Building Code & Policy Information
Building Code Information
All submitted plans must conform to the following codes and ordinances. Confirm which code is applicable to your project by contacting the Los Alamos County Building Safety Division, as not every code or portion of code may have been adopted or apply to your project.
Los Alamos County Building Codes & Ordinances
Los Alamos County Building Policies & Interpretations
The Los Alamos County Building Safety Division has established specific policies to clarify procedures and expectations that go beyond the adopted building codes. These policies were developed to address local conditions and ensure consistent application of safety standards throughout the County.
- Acceptance of Approved Fabricators(PDF, 1MB)
- Asbestos - Demolition or Remodel(PDF, 691KB)
- Building Contractor License and Insurance Verification(PDF, 991KB)
- Ceiling Insulation(PDF, 912KB)
- Certificate of Occupancy(PDF, 832KB)
- Expired Permits and Expired Permits Where Work Has Been Covered Without Inspection(PDF, 1MB)
- Fences Over Six Feet in Height(PDF, 608KB)
- Final Inspection(PDF, 1MB)
- Gypsum Board (Drywall Inspection)(PDF, 820KB)
- Large Accessory Structure (Over 200 Square Feet)(PDF, 1MB)
- Permit Intake - Daily Processing of Permits, Notifications, and Tasks(PDF, 886KB)
- Permit Intake - Date Stamping(PDF, 752KB)
- Permit Review Timeframe Policy(PDF, 280KB)
- Permits on Hold(PDF, 852KB)
- Permits Waiting for Payment Pick-up(PDF, 667KB)
- Plan Review(PDF, 1MB)
- Quality Service Goals Policy(PDF, 332KB)
- Roof Covering Inspections(PDF, 1MB)
- Same-Day Processing of Permits, Notifications, and Tasks Policy(PDF, 510KB)
- Scheduling Inspections(PDF, 1MB)
- Sign Requirements(PDF, 921KB)
- Signed Contract Requirement for Commercial Projects(PDF, 538KB)
- Smoke Alarms (Residential)(PDF, 1MB)
- Special Inspector Qualifications(PDF, 758KB)
- Survey Certificate (From Board Survey)(PDF, 914KB)
- Time Limit of Application(PDF, 988KB)
- Truss Submittals(PDF, 879KB)
- Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)(PDF, 528KB)
- Voiding Incomplete Online Permit Applications(PDF, 523KB)
- Window Replacement Inspection(PDF, 913KB)
State of New Mexico Building Code
Depth Notes
- Water line frost depth: 48" deep in Los Alamos Town Site and 36" deep in White Rock
- Sewer: 12” foot below the surface of the ground
- Gas 12” steel and 18” for Polly Ethelene
- Electrical yard line 24” below the surface of the ground
Los Alamos County Fire Code; The Fire Marshal's Office for the 2015 NFPA 1 and 2015 NFPA 101.
Los Alamos County Building Design Loads
The design criteria required by the Chief Building Official in Los Alamos County is listed below. This section has information on climatic and geographic design criteria which designers should meet when designing a building in Los Alamos County. The Climate Zone for The Energy Conservation Code for Los Alamos County is 5B.
| Ground Snow Load |
30 Pounds |
| Wind Speed (mph) |
90 with 3-secondgusts |
| Seismic Design Category |
C |
| Subject to Damage From |
- Weathering-Moderate
- Frost Line Depth- 3' LA, 2' WR
- Termite- Moderate to Heavy
|
| Winter Design Temp |
10 |
| Ice Barrier Underlayment Required on shingled roofs |
Yes |
| Flood Hazards |
September 1987 |
| Air Freezing Index |
650 |
| Mean Annual Temp |
48.5 |
The International Code Council provides public access to its published codes including building codes adopted in the state of New Mexico in the public access portion of its I-Codes website.