Print My Plans
Albuquerque Plan Printing: From the ABQ-PLAN Download to a Printed Set
By Eli Gewirtzman, Owner · Last checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices and City of Albuquerque Planning Department, Building Safety sources)
Albuquerque replaced its POSSE and ePlan systems with ABQ-PLAN, and building plans now go in as PDF packets sorted by category: architectural, structural, electrical and so on. Applying happens online; paper enters the picture after approval. The City’s step-by-step guide for accessory dwelling units (casitas) tells applicants to “download approved plans and provide a printed set on-site for inspections.” That guide is written for ADUs. On other permits, ask Building Safety what your inspector wants on site. When you need paper, upload the approved PDF here: $1.95 a sheet in black and white, $3.75 in color. Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day.
Prices (flat, 17×22 to 36×48)
| Per sheet | |
|---|---|
| Black & white | $1.95 |
| Color | $3.75 |
Albuquerque jobs we print for
Approved sets go to backyard casitas in Nob Hill and the university area, to remodels in Barelas and the Northeast Heights, to new subdivisions on the Westside, and to commercial work downtown and along the I-25 corridor. Rio Rancho, Corrales and other neighboring towns run their own permits, and unincorporated areas fall under Bernalillo County, so ABQ-PLAN covers the City of Albuquerque only.
What the City of Albuquerque says
From the ADU step-by-step page, the ABQ-PLAN Resources and FAQs page and the City’s guide How to Upload Plan Sets and Documents in ABQ-PLAN:
| Rule | What Albuquerque says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New system | ABQ-PLAN “has replaced our POSSE and ePlan systems” | ABQ-PLAN Resources and FAQs |
| Whole packets | “Applicants shall upload the entire PDF packet to the associated category.” | How to Upload Plan Sets and Documents in ABQ-PLAN |
| No single sheets | The City has “done away with the need to separate and upload individual sheets” | Same |
| PDF only | “Please note that only PDFs are accepted for required file types.” | Same |
| Structural seal | Structural uploads include “Sealed Shear wall drawings and documents from a New Mexico Licensed Engineer.” | Same |
| Site plan apart | “site plan is now a separate application.” | Same |
| Print for ADU inspections | “Make sure to download approved plans and provide a printed set on-site for inspections.” | Accessory Dwelling Units: step by step |
| Printing allowed | At issuance, “You will also have the ability to print your approved plans, drawings, and documents to have on the project site.” | Same |
Before you print an Albuquerque set
- Print the approved download. Once the permit is ready to issue, the approved plans are available to print. That’s the version your inspector checks.
- Keep packets together. Because ABQ-PLAN takes whole category packets, your approved file may come down as several PDFs. Upload them all in one order so the set stays complete. See how to prepare a PDF plan set.
- Casita sets are small. An ADU set is often only a few sheets, so adding an office copy to the site copy adds little to the order.
- Same size as drawn. Print at 100% of the PDF’s sheet size so scaled dimensions measure correctly. Our PDF page size checker shows the size of every page.
Albuquerque Building Safety and your design professional decide what goes in the approved set. We print the PDF you upload and don’t work with the City for you, so confirm requirements with Building Safety.
Who we print for in Albuquerque
- Homeowners and builders putting up a casita who need the printed set for foundation, framing and final inspections. See plan printing for homeowners.
- General contractors who want a paper copy of the ABQ-PLAN approval on the job. See plan printing for contractors.
- Engineers sending sealed shear-wall and truss sheets to the framer.
- Designers printing review copies for clients.
Price examples (prints only; shipping is chosen at checkout)
| Job | Sheets | Print total |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard casita, approved set, 24×36 B&W | 9 | $17.55 |
| Custom home on the Westside, 24×36 B&W | 22 | $42.90 |
| Same casita set, second copy for the office | 18 | $35.10 |
| Color site and grading sheets | 3 | $11.25 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit building plans in Albuquerque?
Through ABQ-PLAN. The City says applicants upload the entire PDF packet to each category, and only PDFs are accepted for required file types.
Do I need a printed set for an Albuquerque ADU or casita?
Yes. The City’s ADU guide says to download the approved plans and provide a printed set on-site for inspections.
What about other Albuquerque permits?
The City’s ABQ-PLAN guidance we checked doesn’t state a print rule for every permit type. Ask Building Safety at 505-924-3320 what your inspector needs on site.
Does a site plan go with the building permit?
It’s a separate application now. The City says to apply for the site plan at the same time as, or preferably before, the building permit.
Does ABQ-PLAN cover Rio Rancho?
No. Rio Rancho has its own permit office. ABQ-PLAN is for the City of Albuquerque.
When does an Albuquerque order ship?
Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day.