Las Cruces, NM Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Energy code adopted
- 2018 IECC
- Adopting section
- LDC § 30-721(A)(3)
- State reference
- NMAC 14.7.6 / 14.7.9
- Effective date
- September 25, 2020
- Enforcing agency
- Community Development Dept.
- Appeal window
- 30 days to building official
Summary
Las Cruces adopts the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code as its energy and green building standard for new construction and additions. The Community Development Department checks IECC compliance, including energy worksheets, before issuing a building permit under Land Development Code Section 30-721(A)(3), which sets the state-approved edition and effective date.
Energy Code. The International Energy Conservation Code promulgated by the International Code Council, as adopted by this jurisdiction. ...(A)The following constitute, or are adopted by reference, as rules, regulations, and/or standards of the city building code and as further amended by this rule:(1)2021 International Building Code... (3)2018 International Energy Conservation Code, as adopted by NMAC 14.7.6.8—14.7.6.14 and NMAC 14.7.9.8—14.7.9.14 (effective 9-25-20) excluding: 14.7.6.9 A (1-3), C-G, I-J. 14.7.9.9 A (1-3), C-H, J-K.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Land Development Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
14, effective September 25, 2020. Section 30-722(C) strips out the model code's own construction-document, inspection and board-of-appeals sections (IECC Sections 103, 105 and 109) and substitutes the city's own permit, inspection and appeal procedures found earlier in Chapter 30. In practice this means an applicant does not appeal an energy-code call to a separate energy board; the building official handles it the same way as any other building code dispute. Energy compliance is folded into the standard commercial permit submittal: Section 30-274 requires construction drawings to demonstrate 'Compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, including worksheets' before the Community Development Department will issue a permit for new commercial or multi-family work.
The 2018 IECC sits alongside the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes, the 2021 Existing Building Code and the New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code in the same adoption list, all administered by the Community Development Department at 700 N. Main Street, where current copies are kept on file for public inspection under Section 30-721(B). Ordinance No. 3050 (November 20, 2023) is the most recent amendment to this adoption list.
Violations & Fines
Violating any adopted building code, including the energy code, is a petty misdemeanor under Section 30-141, punished as provided in Section 1-10: a fine of up to $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. The building official may also reject construction drawings that omit required IECC worksheets, issue a correction notice under Section 30-234(b), or suspend or revoke a permit under Section 30-232(e) for code violations discovered after issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What energy code applies to new construction in Las Cruces?
Does the city require a separate energy code inspection?
How do I appeal an energy code compliance determination?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Cruces
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