Bolthole Index

Grant County, New Mexico

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Silver City, New Mexico

Town of Silver City is a town in Grant County, New Mexico. Town of Silver City adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Silver City’s rules apply, not the county’s. 6 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 18, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Grant County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Silver City

Town of Silver City’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Silver City town limits.

    • District designation and land-use controls apply under the Town Land Use Code.
    “shows the zoning designation for all properties within the city limits.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Properties inside Silver City town limits.

    • The Town states there are no PUD-designated areas at the time of the page.
    “The Town’s Official Zoning Map (PDF) shows the zoning designation for all properties within the city limits. There are six zones, as follows:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Location or relocation of a manufactured home onto a lot inside Silver City town limits.

    • The application, $25 fee, site plan, location sketch, setback depiction, and lot-corner flags are required.
    • The application must be submitted at least five business days before anticipated delivery.

    moving permit fee: 25 USD · minimum submission timing: >= 5 business days (before anticipated delivery date)

    “This Permit is required prior to moving a mobile, manufactured or modular home onto a lot within Town limits.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land inside Silver City town limits.

    • The cited administrative-subdivision procedure also applies in the Town's ETZ, but this claim is limited to town limits.
    • A survey is required.
    “Required for any division of a single parcel into two parcels”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Town drainage/grading permits; manufactured-home moving permits inside Silver City town limits.

    • Drainage permits are not granted until required items and the fee are paid.
    • Additional drainage-facility and major-arroyo costs appear in the published schedule.

    drainage plan fee: 75 USD (6,000 square feet of impermeable surface or less) · drainage report fee: 300 USD (more than 6,000 square feet of impermeable surface) · manufactured-home moving permit fee: 25 USD

    “Drainage Plan: 6000 sq. ft. impermeable surface or less = $75.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Administrative planning permits and applications inside Silver City town limits.

    • Forms are available for download or from Community Development.
    • This does not establish the process for every type of Town permit.
    “permits and applications, which are processed administratively.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Silver City or Grant County directly.

  • Building permit — General residential construction inside Silver City town limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Silver City town limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Silver City town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Silver City town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Silver City town limits.
17 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Town of Silver City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Grant County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Silver City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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