Permits, Licenses, and Registrations

For more about the Downtown Permits or Destination Downtown, contact us at 575-541-2150 or, [email protected].

Steps for Completing the Permit Process

1. Contact the Downtown Staff for pre-application discussion to find out whether your event can be held downtown. Staff will provide you with the City Manager’s Facility Use Policy and Downtown Facility Permitting Standard Operating Procedures.
2. Select the downtown location that you would like to reserve
3. To obtain preliminary approval you must submit a complete Permit Application, site plan, and payment to the Downtown Staff.
4. Follow the appropriate steps below based on the number of working days. Listed below are minimum time requirements; earlier is better. For this process, a Facility Use Packet will be considered complete and ready for final approval only if it includes:
   1. Filled-out Facility Use Application, included herein;
   2. Site Map of your event
   3. Proof of Liability Insurance listing the City of Las Cruces as additionally insured
   4. Traffic Control Plan and invoice from barricade company, if applicable;
   5. Main Street Stakeholder Notification Form, if applicable.

Events without street closure or alcohol (excluding Main Street)

A Facility Use Packet shall be turned in no less than 15 working days (3 weeks) prior to the event. The application will then be subject to a review and action by the Downtown Staff. The Downtown Staff may request input from some of the Main St. Downtown stakeholders.

Events involving a street closure or parade, but without alcohol (not including Main Street closure)

A Facility Use Packet shall be turned in no less than 20 working days (4 weeks) prior to the event. The application shall include: 1) A map of the proposed street closures or the route of the procession or parade; 2) The staging location; and 3) The start and end times. This information is in addition to that requested on the application. The application will then be subject to a review and action by the Downtown Staff. The Downtown Staff may request input from some of the Main St. Downtown stakeholders.

Events with alcohol, regardless of street closure

A Facility Use Packet shall be turned in no less than 45 working days (9 weeks) prior to the event. In addition to the application, the process and timeline defined by the City for alcohol licensing must be followed. Inability or unwillingness to follow the process and/or timeline will result in a denial of the Facility Use Application. If a street closure is also requested as part of the application, the organizers must follow the policy for events with street closures. The application will then be subject to a review and action by the Downtown Staff. The Downtown Staff may request input from some of the Main St. Downtown stakeholders.

Events with Main Street closure

A Facility Use Packet shall be turned in no less than 60 working days (12 weeks) prior to the event. Input from businesses with a storefront on the portion of Main Street you wish to close must be notified and invited to collaborate on your event, if they wish. A signature from the business owner listed on the Main Street Stakeholder Notification Form will be required from at least 75% of all listed Main Street stakeholders to approve this application.

Downtown Event Applicant’s Checklist

When planning for your downtown event, you will need to provide the following in order for your application to be complete and ready for review:

• Contact the Downtown Staff and schedule to have application reviewed.
• Read and understand the City Manager’s Facility Use Policy and Downtown Facility Permitting Standard Operating Procedures.
• Complete the Facility Use Application and return – including any necessary permits – within the required time frame discussed with Destination Downtown Staff.
• Provide a site plan of event layout and vendor locations.
• If closing any streets, provide traffic control plan and invoice from barricade company.
• Submit the event holder liability insurance and endorsement, and for any participating food trucks.

Site Plan or Route Map Information

The Site Plan is a detailed map and “floor plan” of your event. The Route Map details the entire parade or procession route. To ensure a quick and thorough review of your Facility Use Application, please include the following applicable details on the Site Plan or Route Map and submit it with your application. A base map will be provided by staff. Applications submitted without a site or route plan or with an incomplete plan may result in the application being denied.

Site Plans or Route Maps shall include the following:

• The location and boundaries of the planned event, including proposed fencing, location of all entrances and exits, emergency exits, and security guard and fire extinguisher locations
• All stage, table, and canopy locations, include dimensions
• All signage for the event, both internal and external to the event site boundaries
• All proposed porta-potty locations, including ADA-accessible porta-potties and hand-washing stations
• All proposed trash dumpster locations, including size and placement
• A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is required for a street closure. (Select TCPs are provided by staff.)
• A Route Map and Traffic Control Plan are required for parades or processions

For more about the Plaza de Las Cruces or Destination Downtown, contact us at 575-541-2150 or, [email protected].

Fees

Payment will only be taken at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices (1501 E Hadley Avenue) or mailed to:
Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88004

User fees are established by the City Council. All applicable fees and/or deposits must be paid a minimum of seven working days prior to the approved event by cash, credit card, check or money order made payable to the City of Las Cruces

Aquatics Fees

Sports Fields Fees

*Sports field rentals are in 12-hour increments

Adult Tournament Fees

Youth Tournament Fees

Parks Fees

Permitted exclusive use of a park/area/section is $50 per area/section per four hours.

For exclusive use of an entire park, if scheduled for more than one day of use, a flat fee may be applied to determine applicable fees.

Electricity/Water Fees

Use of electricity or water at designated parks is a $50 added fee to the requested planned event.

Application Process

1. Select the location of a Park, Facility, Sports Field, or Aquatic Facility that you would like to request a reservation for. Learn more about our facilities.
2. Check the availability date of the location you are requesting with the Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices.  Administrative offices are located at 1501 E. Hadley Ave.  We can also be reached at (575) 541-2550.
3. If the selected date is available, a permit application will need to be submitted to the Administrative Offices, at least 2 weeks in advance of reservation.
4. Payment can be made the following ways: Hand deliver to the Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices (1501 E. Hadley Ave.) Credit card payment by telephone (575) 541-2550 Mail check or money order to 1501 E. Hadley Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001

Alarm Permit

The Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority (MVRDA) administers both residential and commercial alarm permits for residents living in Las Cruces city limits. View the Alarm Permits for more information, or call 575-647-6805.

Parade Permit Form

The Parade Permit form (PDF) is required for anyone requesting permission to have a parade/procession on the roadway in the City of Las Cruces. Form must be completed and submitted two weeks prior to the event.

Sound Permit Form

This form (PDF) is required for anyone planning to have music at personal events held in public places such as City parks. A petition requesting signatures of residents living in the vicinity of the event location is a required part of this form. Form must be completed and submitted two weeks prior to the event.

Street/Block Party Form

This form (PDF) is required for anyone requesting permission to have a street/block party. A petition requesting signatures of residents living in the vicinity of the event location is a required part of this form. Form must be completed and submitted two weeks prior to the event.

Park Reservations

Park reservation information can be found here

Register or Renew a Business

Please note Permits and Business Registration are available online at City of Las Cruces Citizen Portal. Online services include:

• Application submittal for both permits and businesses
• Checking status of your project- permits
• Inspection requests
• Payment submittal

For questions please email: [email protected] or call 575-528-3059.

Business Guidelines

Renew or apply for a business registration or license through the online City of Las Cruces Citizen Portal.

Registration types may include:

• Home Occupation
• Commercial
• Special/Temporary
• Liquor License
• Securities and Door-to-Door Solicitation (only accepted by in office applications)

Getting Started Guide to Apply for a License, Register or Renew a Business

1. Prerequisites:
2. Obtain a copy of your NM State Tax ID/CRS Number Certificate,
3. Confirm your address is a valid address with the City
4. Visit the City of Las Cruces Citizen Portal
5. Register for an account (step-by-step instructions are found below in Resources)
6. Login with a username and password
7. Click on the Licenses tab at the top, then click on the Apply for a License option, read related instructions, accept the General Disclaimer, and continue through the application process by selecting Continue Application until you have finished the application

Resources

• Regulatory, Codes & Ordinances
• New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department
• Popular Resources
• Account Registration
• Request or Validate an Address
• Fee Schedule
• City of Las Cruces Citizen Portal
• Building Permits

Business Costs

The cost of living in Las Cruces compared to the average U.S. city for Q3 2019 is about 12% more affordable. Las Cruces is more affordable in 5 out of the 6 categories: housing, utilities, health care, transportation, and miscellaneous goods and services. Las Cruces also has a lower overall business costs due to competitive labor and energy costs.