Sandoval County, NM Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sec. 32-24 requires every person who wants to make a road cut or otherwise utilize county right-of-way to obtain a permit before starting work, and to be licensed and bonded unless they are a utility company. The application goes to the public works director on county forms and must include a site map showing the exact path of the cut, pre-work photos, and post-work photos to close out the permit; a permit stays 'out of compliance' if the closing photos are never submitted. Applicants must show proof of insurance under Sec.

32-27, and utility contractors must be on an authorized list from their utility company. In an emergency, work can start immediately but the application must be filed within two business days describing the emergency and the repairs made. Sec. 32-25 sets technical standards once the permit issues: utility lines must be buried at least 36 inches deep, work cannot block fire hydrants, fire stations or traffic control devices, and a single cut is authorized only for the length shown on the permit, up to 600 lineal feet on an emergency basis for work running parallel to the roadway.

The permittee must locate utilities through the New Mexico One Call System before digging, protect adjoining property, clean up debris, and restore the cut to 95 percent proctor compaction under the road surface. 00 nonrefundable fee applies to any variance request. Sec. 00 per day per site for each day of violation.