City Services

This is the second in a series of articles from the City of Roswell Community Development Department discussing permitting and other requirements related to various projects homeowners/residents may do on their homes and property.

Before installing a storage shed, workshop, gazebo or other structure, visit the city’s Planning and Zoning Office. All residential and non-residential accessory structures require a permit.

Storage sheds, workshops and other accessory structures are not allowed to be placed on vacant residential lots that do not have a primary residential structure. Residential accessory structures, including storage sheds of less than 200 square feet, require a placement permit (no fee) and structures of more than 200 square feet require a building permit (fee based on project cost). For lots zoned commercial or industrial, storage sheds and accessory structures of less than 120 square feet require a placement permit and those of more than 120 square feet require a building permit. Storage sheds and accessory structures must meet setbacks and other distance requirements established in the city’s Zoning Ordinance.

Contractors installing storage sheds and accessory structures are required to have a State of New Mexico contractor’s license and city business license. Licensed electricians are required to obtain electrical permits if electrical work is performed.

In order for staff to assist you with a site plan and expedite the permitting process, bring the following items with you to the Planning and Zoning Office:

• Property address.
• Boundary survey for the property (if you already have one).
• Location of utilities (Underground: water line, sewer line, gas meter/gas line, phone/cable, electric. Overhead: electric.)
• Also, make sure the property and alley are free of weeds, trash and debris before staff members conduct site visits and/or inspections.

It is a requirement to call 811 for utility locates before you dig. There is no charge for 811 service. Utilities will mark the location of gas lines, phone and telecommunications cables, underground electric, water and sewer. If installing a foundation for an accessory structure requiring a building permit, a footing inspection by a city building inspector is required prior to the concrete pour.

Storage sheds and accessory structures constructed without a permit are subject to review and possible removal if in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. Dilapidated and derelict storage sheds and structures are also subject to enforcement by Community Development officers.

For questions about storage sheds, workshops and accessory structures, contact or visit (415 N. Richardson Ave.) either of these two Community Development Planning and Zoning representatives:

--Miguel Martinez, Planning and Zoning Technician, (575) 637-6218, m.martinez@roswell-nm.gov

--Merideth Hildreth, Planning and Zoning Administrator (575) 637-6294, m.hildreth@roswell.nm.gov

Guidelines for setbacks and other standards related to accessory structures are contained in the City of Roswell’s Zoning Ordinance in the Article pertaining to Building and Performance Standards (see Section 4).