Deck Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a deck more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, over a story or basement, part of an accessible route, or covered.
Issued byCity of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
The City's code exempts from a building permit "platforms, walks, and driveways" not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a story or basement and not part of an accessible route; a deck higher than that, over a lower story, or carrying a roof needs a building permit. The City does not use the word deck in its exemption list, and has no separate size limit for decks.
Typical threshold: Platforms not over a story or basement below and not part of an accessible route.
Who is pulling this permit?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a deck more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, over a story or basement, part of an accessible route, or covered.
What a deck permit costs in Albuquerque
How Albuquerque compares in New Mexico
Closest deck permit thresholds outside New Mexico
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Albuquerque's 30 inches above adjacent grade.
- Alameda County, California, Height of a raised deck above adjacent grade at which the building permit exemption stops, and only where the deck is not over a basement or story below and is not part of an accessible route
- Eugene, Oregon, height of the deck or porch floor above adjacent grade, measured at any point within 3 feet horizontally of the floor, with a covered porch also needing to stay at least 3 feet from property lines
- Portland, Oregon, height of the deck walking surface above adjacent grade, taken 36 inches out from the edge of the deck
- San Diego County, California, A deck needs a building permit when it is more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, or sits over a basement or story below, or forms part of an accessible route.
How to apply in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, a residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.
What most deck permit applications include:
- For Albuquerque, a permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
- For Albuquerque, a scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
- For Albuquerque, a deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
- For Albuquerque, a section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
- Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
- Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
- For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).
General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division sets the exact checklist for Albuquerque.
Where to apply in Albuquerque:
City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division
- Plaza del Sol Building, 600 Second NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: (505) 924-3320
- Email: planningdepartment@cabq.gov
Deck Permit in Albuquerque compared with nearby New Mexico localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each New Mexico schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | It depends | Platforms not over a story or basement below and not part of an accessible route | ...permit fee from "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" by total valuation ("$1.00 to... | |
| Bernalillo County | It depends | height of a platform above grade; also not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route | ...under Administrative Resolution 25-2009 (effective May 1, 2009), Table 3-A: "$30.00... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Albuquerque, deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
- Footing or pier inspection in Albuquerque: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
- Framing inspection in Albuquerque: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
- Final inspection in Albuquerque: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Albuquerque permit portal or by phone at (505) 924-3320.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Deck Permit checklist for Albuquerque
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Platforms not over a story or basement below and not part of an accessible route. Usually needed: Before building a deck more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, over a story or basement, part of an accessible route, or covered.
- Budget the fee. Building permit fee from "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" by total valuation ("$1.00 to $500.00": $23.50; "$2,001.00 to $25,000.00": "$69.25 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof"), multiplied by the Albuquerque Regional Modifier of (.50) for one- and two-family dwellings, minimum fee $23.50; plan review fee is 65 percent of the building permit fee, paid at submittal. City of Albuquerque 2024 Uniform Administrative Code (UAC), Section 112 and Tables 112-A through 112-G, cover date effective January 1, 2025. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Albuquerque, a residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Albuquerque permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division. Phone: (505) 924-3320. Address: Plaza del Sol Building, 600 Second NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
- Plan for inspections. In Albuquerque, deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Permitting activity in Albuquerque
In 2025, Albuquerque authorized permits for 1,417 new residential housing units (525 single-family, 892 in multi-family buildings), valued at $219M, up from 1,099 the year before. That works out to about 2.5 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025 annual data · population 562,540.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Albuquerque?
- The City's code exempts from a building permit "platforms, walks, and driveways" not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a story or basement and not part of an accessible route; a deck higher than that, over a lower story, or carrying a roof needs a building permit. The City does not use the word deck in its exemption list, and has no separate size limit for decks. Platforms not over a story or basement below and not part of an accessible route. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Albuquerque?
- Building permit fee from "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" by total valuation ("$1.00 to $500.00": $23.50; "$2,001.00 to $25,000.00": "$69.25 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof"), multiplied by the Albuquerque Regional Modifier of (.50) for one- and two-family dwellings, minimum fee $23.50; plan review fee is 65 percent of the building permit fee, paid at submittal. City of Albuquerque 2024 Uniform Administrative Code (UAC), Section 112 and Tables 112-A through 112-G, cover date effective January 1, 2025. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Albuquerque?
- You can apply through the Albuquerque permit portal or contact the City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Albuquerque?
- Under New Mexico law (NMSA 1978, 60-13-3(D)(10), (11); 14.5.2.8(B) NMAC; 14.5.2.18 NMAC): Yes, with tight limits. CILA exempts from the contractor definition an individual who, alone or with wage-paid help, builds or makes installations, alterations or repairs to a single-family dwelling he owns and occupies or will occupy (60-13-3(D)(10)), and a person building or improving a single-family residence for personal use (60-13-3(D)(11)). The work must still meet all state codes, and CID's homeowner permit (14.5.2.18 NMAC) applies only to the owner's primary residence and its garages, carports and sheds, never to rental, other owned or commercial property. The homeowner must perform the major portion of the work by dollar amount and file a signed, notarized responsibility sheet. A homeowner electrical permit requires passing a CID homeowner electrical exam (75% to pass), a plumbing permit requires a competency showing that may include a written exam, and no homeowner permit is issued for HVAC, natural gas or LP gas work. The project may not be put on the market while under construction (doing so voids the permit and can bring unlicensed contracting charges), and only one single-family homeowner permit may be issued to the same owner in any 12-month period. Confirm how Albuquerque applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Albuquerque
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Finish work and same-configuration fixture swaps are exempt; altered piping, new wiring or structural changes need permits | Building permit (if structural or layout work) by valuation under "TABLE 112-A BUILDING... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Like-for-like repair or replacement of receptacles, switch parts and fixed listed appliances is exempt; new or altered wiring, devices and equipment needs a permit | ...charge applicable to all applications and additions to permits" $47.00... |
| EV Charger Permit | Permit required | Any size | Electrical permit under "TABLE 112-B ELECTRICAL PERMIT FEES": $47.00 administrative... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Construction Cost Guide Per Lineal Foot" (for example "Wood Fence (Cedar)" $23.30... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...charge applicable to all applications and additions to permit" $47.00... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Covered versus uncovered: a patio cover or porch needs a building permit; an uncovered at-grade slab falls under the exemption for platforms and walks | ...permit fee from "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" by total valuation ("$1.00 to... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages and replacing fixtures with the same type of configuration are exempt; new or altered piping needs a permit | ...charge applicable to all applications and additions to permit" $47.00... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, accessory to a building under the International Residential Code | ...FEES" with the (.50) residential modifier, plus "Swimming pool (Private)" $60.00... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...PERMIT FEES", "Residential (R-3 Occupancies Only)": Administrative Fee $30.00 +... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | Building area of a one-story detached accessory building used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use | ...permit fee from "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" by total valuation ("$1.00 to... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...the (.50) residential modifier, plus an electrical permit under Table 112-B ($47.00... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Any size | Plumbing/mechanical permit with the $47.00 administrative charge (Tables 112-C and 112-D) |
Deck Permit in other New Mexico localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Albuquerque documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this deck permit page for Albuquerque was verified. 2 official sources: cabq.gov, cabq.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across New Mexico localities