Wall / Fence Permit in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe requires a wall / fence permit for: Residential fences/walls up to 6 ft high; commercial up to 8 ft high; Address assignment or verification required if the property address hasn't been assigned or needs verification; Historic Preservation Approval Letter required if the property is located in a historic overlay district; Escarpment Overlay District approval required if the property is in the escarpment/foothill overlay district; Flood Zone/Plain verification required if the property is located within a flood zone; Driveway Sight Visibility approval required if the fence/wall abuts a driveway on the subject or neighboring property, or if the property is on a street corner; Proof of Legal Lot of Record required (city-approved subdivision plat or survey; in its absence, a warranty deed and/or survey dated prior to 1962 describing the metes and bounds); Scaled site plan (minimum 1"=20') showing north arrow, official property address, zoning district, street names, lot dimensions, existing/proposed improvements, parking layout, easements, existing impervious areas, existing and proposed walls/fences, and flood zones/drainage; Fence/wall sections (minimum 1/4"=1') showing elevation with height from finish grade to top of fence or wall; All commercial submittals must have plans stamped by a New Mexico-registered design professional; per IBC Section 1205, commercial sheds require lighting. 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.

In Santa Fe, the published Building Permit Fee — valuation-based is: Assessed on construction valuation using the primary Building Permit fee table. Additional published fees: Administrative Fee — $40.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a wall / fence permit in Santa Fe typically runs 1–3 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times 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.

You'll need: City of Santa Fe Building Permit Division — Permit Submittal Checklist, Fence & Wall; City of Santa Fe Building Permit Application; Proof of Legal Lot of Record. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Santa Fe requires 1 inspection(s) for a wall / fence permit, in order: 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's Fence & Wall Permit Submittal Checklist covers residential fences/walls up to 6 feet high and commercial up to 8 feet high under standard review.