Valencia County, NM Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2008 NM Electrical Code, 14.10.4 NMAC
- Based on
- 2008 National Electrical Code
- Also adopted
- 2007 NM Electrical Safety Code, 14.10.5 NMAC
- Effective date
- July 1, 2011
- Fee authority
- NMSA 1978 § 60-13-45
Summary
Unincorporated Valencia County requires electrical work to follow the 2008 New Mexico Electrical Code, which adopts and amends the 2008 National Electrical Code at 14.10.4 NMAC. Valencia County Code § 150.02 set that code's effective date at July 1, 2011, alongside a separate 2007 New Mexico Electrical Safety Code drawn from the National Electrical Safety Code at 14.10.5 NMAC, and § 150.04 leaves the permit fee itself to a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
The following code editions are hereby adopted as the Building Codes of Valencia County, with the following effective dates: Code Document Effective Date ... 2008 New Mexico Electrical Code, which adopts and amends the 7-1-2011 2008 National Electrical Code, 14.10.4 NMAC
Full Breakdown
5 NMAC, governing utility-scale electrical safety. Both took effect July 1, 2011, the same date as the county's building, residential, mechanical, plumbing, and energy codes adopted in the same table. 02, with 2006-code plans no longer accepted. Chapter 150 does not fix a dollar figure for the electrical permit itself. 04 instead directs the Board of County Commissioners to adopt a permit fee schedule by separate resolution under NMSA § 60-13-45, so the current fee is set outside the ordinance text and can be updated by resolution rather than by amending the chapter.
Because the adoption table has been amended since 2004 (in 2008 and 2011), a permit applicant should confirm the currently governing electrical code edition with the county's building office before designing to the 2008 NEC cycle listed here.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 150 prints no stand-alone penalty section covering unpermitted electrical work; §§ 150.01 through 150.04 cover adoption, the 2011 transition, and fee-setting authority only. A permit is still required before starting electrical work under the adopted 2008 New Mexico Electrical Code, and the applicable plan-review and inspection fees follow the schedule the Board of County Commissioners sets under § 150.04 and NMSA § 60-13-45.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electrical code applies in unincorporated Valencia County?
Is there a separate code for utility electrical lines in Valencia County?
Who sets the electrical permit fee in Valencia County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Valencia County
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