Doña Ana County, NM Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- County Code Chapter 142, adopted Ord. No. 308-2020
- Building code adopted
- 2021 ICC IBC / IRC / IEBC
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Doña Ana County only
- Enforcing office
- Building Services Department
- Unpermitted-work penalty
- Triple the original permit fee
- Investigation fee
- $45/hour, 1-hour minimum
Summary
Doña Ana County requires a building permit under its adopted 2021 International Building and Residential Codes for construction, alteration and repair in the unincorporated county, enforced by the Building Services Department under Chapter 142.
§ 142-1. Applicability. The provisions of this chapter and the codes, supplements, and construction standards adopted herein shall be controlling in the construction, alteration, and repair of all buildings and structures, including electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, within the unincorporated areas of Doña Ana County, New Mexico. § 142-2. Adoption of International and National Codes. The Board hereby adopts the following International and National Codes... 2021 ICC International Building Code; 2021 ICC International Residential Code; 2021 ICC International Existing Building Code; 2018 ICC International Energy Conservation Code...
Full Breakdown
' § 142-2, as amended in 2021 and again 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. § 142-6 makes the New Mexico codes and County construction standards control over the International/National codes whenever they conflict.
Violations & Fines
The Building Services Department enforces Chapter 142; § 142-9 makes violating the chapter or any adopted International, National, or New Mexico code punishable under the Chapter 1 general penalty, § 1-20, in addition to any remedial or abatement action available under those codes. § 179-19 adds cost consequences for unpermitted work: a special investigation fee of $45 per hour (one-hour minimum) plus a penalty fee that triples the permit cost once work has begun without a permit and is later discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which building code applies to unincorporated Doña Ana County?
What happens if I build without a permit in the county?
Can I get a permit for just the foundation before my full plans are done?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doña Ana County
Compare Doña Ana County to another location·View the New Mexico building safety overview
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