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A. Santa Fe County adopted a zoning map in 2015. To find out what zoning district your property is located in you can refer to our interactive zoning map on our website and search your property by owner name, address, or tax ID number.
SEARCH YOUR PROPERTY WITH THE INTERACTIVE ZONING MAP »
You can also contact the Building and Development Services Division Directly at (505) 986-6225 to find out what your property is zoned.
A. A development permit shall be required for any of the following activities:
Construction
For construction or renovation of, or an addition to any structure;
Road/Driveway
For construction or reconstruction of a road or driveway pursuant to Chapter 7 of the SLDC (a separate permit is required to access a County road);
Signs
For construction or placement of a sign pursuant to Chapter 7 of the SLDC;
Grading
For grading of a site prior to issuance of another development permit pursuant to Chapter 7 of the SLDC;
Floodplain Development
For development within a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) pursuant to Chapter 7 of the SLDC;
Utilities
For installation of utilities prior to issuance of other development permits pursuant to the SLDC pursuant to Chapter 7; and
Swimming pool
To authorize installation of a swimming pool pursuant to Chapter 7 of the SLDC;
Fences and walls
- Residential walls and fences higher than six feet;
- All walls and opaque fences for nonresidential or multi-family use;
- All retaining walls higher than four feet;
- Walls or opaque fences built atop a retaining wall where the total height of the wall and/or fence and retaining wall is greater than six feet;
- Walls or opaque fences that cross a stream, existing trail, arroyo, acequia or drainage channel; and
- Any walls or fences built within a safe sight triangle; and
Signs
A development permit is required prior to the placement or relocation of any sign. The content of an existing sign may be changed without a permit. Nor is a development permit required for signs that do not require a permit under Section 7.9.
Q. What are the submittal requirements and process for obtaining a development permit?
A. The Growth Management Department has prepared submittal checklists for development permits. These standardized lists provide all information including what type of documents and number of plan sets you will need to submit when you apply for your permit. You can access this information on the County website: www.santafecountynm.gov or pick up the forms in the Building and Development Services office located at 102 Grant Ave.
Q. Will my property be inspected?
A. All applications are sent to Code Enforcement for an initial inspection and are also inspected by County Fire. If during these inspections any Code violation is evident on your property, you will be required to address the violation before your permit is released. Certain types of applications require pre-final and/or final inspections. These inspections are required to assure that certain required improvements have been placed in accordance with your plans. For example, County staff inspects well meters, cisterns, rainwater harvesting systems and any offsite improvements you may be required to construct. You may request an inspection by emailing inspections@santafecountynm.govor by calling our main permit desk at 986-6307. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to assure that proper inspections are conducted; failure to ask for an inspection will delay the receipt of your Certificate of Completion and your Certificate of Occupancy from the Construction Industries Division.
Q. Does Santa Fe County conduct building inspections?
A. Inspections for foundations, framing, electrical and plumbing are conducted by the State Construction Industries Division (CID). You can contact CID at 476-4700 for questions regarding these types of inspections.
Q. How long does it take to get a permit?
A. For standard residential permit applications that do not require a public hearing, the standard time frame from start to completion is fifteen working days. Certain types of permits (walls, fences, solar panels, etc.) are expedited and you may receive a call that your permit is ready for pickup in as little as five working days.
Q. How much does a Development Permit cost?
A. Permit fees are based on several factors, including valuation of the project you are constructing and the type of process required prior to permit issuance. For example, fees for subdivision applications are more expensive than fees for constructing a single dwelling due to the fact that the more complex applications require a public hearing and added reviews by County staff.
Permit fees are found in Ordinance 2016-8, which is available online at https://www.santafecountynm.gov/documents/ordinances/Ordinance_2016-8-p0001_-_p0005.pdfor in the Building and Development Services office. In addition to the permit fees there will also be Fire and Impact Fees. These are based on the size and type of structure being built. Fees must be paid at the time of submittal.
Q. Am I located in a Community District, and what does that mean?
A. The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has adopted Community District Plans and Overlay Zones for communities throughout Santa Fe County. These plans and overlay zones have been developed in coordination with planning committees and community members in order to create regulations and guidelines for future development, land uses, and community facilities for the specific community.
To determine if your property is located within a Community District Overlay Zone, you can refer to our interactive zoning map on our website and search your property by owner name, address, or tax ID number. The interactive zoning map can be accessed on our website through the following link:
SEARCH YOUR PROPERTY WITH THE INTERACTIVE ZONING MAP »
You can also contact the Building and Development Services Division Directly at (505) 986-6225 to find out if you are in a Community District.
Each Community District has its own design standards and use table in addition to or instead of the standard Code regulations (See Chapter 9 of the SLDC)
Q. Can I build an accessory structure on my property?
A. Yes, accessory structures are permitted on residential property. However, accessory structures shall not be constructed or established on a lot until construction of the principal structure (residence) is completed. An accessory structure may be constructed before the principal structure (residence) when development approval has been granted for both the principal and accessory structures.
The accessory structure shall not contain a kitchen or cooking facilities, including kitchen appliances.
Q. Can I build a guest house on my property?
A. Accessory Dwelling Units (guesthouses) are allowed in many but not all areas of the County. To verify whether or not accessory dwelling units are allowed in your area you will need to refer to the Use Matrix in the SLDC specific to your area. Based on your zoning district you can determine whether or not an accessory dwelling unit is allowed. For assistance contact the Building and Development Services Division at (505) 986-6225.
Q. How do I report illegal construction activity?
A. Illegal construction activity can be reported by emailing inspections@santafecountynm.gov, filling out a Complaint Form in person at the Building and Development Services Office, 102 Grant Ave.
We will need some specific details, including an address or detailed directions in order to locate the property, and a brief description of your complaint.
Q. Will I need to pay for an engineer, architect or other licensed professional?
A. The need to hire a licensed professional is primarily determined by the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, and by the Architectural Licensing Board. The State of New Mexico requires professional seals on construction drawings submitted for permit in order to protect the public's life, safety and welfare-based on size, occupant load, height and other factors. You may call County staff at 986-6223 or the Board of Licensure at 505.827.7561 for exact requirements. County staff requires that certain slope and drainage analysis are sealed by an engineer or licensed surveyor based on Code criteria and on Ordinance 2008-10 (Floodplain and Stormwater Management) requirements.
A. The SLDC does have requirements for Energy Efficiency for both residential and non-residential structures. Each new Residential structure, excluding mobile home and manufactured homes and structures constructed to the standards prescribed by the State of New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code and New Mexico Historic Earthen Building Code, shall achieve a HERS rating of 70 or less. Click on the attachments below for a list of certified HERS raters. Also included below is an energy efficiency guide for homeowners and home builders, and an affidavit of compliance with the Residential Energy Efficiency Requirements of the SLDC that will be required as part of the application for a development permit to construct a residence.
HERS Compliance Guide »
HERS Rater List »
SLDC Residential Energy Efficiency Requirements »