Town of Taos building permits

Requirements

• Zoning Review Application (for Building Permit) completed with original homeowner or contractor signatures
• Owner's Affidavit completed only when an applicant has an agent
• Completed Construction Mitigation Checklist per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 16.12.070.6 — no building permit shall be issued without it
• Completed E-911 Addressing Application
• Completed Floodplain Determination Form
• Legal description of property and a copy of the most recent registered warranty deed, or a Notice of Valuation obtained from the Taos County Assessor's Office
• Vicinity map and 1 complete set of plans (site plan/survey plat, foundation plan, floor plan, framing plan, roof plan, elevations, cross-section details) meeting the requirements of Town of Taos Code of Ordinances Chapter 15.04 (Building Code) and Title 16 (Land Use Development Code)
• Septic Tank and Well Permit (State of NM Environment Department + State Engineer's Office) OR an approved Town of Taos Water/Sewer Hookup Application, required before the Zoning Review for Building Permit is issued
• For new construction requiring a State of New Mexico Homeowner Building Permit Application (single-residential, homeowner self-performing without a contractor) or a State of New Mexico Multi-Purpose Building Application (commercial/multi-family, 2+ dwellings) — these are STATE forms required alongside the Town's own Zoning Review Application
• Drainage Plan prepared and sealed by a Registered Licensed NM Engineer required for any construction within 150 feet of the centerline of an established arroyo
• Electrical and plumbing work is NOT covered by this Town Zoning Review/Building Permit — separate state Construction Industries Division (CID) permits are required for those trades, obtained by the applicant directly from CID, per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances §§ 16.12.070.2(D) and 16.12.070.3(H)
• Mechanical/HVAC work is likewise routed to the state CID and, per the State Homeowner Building Permit Application's acknowledgment page, may NOT be self-performed under a homeowner's permit at all — it must be subcontracted to a licensed contractor who pulls a separate CID permit

Required documents

• RequiredZoning Review Application (for Building Permit)Town of Taos Planning, Community and Economic Development Department application; assigns a 'BP20__-__' permit number
• RequiredConstruction Mitigation ChecklistRequired per § 16.12.070.6 before any building permit is issued; covers onsite/offsite parking, fencing, construction trailers, chemical toilets, dumpsters, traffic control, and construction-activity hours
• RequiredSite Plan and Survey PlatMust depict all existing/proposed structures, setbacks, parking, and zone-specific standards per Town of Taos Land Use Development Code § 16.20.080
• OptionalState of New Mexico Homeowner Building Permit Application PacketRequired for single-residential projects where the homeowner self-performs without a contractor; a separate state (CID) form in addition to the Town's Zoning Review Application. Explicitly excludes electrical and plumbing (separate applications required) and prohibits self-performed HVAC/mechanical work
• OptionalState of New Mexico Multi-Purpose Building ApplicationRequired for commercial and multiple residential dwelling projects (2 or more dwellings)
• RequiredE-911 Addressing ApplicationRequired for new construction to obtain/confirm a physical address
• RequiredFloodplain Determination FormTown of Taos floodplain determination
• RequiredWarranty Deed or Notice of ValuationCopy of the most recent registered warranty deed with legal description, or a Notice of Valuation from the Taos County Assessor's Office

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Zoning Review Application (for Building Permit) required for the racking/mounting structural scope, using the same $250.00 (residential, up to 5 dwellings) or $500.00 (commercial/6+ dwellings) fee documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry
• Electrical interconnection is NOT covered by the Town's Zoning Review/Building Permit — a separate State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Electrical Permit is required, per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances §§ 16.12.070.2(D) and 16.12.070.3(H), the same trade split documented for all other electrical work in this file
• Construction Mitigation Checklist required per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 16.12.070.6 before any building permit (including one covering solar racking) may be issued
• A homeowner self-performing the racking/mounting work under the State of New Mexico Homeowner Building Permit Application may not self-perform the electrical interconnection — 'a separate application is required for these trades,' per the same exclusion documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry
• If the parcel is within 150 feet of the centerline of an established arroyo, a Drainage Plan sealed by a Registered Licensed NM Engineer is required for ground-mounted array foundations
• New Mexico's Construction Industries Division publishes solar-specific plan-review guidance (e.g., a Solar Array Plan Review document) for the state-administered electrical/interconnection permitting track; the specific fee figures within that document were not independently extractable from the source PDF during this research pass and are not asserted here

Required documents

• RequiredZoning Review Application (for Building Permit) — Solar scopeTown of Taos Planning, Community and Economic Development Department application, for the racking/mounting structural scope; same form documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry
• RequiredState of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit ApplicationFiled with the state Construction Industries Division for the interconnection/wiring scope, since the Town does not self-administer Electrical
• RequiredConstruction Mitigation ChecklistRequired per § 16.12.070.6 before any building permit is issued, covering onsite/offsite parking, fencing, and construction-activity hours

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Electrical Permit is required for the EV charger circuit/wiring, obtained by a licensed electrician (or, where allowed, a homeowner) directly from CID — the Town of Taos does not issue its own electrical permit for this or any other electrical work, per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances §§ 16.12.070.2(D) and 16.12.070.3(H)
• If the installation also involves a new accessory structure, carport, or exterior mounting requiring a building/zoning permit, a Town of Taos Zoning Review Application (for Building Permit) would additionally be required for that structural scope, per this file's Residential Building Permit entry
• No Town of Taos-specific EV charger checklist, application, or fee line distinct from the general state CID Electrical Permit mechanism was found published as of 2026-07-20 — this is a genuine documentation gap rather than an inferred figure

Required documents

• RequiredState of New Mexico CID Electrical Permit ApplicationFiled with the state Construction Industries Division for the EV charger circuit/wiring scope, since the Town does not self-administer Electrical

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A sign permit must be obtained prior to erection, alteration, or relocation of any permanent or temporary sign — Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 16.20.010.5.3
• Application must be made on the sworn Sign Permit Application form supplied by the code administrator, including a description or sketch (minimum scale 1" = 20') of the proposed site showing position on the lot/building relative to adjacent lots, structures, and public rights-of-way, plus a sketch, digital rendering, or digital photo of the proposed sign showing dimensions, materials, and method of attachment — § 16.20.010.5.4
• Photographs of the surrounding area from each elevation of the building or structure, per the Sign Permit Application Packet's submittal checklist
• A narrative explaining how the proposed sign will not create a danger to public health, safety or welfare, nor cause extraordinary expense, nor create a nuisance — Sign Permit Application Packet submittal checklist
• Must adhere to the standards in Town of Taos Code of Ordinances Chapter 16.20.010.5 (Sign Regulations) and Chapter 15.28 (Outdoor Lighting)
• An applicant may be permitted no more than three (3) permanent signs per place of business, and no more than four (4) temporary sign permits per year with a mandatory thirty (30) calendar day lapse between temporary permits; temporary signs are valid for a maximum of sixty (60) consecutive days — § 16.20.010.5.10.A
• Sign height may not exceed twenty feet (20'); total permanent sign area per place of business may not exceed sixty (60) square feet; total temporary sign area may not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet (and does not count toward the permanent maximum); the combined total of all permanent and temporary signage may not exceed eighty-four (84) square feet — § 16.20.010.5.9
• No single freestanding sign may exceed forty (40) square feet; wall-mounted signs are limited to 10% of the building facade to which affixed (minimum 12 square feet where the facade area does not permit a larger sign) — § 16.20.010.5.9
• Multi-tenant centers must submit a master sign program to the code administrator prior to issuance of any sign permit for the overall premises — § 16.20.010.5.11.A
• No sign may be constructed of or incorporate reflective material or internal illumination constituting a visual hazard to drivers, nor be painted with fluorescent colors — § 16.20.010.5.9.B

Required documents

• RequiredSign Permit ApplicationTown of Taos Planning, Community and Economic Development Department sworn application; assigns an 'SG20__-__' case number
• RequiredSite Sketch or DescriptionMinimum scale 1" = 20', showing the sign's proposed position on the lot/building relative to adjacent lots, structures, rights-of-way, and any existing signage
• RequiredSign Sketch, Digital Rendering, or PhotoMust clearly display the sign's graphic and lettering content, overall dimensions, construction materials, and method of attachment; all drawings must be drawn to scale
• RequiredPhotographs of Surrounding AreaTaken from each elevation of the building or structure on which the sign will be located
• RequiredNarrative StatementExplains how the proposed sign will not create a danger to public health/safety/welfare, cause extraordinary expense, or create a nuisance

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fire Inspection Request Application (Town of Taos Fire Department) with the applicable 'Plan Review Fees' checkbox selected: Residential Fire Sprinkler Plans, Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans, or Commercial Fire Sprinkler Modification Plans
• A set of plans must be submitted for plan review — required submittal per the application's own checklist ('Set of Plans for Plan Review (Only for items listed under Plan Review Fees)')
• For Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans, the total number of sprinkler devices must be listed on the application (governs the per-device fee component)
• Installation must comply with the 2015 International Fire Code as adopted and locally modified by Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 8.12.010, including IFC § 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems (the Town's only local modification to § 903 narrows an exception for telecommunications-equipment spaces, per Ordinance 15-01)
• For commercial, industrial, or large-scale-residential projects, all plans (including fire sprinkler plans submitted as part of that project) must be stamped by a licensed engineer and/or architect per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 16.12.070.3(E)
• A contractor performing the physical installation must separately hold a current New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) license for the applicable fire-suppression trade, a statewide licensing requirement distinct from this Town-administered plan-review/permit process
• Failure to secure a required fire-code permit is a citable offense under the Town's fire code citation program, carrying a $250.00 citation fee per violation, in addition to any permit fee — Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 8.12.020

Required documents

• RequiredFire Inspection Request Application — Fire Sprinkler PlansTown of Taos Fire Department application; Plan Review Fees section, Residential/Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans or Commercial Fire Sprinkler Modification Plans checkbox
• RequiredSet of Fire Sprinkler PlansSubmitted for the Fire Department's plan review; must be stamped by a licensed engineer/architect for commercial, industrial, or large-scale-residential projects per § 16.12.070.3(E)
• OptionalSprinkler Device CountRequired only for Commercial Fire Sprinkler Plans, to calculate the per-device fee component above 50 devices

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fire Inspection Request Application (Town of Taos Fire Department) with the 'Commercial Fire Alarm System Plans' Plan Review Fees checkbox selected, listing the total number of devices
• A set of plans must be submitted for plan review, per the application's own checklist
• Installation must comply with the 2015 International Fire Code as adopted and locally modified by Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 8.12.010
• For commercial, industrial, or large-scale-residential projects, plans must be stamped by a licensed engineer and/or architect per Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 16.12.070.3(E)
• If the installed fire alarm system will be monitored or connected to the Town's central alarm-response panel, a SEPARATE Alarm User Permit is additionally required under Town of Taos Code of Ordinances Chapter 8.04 (§ 8.04.040) — this is a distinct permit governing monitoring/false-alarm liability, not the Fire Department's plan-review permit for the alarm system's construction/installation compliance, and carries its own fee (see Fees)
• A contractor performing the physical installation must separately hold a current New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) license for the applicable fire-alarm trade, a statewide licensing requirement distinct from this Town-administered plan-review/permit process
• Failure to secure a required fire-code permit is a citable offense under the Town's fire code citation program, carrying a $250.00 citation fee per violation, in addition to any permit fee — Town of Taos Code of Ordinances § 8.12.020

Required documents

• RequiredFire Inspection Request Application — Commercial Fire Alarm System PlansTown of Taos Fire Department application; Plan Review Fees section, Commercial Fire Alarm System Plans checkbox
• RequiredSet of Fire Alarm System PlansSubmitted for the Fire Department's plan review; must be stamped by a licensed engineer/architect for commercial, industrial, or large-scale-residential projects per § 16.12.070.3(E)
• RequiredAlarm Device CountRequired for Commercial Fire Alarm System Plans, to calculate the per-device fee component above 50 devices
• OptionalAlarm User Permit ApplicationFiled separately under Town of Taos Code of Ordinances Chapter 8.04, required only if the fire alarm system will be monitored/connected to the Town's central alarm-response panel

Fee schedule

Requirements

• No person may occupy any building, part of a building, addition to an existing building, or any building in which structural alterations or repairs have been made, unless and until the Town has issued a certificate of occupancy specifying the particular type of occupancy for which the property may be used — § 16.12.070.4.A
• An application for a certificate of occupancy must be filed with the code administrator whenever initial occupancy/use of property is desired OR whenever a change in the occupancy or use of property is desired, before the property may be so occupied — § 16.12.070.4.B
• The proposed occupancy and use is investigated by the code administrator; a certificate of occupancy may be issued only if the proposed use conforms to the provisions of the Town's code
• The certificate of occupancy is issued only after the building (or part of a building), or any alterations/repairs, has been completed and finally inspected by authorized representatives of BOTH the fire department and the building inspector, and found to comply with all applicable codes, town ordinances, and New Mexico law — § 16.12.070.4.C
• All inspectors who make code inspections for CO issuance must first be certified or licensed as required by state law — § 16.12.070.4.C
• A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a property whose compliance is incomplete, conditioned on the code administrator confirming International Building Code standards and passage of electrical and mechanical/plumbing inspections; temporary COs are valid for not more than 180 days, after which the applicant must obtain a full certificate of occupancy or be fined $500.00 per day thereafter for noncompliance — § 16.12.070.4.B.1
• A partial certificate of occupancy may be issued for any completed part(s) of a building meeting the same International Building Code / electrical / mechanical-plumbing inspection standard — § 16.12.070.4.B.2
• A Fire Department 'Business or Building CO Inspection' (via the Fire Inspection Request Application) is required as the fire department's component of the final inspection, with its own fee scaled by facility type/square footage (see Fees)
• No standalone 'Certificate of Occupancy Application' form is listed on the Town's own License, Permit & Development Review Applications page as of 2026-07-22 (only Zoning Review, Sign, Demolition, Grading/Excavating, and Fire Inspection Request applications appear there) — applicants should contact the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department directly (575-751-2016) to initiate a CO/change-of-occupancy application per § 16.12.070.4.B

Required documents

• RequiredCertificate of Occupancy ApplicationFiled directly with the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department (code administrator) per § 16.12.070.4.B; not published as a standalone downloadable form separate from the Town's other application packets as of 2026-07-22 — obtained by contacting the Department directly
• RequiredFire Inspection Request Application — Business or Building CO InspectionTown of Taos Fire Department application; 'Business or Building CO Inspection' section, required for the fire department's final-inspection component of CO issuance
• RequiredFinal Building Inspection Sign-OffBuilding Inspector approval confirming International Building Code compliance and passage of electrical/mechanical/plumbing inspections, required alongside the fire department's approval before CO issuance — § 16.12.070.4.C

Fee schedule