New Mexico Administrative Code

A. Stabilized adobe. The term "stabilized" is defined to mean water-resistant adobe made of soil to which certain admixtures are added in the manufacturing process in order to limit water absorption into the adobe. Exterior walls constructed of stabilized mortar and adobe require…

A. General. Each of the tests prescribed in this section shall be applied to sample units selected at random at a ratio of five units per 25,000 bricks to be used or at the discretion of the building official. B. Shrinkage cracks. Shrinkage cracks are allowed, providing that thes…

A. General. The following provisions shall apply. (1) Rammed earth shall not be used in any building more than two stories in height. The height of every wall of rammed earth without lateral support is specified in Table 1 of 14.7.4.8 NMAC. The height of the wall is defined as th…

A. General. Foundation construction shall comply with applicable provisions of the 2009 New Mexico Residential Building Code, and the following: a minimum of three continuous #4 reinforcing rods are required in concrete footings supporting rammed earth walls. Footings shall be a …

A. General. The soil shall not contain rock more than one and one-half inch in diameter. The soil shall not contain clay lumps more than one-half inch in diameter. The soil shall be free of all organic matter. The soil shall not contain more than two percent soluble salts. B. Soi…

A. General. The depth of voids shall not exceed eight inches. The width of the void shall be as defined in Subsections B and C of 14.7.4.15 NMAC below. B. Voids in stabilized rammed earth walls. Voids shall not exceed two feet in width. Voids greater than two feet in width requir…

A. General. Attachment and connection methods of alternate wall construction to rammed earth walls are described as follows. The building official may approve other attachment and connection methods. In no case shall two wall types be butted to each other without consideration fo…

A. General. The bond beam shall be secured to the rammed earth wall. Refer to Subsections H and I of 14.7.4.16 NMAC above. Bond beams may be of wood or concrete construction. Bond beams shall measure six inches nominal depth and extend the full width of the wall. Exception: The b…

A. General. All openings require a lintel or semi-circular arch over the opening. All lintels, whether of wood or concrete shall bear a minimum of two inches into the length of the wall. Exception: nichos and other shaped voids as defined in 14.7.4.15 NMAC. B. Bearing limitations…

A. General. Stabilized rammed earth walls do not require a weather-resistive barrier or an approved exterior finish. Unstabilized rammed earth walls require a weather-resistive barrier and approved exterior finish. When a vapor barrier is installed over the rammed earth wall, it …

This rule applies to all earthen building materials contracting work performed in New Mexico on or after November 15, 2016, that is subject to the jurisdiction of CID, unless performed pursuant to a permit for which an application was received by CID before that date.

A. General. When non-cementious plasters are applied directly to the rammed earth wall surface, the surface shall be scored or sandblasted prior to the application of the plaster. Rammed earth walls must cure to a depth of four inches minimum prior to application of an approved e…

A. General. Code compliant plumbing systems may be rammed into the wall system, either vertically or horizontally, provided that such plumbing material is of sufficient strength to withstand the ramming pressures without any rupture or collapse. B. Plumbing system installation. I…

A. Electrical system installation. Electrical wiring shall pass through a channel or conduit. Approved rigid or flexible electrical conduit shall withstand ramming pressures without damage or collapse. Electrical wiring within a channel shall be covered a minimum of one and one-f…

A. General. Compressed earth block shall not be used in any building more than two stories in height. The height of every wall of compressed earth block without lateral support shall be defined in Table 1 of Subsection B of 14.7.4.8 NMAC. The height of the wall is defined as the …

A. General. The use of earth mortar is allowed if the earth mortar material is compatible with the compressed earth blocks. Conventional lime/sand/cement mortars of Types M, S, and N are also allowed. Mortar "bedding" joints shall be fully grouted. Head joint mortar is not requir…

A. General. All bearing walls shall be topped with a continuous bond beam (except patio walls less than six feet high above stem). All bond beam construction shall be in accordance with accepted engineering practices. B. Concrete bond beam. Concrete bond beams shall be a minimum …

A. General. Lintels of wood or concrete are allowed. The bearing length of any lintel shall not be reduced by an angled or splayed window or door opening. Other lintel designs are accepted providing that engineering is submitted for review by the building official. B. Wood lintel…

Amend the following provision as follows. A. Insulating boards or foams. Insulating boards or foams not exceeding two inches in thickness may be adhered to the exterior of the CEB wall. When insulation board is used, round-cap nails shall attach it to the CEB wall with nails plac…

A. Plasters and stuccos applied to uninsulated, unstabilized walls. Unstabilized, uninsulated exterior CEB walls can be protected with plasters or stuccos with a minimum thickness of seven-eighths inch, if adequate roof, parapet, canal, and window flashing is provided.(1) Portlan…

A. Plastered parapets, whether of CEB or frame construction, shall require a seamless but permeable waterproof cover or weather barrier, capping the entire parapet and wrapping over each side. The cover shall extend past the bond beam a minimum of four inches on the wall side. On…

Section 60-13-9 and 60-13-44 NMSA 1978.

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November 15, 2016, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section. From the date of publication of this rule in the New Mexico register, until December 14, 2023, permits may be issued under either the previously adopted rule, or this rule. After December 14, 2023, permits m…

The purpose of this rule is to establish minimum standards for earthen building materials construction in New Mexico.

A. Amended soil means improving an unqualified soil to a qualified state with the addition of other soils or amendments. B. Amendments means additive elements to soil, such as lime, Portland cement, fly ash, etc. which are "dry-mixed" into the main soil body as a percentage of to…

A. General. The provisions of 14.7.4 NMAC, shall control the design and construction of one- and two-family dwellings in which earthen building materials form the bearing wall system. B. Allowable wall heights for earthen structures. All earthen structures whether adobe, burned a…

A. General. Adobe shall not be used in any building more than two stories in height. The maximum height of every wall of adobe block without lateral support is specified in 14.7.4.8 NMAC, Table 1. The height of the wall is defined as the distance from the top of the slab or top o…

The Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department.

A. Baled straw shall not be used below grade. The foundation shall be constructed so that the bottom of the lowest course of the bale wall is at least six inches (6") above final exterior grade. Baled straw used for in-fill walls shall be laid flat with the vertical joints stagge…

A. The bottom course of the bale wall shall be pinned to the foundation with #4 rebar with a minimum of two pins per bale. These pins should be embedded into the foundation to a depth of not less than seven inches (7") and should continue vertically halfway into the second course…

A. Bale straw in-fill walls shall be securely anchored to all adjacent structural members to sufficiently resist horizontal displacement of the wall panels. B. Anchors shall be placed at every horizontal joint or one per bale along vertical structure and a maximum of twenty-four …

Rough bucks and/or door and window frames shall be stabilized with one-half inch by 12 inch (1/2" X 12") diameter wood dowels extended into every adjacent bale or by means of a continuous lath, prior to the application of plaster or stucco.