Building Permits in Albuquerque

Albuquerque requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by the City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety and Permits Division. Zoning compliance is governed by the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), which replaced the city's previous zoning code in 2018.

New Mexico adopts statewide construction codes through the Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department, but Albuquerque enforces the building code locally. The city has adopted the New Mexico Building Code based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) for commercial construction and the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings.

When You Need a Permit

You generally need an Albuquerque building permit for:

• New construction, additions, and accessory structures including ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) system changes
• Reroofing involving structural or sheathing work, and window or door openings in exterior walls
• Swimming pools, spas, and retaining walls above a height threshold
• Demolition of any habitable structure
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system installations

Minor cosmetic work (painting, floor coverings, cabinetry without plumbing or electrical changes) is typically exempt. When in doubt, contact the Building Safety Division before starting work.

POSSE Citizen Portal — The Online Permit System

POSSE Citizen Portal (citizenportal.cabq.gov) is the City of Albuquerque's online permit and inspection management system. Through this portal you can:

• Create a personal or contractor account
• Submit new residential and commercial permit applications
• Upload plans for electronic plan review
• Respond to plan review correction comments without visiting City Hall
• Pay fees online
• Request and track inspection status

The portal is the primary channel for permit submittals. Walk-in and mail-in submittals are also accepted at the Planning Department offices at One Civic Plaza.

Permit Costs

Albuquerque permit fees are calculated based on project valuation and project type. Typical fee components include:

• Building permit fee — scales with project valuation
• Plan review fee — a percentage of the building permit fee
• Trade permit fees — separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
• Impact fees — may apply to new construction or additions that increase demand on city infrastructure

Do not rely on third-party fee estimates. Always check the current Albuquerque Building Safety Division fee schedule through the POSSE Citizen Portal or by contacting the department directly, as rates are subject to change.

Typical Timeline

Actual review times vary with workload, project complexity, and the number of correction cycles required.

Contact the Building Safety Division for current turnaround time estimates before planning your project schedule.

The Process

1. Pre-submittal: Confirm zoning, overlays, and applicable IDO regulations for your parcel using the city's zoning map at cabq.gov/planning
2. Plans: Prepare drawings stamped by a licensed New Mexico architect or engineer where required by code
3. Submit via POSSE: Upload documents through citizenportal.cabq.gov for electronic plan review
4. Plan review: Building Safety disciplines (building, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, fire) review the plans
5. Corrections: Respond to review comments in the POSSE Portal and resubmit revised documents
6. Permit issuance: Pay remaining fees and download or pick up the approved permit
7. Post permit on site: The issued permit must be posted visibly at the job site
8. Inspections: Schedule required inspections at each construction phase
9. Final: Pass final inspection and receive a Certificate of Occupancy where applicable

Inspections

Typical inspection stages for a residential project in Albuquerque include:

• Footing and foundation
• Underground plumbing and electrical
• Slab (if applicable)
• Framing
• Rough plumbing, electrical, and mechanical
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Final building and trade inspections

Inspections are scheduled through the POSSE Citizen Portal or by contacting the Building Safety Division by phone. The permit number must be ready when scheduling. Do not cover or conceal work before the required inspection is completed and approved.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans do not meet the New Mexico Building Code (2021 IBC/IRC) or local Albuquerque amendments
• Missing structural calculations, energy code compliance documentation, or licensed design-professional stamps
• Zoning conflicts under the IDO (setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, permitted uses)
• Incomplete submittal — missing site plans, floor plans, elevation drawings, or specifications
• Fire department or utility clearances not obtained
• Historic district or overlay zone review not completed prior to permit submittal
• Work started before permit issuance (stop-work order may be issued)

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with the City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety and Permits Division and the POSSE Citizen Portal before starting your project. See the sources listed in the frontmatter for direct links to the Building Safety Division, POSSE Portal, the Albuquerque Municipal Code, the IDO, and the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of Albuquerque and State of New Mexico sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with the City of Albuquerque Building Safety Division before submitting plans or starting construction.