New Mexico building code
New Mexico has adopted 2021 NMCBC (New Mexico Commercial Building Code), 14.7.2 NMAC based on 2021 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the New Mexico cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2021 New Mexico construction codes (2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC-based, effective 2023-07-14; 2021 UPC/UMC-based trade codes; 2020 NEC; 2021 IECC-based energy codes effective 2024; 2021 IFC-based fire code effective 2022-11-01)
- Prior edition
- 2015-based New Mexico codes (2015 NMCBC effective 2016-11-15; 2018 NM Energy Conservation Code effective 2020-09-25; 2015 IFC)
- Code authority
- New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID); fire code by the State Fire Marshal (NM Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2023-12-14 (building/existing transition end); energy transition ended 2024-07-30 may still be reviewed under the 2015-based New Mexico codes (2015 NMCBC effective 2016-11-15; 2018 NM Energy Conservation Code effective 2020-09-25; 2015 IFC).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2021 NMCBC (New Mexico Commercial Building Code), 14.7.2 NMAC based on 2021 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2021 NMRBC (New Mexico Residential Building Code), 14.7.3 NMAC based on 2021 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code, 14.7.7 NMAC based on 2021 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2021 New Mexico Fire Code, 10.25.5 NMAC (State Fire Marshal) based on 2021 IFC | n/a |
| Electrical | 2020 NMEC (New Mexico Electrical Code), 14.10.4 NMAC based on 2020 NEC (NFPA 70) | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2021 NMMC (New Mexico Mechanical Code), 14.9.2 NMAC based on 2021 UMC (IAPMO) | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2021 NMPC (New Mexico Plumbing Code), 14.8.2 NMAC based on 2021 UPC (IAPMO) | n/a |
| Energy | 2021 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (14.7.6 NMAC) and 2021 New Mexico Commercial Energy Code (14.7.9 NMAC) based on 2021 IECC (residential and commercial provisions) | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2021 Fuel gas via NMPC (2021 UPC Ch. 12) and NMMC (2021 UMC Ch. 13); LP gas under 19.15.40 NMAC based on 2021 UPC / 2021 UMC fuel-gas chapters | n/a |
Sources
- https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/rules-laws-and-building-codes/
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0002.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0003.pdf
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.008.0002.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.009.0002.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.010.0004.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0006.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0009.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0007.html
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title10/10.025.0005.html
- https://www.rld.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2021-New-Mexico-Commercial-Energy-Code-NMAC-14.7.9-effective-7.30.2024.pdf
- https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-60/article-13/section-60-13-44/
- https://www.iccsafe.org/adoptions
Common questions
What building code does New Mexico use?
New Mexico uses 2021 NMCBC (New Mexico Commercial Building Code), 14.7.2 NMAC based on 2021 IBC. It is administered by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID); fire code by the State Fire Marshal (NM Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management). The prior edition was 2015-based New Mexico codes (2015 NMCBC effective 2016-11-15; 2018 NM Energy Conservation Code effective 2020-09-25; 2015 IFC).
Do cities in New Mexico amend the state code?
Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.
Which edition applies to a permit already in review in New Mexico?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2023-12-14 (building/existing transition end); energy transition ended 2024-07-30 may still be reviewed under the 2015-based New Mexico codes (2015 NMCBC effective 2016-11-15; 2018 NM Energy Conservation Code effective 2020-09-25; 2015 IFC).
Check a plan set against New Mexico code
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
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Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.