Building Safety in Valencia County, NM (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Valencia County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Valencia County's Fire Code amendments require every elevator in the unincorporated county to have working two-way communication equipment at all times. The rule, added as section 607.4 to the International Fire Code's elevator recall and maintenance section, gives passengers and building staff a way to summon help if a car is stuck.
Elevator Two-Way Communication Rule, Valencia County
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 93.06
International Fire Code, Chapter 6 Section 607 entitled “Building Services and systems; Elevator recall and Maintenance” is hereby amended by adding a new subsection 607.4 thereto entitled “Communications” to read as follows: 607.4 Communications. All elevators shall be equipped with two-way communication equipment and the equipment shall be operable at all times.
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In unincorporated Valencia County, an automatic sprinkler system is mandatory throughout any Group R-3 dwelling of 6,000 square feet or more under County Code § 93.06, amending International Fire Code § 903.2.7. Smaller R-3 and U structures under 6,000 square feet still need sprinklers if fire apparatus access, hydrant distance, dead-end road length, or road grade fail the county's standards. Detached one- and two-family homes under 3,000 square feet are exempt.
Valencia County Fire Sprinkler Requirement
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 93.06 (amending IFC § 903.2.7)
903.2.7 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area. In group R-3 occupancies 6,000 square feet or greater, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout in accordance with Section 903.2 and 903.3. R-3 and U occupancies less than 6,000 square feet shall be required to have an ...
Childcare Center Rules
A childcare center serving 7 or more children in unincorporated Valencia County meets the county's definition of a 'day care facility' under § 154.006, and § 154.169 requires it to hold all required licenses and go through site-design review with a detailed application before the county will approve it.
Valencia County childcare center siting rules
Significant RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 154.006, 154.169(A)(1), 154.169(B)(1)-(2)
DAY CARE FACILITY. An establishment or facility which has the primary function of providing care, services and supervision to 7 or more children for a period not exceeding 24 hours of any day; or any facility, as defined in the Public Health Act, NMSA § 24-1-1 et seq., as the same may be from time to time amended; or a facility that provides child care to children in a place other than the chil...
Green Building Code
Valencia County has no separate green-building ordinance; instead, Valencia County Code § 150.02 adopts the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, which adopts and amends the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code under 14.7.6 NMAC, as the county's energy-efficiency standard for new construction. The code took effect July 1, 2011 alongside the county's other adopted building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes.
Energy Conservation Code for Valencia County
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 150.02
The following code editions are hereby adopted as the Building Codes of Valencia County, with the following effective dates: Code Document Effective Date ... 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, which adopts and amends the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, 14.7.6 7-1-2011 NMAC
Building Permits
Unincorporated Valencia County requires construction to follow the 2009 New Mexico Commercial, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Codes adopted in Chapter 150, effective July 1, 2011. The Valencia County Building Inspector issues the building permit, the certificate of compliance, and the Board of County Commissioners sets permit fees by resolution under NMSA § 60-13-45.
Valencia County Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 150.02, 150.03, 154.006
The following code editions are hereby adopted as the Building Codes of Valencia County, with the following effective dates: ... Beginning with the effective dates listed in § 150.02, or the effective date of this chapter, whichever occurs last, and until June 30, 2011, all construction documents submitted for plan review and building permitting shall have the option of using either the 2006 mo...
Electrical Permits
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.
Electrical Permits in Valencia County
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 150.02
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
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Valencia County requires plumbing work to follow the 2009 New Mexico Plumbing Code, which the state adopted and amended from the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code at 14.8.2 NMAC. Valencia County Code § 150.02 made that code effective countywide on July 1, 2011, and § 150.04 has the Board of County Commissioners set permit and plan-review fees by separate resolution under NMSA § 60-13-45.
Plumbing Permits in Valencia County
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 150.02
The following code editions are hereby adopted as the Building Codes of Valencia County, with the following effective dates: Code Document Effective Date ... 2009 New Mexico Plumbing Code, which adopts and amends the 2009 7-1-2011 Uniform Plumbing Code, 14.8.2 NMAC
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