Building Permits & Inspections in Bernalillo County
Need a building permit or construction inspection? Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services handles building permitting and inspections for properties within its unincorporated jurisdiction. Its Building Services office is at 415 Silver Avenue SW in Albuquerque, and permit records, eligible applications and inspection scheduling are available through the county’s Accela Citizen Access system.
Before applying: Confirm whether your property falls under Bernalillo County or an incorporated municipality such as Albuquerque. The correct permitting authority depends on the property’s actual jurisdiction, not simply its mailing address.
Department Contact Information
| Department | Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services — Building Services |
|---|---|
| Service area | Unincorporated Bernalillo County, New Mexico |
| Office address | 415 Silver Avenue SW, 2nd Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| Building Services / Inspection Line | (505) 314-0351 |
| Planning & Development | (505) 314-0350 |
| permits@bernco.gov | |
| Published Building Services hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mountain Time; confirm counter availability before visiting |
| Online services | Permit searches, eligible applications, fee payments and inspection scheduling through Accela |
| Official website | bernco.gov/planning/building-services/ |
Contact details are based on official county resources reviewed October 9, 2026. The county’s Accela assistance notice separately lists service hours of 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.
Does Your Property Fall Under Bernalillo County?
The county building program primarily serves unincorporated properties, including qualifying properties in the South Valley, North Valley, and East Mountains. Exact boundaries matter: nearby parcels can fall under different permitting authorities.
| Property location | Where to begin |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Bernalillo County | Bernalillo County Building Services |
| Inside Albuquerque city limits | City of Albuquerque Building Safety Division |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque or Tijeras | Confirm the municipality’s applicable building-permit administration before submitting |
| Uncertain jurisdiction or boundary location | Ask County Building Services to verify the property address or parcel identifier |
Fastest way to check: Open the county Accela portal, look for its property or jurisdiction verification information, and compare the address with county records. If uncertain, call (505) 314-0351 before paying an application fee.
Don’t confuse Bernalillo County with the Town of Bernalillo. The Town of Bernalillo is in Sandoval County and follows a different permitting jurisdiction.
Building Permits: What Work Needs Approval?
Bernalillo County’s building regulations generally require appropriate permits for regulated new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, relocations and demolition. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work may require separate trade permits.
| Project | What to check |
|---|---|
| New house or commercial building | Building permit, construction plans, zoning approval and applicable trade permits |
| Room addition or structural remodel | Building plans, structural details and any affected utility permits |
| Electrical work | Electrical trade permit and required inspection |
| Plumbing or HVAC | Applicable plumbing, gas or mechanical permit |
| Roof replacement | Whether the roofing scope requires a county building permit |
| Detached shed or accessory building | Permit exemptions, area limits, setbacks and utility connections |
| Fence or retaining wall | Height, structural requirements, zoning limits and permit thresholds |
| Swimming pool or solar installation | Project-specific building and trade approvals |
| Demolition or change of occupancy | Demolition or building authorization and any other required agency reviews |
Not every small repair requires a permit. However, permit exemptions do not waive applicable zoning, drainage, safety, easement or property-development rules. The county’s building ordinance contains the controlling exemption provisions; confirm how they apply to your specific work before starting.
How to Apply for a Bernalillo County Building Permit
The correct submission method depends on the permit type and whether you are a licensed contractor or an owner-applicant. Use these steps to avoid common delays.
- Confirm the address and zoning. Verify that the project is in unincorporated Bernalillo County. Check property use, setbacks, building placement and whether a separate zoning approval is needed. Start with county zoning guidance.
- Choose the right application. Open the county’s Getting Started page and locate the residential or commercial building permit packet, or the applicable trade permit instructions.
- Prepare project documents. Gather your site address, parcel or UPC number, owner details, scope of work, estimated valuation, site plan, construction drawings, and contractor/license information when applicable. More complex projects may require professionally prepared plans and additional agency approvals.
- Select an accepted submission channel. Eligible licensed contractors can use Accela Citizen Access for supported applications. Homeowners and other applicants should verify their submission options with Building Services; an available portal menu does not necessarily mean every applicant may submit that permit type online.
- Submit the application and respond to review comments. Provide complete documents and monitor requests for corrections, zoning review or revised drawings. Keep the application or record number.
- Pay the approved fees and obtain the issued permit. Follow the county’s official payment directions. Do not treat an application confirmation as permission to begin regulated construction.
- Build, schedule inspections and obtain final approval. Keep the approved documents available, request inspections at the required stages, resolve corrections and obtain final sign-off or occupancy documentation when applicable.
Which Building Permits Can Be Submitted Online?
Bernalillo County announced an expansion of online building applications for licensed contractors on December 16, 2025. The announced categories include:
- Commercial buildings, pools and solar projects
- Residential buildings, pools and solar projects
- Fence and retaining-wall projects
This is an important change from older Accela welcome-page wording that said building applications were not accepted online. Follow the county’s newer online-permitting announcement and the permit choices currently available in your account. For an owner-builder application or a category not shown, contact the department before attempting submission.
Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical Permits
Bernalillo County provides online application options for supported electrical, plumbing and mechanical trade permits. These are separate from general building permits and should match the licensed work being performed.
- Visit Apply for Trade Permits.
- Open the county Accela Citizen Access portal and register or sign in if required.
- Choose the appropriate electrical, plumbing or mechanical application rather than an unrelated building permit category.
- Enter the correct property address, work description and applicant or contractor details.
- Submit, complete the authorized payment process and save the issued record or application number for inspections.
Schedule a Building Inspection
Inspections help verify that construction complies with approved plans and applicable building standards. Common stages include foundation or footing, framing, rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, and final inspection. The required sequence depends on the permitted project.
- Find your permit record. Have the county permit number, site address, building or suite number, and permit holder’s name ready.
- Open the scheduling option. Visit Accela Citizen Access and select Schedule → Building Inspection, or call (505) 314-0351 for assistance.
- Choose the correct inspection. Select the relevant permit and inspection type, then follow the available scheduling instructions.
- Prepare the site. Ensure the work is ready, the site is accessible, approved plans are available, and work that needs inspection remains visible.
- Review the result. Check the permit record for approval or corrections. If the inspection fails, address the listed issues and arrange any required reinspection.
Notice: County building regulations allow the building official to require inspection requests at least one working day before the desired inspection. Request early and confirm the actual appointment; next-day service is not guaranteed.
Before covering work: Do not conceal reinforcement, framing, pipes, wiring or other work that must be inspected until the required inspection has been completed and authorized.
Search Building Permits & Check Application Status
The county’s Accela system provides public search functions for building and other departmental records. You can use these tools to follow an application, identify available permit information or review inspection activity.
- Go to Bernalillo County Citizen Access.
- Choose Search → Building.
- Enter the permit or record number, or use the supported address and search fields.
- Open the matching record and review its available status, fees, permit details and inspections.
- If the record is missing, verify the jurisdiction and search information, then contact the county for assistance.
Some account-specific functions require signing in. Older records or records administered by another municipality may not appear in the county’s online results. An empty search is not proof that no permit exists.
Permit Fees & Processing Times
There is no single fee or processing time for every Bernalillo County project. Costs can vary by permit class, scope, construction valuation, plan review requirements and any additional applicable charges.
| Cost or timing item | What applicants should know |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Determined using the applicable county fee provisions and project details |
| Plan review | Additional review charges may apply depending on the permit and project |
| Trade permits | Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work may be charged separately |
| Reinspection or revisions | Additional fees can apply under the relevant fee schedule |
| Review time | Depends on application completeness, project complexity, workload and outside approvals |
For exact charges, consult the official County Permit Fees page and the calculated charges attached to your application. Resolution 25-2009 is the identifier shown on the county’s fee resource page; do not assume its numbering indicates a fee amount or a current effective year.
Building Codes & Local Requirements
County projects must satisfy the applicable New Mexico construction codes, Bernalillo County administrative regulations, and local land-use requirements. Different code editions may govern building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.
- Building and residential construction: Check the applicable New Mexico commercial or residential building-code provisions and county amendments. New Mexico’s 2021 residential code is based on the 2021 International Residential Code, as amended by state rules.
- Electrical: The county’s Electrical division references the 2020 National Electrical Code and New Mexico electrical requirements.
- Plumbing and mechanical: The county references the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code.
- Zoning and site requirements: County land-use rules can control permitted uses, setbacks, heights, building placement and development approvals independently of the building permit.
- Fire and specialized approvals: Commercial or specialized construction may require review by fire, environmental, public works or other responsible agencies.
Confirm the controlling code editions and amendments for the permit’s application and issuance dates rather than assuming that the latest nationally published code automatically applies.
Common Application Problems & How to Avoid Them
| Problem | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Wrong permitting jurisdiction | Verify city versus unincorporated county limits before applying. |
| Plans returned for corrections | Read each review comment, revise the affected sheets and resubmit the requested documents. |
| Permit category unavailable online | Check the eligibility rules and contact Building Services for the accepted submission method. |
| Inspection cannot be scheduled | Confirm the permit is issued, the required preceding inspections are complete and the correct record is selected. |
| Inspection fails | Correct the cited issues and request a reinspection before covering the work. |
| Permit shows expired or inactive | Ask the department about renewal, extension or reapplication requirements before continuing work. |
Official Applications, Forms & Resources
These county and state resources are the starting points for applications, payment verification and technical requirements.
- Bernalillo County Building Services — office contacts, inspections and departmental information.
- Building Permit Application Packets — residential and commercial packets, forms and building guides.
- Building Permit Information — county building-permit guidance.
- Online Trade Permit Instructions — electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit applications.
- Accela Citizen Access — online applications, records, eligible payments and inspection scheduling.
- County Permit Fee Resources — applicable county fee information.
- Residential Building Guide (PDF) — county guidance for single-story residential construction; confirm current requirements before relying on older examples.
- New Mexico Construction Industries Division — statewide rules and building-code resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Bernalillo County issue building permits inside Albuquerque?
Generally, no. Properties inside Albuquerque city limits use the City of Albuquerque’s building-permit system. Bernalillo County handles construction within its unincorporated permitting jurisdiction. Verify the specific property address before applying.
2. Can I apply for a Bernalillo County building permit online?
Yes, for eligible permit types and applicants. In December 2025, the county expanded online building applications for licensed contractors to include residential and commercial buildings, pools, solar projects, and fence or retaining-wall work. Homeowners should confirm the available application method with Building Services.
3. What documents are needed for a building permit?
Common requirements include the site address, owner and contractor information, project description, property or UPC number, site plan, construction drawings and project valuation. Structural plans, zoning approvals or additional documents may be required for particular projects.
4. Do I need a permit to remodel my home?
Many structural alterations, additions and projects involving regulated electrical, plumbing or mechanical work require permits. Some minor cosmetic work may qualify for an exemption. Confirm the specific scope with Bernalillo County before starting.
5. Does a shed or fence require a building permit?
It depends on the structure’s size, height, design, location and applicable exemptions. Even when a building permit is not required, zoning setbacks, easements and other development restrictions may still apply. Check the county ordinance and property-specific rules first.
6. How do I obtain an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit?
Use the county’s Apply for Trade Permits instructions, open Accela Citizen Access and select the appropriate trade application. Enter the correct site and applicant information, complete the required submission and payment, and retain the record number for inspections.
7. How do I schedule a building inspection?
Use the Schedule Building Inspection option in Bernalillo County Accela Citizen Access or call (505) 314-0351. Have your permit number, property address and inspection type ready. Request the inspection in advance and confirm the scheduled appointment.
8. How can I check the status of a building permit?
Open the county’s Accela Citizen Access portal, choose Search Building, and search by the available record number or address fields. Open the matching record to review permit information and available inspection activity. Contact Building Services if the record cannot be found.
9. How much does a building permit cost in Bernalillo County?
Permit costs vary by project type, valuation, plan review and other applicable charges. There is no reliable single price for every project. Use the county’s published fee resources and the charges calculated for your specific application.
10. Which building codes apply in Bernalillo County in 2026?
Applicable requirements include New Mexico construction codes, county building regulations and local amendments. The controlling editions differ by discipline and may depend on the permit date. Verify the applicable building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and zoning requirements with the county before preparing final plans.
Need direct assistance? Contact Bernalillo County Building Services at (505) 314-0351 or permits@bernco.gov. Have your property address, project description and existing permit number ready.
Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. This independently prepared guide is not an official Bernalillo County government website. Permit requirements, office procedures, fees and applicable codes can change; the responsible government agency makes the final determination.