What's Required in Albuquerque
- A re-roof permit is required for every roof replacement or recover; repairs under $1,000 in valuation are exempt.
- Residential re-roof permit fee is a flat $70 ($30 administrative + $40 inspection) under UAC Table 112-G.
- A residential re-roof with no truss repairs qualifies for a same-day express permit in ABQ-PLAN.
- Truss or rafter repairs and roof conversions need a building permit with plans, an energy-code checklist and New Mexico-stamped truss drawings.
- Minimum slopes by material: 1/4:12 built-up or membrane, 1/2:12 metal, 1:12 rolled roofing, 2:12 asphalt shingles, 2.5:12 clay or concrete tile.
- The permit goes to a NM CID-licensed contractor or to the owner-occupant doing the work personally; subcontracted roofing cannot use a homeowner's permit.
- One re-roof inspection after installation, requested by the permit holder within 180 days of issuance.
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Albuquerque?
Yes, every time. The 2024 Uniform Administrative Code says it in one line: all re-roofs require a permit and inspection(s). The Building Safety permits page repeats it under building permits: re-roofing, general permits are required for re-roof. What does not need a permit is a repair. UAC 109.2.1 exempts repairs of less than $1,000 in valuation, and the code defines repair as patching, restoration or renewal of materials for the sole purpose of keeping them in sound working condition. Patching a leak or replacing a few blown-off shingles fits; a tear-off and recover of the whole roof, or a second layer over the old one, is a re-roof.
How much does a roof permit cost in Albuquerque?
A flat $70 for a house. UAC Table 112-G sets the residential (R-3) re-roof permit at a $30 administrative fee plus a $40 inspection fee. Apartments and other occupancies are priced by valuation on the same table, from $100 up to $480 over $50,000. No plan review fee applies to a plain re-roof because no plans are required, and the city's Express Permitting System issues a residential re-roof without any truss repairs the same day you apply online in ABQ-PLAN. The one roof job that is priced like construction is a roof conversion, for example turning a flat roof into a pitched one: that is a building permit with plans, an energy-code checklist and New Mexico-stamped truss drawings, priced by valuation. Using the city's valuation figure of $20.13 per square foot for residential roof conversions, a 1,500 square foot conversion is $30,195: Table 112-A gives $391.75 + 6 x $10.10 = $452.35; x 0.50 for a one- or two-family home = $226.18 permit + $147.01 plan review = $373.19.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Tear-off and new shingles, same structure | Re-roof permit, $70 | Table 112-G residential; express same-day permit if no truss repairs. |
| Second layer of shingles over the old | Re-roof permit, $70 | All re-roofs require a permit and inspection; the city's minimum slope for asphalt shingles is 2:12. |
| Flat roof recoat or new membrane | Re-roof permit, $70 | Re-roof at any slope; built-up or membrane roofs need at least 1/4:12. |
| Patching a leak or replacing a few shingles under $1,000 | No permit | UAC 109.2.1 exempts repairs under $1,000 in valuation. |
| Re-roof with truss or rafter repairs | Building permit, not express | Express applies only to re-roofs without truss repairs; structural repair needs plans and review. |
| Converting a flat roof to pitched | Building permit + plan review, about $373 | Valuation-based; energy checklist, NM-stamped trusses and a load-path wall section required. |
| Roof-mounted solar with the re-roof | Separate solar permit | Roof-mounted solar under 50 kW is its own express permit; a separate electrical permit applies. |
Who can pull a roofing permit in Albuquerque?
A New Mexico CID-licensed contractor, or the owner of a home they live in. The city's Homeowner's Affidavit has a box for I plan to remodel, repair or re-roof a home owned and occupied by me, so a homeowner re-roof permit exists, but with limits: the affidavit allows no more than one homeowner's permit to the same owner in a 12-month period, and the state permit rule says single-scope projects such as roofing are not eligible for a homeowner's permit if the work is subcontracted rather than done by the homeowner personally or with W-2 employees. If a roofer does the work, the roofer pulls the permit. Homes leased to others always need a licensed contractor's permit.
What does the inspection involve?
One inspection, after the installation is complete. The UAC allows a certified building inspector to review photos captured by a drone operator, with a second on-site inspection if needed. Request it through ABQ-PLAN or at 505-924-3320; the permit expires if no inspection is requested within 180 days of issuance, and a missed or failed visit costs a $47 re-inspection fee. Working without the permit costs an investigation fee equal to the permit fee and can draw a stop work order.
How to Get a Roof Replacement Permit in Albuquerque
Classify the job
A repair under $1,000 needs no permit; a full replacement or recover is a re-roof; truss or rafter work or a roof conversion is a building permit with plans.
Decide who pulls it
Your roofing contractor applies under its NM CID license; you can apply as owner-occupant only if you do the work yourself, with the notarized Homeowner's Affidavit.
Apply in ABQ-PLAN
Choose the residential re-roof express permit, describe the roof and materials, and pay the $70 fee; the permit is issued the same day.
Install the roof
Keep the permit on site and follow the material minimum slopes; a roof-mounted solar or electrical change is a separate permit.
Request the final inspection
Schedule the re-roof inspection through your ABQ-PLAN dashboard or 505-924-3320 within 180 days; the inspector may review drone photos of the finished roof.