New Mexico

The New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act of 1978 established requirements for all building trades contractors to be licensed and certified to ensure that compliance with the state codes is, to the maximum extent possible, uniform in application, procedure, and enforcement. This Act has been updated periodically since 1978, most recently by amendments in December 1998. New Mexico has adopted the ICBO Uniform Building Code for several years. The most recent code adopted was the 1997 Uniform Building Code. Amendments to the 1992 MEC allow an amount equal to 1% if the conditioned floor area to be applied as skylights with no requirement to include them in the roof/ceiling U-value calculations. The state energy code contains statewide mandatory minimum requirements that local jurisdictions must adopt and enforce. Local jurisdictions must obtain approval from the State Construction Industries Commission to adopt more restrictive amendments. All new residential and commercial buildings and additions to existing buildings that are heated and/or mechanically cooled are required to comply with the minimum code requirements. Historical buildings are exempt. The state will concentrate on trying to adopt the IECC 2000 this year or the next. At the end of May, the state is planning to have an introductory meeting on this topic with the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission. On January 1, 2004 the 2003 IECC was adopted with a six month grace period to use either the 2000 or 2003 IECC. In 2004, New Mexico passed a bill establishing a tax credit for green homes. In order to qualify, homes had to achieve a HERS rating of 60, which means that it will have to be 40 percent more energy efficient than a reference home built according to code. Additionally, a qualified home had to achieve either a LEED for Homes Silver certification or a Build Green NM Gold certification. The tax credit amount depended on the home's energy performance and sustainability rating. On January 1, 2008 the 2006 IECC was adopted with a six month grace period to use either the 2003 or 2006 IECC.Commercial buildings are exempt and subject to ASHRAE 90.1-2004. This rule applies to all contracting work performed in New Mexico on or after January 1, 2008, that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Construction Industries Division (CID), unless performed pursuant to a permit for which an application was received by CID before that date, except that commercial buildings, which comply with the requirements of the 2004 edition of ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1, are exempt from the requirements of this rule. Two amendments were adopted with the 2006 IECC: 1. Slab edge insulation is not required between attached garages and heated space, or at door thresholds. 2. Individual unit utility meters are not required in multi-family housing.

On January 28, 2011, the 2009 NMECC replaced the 2006 NMECC.

The 2009 NMECC was replaced with the 2009 IECC, effective July 2011 with a grace period to use either the 2006 or 2009 IECC until January 1, 2012 when the 2009 IECC became mandatory.