Plumbing Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before installing or altering bathroom, kitchen, sewer, water-service or gas piping.
Issued byCity of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Installing or altering bathroom or kitchen piping, or house sewer or water service outside the structure, needs a City plumbing/mechanical permit, as does replacing or repairing gas lines. No permit is needed to stop leaks, clear stoppages, remove and reinstall a toilet without rearranging pipes, or replace plumbing fixtures with the same type of configuration. A homeowner may pull a plumbing permit only after passing the City's written exam with 75 percent or more.
Typical threshold: Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages and replacing fixtures with the same type of configuration are exempt; new or altered piping needs a permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing or altering bathroom, kitchen, sewer, water-service or gas piping.
What a plumbing permit costs in Albuquerque
How to apply in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit.
What most plumbing permit applications include:
- For Albuquerque, a permit is required before any owner or authorized agent constructs, alters, repairs, removes, converts, or replaces a plumbing system regulated by the code (IRC R105.1).
- For Albuquerque, the application must identify and describe the work, describe the site, state the intended use and occupancy, and be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
- Two or more sets of construction documents must accompany the application, drawn with enough clarity to show the location, nature, and extent of the proposed plumbing work and how it will conform to code (IRC R106.1, R106.1.1).
- Minor plumbing repairs, such as clearing a stoppage or removing and resetting a water closet without rearranging pipes or fixtures, are exempt from permit (IRC R105.2).
- Once issued, a permit is only valid for a limited window, commonly 180 days, and becomes invalid if the work is not started or is abandoned within that time, though extensions can be requested (IRC R105.3.2, R105.5).
General submittal guidance from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, Sections R105 Permits and R106 Construction Documents. 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
Plumbing Permit in Albuquerque compared with nearby New Mexico localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each New Mexico schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 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... | |
| Bernalillo County | It depends | Before installing, altering or relocating plumbing or gas piping, fixtures, sewer or... | Resolution 25-2009 Table 3-D Plumbing Permit Fees: administrative charge $23.50 each |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Albuquerque, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
- In Albuquerque: piping and equipment placed under a slab or floor must be in place and inspected before any concrete is poured or floor sheathing is installed over it (IRC R109.1.1.1).
- In Albuquerque: rough plumbing, along with the mechanical, gas, and electrical rough-in, must be inspected prior to covering or concealment and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
- In Albuquerque: rough drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping is tested with water, air, or (for plastic piping) a vacuum, and must show no evidence of leakage before it is closed in (IRC P2503.5.1).
- In Albuquerque: the water-distribution piping is tested and must hold tight under the system's working pressure, or under a 50 psi air test for non-plastic piping, before it is concealed (IRC P2503.7).
- In Albuquerque: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing rough inspection, along with the mechanical and electrical rough inspections, has been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Albuquerque: at the final drainage test, each fixture is filled and then drained, and its traps and fixture connections must prove watertight by visual inspection (IRC P2503.5.2).
- In Albuquerque: final inspection is made after all work required by the permit is complete, and includes confirming backflow protection, such as vacuum breakers on hose bibbs, is installed (IRC R109.1.6, P2902.4.3).
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 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109 Inspections and Section P2503 Inspection and Tests. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Plumbing Permit checklist for Albuquerque
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages and replacing fixtures with the same type of configuration are exempt; new or altered piping needs a permit. Usually needed: Before installing or altering bathroom, kitchen, sewer, water-service or gas piping.
- Budget the fee. "TABLE 112-D PLUMBING PERMIT FEES": "Administrative charge applicable to all applications and additions to permit" $47.00 each; "Plumbing fixture includes drain and vent" $10.00 each; "Gas outlet" $6.00 each; "Water service (from property line to house or building)" $14.00; "House or building sewer (from property line to house or building) including 2-way cleanout" $28.00 each; plan review is 25 percent of the total trade permit fee. 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, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit. 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, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
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 plumbing permit in Albuquerque?
- Installing or altering bathroom or kitchen piping, or house sewer or water service outside the structure, needs a City plumbing/mechanical permit, as does replacing or repairing gas lines. No permit is needed to stop leaks, clear stoppages, remove and reinstall a toilet without rearranging pipes, or replace plumbing fixtures with the same type of configuration. A homeowner may pull a plumbing permit only after passing the City's written exam with 75 percent or more. Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages and replacing fixtures with the same type of configuration are exempt; new or altered piping needs a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a plumbing permit cost in Albuquerque?
- "TABLE 112-D PLUMBING PERMIT FEES": "Administrative charge applicable to all applications and additions to permit" $47.00 each; "Plumbing fixture includes drain and vent" $10.00 each; "Gas outlet" $6.00 each; "Water service (from property line to house or building)" $14.00; "House or building sewer (from property line to house or building) including 2-way cleanout" $28.00 each; plan review is 25 percent of the total trade permit fee. 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.
- How long does a plumbing permit take in Albuquerque?
- In Albuquerque, a plumbing permit typically takes 1 day for plumbing/mechanical permits (Building Safety dashboard, last updated October 20, 2026). Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a plumbing 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 plumbing 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... |
| Deck Permit | 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... |
| 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... |
| 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) |
Plumbing 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 plumbing 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 Plumbing Permit requirements across New Mexico localities