What's Required in Albuquerque
- An electrical permit is required to replace or upgrade a panel or service (UAC 109 and the Building Safety permit list).
- Fees are itemized: $47 administrative charge, $8 per panel, $40 per meter loop, $1.50 per outlet, $8 per fixed appliance of 30 amps or over.
- Work must comply with the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code as enforced by the city.
- The permit is issued to a NM CID-licensed electrical contractor or to a homeowner who passes the city's written exam at 75 percent or better.
- Rental properties must use a licensed contractor for the permit.
- Service upgrades and replacements require inspection; the permit expires if no inspection is requested within 180 days.
- Breaker and same-type receptacle replacements are exempt; utility-side service drops and metering are the utility's, not the city's.
Do you need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Albuquerque?
Yes. The Building Safety permits page requires an electrical permit for installation of an appliance, device, equipment or wiring and for additions, alterations or replacements in existing appliances, devices, wiring or equipment; a panel is equipment. The 2024 Uniform Administrative Code lists what is exempt, and a panel is not on the list: like-for-like replacement of fixed motors or listed appliances, receptacle swaps of the same type, cord-and-plug appliances, and repairs to the current-carrying parts of a switch or control device. Service upgrades are called out for inspection specifically: when electrical services are upgraded or replaced, inspections are required. The city enforces the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code.
How much does an electrical panel permit cost in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque does not price electrical permits by amperage or valuation; UAC Table 112-B is itemized, with a 1.0 regional modifier. Every application carries a $47 administrative charge. A panel is $8 each. A meter loop, the service entrance conductors and meter base that change on a service upgrade, is $40. Outlets, switches and fixtures are $1.50 each for the first 20 and $0.90 after that, and a residential fixed appliance of 30 amps or over is $8.
- Replacing a panel with the same service size: $47 + $8 = $55.
- Upgrading from 100 to 200 amps with a new meter loop: $47 + $40 + $8 = $95.
- Upgrade plus an EV charger circuit: $95 + $8 for a 30 amp or larger fixed appliance = $103; a plain 240 V outlet is $1.50 instead.
Plan review is charged only when plans are required (25 percent of the trade permit fee), which a residential panel change normally does not trigger. Re-inspections are $47 each, and work started without a permit pays an investigation fee equal to the permit fee.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like panel replacement, same amperage | Electrical permit, $55 | $47 administrative charge plus $8 panel; final inspection. |
| Service upgrade 100 to 200 amps, new meter loop | Electrical permit, $95 | Adds the $40 meter loop item; service upgrades and replacements require inspection. |
| Adding a subpanel for a garage or casita | Electrical permit, $55 plus circuits | $8 per panel plus $1.50 per outlet fed from it. |
| EV charger circuit at the panel | Electrical permit | $8 for a 30 amp or over fixed appliance, or $1.50 for a receptacle; $47 administrative charge if filed alone. |
| Replacing a breaker or a receptacle with the same type | No permit | UAC 109.2.3 exempts current-carrying parts of switches and same-type receptacle replacement. |
| Utility-side work: service drop, meter | No city permit | Installations under the exclusive control of the electric utility are exempt; the utility handles its side. |
| Panel work in a rental property | Electrical permit by a licensed contractor | Homes leased to others need a licensed contractor to pull any permit. |
Who can pull an electrical permit in Albuquerque?
A New Mexico CID-licensed electrical contractor, or the homeowner under one condition. UAC 111.1 says an electrical permit may be issued to a homeowner who successfully completes a written electrical exam with a score of 75 percent or greater. The permits page adds the terms: four hours per exam, a retake 30 days later if you fail, only two attempts, one passing exam per year, and the permit is issued immediately after passing. If you cannot pass, a contractor must pull the permit. Homes leased or rented to others need a licensed contractor regardless. Apply in ABQ-PLAN; a trade permit is issued on application, expires 180 days after issuance, and the permit holder requests the inspection. Because the utility's service connection is involved in an upgrade, coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with your electric utility; the UAC exempts the utility's own service drop and metering from city permits.
How to Get a Electrical Panel Permit in Albuquerque
Decide who pulls the permit
Hire a NM-licensed electrical contractor, or schedule the city's written electrical exam if you own and occupy the home and want the homeowner permit.
Apply in ABQ-PLAN
File the electrical permit listing the panel, the meter loop if the service changes, and any new circuits; pay $47 plus the itemized fees.
Coordinate the utility
Arrange the service disconnect and reconnect with your electric utility; its service drop and metering are outside the city permit.
Do the work
Install the panel or service to the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code and keep the permit posted at the address.
Request the inspection
Call the service upgrade or replacement inspection within 180 days of issuance; a failed visit costs $47 to re-inspect.