Permit records

How to find New Mexico septic permits and liquid waste records.

Septic records can help before a repair, inspection, property sale, replacement, or new installation. New Mexico records are tied to the NMED Liquid Waste Program and local field office review.

877-735-2796 Septic services Find your county

Start with the NMED Liquid Waste permit search

The state permit search can be used to look for liquid waste records by owner name, address, or partial address. Try spelling variations, road names, parcel-style addresses, and older owner information when a property has changed hands.

If no record appears

A missing search result does not always mean a system has no history. NMED directs homeowners to submit a permit search request to the local field office when the online database does not show a match or when older records need help.

When records are useful

Before a septic inspection for a rural property purchase.
Before repair work that may reveal an unknown system layout.
Before replacing, modifying, or expanding an existing system.
Before listing a property where buyers may ask for permit history.
Before planning a new installation on land outside sewer service.

Permit preparation

What NMED may ask for during liquid waste review

Liquid waste applications may involve owner or authorized signatures, contractor licensing information, system sizing, soil characteristics, geological or hydrological conditions, a site diagram, floorplan, plat or survey, and other supporting documentation. Licensed contractors with MM-1, MM-98, MS-1, or MS-3 licenses are qualified to install septic systems. Homeowners may qualify to install a conventional system only after passing the required qualification exam, and homeowner installations still require final NMED inspection.

Next step

Use records to prepare, then confirm requirements locally.

For service routing, call 877-735-2796. For permit requirements, confirm directly with NMED, the local field office, or a qualified septic professional.