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13 permits · verified 2026-10-12

What permits do you need to open a contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm?

In short

A contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm, NM has 1 permit that applies to every business of this type, plus 12 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. New Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $50 one-time filing for the articles of organization (llc). 9 of the 13 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-12 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Fire Protection Contractor Credential Filing (sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression, extinguishers)only if it applies to youSan Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's OfficeOrdinance 6 §§105.6.1, 904.1.2 and 906.2.2 list the documents to be provided and state no fee for the filing; plan review and inspection fees for the work follow the Fire Department fee schedule.kept current (the ordinance asks for current certifications and current proof of liability insurance)2026-10-12
Contractor Licenseonly if it applies to youNew Mexico Construction Industries Division, Regulation and Licensing Department$30 non-refundable application fee, plus $100 a year for the GA-98, GB-2, GB-98, GF-98, EE-98 and MM-98 classifications or $50 a year for othersone year, or two years at double the annual fee2026-10-09

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

Local permits that apply to every type of business in San Juan County Nm

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
County Business Registration (unincorporated San Juan County)San Juan County Community Development DepartmentVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageannual; 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 youSan Juan County Community Development DepartmentVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageper project2026-10-12
Fire Department Plan Review (construction, fire protection systems, commercial cooking hoods)only if it applies to youSan Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's OfficeVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageone-time, per plan review2026-10-12
Building Permit and Building Plan Review (commercial construction and alterations)only if it applies to youSan Juan County Community Development, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageexpires one year from issuance; may be extended one year by renewing before expiration for half the original permit fee2026-10-12
Electrical Permitonly if it applies to youSan Juan County Community Development, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageper permit2026-10-12
Plumbing and Gas Piping Permitonly if it applies to youSan Juan County Community Development, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageper permit2026-10-12
Mechanical Permit (heating, cooling, gas piping, Type I hoods)only if it applies to youSan Juan County Community Development, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the San Juan County Nm pageper permit2026-10-12

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

NM registrations that apply to every type of business

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to youNew Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionVaries — formula on the NM pageperpetual, but a biennial report is due every two years2026-10-09
General Business License — State of New Mexico positiononly if it applies to youNew Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionNo feenot applicable2026-10-09
Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to youNew Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division$50 one-time filingperpetual — the LLC fee section lists no annual or biennial report2026-10-09
Corporate Biennial Reportonly if it applies to youNew Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division$25 every two years; filing late adds a $200 penaltybiennial — due on or before the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the tax year2026-10-09

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

How much does it actually cost to permit a contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 13 records listed for a contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm, NM, 1 apply to every business of this type and 12 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

9 of the 13 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 1 has no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Fire Protection Contractor Credential Filing (sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression, extinguishers): Ordinance 6 §§105.6.1, 904.1.2 and 906.2.2 list the documents to be provided and state no fee for the filing; plan review and inspection fees for the work follow the Fire Department fee schedule.

The other 8 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the San Juan County Nm permits page and the NM state page.

Which offices issue these permits in San Juan County Nm?

Permits for a contractor or trade in San Juan County Nm, NM come from 5 separate offices: San Juan County Community Development Department, San Juan County Fire & Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office, San Juan County Community Development, Building Division, New Mexico Secretary of State, Business Services Division, New Mexico Construction Industries Division, Regulation and Licensing Department. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.

What does a contractor or trade need in San Juan County Nm that other businesses do not?

2 of the 2 permits particular to a contractor or trade here apply to no other business type we cover in San Juan County Nm: Fire Protection Contractor Credential Filing (sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression, extinguishers) and Contractor License.

Fire Protection Contractor Credential Filing (sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression, extinguishers)

Ordinance 6 (adopted April 4, 2023) adds filing requirements for fire protection trades working in the unincorporated county, and each list includes a San Juan County Business Registration. A person or company designing, installing, testing or maintaining automatic fire extinguishing systems, fire pumps or standpipes provides current NICET certification, a New Mexico CID MS-12 license with installation under a JS-12 journeyman's card, a Certificate of Fitness Application, training, manufacturer and NFPA certificates, current proof of liability insurance and the County Business Registration (§105.6.1). For automatic fire alarm and detection systems the list is the same with a CID ES-3 license and an ES-3J or EE-98J journeyman's card (the ordinance prints this section also as §105.6.1). For alternative automatic fire extinguishing systems and commercial hood systems, §904.1.2 asks for a CID MS-14J license with a JS-12 journeyman's card, a Certificate of Fitness Application, manufacturer certifications, proof of liability insurance and the County Business Registration. For fire extinguishers, §906.2.2 asks for a Certificate of Fitness Application, the County Business Registration, manufacturer training and certifications, and affidavits that the company can re-service and recharge extinguishers under NFPA 10 and has facilities for low- and high-pressure (hydrostatic) testing, with the DOT re-identification number of the testing facility. The state CID licenses themselves are state records. Contact the Fire Marshal's Office, (505) 334-1180.

Contractor License

Under 14.5.5.8 NMAC, an applicant for an initial license or for any additional classification pays a non-refundable $30 application fee. The basic fee for an initial or renewed license is $100 a year, or $200 for two years, for each GA-98, GB-2, GB-98, GF-98, EE-98 or MM-98 classification, and $50 a year, or $100 for two years, for any other classification. General building work, electrical work and mechanical work are all licensed by the Construction Industries Division under 14.6.6 NMAC: GB-98 (general building) covers residential and commercial buildings and includes the GB-2, GF-5, GF-7 and GS classifications but excludes structures covered by the EE, MM, GA or GF classifications; EE-98 covers residential and commercial electrical work; MM-98 covers mechanical work.

The other 7 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in San Juan County Nm, NM; what each one involves is set out on the San Juan County Nm permits page. The 4 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across NM and are covered on the NM state page.

How does a contractor or trade compare with other businesses in San Juan County Nm?

The closest match is a auto repair shop, which shares 0 of these permits. A contractor or trade also needs Fire Protection Contractor Credential Filing (sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression, extinguishers) and Contractor License. A auto repair shop needs Automotive Repair Shop — MVD Dealer Licensing Covers Vehicle Sales Only (New Mexico), which a contractor or trade does not.

Permits particular to each business type in San Juan County Nm, NM, compared with a contractor or trade
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a contractor or tradeOnly a contractor or trade needsOnly it needs
Auto repair shops1021
Childcare centres1021
Coffee shops2022
Fitness studios0020
Food trucks2022
Restaurants3023
Retail stores1021
Salons and barbers1021
Veterinary clinics1021

Sources

Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the San Juan County Nm permits page and the NM state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Ordinance No. 6, Fire Code (adopted April 4, 2023)San Juan County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-12
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. New Mexico Administrative Code 14.5.5.8 — contractor license fee scheduleNew Mexico Construction Industries Division · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-04
  5. New Mexico Administrative Code 14.6.6 — contractor classifications (compiled)New Mexico State Records Center and Archives · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.