Information may be inaccurate or out of date. Always confirm permit requirements with the official city, county or state website before you start work. Read our disclaimer

Building Permits in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Part of Bernalillo County.

We checked Albuquerque's own official pages for 4 types of projects (fence, roof, solar panels, home addition). Permits are issued by Building Safety Division. Every rule below links to the page it was taken from, so you can confirm it before you start work. Last verified September 29, 2026.

Verified permit information is available for 4 project types in Albuquerque.

Verified Permit Categories

Albuquerque rules in detail

Fence

Permit required
Yes source: cabq.gov
Conditions
Walls and fences over six (6) feet high require a building permit; walls and fences under six (6) feet require a permit from the Zoning Counter source: cabq.gov

Roof

Issued by
Building Safety Division source: cabq.gov
Permit required
Yes source: cabq.gov

Solar Panels

Permit required
Yes source: cabq.gov

Home Addition

Permit required
Yes source: cabq.gov

Not yet verified

These permit categories do not yet have enough verified information to publish a linked permit page.

  • Shed
  • Deck
  • Pool
  • Patio
  • Pergola
  • Garage
  • Carport
  • Tree Removal
  • HVAC
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Driveway
  • ADU
  • Demolition
  • Windows
  • Water Heater

Where to apply

Building Safety Division · official website

New Mexico statewide rules

State defaults apply everywhere in the state; cities and counties may add stricter local rules.

Issued by
Construction Industries Division (CID), Regulation and Licensing Department source: srca.nm.gov
Local changes allowed
Limited source: srca.nm.gov
Building code
2021 International Residential Code, as amended source: srca.nm.gov

Shed

Size limit (sq ft)
120 source: srca.nm.gov
Permit required
No source: srca.nm.gov

Roof

Permit required
Yes source: srca.nm.gov

Pool

Exempt from a permit
Prefabricated pools accessory to a group R-3 occupancy that are installed entirely above ground with no permanent connections to water or power source: srca.nm.gov
Conditions
The top of the pool barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side facing away from the pool source: srca.nm.gov

Solar Panels

Conditions
Contractor installing a solar PV electric system must hold a valid CID license (EE-98, EL-1 or ER-1 classification, as applicable) source: srca.nm.gov

Demolition

Permit required
Yes source: srca.nm.gov

Permit guides