10 published records
Business licenses and permits in San Juan County, New Mexico
San Juan County, New Mexico; county seat the City of Aztec, with county offices on South Oliver Drive, Aztec; population 120,817 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). Food service permits, contractor licenses, salon, childcare and veterinary licensing and the state liquor license are New Mexico state functions recorded at state level. The county's own layer applies in the unincorporated area: Community Development registers businesses under Ordinance 95 (2024), which charges no registration fee and routes each new registration to San Juan County Fire & Rescue for a possible fire inspection; the Fire Marshal's Office inspects premises and reviews fire protection plans at the Fire Department's fee schedule; the Building Division issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits under Ordinance 9; the Floodplain Administrator issues Floodplain Use Permits under Ordinance 58; and the County Clerk issues the county liquor license for establishments selling alcohol in the unincorporated area. Ordinance 95 §4 limits the registration to the unincorporated areas and excludes Indian reservation land beyond county jurisdiction. The incorporated municipalities are the cities of Farmington, Aztec and Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland; each is a separate government, and a business inside one applies to that city or town for its own business license, liquor license and land-use approvals, which stack on the state requirements.
What are you opening in San Juan County?
- RestaurantsFull-service restaurants carry the densest permit load of any small business: food, fire, occupancy, waste, and usually alcohol.See the full permit list
- Coffee shopsCafés are permitted as food service establishments even where no cooking happens, and the plan review step catches most operators by surprise.See the full permit list
- Retail storesRetail is the lightest common permit load, but the sales tax permit and the certificate of occupancy are non-negotiable in every jurisdiction.See the full permit list
- Salons and barbersPersonal care is licensed at state board level as well as locally, so the shop license and the practitioner licenses are separate obligations.See the full permit list
- Food trucksMobile food is the one category with no certificate of occupancy — but it gains a commissary agreement, and the unit itself is inspected rather than the premises.See the full permit list
- Fitness studiosPrepaid memberships trigger state registration and often a surety bond, which catches operators who budgeted only for the fit-out.See the full permit list
- Childcare centresThe heaviest permit load of any small business: state agency licensing, per-person background checks, and a stricter fire standard than ordinary commercial use.See the full permit list
- Contractors and tradesLicensed at state board level rather than locally, and the only common category with no premises permits at all — the bond is usually the long pole.See the full permit list
- Auto repair shopsOrdinary commercial permitting plus an environmental layer: waste oil, solvents and stormwater are each registered separately.See the full permit list
- Veterinary clinicsA state facility permit, controlled substances registration at both state and federal level, and a medical waste manifest — none of which a general business license covers.See the full permit list
Permits that apply to every type of business in San Juan County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Business Registration (unincorporated San Juan County) | San Juan County Community Development Department | Ordinance 95 §6(4): "No registration fee shall be charged." A $10 late fee is imposed when a business does not register before it commences business or does not renew before March 1 (§10). | annual; renew before March 1 each year (§9); a new business files within 30 days after it commences business (§7) | 2026-10-12 |
| Floodplain Use Permit (conditional: development in a mapped floodplain)only if it applies to you | San Juan County Community Development Department | The county's Floodplain Management page lists Floodplain Permits among the services that "San Juan County Floodplain Management provides the following free services". | per project | 2026-10-12 |
| Fire Inspection (business registration and annual life fire safety inspection)only if it applies to you | San Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office | $40–$155 per inspection, by floor area: 0-3,000 sq ft $40.00; 3,001-6,000 sq ft $80.00; 6,001-9,000 sq ft $105.00; 9,001-12,000 sq ft $130.00; over 12,000 sq ft $155.00; plus a $40.00 administration fee on all inspections, permits and plan reviews; re-inspection $75.00 (the initial inspection includes 1 re-inspection) | annual (the schedule marks the inspection and administration fees as recurring on an annual basis) | 2026-10-12 |
| Fire Department Plan Review (construction, fire protection systems, commercial cooking hoods)only if it applies to you | San Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office | Plan review $100.00 initial submittal and $100.00 resubmittal (the initial review includes 1 resubmittal); commercial cooking hood plan $50.00 per system; automatic sprinkler plans $75.00 (0-10,000 sq ft), $125.00 (10,001-52,000 sq ft), $125.00 each additional 52,000 sq ft or fraction; fire alarm plans $75.00 (0-10,000 sq ft), $125.00 (10,000-25,000 sq ft), $125.00 each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction; special extinguishing system plans $50.00 per 5,000 sq ft or fraction; standpipe plans $50.00 for 4 outlets plus $50.00 each additional outlet; plus the $40.00 administration fee. | one-time, per plan review | 2026-10-12 |
| Building Permit and Building Plan Review (commercial construction and alterations)only if it applies to you | San Juan County Community Development, Building Division | Building permit fee: valuation of project x .005; building plan review fee: valuation of project x .0012, in addition to the permit fee. Valuation uses the latest ICC Building Valuation Data for new buildings and additions, and the contract price for alterations and repairs; re-inspection $75.00. | expires one year from issuance; may be extended one year by renewing before expiration for half the original permit fee | 2026-10-12 |
| Electrical Permitonly if it applies to you | San Juan County Community Development, Building Division | $60–$1,275 electric service by amperage: under 100 amps $60 minimum; 100-200 A $85; 201-400 A $275; 401-600 A $375; 601-800 A $475; 801-1000 A $575; 1001-2000 A $800; over 2000 A $1,275; plus commercial feeder and branch circuits $0.06 per sq ft heated, temporary power pole $25 each, communication systems $25 each, miscellaneous inspections $25 each, and a $40 administrative fee; re-inspection $75.00 | per permit | 2026-10-12 |
| Plumbing and Gas Piping Permitonly if it applies to you | San Juan County Community Development, Building Division | Commercial DWV and water distribution $0.06 per sq ft heated; gas piping system $40 each with yard line, $30 each without; water heater $10 each; backflow device $5 (up to 1 inch), $10 (1 to 3 inch), $15 (3 inch and up) each; water service line $10 (up to 1 inch), $15 (1 1/4 inch and up) each; sewer or building drain $10 each; medical gas system $0.05 per sq ft heated; plus a $40 administrative fee; re-inspection $75.00. | per permit | 2026-10-12 |
| Mechanical Permit (heating, cooling, gas piping, Type I hoods)only if it applies to you | San Juan County Community Development, Building Division | Commercial heating and cooling distribution $0.06 per sq ft heated; heating or cooling unit $10 for the first unit and $5 each additional; combo unit $20 for the first and $10 each additional; Type I hood $20 each; gas piping system $40 each with yard line, $30 each without; plus a $40 administrative fee; re-inspection $75.00. | per permit | 2026-10-12 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
What do these permits involve in San Juan County?
County Business Registration (unincorporated San Juan County)
Ordinance 95, as restated and adopted by the San Juan County Commission on July 23, 2024 (recorded July 24, 2024), applies in the unincorporated areas of the county and excludes Indian reservation land beyond county jurisdiction (§4). Under §6(1) it is unlawful for anyone required by New Mexico law to hold a BTIN to do business within the County without registering, and §7 requires a County Business Registration form for each outlet, branch, location or place of business in the unincorporated areas; a person starting business after March 1 files within thirty days after starting. The ordinance itself sets the charges: §6(4) reads "No registration fee shall be charged." and §10 imposes a $10 late fee on a business that does not register before it commences business or renew before March 1. Renewal is due before March 1 each year for each place of business (§9); a registration is not transferable (§11); and the certificate of registration must be prominently displayed at the place of business (§12). Under §8 each initial application goes to San Juan County Fire & Rescue, which may inspect a business open to the public or with employees on the premises, and no registration is issued until the Fire Department clears the location (see the fire inspection record). §6(4) also states that a business licensed by the county, such as one licensed to sell liquor, needs no separate registration, the county license serving in lieu of it, and §6(5) exempts garage and yard sales of less than 3 consecutive days, vendors at flea markets and farmers markets (but not their operators) and roadside sellers of fruits and vegetables. The county's Business Registration page states that a business located in a municipality, such as a construction company, that offers its services outside that municipality in the county must register, while a beauty salon or retail store in a municipality serving customers only at its own location does not; food trucks and contractors working in the unincorporated county fall in the first group. Registrations and renewals are filed online through the county registration portal; contact Community Development at businessreg@sjcounty.net, 505-334-4550 or 505-333-3129.
Floodplain Use Permit (conditional: development in a mapped floodplain)
Ordinance 58 states: "A Floodplain Use Permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this ordinance" and "No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without a Floodplain Use Permit and full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations." The 2021 amendment (adopted April 6, 2021) names the Community Development Director as Floodplain Administrator. The permit applies to building in, altering or changing the use of land in a special flood hazard area in the unincorporated county; a business building outside a mapped special flood hazard area has no Floodplain Use Permit. On the fee, the county's Floodplain Management page states: "San Juan County Floodplain Management provides the following free services: Floodplain Permits can be obtained by contacting the Floodplain Manager at 505-334-4550 ex: 3". The county's commercial building permit application lists Flood Plain approval among its requirements, and the Community Development page gives (505) 334-4719 for floodplain permits.
Fire Inspection (business registration and annual life fire safety inspection)
Ordinance 95 §8 sends every initial business registration application to San Juan County Fire & Rescue, which may conduct a fire inspection; it states that "A fire inspection shall only be required for businesses that are open to the general public on their premises or that have employees on the premises", that no registration is issued until the Fire Department determines the location needs no inspection or meets the fire code, and that a temporary registration may be issued while the location is brought up to code. Under §9 the Fire Department may also inspect before renewal. The fees are from the San Juan County Fire Department fee schedule, "Approved by the San Juan County Commission on June 6, 2011", linked as the inspection fees from the Fire Marshal's Office page; Ordinance 6 (adopted April 4, 2023) §107.2.1 makes "San Juan County Fire Department's fee schedule for inspections, plans review, and permits" the established schedule, and its §108 adds that all inspections subject the owner or operator to the inspection fees. The schedule charges a $40.00 administration fee on all inspections, permits and plan reviews, an inspection fee by floor area from $40.00 (0-3,000 sq ft) to $155.00 (over 12,000 sq ft), and $75.00 per re-inspection after the one included with the initial inspection; it states that the items printed in red, which include the administration and inspection fees, recur on an annual basis. The fire code applies outside incorporated municipalities and Indian reservation areas beyond county jurisdiction (Ordinance 6 §202). To schedule a life fire safety inspection the Fire Marshal's page gives (505) 334-1180 and asks for 7-10 days for scheduling.
Fire Department Plan Review (construction, fire protection systems, commercial cooking hoods)
Ordinance 6 (adopted April 4, 2023) adopts the International Fire Code for the unincorporated county and keeps construction permits for automatic fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm and detection systems, fire pumps, gates and barricades across fire apparatus access roads, smoke control systems and standpipe systems (§105.6). The figures are from the San Juan County Fire Department fee schedule approved by the County Commission on June 6, 2011, which Ordinance 6 §107.2.1 makes the established schedule and which the Fire Marshal's Office page links as its inspection fees; the schedule marks plan review fees as a one-time fee per review. A restaurant or coffee shop installing a commercial cooking hood pays the $50.00 per-system hood plan fee, and a building project pays the $100.00 plan review fee, each with the $40.00 administration fee. The county Building Department page lists Fire Department inspections as "Applicable to Commercial Construction Only". Contact the Fire Marshal's Office, 209 South Oliver Drive, Aztec, (505) 334-1180.
Building Permit and Building Plan Review (commercial construction and alterations)
Ordinance 9 adopts the New Mexico Construction Codes, including subsequent amendments, and requires a permit for regulated work (§5). The figures are as published on the county Building Department page: "Building Permit Fee: valuation of project x .005" and "Building Plan Review Fee: valuation of project x .0012", the plan review fee applying to buildings that require an architect's or engineer's seal; project valuations use the latest Building Valuation Data published by the International Code Council for new buildings or additions, and the contract price inclusive of all work for alterations and repairs that do not change the occupancy classification. Ordinance 9 §5.1 provides that the fee schedule is printed and available at the Office of the County Building Official; that adopted schedule is not published on the county website. The commercial application sets a $75 re-inspection fee and states "ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE", and lists Flood Plain approval among its requirements. The page's FAQ states that permits expire one year from issuance and may be extended for a further year by renewing before expiration for half the original permit fee. All commercial projects require a contractor licensed by the NM Construction Industries Division. The county Building Department page states that it provides information on the building and permitting process "in the unincorporated areas of San Juan County and also includes the City of Aztec and the City of Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland"; the City of Farmington is not named. A business in one of those communities confirms with the Building Division and the municipality which office issues its permit. San Juan County Community Development, Building Division, (505) 334-4313; inspections are scheduled a day in advance at the same number.
Electrical Permit
An electrical permit covers new, addition and remodel electrical work. The county's Electrical Permit Application prints the fees: electric service by amperage from the $60 minimum for services under 100 amps through $85 (100-200 A), $275 (201-400 A), $375 (401-600 A), $475 (601-800 A), $575 (801-1000 A) and $800 (1001-2000 A) to $1,275 over 2000 A; commercial feeder and branch circuits at $0.06 per square foot of heated area; a temporary power pole $25 each; communication systems $25 each; solar PV systems $25 per kW for the first 160 kW and $5 per kW after; and miscellaneous inspections $25 each. The figures are printed on the county's permit application forms (each marked "Revised 04/11/2023"), which are linked from the county Building Department page. Each form adds a $40 administrative fee, sets a $75.00 re-inspection fee and states "PERMIT FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE". Ordinance 9 §5.1 provides that the fee schedule is printed and available at the Office of the County Building Official; that adopted schedule is not published on the county website, and the application forms are the county's published statement of the amounts. The county Building Department page states that it provides information on the building and permitting process "in the unincorporated areas of San Juan County and also includes the City of Aztec and the City of Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland"; the City of Farmington is not named. A business in one of those communities confirms with the Building Division and the municipality which office issues its permit. San Juan County Community Development, Building Division, (505) 334-4313; inspections are scheduled a day in advance at the same number.
Plumbing and Gas Piping Permit
A plumbing permit covers drain, waste and vent piping, water distribution, gas piping, water heaters, backflow devices and service lines in new, addition and remodel work. The county's Plumbing Permit Application prints the fees: commercial DWV and water distribution at $0.06 per square foot of heated area; gas piping (new or replacement) $40 each with a yard line or $30 each without; water heaters $10 each; backflow devices $5, $10 or $15 each by size; water service lines $10 or $15 each by size; sewer or building drains $10 each; and medical gas systems at $0.05 per square foot of heated area. A gas reconnect test only is charged the administrative fee. The figures are printed on the county's permit application forms (each marked "Revised 04/11/2023"), which are linked from the county Building Department page. Each form adds a $40 administrative fee, sets a $75.00 re-inspection fee and states "PERMIT FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE". Ordinance 9 §5.1 provides that the fee schedule is printed and available at the Office of the County Building Official; that adopted schedule is not published on the county website, and the application forms are the county's published statement of the amounts. The county Building Department page states that it provides information on the building and permitting process "in the unincorporated areas of San Juan County and also includes the City of Aztec and the City of Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland"; the City of Farmington is not named. A business in one of those communities confirms with the Building Division and the municipality which office issues its permit. San Juan County Community Development, Building Division, (505) 334-4313; inspections are scheduled a day in advance at the same number.
Mechanical Permit (heating, cooling, gas piping, Type I hoods)
A mechanical permit covers heating and cooling distribution, heating, cooling and combination units, gas piping and commercial kitchen Type I hoods in new, addition and remodel work. The county's Mechanical Permit Application prints the fees: commercial heating and cooling distribution at $0.06 per square foot of heated area; heating or cooling units $10 for the first unit and $5 for each additional; combination units $20 for the first and $10 for each additional; Type I hoods $20 each; gas piping (new or replacement) $40 each with a yard line or $30 each without; radiant in-floor systems $10 each; and solar water heating systems $25 each. A restaurant or coffee shop installing a Type I hood also pays the Fire Department's $50 per-system hood plan fee. The figures are printed on the county's permit application forms (each marked "Revised 04/11/2023"), which are linked from the county Building Department page. Each form adds a $40 administrative fee, sets a $75.00 re-inspection fee and states "PERMIT FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE". Ordinance 9 §5.1 provides that the fee schedule is printed and available at the Office of the County Building Official; that adopted schedule is not published on the county website, and the application forms are the county's published statement of the amounts. The county Building Department page states that it provides information on the building and permitting process "in the unincorporated areas of San Juan County and also includes the City of Aztec and the City of Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland"; the City of Farmington is not named. A business in one of those communities confirms with the Building Division and the municipality which office issues its permit. San Juan County Community Development, Building Division, (505) 334-4313; inspections are scheduled a day in advance at the same number.
Sources
Every figure in the table above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.
- Ordinance No. 95, Business Registration (as restated, adopted July 23, 2024)San Juan County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Business RegistrationSan Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Community DevelopmentSan Juan County, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- County OrdinancesSan Juan County, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Floodplain ManagementSan Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Ordinance No. 58, Flood Damage Prevention (restated July 28, 2015; amended April 6, 2021)San Juan County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Commercial building permit applicationSan Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- San Juan County Fire Department fee schedule (approved by the County Commission June 6, 2011)San Juan County Fire & Rescue, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Fire Marshal's OfficeSan Juan County Fire & Rescue, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Ordinance No. 6, Fire Code (adopted April 4, 2023)San Juan County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Building DepartmentSan Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Ordinance No. 9, Building Codes (adopted May 16, 2007; amended February 17, 2009)San Juan County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Electrical Permit Application (Revised 04/11/2023)San Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Plumbing Permit Application (Revised 04/11/2023)San Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
- Mechanical Permit Application (Revised 04/11/2023)San Juan County Community Development, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
Who issues business permits in San Juan County?
Permitting in San Juan County is split across 4 agencies we hold records for, with tax registration handled at state level. No single office issues everything, which is why an opening usually means filing in several places rather than one.
San Juan County issuing agencies
- San Juan County Community Development, Building DivisionBuilding, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, plan review and inspections under Ordinance 9 and the New Mexico Construction Codes; the Building Department page names the unincorporated county, the City of Aztec, the City of Bloomfield and the Town of Kirtland4 permits
- San Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's OfficeLife fire safety inspections, including the inspection tied to a County Business Registration (Ordinance 95 §8), under the county fire code (Ordinance 6, 2021 International Fire Code) in the unincorporated area · Fire protection system plan review and the credential filings Ordinance 6 requires of fire sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression and extinguisher contractors3 permits
- San Juan County Community Development DepartmentCounty Business Registration under Ordinance 95 (2024) for places of business in the unincorporated area of San Juan County · Floodplain Use Permits under Ordinance 58, through the Community Development Director as Floodplain Administrator2 permits
- San Juan County ClerkCounty liquor license for establishments selling alcoholic beverages in the unincorporated areas of San Juan County (NMSA 1978 §7-24-2)1 permit
Other New Mexico jurisdictions we cover
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.