Wall / Fence Permit in Santa Fe, New Mexico
VerifiedRequired for construction of walls and fences in Santa Fe above grade, using a dedicated Permit Submittal Checklist. Residential walls/fences are limited to 6 feet high and commercial to 8 feet high under this checklist.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- 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
Required documents
- Required
City of Santa Fe Building Permit Division — Permit Submittal Checklist, Fence & Wall
Dedicated checklist for fence/wall permit submittals (BP_WALL_FENCE_CHECKLIST_COMBINED), available in English and Spanish
- Required
City of Santa Fe Building Permit Application
Completed in full, blue or black ink only
- Required
Proof of Legal Lot of Record
City-approved subdivision plat/survey, or warranty deed/survey dated prior to 1962, available from the Santa Fe County Clerk's office
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based | Assessed on construction valuation using the primary Building Permit fee table | City of Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Schedule of Fees, effective 01/01/2021 |
| Administrative Fee | $40.00 | Fee Schedule effective 01/01/2021 |
Review timeline
~1–3 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Santa Fe building department
Inspection process
- 1
Final Inspection
Verifies fence/wall height, construction, and compliance with approved plans
Tips
- Proof of Legal Lot of Record can be obtained from the Santa Fe County Clerk's office at (505) 986-6280 if you don't already have an approved plat.
- If your fence/wall is near a driveway or on a corner lot, budget time for a Driveway Sight Visibility review before submitting.
- Fence/wall permits must be submitted online via the Citizen Self-Service (CSS) portal, same as other permit types.
Frequently asked questions
- How tall can a fence be in Santa Fe without extra review?
- 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.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- City of Santa Fe Planning, Land Use and Housing Department — Building Division (Permitting) — official building department
- City of Santa Fe — Construction Permit Submittal Checklists
- Permit Submittal Checklist, Fence & Wall (PDF)
- City of Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Schedule of Fees (PDF, effective 01/01/2021)
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.
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