A proposal advancing in the New Mexico Legislature could bring new transparency to how long cities and counties take to review and approve building permits and development plans, a process housing advocates say often slows construction and drives up costs.
The measure, crafted by Santa Fe-based nonprofit Homewise Inc., would require the state’s largest local governments to publicly report key data on development and building permit processing, including approval rates and review timelines. Supporters say the bill would create an accountability framework that has long been missing from New Mexico’s approach to housing policy.
When it comes to policymaking in the state, Daniel Werwath argues decisions are rarely driven by hard data.
“We kind of do everything on vibes when it comes to everything in the state,” said Werwath, an affordable housing advocate and former housing policy adviser to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Werwath said the proposal stands out because it focuses on collecting and publishing information that could help lawmakers, builders and communities better understand where development bottlenecks exist.
The bill would apply to Class A counties and New Mexico’s 10 largest municipalities — those with populations exceeding 30,000. Those local governments would be required to track and publish quarterly reports covering five core data points related to development and building permits, including approval rates and processing times.
Supporters say the reporting requirement would not dictate local land-use decisions but would instead shed light on how efficiently applications move through the system.
Cathy Collins, executive director of Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity, described the proposal as a practical response to a statewide challenge.
“It’s a fairly simple solution” to a statewide problem, Collins said, noting that long and unpredictable permitting timelines can discourage housing development and raise costs for nonprofit and private builders alike.
Advocates say permit delays can be especially harmful as New Mexico grapples with a persistent housing shortage, particularly in fast-growing cities where demand continues to outpace supply. Builders and housing organizations have increasingly urged lawmakers to look beyond zoning changes and funding programs and examine the administrative processes that shape development timelines.
The bill’s backers argue that publishing standardized data would allow comparisons across jurisdictions, help identify best practices and provide a factual basis for future policy reforms.
While the proposal does not require local governments to speed up approvals, supporters say the transparency itself could apply pressure for improvement — and give communities a clearer picture of why some projects stall.
Lawmakers are expected to weigh the measure alongside a broader package of housing-related bills as the legislative session continues, amid growing calls for data-driven solutions to New Mexico’s housing crisis.
Originally reported by Mike Easterling measterling@sfnewmexican.com in Santa Fe New Mexico.
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