Bernalillo County, NM Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Who requests it
- The permit holder, not the county
- Notice required
- At least 1 working day
- Inspection stages
- 16 listed, foundation to final
- Enforcing office
- Bernalillo County Building Department
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Permit holders in unincorporated Bernalillo County must request each construction inspection from the County Building Department, giving the address, permit number, and inspection type, at least one working day ahead.
110.1.3 Inspections Requests. It shall be the duty of the permit holder doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Bernalillo County Building Department that such work is ready for inspection. Notification shall include at least the following: correct street address, suite number and/or building number, type of inspection, permit holder's name, permit number and/or sub-permit number. The CBO may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County adopted the International Building and Residential Codes with local amendments, printed as the Uniform Administrative Code in Exhibit A to Code Sec. 10-36. Under Section 110.1.3, the permit holder, not the county, must notify the Building Department when work is ready for inspection, supplying the street address, permit or sub-permit number, inspection type, and permit holder's name. The Code Building Official (CBO) can require at least one working day's notice. Section 110.5 then lists 16 required building-inspection stages, from foundation through final, plus separate lists for electrical, mechanical, and solar work. This applies only to unincorporated county land; Albuquerque runs its own inspection process under its Integrated Development Ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Skipping a required inspection or failing to keep work exposed for inspection is a Code violation punishable, under Sec. 1-6, by a fine up to $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both, on top of any permit or occupancy delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to schedule the inspection, me or the county?
Does this apply if I live in Albuquerque?
How much notice does the county need before an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
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