Construction Codes are adopted and amended by the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division.

• 2021 NM Commercial & Residential Building Code
• 2021 International Residential Code
• 2021 International Building Code
• 2021 International Existing Building Code
• 2018 NM Energy Conservation Code
• ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
• 2021 NM Plumbing and Mechanical Code
• 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code
• 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
• 2021 International Fire Code
• 2020 National Electric Code
• 2020 NM Electrical Code
• 2012 Uniform Solar Energy Code
• 2012 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
• 2017 NFPA 58
• 2018 NFPA 54

All commercial projects require a licensed contractor to perform the work in accordance with the provisions and limitations set forth in New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 14.6.6 Construction Industry Division Rules. All contractor licensing classifications and qualifications in the State of New Mexico are determined by the Construction Industries Division.

Design Criteria for San Juan County

• Ground Snow Load (Pg): 30psf / *ASCE 7-16

• Wind Load - Vult
  • Category I Building: 105 mph
  • Category II Building: 115 mph
  • Category III Building: 120 mph
  • Category IV Building: 120 mph

• Frost Depth: 30 inches below grade

• Seismic: *ASCE 7-16

*American Society of Civil Engineers

Commercial Plans

Submitted commercial plans should contain the following items at a m:inimum

• All applicable codes in the design process listed including year of publication
• Dimension Site Plan with all utilities shown
• Structural Plans - Footing, Foundation, Slab, Imposed Loads, Load Bearing Walls and Floors, Metal Building Manufacturer Plans, Details
• Architectural Plan - Code Study, Floor Plan, Dimensions, Elevations, Details, Accessibility Details, Energy Code Requirements
• Electrical Plan - Riser Diagram, Load Calculation’s, Floor Plan, Power Plan, Lighting Plan, Panel Schedules, Wiring Methods
• Plumbing Plan - Floor Plan, Gas Piping, Water Piping, Building Drain, Fixture Schedule, Riser Diagram, Grease Traps
• Mechanical Plan - Floor Plan, Heat and Cooling unit schedule, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) duct sizing, Damper Location, Kitchen Hoods, Equipment Schedule

See our Permit Checklist for a more comprehensive list.

Residential Construction is limited to a single family residence or alteration to thereof; a detached accessory building or storage building; decks or patios; and an agricultural building such as a hay barn or livestock barn for shelter. Either a contractor or homeowner may apply for permits to perform residential construction.

Design Criteria for San Juan County

• Trusses: Trusses are required to be engineered, designed and supplied by a truss manufacturer. A minimum load design of 25-10-10 for conventional roofs is required. Tile or low slope built-up roofs require a greater load condition depending on the type of roof system utilized.

• Wind Load: Vult Category II 115 mph

• Frost Depth: 30 inches below grade

• Energy Conservation: Zone 5B

Residential Plans

Submitted residential plans should contain the following items as a minimum:

• Dimensioned Site Plan with easements indicated
• Footing and foundation plan
• Floor Plan indicating the use of each room or space
• Typical load bearing wall detail
• Floor framing plan
• Roof framing plan
• Stamped Engineered truss drawings
• Elevations on the front, side, and rear
• Residential Energy Code Compliance

See our Permit Checklist for a more comprehensive list.

Plan Review Requirements

All buildings or structures requiring the seal of an Architect, Engineer or both in accordance with NMAC 14.5.2.9 and 14.5.2.10 and the Architectural Act 61-15-9 NMSA 1978 shall be subject to plan review for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical disciplines. The plan review fees are in addition to the Building Permit Fees for the project. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing permits have their own fee schedule and are calculated separately from the Building Permit Fee.

• Building Permit Fee: valuation of project x .005
• Building Plan Review Fee: valuation of project x .0012

Project valuations are determined by using the latest Building Valuation Data (BVD) as published by the International Code Council (ICC) for new buildings or additions to buildings. Project costs for alterations and repairs to existing buildings not requiring a change of occupancy classification are derived from the contract price inclusive of all work performed.

Permits are required in San Juan County for projects to be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.

To assist you in the submittal process, the following checklists and permit applications are provided (right-click and save as to open).

Construction Permit Checklists

• New Commercial
• New Residential

Permit Applications

• Cellular Tower Permit
• Sign Permit
• Demolition Permit
• Electrical Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Residential Energy Code Compliance Form

Inspection requests are required to be scheduled a day in advance by calling (505) 334-4313. To avoid delays on your project, insure that you are ready for an inspection to take place.

Required Inspections

• Footing: Forms and rebar in place prior to placement of concrete

• Foundation Wall: Concrete block, Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) block or concrete forms in place with reinforcement or rebar prior to placement of concrete

• Monolithic Slab: Forms, exterior insulation and rebar in place prior to placement of concrete

• Electrical Under Slab: Raceway runs prior to covering trench

• Plumbing Under Slab: Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) with test prior to covering trench, in-floor heat with air test

• Slab on Grade: After Electrical and Plumbing under slab prior to placement of concrete

• Rough Electrical: Electric service, feeders and branch circuits raceway complete to termination

• Rough Plumbing: DWV top-out thru roof with test, gas piping with test, water piping with test

• Rough Heating and Ventilation: Appliance vents thru the roof, trunk line and taps installed, combustion air provided, exhaust ducts complete

• Framing: After rough-in electrical, plumbing and mechanical are completed and approved, windows in place, foundation and roof vents installed, air barrier requirements completed

• Stucco Lath: Paper and wire installed and prior to application of stucco cement

• Insulation: Exterior walls complete, ceiling complete if batted—Blown-in attic insulation and crawl space insulation may be verified at building final

• Electrical Final: Panel board labeled, cover plate on, switches and outlets connected, fixtures in place

• Plumbing Final: Fixtures in place, water supply functional, gas appliances installed and connected

• Mechanical Final: Gas appliances connected to gas supply and operational, vent terminations complete, return and supply grills in place, cooling units complete and functional

• Fire Department: Applicable to Commercial Construction Only

• Building Final: Last inspection prior to occupancy approval