Permit Fees in New Mexico
State-Level Permits
1. Construction Industry Permits – NM Regulation & Licensing Department (CID)
General construction and trade work permits have fees based on project valuation:
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Building permit fee: roughly $3 per $1,000 of valuation up to $15,000; $1 per $1,000 over $15,000.
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Plan review fee: 20 % of the building permit fee.
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Preliminary plan review (optional): 50 % of combined fee + review fee.
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All fees are due at permit issuance.
2. Transportation Permits – NMDOT (ePermitting)
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Many transportation related permits are available online via the NMDOT ePermitting system.
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Some specific permits (e.g., Telecommunication Permit) carry a $1500 application fee.
3. Environmental Permits – NMED
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Air quality construction permits and similar environmental permits may require significant application fees – e.g., general construction permit fees such as around $5,230 for certain air quality permits in 2025.
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Some permit applications start with a base $500 filing fee, with final amounts calculated and invoiced later.
4. Other Technical Permits (Wastewater/Septic, etc.)
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Example: Wastewater treatment/disposal system permits have tiered fees from approximately $225–$750 depending on system type and capacity.
City & County-Level Fees (Examples)
Local jurisdictions like Albuquerque charge:
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Permit/plan review based on valuation and specific services (plan review, zoning, etc.).
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Card payments often have convenience fees (e.g., ~2.75 % for credit/debit).
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Electronic payment options may include e-Check with lower or no service fees.
State Parks permits and passes (for recreation) also have separate fee schedules (e.g., day-use, camping, annual passes).
Payment Methods
State & Local Permit Payment Options
Accepted payment types vary by agency but commonly include:
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Checks & Money Orders
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Many state departments allow or require checks/money orders for certain permits (e.g., some NMDOT checks are mailed).
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Credit/Debit Cards
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Many jurisdictions and departments accept credit/debit cards, often with a service or convenience fee (e.g., ~2.7 – 2.75 %).
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This is common for permit payments and online transactions via portals.
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Electronic Payments
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Online portals may allow electronic check payments often with no service fee (for example, some environmental and tax related payments).
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Cash
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Some agencies accept cash, but often only in person at specific offices and within certain rules (e.g., limited acceptance in some local or rural offices).
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Online Portals
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Many state and local agencies use online systems (e.g., TAP for tax-related payments, ePermitting, ABQ-PLAN for building permits) that support various digital payment forms.
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Key Points to Remember
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Fees vary widely based on the type of permit, jurisdiction, and project scope.
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Always check the specific department’s instructions for correct fees and accepted payment methods—especially since some agencies require payment before issuance.
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Local municipalities (Albuquerque, county offices) may have different fee schedules and payment processing rules than state agencies.
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Convenience/service charges are common for card payments.
Tips for Applicants
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Before applying, use fee calculators or official rate schedules from the specific permitting agency.
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Verify accepted payment methods and whether additional fees apply (e.g., credit card processing fees).
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For large state permits (like environmental or transportation), check if a base fee is due upfront and whether the remainder is invoiced later.