What's Required in Albuquerque
- A mechanical permit is required to install or replace heating or cooling equipment or ductwork; component-part repairs and portable units are exempt.
- Equipment and ductwork can only be installed by a New Mexico CID-licensed contractor; there is no homeowner mechanical permit.
- Fees are itemized: $47 administrative charge, $14 per appliance or air handler, $22 per condensing unit up to 36,000 BTU output, $14 per duct system, $6 per gas outlet.
- New or altered wiring, circuits or disconnects for the equipment need a separate electrical permit ($47 plus items).
- Work must comply with the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code and the city's Uniform Administrative Code.
- The permit expires if no inspection is requested within 180 days of issuance; the permit holder schedules the inspection.
- Working without a permit draws an investigation fee equal to the permit fee.
Do you need a permit to replace a furnace or AC in Albuquerque?
Yes. The Building Safety permits page lists heating or cooling and installation of equipment or ductwork under plumbing/mechanical permits, and adds that equipment and ductwork work can only be completed by a licensed contractor. The 2024 Uniform Administrative Code's mechanical exemptions are narrow: portable heaters, portable ventilating and cooling units, portable evaporative coolers, closed piping inside the equipment, self-contained refrigerating systems, and replacement of any component part of an appliance that does not alter its original approval. So a blower motor, capacitor, control board or thermostat swap is a repair with no permit, while replacing the furnace, the condenser, an evaporative cooler on the roof, or the ductwork is permitted work. The mechanical code the city enforces is the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code with the UAC's administrative chapter.
How much does an HVAC permit cost in Albuquerque?
UAC Table 112-C is itemized with a 1.0 regional modifier. Every mechanical application carries a $47 administrative charge. A furnace or other appliance including plenums and venting is $14, but that item excludes air conditioning and refrigeration units, which have their own line: $22 for each condensing unit up to 36,000 BTU output (3 tons) and $40 from there to 180,000 BTU. An air handling unit with its ducts is $14, a heating or air conditioning duct system is $14, an evaporative cooler other than portable is $14, a gas outlet is $6, and repairing or altering a heating or cooling unit is $16. Worked examples:
- Furnace replacement on the existing gas line: $47 + $14 = $61.
- AC condenser up to 36,000 BTU with a new coil or air handler: $47 + $22 + $14 = $83.
- Full split system with new ductwork and a new gas outlet: $47 + $22 + $14 + $14 + $6 = $103.
- Rooftop evaporative cooler swap: $47 + $14 = $61 on the mechanical side; a new circuit or disconnect adds an electrical permit ($47 + $8 for an evaporative cooler).
An electrical permit is separate whenever the wiring changes: $47 administrative charge, $8 for an evaporative cooler or for a residential fixed appliance of 30 amps or over. Trade plan review, 25 percent of the permit fee, applies only when plans are required. Re-inspections are $47.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing a gas furnace, same location and gas line | Mechanical permit, $61 | $47 plus $14 per appliance including plenums and venting. |
| Replacing the AC condenser and coil, up to 36,000 BTU | Mechanical permit, $83 | $22 condensing unit item plus $14 air handler; a new disconnect or circuit needs an electrical permit. |
| New split system with ductwork and a new gas outlet | Mechanical permit, $103 | Adds $14 for the duct system and $6 per gas outlet; ductwork by a licensed contractor. |
| Swapping the rooftop evaporative cooler | Mechanical permit, $61 | $14 per evaporative cooler other than portable; electrical permit if the circuit changes. |
| Ductless mini-split | Mechanical + electrical permits | Condensing unit $22 plus $14 per air handler; the dedicated circuit is an electrical permit item. |
| Blower motor, capacitor, control board or thermostat | No permit | Replacement of a component part that does not alter the appliance's original approval is exempt. |
| Window unit or portable cooler | No permit | Portable cooling units and portable evaporative coolers are exempt from a mechanical permit. |
Who pulls the HVAC permit in Albuquerque?
A New Mexico CID-licensed mechanical contractor, and only a contractor. The city's homeowner exam route exists for electrical and plumbing permits (UAC 111.1, Exception 2), but the permits page says installation of equipment or ductwork can only be completed by a licensed contractor, and there is no homeowner mechanical exam. Your installer applies in ABQ-PLAN; a trade permit is issued on application and is void 180 days after issuance if no inspection is requested. Inspections are requested by the permit holder, so the contractor schedules the final on the new equipment, venting and gas connections. If a bid does not mention the permit, ask: work started without one pays an investigation fee equal to the permit fee and can draw a stop work order.
How to Get a HVAC Permit in Albuquerque
Confirm the scope
A component repair or a portable unit needs nothing; replacing the furnace, condenser, cooler or ductwork needs a mechanical permit, and any wiring change an electrical permit.
Hire a licensed contractor
Only a NM CID-licensed mechanical contractor can install equipment or ductwork; confirm the bid includes the permit.
Contractor applies in ABQ-PLAN
The permit lists each appliance, condensing unit, duct system and gas outlet; fees are $47 plus the per-item charges and the permit is issued on application.
Install and connect
Equipment, venting, condensate, gas and duct connections are made to the 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code; the electrician pulls the electrical permit for new circuits.
Final inspection
The contractor requests the inspection through ABQ-PLAN within 180 days; re-inspections cost $47.