The Contractor Trade Permit Process is a one-page flow chart from the City of Albuquerque that shows the steps a contractor follows to obtain an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit. It runs from the online or emailed application, through review by a Planning Assistant and a Plan Reviewer, to payment of permit fees and issuance. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the permit application itself is made through the City's channels described below, and the original chart is published by the City at cabq.gov.
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What is Contractor Trade Permit Process – Albuquerque, NM?
The Contractor Trade Permit Process is the City of Albuquerque flow chart that lays out, step by step, how a contractor gets an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit, from submitting the application to receiving the issued permit.
The chart starts with the question "Do you need an Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical permit?" and then follows this order: the contractor fills out an online permit application or submits it via email; a Planning Assistant reviews the submitted application; plans and drawings are reviewed and approved or denied by a Plan Reviewer; if corrections are needed, the online system notifies the contractor, who submits the corrections online; once no corrections are required, or they have been made, the contractor pays the permit fees; the permit is issued. A note on the chart says the permit must be kept on site at all times.
The City of Albuquerque Planning Department publishes the chart on its Building Safety Division permits page, which describes a permit as an official approval from the City. That page lists separate flow charts for the Homeowner Building Permit Process, Homeowner Trade Permit Process and Contractor Building Permit Process. This chart covers only the contractor trade permit path. It is a guide to the process, not an application: the permit request itself is made online or by email.
Who needs to file Contractor Trade Permit Process – Albuquerque, NM?
Licensed contractors who will perform electrical, plumbing or mechanical work in Albuquerque follow this process to request the trade permit for that work. The City's permits page says that for all homes leased or rented to others, a licensed contractor is required to obtain a permit for work performed.
Types of work that call for a trade permit, according to the City:
- Electrical permit: installing an appliance, device, equipment or wiring, and additions, alterations or replacements in existing appliances, devices, wiring or equipment.
- Plumbing/mechanical permit: heating or cooling, exhaust hoods, bathroom or kitchen piping, equipment or ductwork, house sewer or water service outside the structure, and water heaters.
Installing equipment or ductwork and installing a water heater can only be done by a licensed contractor.
Homeowners doing their own work follow a different path, shown in the City's Homeowner Trade Permit Process chart. The City says an electrical or plumbing permit may be issued to a homeowner who passes a written exam with a score of 75% or greater; if the homeowner cannot reach that score, a contractor must request the permit. Walls, fences, re-roofing, PV solar systems and additions fall under building permits, not this trade process.
When to file Contractor Trade Permit Process – Albuquerque, NM
Request the trade permit before work begins: the City's permits page says it is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to ensure all required permits have been obtained before beginning work. Neither the flow chart nor the permits page sets a calendar deadline for trade permits.
The chart shows the order of events after you apply. Corrections requested by the reviewers are submitted online, and permit fees are paid only when no corrections are required or after they have been made. The permit is issued after payment. The chart gives no processing time.
Starting on May 30, 2025, the Building Safety permit counter is closed every Friday from 7:30 am to 11:30 am. The City says this does not affect access to the ABQ-PLAN permitting portal, inspection scheduling or permit applications.
Documents you need
- Plans and drawings for the work, submitted with the application so the Plan Reviewer can approve or deny them.
- All required documents for the specific permit type, submitted with the application; the City says the first step is submitting the application and all required documents for the correct permit.
- Corrections to the application or plans, submitted online, when the system notifies you that corrections are needed.
How to fill out Contractor Trade Permit Process – Albuquerque, NM
Confirm you need a trade permit
Start from the chart's question: do you need an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit? Check the City's list of work that requires each type before you apply.
Choose the permit type
Select an electrical permit or a plumbing/mechanical permit according to the work. Walls, fences, re-roofing, PV solar systems and additions need a building permit instead.
Submit the application online or by email
The contractor fills out the online permit application in ABQ-PLAN or submits it via email, with plans and drawings and all required documents for the permit.
Wait for Planning Assistant review
A Planning Assistant reviews the submitted application. Plans and drawings are then reviewed and approved or denied by a Plan Reviewer.
Watch for correction notices
If corrections are needed, the online system sends a notification to the contractor. If none are needed, go straight to payment.
Submit corrections online
Return the requested corrections through the online system. Once they have been made, the process moves to payment.
Pay the permit fees
When no corrections are required, or after they have been made, the contractor pays the permit fees. Ask the Building Safety Division for current fees.
Receive the permit and keep it on site
The permit is issued after payment. The chart's note says the permit must be kept on site at all times.
Review and download the PDF
Check the sequence against your project, then download or print the PDF from FillingPDF. The application itself is made through ABQ-PLAN, by email or in person as described under How to submit.
How to submit Contractor Trade Permit Process – Albuquerque, NM
The City of Albuquerque takes contractor trade permit applications online, by email, or in person with a Permit Technician.
- Online: apply through the ABQ-PLAN permitting portal, which the City's permits page at https://www.cabq.gov/planning/building-safety-division/permits links to. You can submit applications, upload plans, review comments, make payments and track applications there with no visit to the offices.
- By email: the flow chart says the contractor may submit the application via email. It prints no email address, so ask the Building Safety Division at 505-924-3320 for the correct one.
- In person: a Permit Technician helps at Plaza Del Sol. Trade permits are handled 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 505-924-3320. The City asks you to call to schedule an appointment if you need individual attention. The counter is closed Friday mornings from 7:30 to 11:30 as noted above.
Corrections are sent to you by the online system and returned online. Permit fees are paid after the review is complete; the chart gives no amount, so ask the Building Safety Division for current fees. Keep the issued permit on site at all times. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting electrical, plumbing or mechanical work before the permit has been obtained; the City puts that responsibility on the homeowner or contractor.
- Paying permit fees before the review is finished; the chart places payment after the application is approved or corrections are made.
- Not keeping the issued permit on site at all times, as the chart's note requires.
- Sending corrections some way other than online; the chart says the contractor submits corrections online.
- Using this contractor chart for owner-performed work; homeowners have a separate Homeowner Trade Permit Process.
- Having someone other than a licensed contractor install equipment, ductwork or a water heater; the City says that work can only be completed by a licensed contractor.
- Planning to visit the permit counter on a Friday morning; it is closed from 7:30 am to 11:30 am every Friday since May 30, 2025.
- Asking someone other than the permit owner to cancel a permit; only the person who applied for and pulled it can cancel it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Contractor Trade Permit Process?
It is a City of Albuquerque flow chart showing how a contractor obtains an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit: application, Planning Assistant review, Plan Reviewer decision, corrections if needed, payment of permit fees and issuance of the permit.
How do I apply for a contractor trade permit in Albuquerque?
Apply online through the ABQ-PLAN portal, submit the application via email as the flow chart allows, or get help in person from a Permit Technician at Plaza Del Sol. For the email address or an appointment, call the Building Safety Division at 505-924-3320.
Do I need a licensed contractor to install a water heater in Albuquerque?
Yes. The City's permits page says that installing a water heater requires a plumbing/mechanical permit and that the work can only be completed by a licensed contractor. The same applies to installing equipment or ductwork.
What happens if my trade permit application needs corrections?
The online system sends a notification to the contractor, who submits the corrections online. Permit fees are paid only when no corrections are required or after the corrections have been made, and then the permit is issued.
Where must the issued permit be kept?
On site, at all times. The flow chart carries this as a note beneath the final step, so keep the permit at the work location while the work is under way.
Can a homeowner use the contractor trade permit process?
No. Homeowners have their own Homeowner Trade Permit Process. The City says a homeowner may be issued an electrical or plumbing permit after passing a written exam with a score of 75% or greater; otherwise a contractor must request the permit.
What are the Building Safety hours for trade permits?
Trade permits are handled 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 505-924-3320. Since May 30, 2025, the permit counter is closed every Friday from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, but ABQ-PLAN and applications remain available.
Can I fill out the Contractor Trade Permit Process on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Albuquerque and does not submit permit applications; you apply through ABQ-PLAN, by email or in person.
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