Planning and Regulation Department

Contacts

For information regarding fire codes and reviews, please contact City Fire Marshal 575 885-3125.

Specific Planning and Zoning questions may be directed to Planning and Zoning Director and Certified Floodplain Manager Jeff Patterson or Deputy Director Trysha Ortiz at 575 885-1185.

Should you have questions regarding Drainage and Grading you make contact the Planning and Regulation Department at 575 885-1185.

Information on Utilities such as water/ sewer may be directed to Mike Abell or Wes Nichols with the City of Carlsbad Utilities Department. They can be reached at 575 885-6313.

The electrical serving utility is Xcel Energy and they can be reached at 1 877 354-6395.

Also, the gas serving utility is New Mexico Gas Company and their number is 1 888 664-2726

The local office for the New Mexico Environment Department is 575 885-9023, should you need to contact them. 

City of Carlsbad Self Service

Applications & Forms

Floodplain Development

No fee

Significant portions of the community are located within the Pecos River, Dark Canyon or Hackberry Draw Floodplain as determined by FEMA. The most recent Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) was adopted by the City in June 2010. Any construction within a floodplain requires a Floodplain Development Permit. To find out if a property is located within a floodplain please contact one of the City’s Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs). The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance can be found in Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8.

Floodplain Development Permit Application

Drainage and Grading Permit

Fee: $10.00

For most development, a Drainage and Grading Permit is required PRIOR to grading, paving, excavating, filling or dredging of land within the City. Projects requiring a permit are described in Code of Ordinances, Chapter 56 -150(g).

• Drainage and Grading Permit Application

Zoning and Subdivision

Fee: see below

The City’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 56, regulates zoning and land uses. In general, land uses such as offices, retail businesses and restaurants are permitted in commercial zones and houses, apartments and agricultural uses are permitted in residential zones. Chapter 47, regulates the subdivision of land and infrastructure improvements. In general, subdivisions require review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

  Zoning and Subdivision Documents

Zoning Fees

• Map or Text Amendment $100.00
• Conditional Use Permit $50.00
• Appeals $50.00
• Subdivision Fees: Summary process: $50.00
• Preliminary Plat: 1-7 lots $150.00 +$2.00/lot
• 8 or more lots $300.00+$3.00/lot
• Final Plat: no fee

Code Enforcement

No fee

The City’s Code Enforcement team is responsible for investigating reports of Code violations such as weeds, debris, illegal dumping, non-permitted land uses, business registrations, nuisance properties, inoperable vehicles, among others. To report a possible violation, contact a Code Enforcement Officer at 575-885-1185.

Other Items Requiring a Permit

• Dances: $25.00 if entry fee charged/no fee if entry fee not charged
• Parades: No fee
• Temporary Uses (garage sales/parking lot sales): $10.00
• Home Occupations: requires a business registration and may require a conditional use permit
• Special License: $25.00 for solicitors, $50.00 for Fighting or Wrestling exhibition or contest, $100 per day for Carnival or Circus, $250 for Pawnbroker, $10.00 for all others

Contact our office for additional information on applications, permits, forms and fees 575-885-1185.

Fee: $35.00/year

In the interest of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of its citizens, the City of Carlsbad actively encourages and monitors business activities within the city limits. These activities are governed by Code of Ordinances, Chapter 28. All persons conducting business are required to register each outlet, branch or location within the city annually. Registration renewal is required at the beginning of each calendar year. A Temporary (10-day) Business Registration is available for non-regular businesses participating in special events. The business registration form can be mailed, faxed or delivered in person to the department staff.

In lieu of a business registration, some uses, such as carnivals, pawnbrokers, farmers markets, door-to-door solicitation, dances and parades may require a business license or special permit. The Business Registration, Business License and other special permit forms may be mailed, faxed or delivered in person to the Department staff. Business License or Special Permit Fee: varies

 Business Registration Permits & Applications

Welcome to the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico! On this page you will find links to maps, which you may use as a reference for various information about the community. Visit the following links for more information.

• Community Information Map
• City Council Ward Map (Wards 1-4)

Directions for Use of the map

To view map layers:

Zoom:

Zoom in/out by rolling your mouse wheel forward/backward or use the +- icons in the upper left corner of the map.

Turn layers Off/On:

Click the paper stack "Layers" icon in the upper right corner of the map and use the eye icon to turn layers off/on.

View the legend:

Click the bullet list “Legend” icon located in the upper right corner of the map and scroll through the legend items using the arrows on the bottom of the list.

Note:

Some layers only display at certain zoom levels so you may need to zoom in/out to make them visible.

IMPORTANT:

Maps and data are NOT survey quality, do not guarantee accuracy, and are only to be used as a reference. If you have questions or comments, please contact hnroy@cityofcarlsbadnm.com or call (575) 885-1185.

Short Term Housing Strategy
The short term housing strategy provides a list of potential growth sites for the City of Carlsbad to explore and potentially develop in order to accommodate the growth of the City of Carlsbad.

Final Approved Comprehensive Plan
The City of Carlsbad Comprehensive Plan is the City’s long-range plan which provides elected and appointed officials with a general framework from which to make decisions regarding the long-term growth of the community. The current plan was adopted by the City Council in January, 2020 (Res. 2020-05).

Greater Carlsbad Housing Analysis & Strategic Plan
The Greater Carlsbad Housing Analysis & Strategic Plan was adopted in 2009. The Plan identifies housing issues in the greater Carlsbad area and establishes goals and objectives for providing quality residential development options for area residents. (This plan is currently being updated. The final draft will be available Spring 2015.)

Zoning Ordinance - Chapter 56 Code of Ordinances
The City’s Zoning Ordinance is located in Chapter 56 of the Code of Ordinances and was updated in October 2011 (Ord. 2011-15). The Zoning Ordinance provides regulations that serve to protect the health, safety and general welfare of area residents and land owners. The ordinance regulates land uses, development densities, building setbacks, development standards and temporary and accessory uses. This ordinance has not yet been codified into the City ordinances available at www.municode.com. Please click the link on this page for a current copy.

Subdivision Ordinance - Chapter 47 Code of Ordinances
The City’s Subdivision Ordinance is located in Chapter 47 of the Code of Ordinances and was updated in February 2013 (Ord. 2013-05). The Subdivision Ordinance provides regulations that protect the health, safety and general welfare of area residents and land owners. The ordinance regulates the subdivision and platting of land, subdivision infrastructure, improvements and design.

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance - Chapter 8, Article 5 Code of Ordinances
The City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance is located in Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances. The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions. The Pecos River, Hackberry Draw and Dark Canyon are the three primary flood hazard sources within the City. The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are utilized together to determine the community’s flood hazard risk. All properties located within the floodplain are subject to this ordinance.

Ordinances, Regulations, and Publications Documents