Bolthole Index

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Chama, New Mexico

Village of Chama is a village in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Village of Chama adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Village of Chama’s rules apply, not the county’s. 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 11, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Rio Arriba County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Chama

Village of Chama’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Chama village limits

    • Many applications require public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission; zone changes go to the Council.
    • The Zoning Code Book PDF itself could not be opened, so its text is not quoted.
    “receives applications for all types of zoning actions: subdivisions, building permits, site development plans, flood zone determinations, variances, short-term rental permits, code enforcement and zone map amendments.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts inside Chama village

    • An official zone map and a Zoning Code Book are posted; district text was not opened.
    “village of chama official zone map 2025 206.2 kb”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions inside Chama village

    • Application procedure is in section 3-4.5 of the planning and zoning ordinance book (not opened).
    “receives applications for all types of zoning actions: subdivisions, building permits, site development plans, flood zone determinations, variances, short-term rental permits, code enforcement and zone map amendments.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Chama village

    • Short-term rental permits/licenses exist; Ordinance 2025-02 (vacation rentals) is posted but its terms were not opened.
    “receives applications for all types of zoning actions: subdivisions, building permits, site development plans, flood zone determinations, variances, short-term rental permits, code enforcement and zone map amendments.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Zoning and building applications inside Chama village

    • Procedure is in section 3-4.5 of the ordinance book, which was not opened.
    “for application procedure, please see 3-4.5. of the planning and zoning ordinance book.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Chama or Rio Arriba County directly.

  • Building permit — Chama village
  • Owner-builder exemption — Chama village
  • Building code adopted — Chama village
  • Inspections — Chama village
  • Certificate of occupancy — Chama village
20 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • 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
  • Permit fees

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 Village of Chama publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Rio Arriba County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

← All of Rio Arriba County: county rules, score and offices