial Tenant Improvement Permit (Commercial Interior/Exterior Remodel/Addition)
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction) in other cities
Compare commercial building permit (new construction) fees across New Mexico →
Look up this fee in a different city →
Now live
Build your Santa Fe project checklist
Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Santa Fe — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.
Get started →