Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-12
9 of New Mexico's 33 counties — 27% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 31st-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is San Miguel County (52/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → New Mexico: no zoning → New Mexico: tiny homes → Full New Mexico profile →
9 of 33 New Mexico counties · sorted by Index score
New Mexico allows a homeowner permit (NMSA 60-13-3 / NMAC 14.5.2.18) so an owner may build or alter their own single-family primary residence without a contractor license, provi…
NMAC 14.5.2.18 Homeowner's Permit ↗New Mexico's CID Homeowner's Permit (N.M.A.C. 14.5.2.18) lets an owner build or alter their own primary single-family residence without a contractor's license, provided the owne…
N.M.A.C. 14.5.2.18 - Homeowner's Permit ↗If the home is the owner's principal residence, a homeowner's permit may be obtained to construct or alter the residence without a contractor's license (permit still required, a…
San Juan County Building Department ↗New Mexico's CID issues homeowner permits allowing owners to perform and permit work on their own residence.
NM RLD Construction Industries FAQ ↗New Mexico offers a homeowner's permit (14.5.2.18 NMAC; NMSA 60-13-11) letting an owner build or alter their primary residence without a contractor license, though trades still …
14.5.2.18 NMAC - Homeowner's Permit ↗NM allows a homeowner's permit (14.5.2.18 NMAC under NMSA 60-13-3) to construct or alter a primary residence without a contractor license, with the owner performing the major po…
N.M. Admin. Code 14.5.2.18 Homeowner's Permit ↗New Mexico exempts a homeowner building or improving their own residence from contractor licensing (NMSA 60-13-3), and Bernalillo County allows homeowners to install simple conv…
Bernalillo County - Homeowner Projects & Permits ↗The county provides CID Homeowner Permit instructions, indicating a homeowner/owner-builder permit path is available for residents building on their own property.
Torrance County - CID Home Owner Permit Instructions ↗New Mexico CID offers a homeowner building permit allowing owners to build/work on their own residence (permit still required); NMED also allows homeowners to install simple con…
NM CID Forms and Applications (Homeowner Building Permit) ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the New Mexico state page for all 33 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
