Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Artesia, New Mexico
Artesia is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico. Artesia adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Artesia’s rules apply, not the county’s. 7 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 23, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Eddy County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Artesia
Artesia’s own rules
Building permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair and re-roofing of buildings inside Artesia city limits
The city page states the permit requirement under New Mexico Construction Industries Division authority (cited there as sections 60-13-3 and 60-13-45) and the city's own ordinances.
Construction may proceed only after the applicable permit is obtained.
Permit applications are available at the city planning department, 15 E Compress Rd.
Permits may be issued only to licensed contractors or to the homeowner.
“all re-roofs require a building permit and inspections.”
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
Homeowners applying for a building permit for their own residence inside Artesia city limits
Permits may be issued to the homeowner, but the homeowner must meet the New Mexico requirements for homeowner responsibilities for alterations or construction to a residential building (state PDF linked from the city page; not opened).
Permits are not limited to licensed contractors for homeowner applicants.
“permits can be issued only to licensed contractors, or to the homeowner.”
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire-related construction inside Artesia city limits
The city page lists the editions it uses: 2015 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2015 UPC, 2015 UMC, 2020 NEC, 2015 IEBC, 2015 IECC and 2015 USPSH.
Codes are adopted through the New Mexico construction codes and the city's ordinances, as the city page states.
“the city of artesia is under the new mexico construction codes and the city of artesia ordinances.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Artesia city limits: the City of Artesia's own planning and zoning department administers zoning for properties within the city.
The city's code is published with Title 9 'zoning regulations' (American Legal Publishing), but the district-level standards were not opened within the research budget.
Rezoning, use variances, area variances and replats go through the city Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council per the city page.
“all properties within the city of artesia are zoned; for example, single or multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, etc.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdividing or developing land inside Artesia city limits and within the city's one-mile extended platting jurisdiction
The city has a one mile extended platting jurisdiction; subdivisions there must be approved by the city Planning and Zoning Commission even though the property is in Eddy County. Land in that area is outside city limits and is not covered by a city-limits answer.
Replats and right-of-way vacations are handled by the city Planning and Zoning department.
“the city has a one mile extended platting jurisdiction, which subdivisions are required to be approved by the city planning and zoning commission even though the property is located in eddy county.”
Permit feesVariable (with conditions)
Building permits issued by the City of Artesia inside city limits
Fee is based on project valuation and is set after plan review, as the city page states.
The city page links a fee list that was not opened; the schedule amounts are not recorded here.
Fee is the same whether a contractor or homeowner pulls the permit.
fee basis: project valuation (fee amount is set after plan review)
“permit fees are based on the valuation of the project.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Building permit application and review inside Artesia city limits
Applications are obtained online or at the planning department, 15 E Compress Rd.; most projects need a set of drawings with a site plan.
Plan reviews take from two days to several weeks depending on complexity; electronic submittal is allowed for some projects.
Residential and commercial plan checklists are linked from the city page (not opened).
“most projects will require a set of drawings to be submitted with the application, detailing the proposed alterations or construction.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Artesia or Eddy County directly.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings inside Artesia city limits
Zoning districts — Zoning district list for Artesia city limits
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in residential districts inside Artesia city limits
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for the main single-family residential district inside Artesia city limits
Setbacks — Front, side and rear setbacks for the main single-family residential district inside Artesia city limits
17 more unanswered
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Artesia publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Eddy County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Artesia means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
