Pool Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building an in-ground pool or spa, or an above-ground pool 54 inches deep or more or over 5,000 gallons.
Issued byCity of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 54 inches deep, hold no more than 5,000 gallons and sit entirely above ground need no building permit; every other pool needs a building permit plus electrical and plumbing permits and a pool rough-in and final inspection. Albuquerque's exemption depth is far higher than the 24 inches in the model residential code.
Typical threshold: Prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, accessory to a building under the International Residential Code.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building an in-ground pool or spa, or an above-ground pool 54 inches deep or more or over 5,000 gallons.
What a pool permit costs in Albuquerque
How Albuquerque compares in New Mexico
Closest pool permit thresholds outside New Mexico
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Albuquerque's 54 inches in depth.
- Lincoln, Nebraska, prefabricated, temporary pools only; any other pool needs a building permit
- Anchorage, Alaska, Prefabricated pools accessory to a Group R-3 dwelling, not exceeding 5,000 gallons and installed entirely above ground
- Aurora, Colorado, pool depth at which a building permit is required
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, prefabricated above ground pools that also hold less than 5,000 gallons
How to apply in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect.
What most pool permit applications include:
- Pool and spa design and construction fall under the residential code chapter that folds in the swimming pool and spa code, and permit review checks plans against that chapter (IRC R326).
- For Albuquerque, the site plan must show pool equipment such as pumps, filters, and heaters set back at least 36 inches from the outside of the required barrier (ISPSC 305.2.9).
- For an in-ground pool, engineered structural plans covering the shell and reinforcing steel, with the responsible structural engineer's license information, are a standard part of the submittal (per official pool submittal checklists).
- For Albuquerque, a barrier plan identifying the fence, pool structure, or dwelling wall that will enclose the pool must be submitted and must comply with the code's barrier chapter (ISPSC 305).
- Electrical plans must show the pool's equipotential bonding design, since the shell, perimeter surfaces, and metal fittings within 5 feet of the water must all tie into a common bonding grid (NEC 680.26).
- For Albuquerque, the electrical plan must also show a disconnecting means for the pool equipment that is readily accessible and within sight of the equipment (NEC 680.13).
General submittal guidance from 2021 IRC R326 (adopting the ISPSC), ISPSC 2021 Section 305, and NEC 2020 Article 680. 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
Pool Permit in Albuquerque compared with nearby New Mexico localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each New Mexico schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 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... | |
| Bernalillo County | It depends | prefabricated pool accessory to a Group R-3 dwelling, installed entirely above ground, capacity not over 5,000 gallons | ...under Administrative Resolution 25-2009 (effective May 1, 2009), Table 3-A: "$30.00... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Albuquerque, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
- In Albuquerque: before gunite or shotcrete is sprayed, the inspector checks the rebar against the engineered plans and confirms the equipotential bonding wire is stubbed out and tied into the steel, since it will be buried in concrete afterward (NEC 680.26).
- In Albuquerque: a bonding inspection separately confirms coping, decking, ladders, handrail cups, and any other metal within 5 feet of the water are tied to the bonding grid, and it must pass before coping is installed (NEC 680.26).
- In Albuquerque: a temporary barrier at least 4 feet high must enclose the site from the moment excavation starts until the permanent barrier is finished, and inspectors check for it throughout construction (ISPSC 305.1.1).
- In Albuquerque: a pre-plaster inspection confirms the circulation equipment's electrical work is installed and all bonding is complete before the pool's interior finish goes on (NEC 680.26).
- In Albuquerque: at final inspection the permanent barrier is checked against the code's requirements and the equipment and cover-mechanism bonding must be complete before the pool can be filled and used (ISPSC 305, NEC 680.26).
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 NEC 2020 Article 680.26 (equipotential bonding) and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Pool Permit checklist for Albuquerque
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, accessory to a building under the International Residential Code. Usually needed: Before building an in-ground pool or spa, or an above-ground pool 54 inches deep or more or over 5,000 gallons.
- Budget the fee. Building permit by valuation under "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" with the (.50) residential modifier, plus "Swimming pool (Private)" $60.00 each on the electrical schedule (Table 112-B) and "Swimming pool (private)" $60.00 each on the plumbing schedule (Table 112-D), each trade permit also carrying a $47.00 administrative charge. 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 pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect. 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, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
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 pool permit in Albuquerque?
- Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 54 inches deep, hold no more than 5,000 gallons and sit entirely above ground need no building permit; every other pool needs a building permit plus electrical and plumbing permits and a pool rough-in and final inspection. Albuquerque's exemption depth is far higher than the 24 inches in the model residential code. Prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, accessory to a building under the International Residential Code. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Albuquerque?
- Building permit by valuation under "TABLE 112-A BUILDING PERMIT FEES" with the (.50) residential modifier, plus "Swimming pool (Private)" $60.00 each on the electrical schedule (Table 112-B) and "Swimming pool (private)" $60.00 each on the plumbing schedule (Table 112-D), each trade permit also carrying a $47.00 administrative charge. 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 pool 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 pool 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... |
| 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... |
| 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) |
Pool 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 pool 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 Pool Permit requirements across New Mexico localities