Doña Ana County, NM Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Electrical code adopted
- 2020 NEC (National Electrical Code)
- General rule
- Electrical permit requires a building permit
- Standalone permit exception
- Service changes, small accessory buildings <=120 sq ft
- Enforcing office
- Building Services Department
- Unpermitted-work penalty
- Triple the original permit fee
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Doña Ana County only
Summary
Doña Ana County ties electrical permits to the 2020 National Electrical Code and generally bars issuing one without a validly issued building permit, with narrow exceptions for service changes, retrofits and small accessory buildings.
§ 142-5. Issuance of plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. A. No permit for plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work shall be issued unless in conjunction with a validly issued building permit, or in conjunction with an existing remodel not requiring a building permit... B. A permit for plumbing, mechanical, and/or electrical work may be issued without a building permit or mobile home installation permit when the work is limited to: (1) A service change for an existing building or mobile home... (7) An accessory building with an area of 120 square feet or less.
Full Breakdown
3 (Inspections) apply on top of the adopted electrical code. Fees are set under Chapter 179, Article VI per § 142-7, with valuation based on the ICC Building Safety Journal tables.
Violations & Fines
Performing electrical work without the required permit is enforceable under § 142-9, the Building Services Department's general enforcement authority, punishable under Chapter 1's general penalty at § 1-20 alongside any remedial action available under the adopted codes. § 179-19 adds a $45/hour investigation fee (one-hour minimum) for work begun without a permit, and triples the eventual permit fee as a penalty once the unpermitted work is discovered and a permit is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a building permit to get an electrical permit in Doña Ana County?
Can I get a standalone electrical permit for a small shed?
What electrical code does the county enforce?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doña Ana County
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