WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR - Kelly McClellan

OUR MISSION
It is the Community Services Department’s intent to promote a workable relationship among land uses, encourage quality development, protect the aesthetic quality of the City, and aid citizen’s and business owner’s in fulfilling their developmental or construction aspirations.
KNOW YOUR PORTALES ORDINANCES
City of Portales- Municode
PORTALES PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular scheduled meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council meeting Room of the Memorial Building as needed, located at 200 E 7th Street (unless otherwise advertised). Special meetings or emergency meetings shall be advertised separately.
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COMMISSIONER
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Chairman
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Matt Christensen
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Vice Chairman
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Chad Heflin
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Commissioner
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Curtis Jaynes
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Commissioner
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Gary Watkins
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Commissioner
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Scott Davis
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Commissioner
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Veronica (Betty) Pena
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Commissioner
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Beverly Bennett
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LINKS: PLANNING COMMISSION
Portales Planning and Zoning Commission and Code
Planning Commission Rules & Regulations
AVAILABLE MAP LINKS
Downtown Zoning and Code Master Plan
Zoning Map
BUILDING INSPECTIONS/BUILDING PERMITS
Are you looking to add a fence, build a carport, construct an addition to your house, or finally get that shed you’ve been dreaming of? If you are living within the city limits of Portales then it’s likely you’ll need a permit.
All building inspections and permitting are available through the City of Clovis BUT make sure to check with Portales’ Planning Department first as you may have to complete initial paperwork with us.
THE FLOODPLAIN
NEW FLOOD MAP COMING SOON! CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
The City of Portales has an active program to help you protect yourself and your property from future flooding. Meanwhile, here are some things you can do:
- Check with the Planning Department (575-356-8449, ext 4) on the extent of past flooding in your area. Department staff can tell you about the causes of repetitive flooding, what the City is doing about it, and what would be an appropriate flood protection level. City staff can visit your property to discuss flood protection alternatives.
- Prepare for flooding by doing the following:
- Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your house when a flood comes.
- Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe space to go.
- Make a household inventory, especially of basement contents.
- Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.
- Collect and put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a hand space.
- Develop a disaster response plan – See the Red Cross’s Website: redcross.org/services/disaster for a copy of the brochure “Your Family Disaster Plan”
- Get a copy of Repairing Your Flooded Home, which is also found on the Red Cross website
- Talk to the Planning Department for information on financial assistance. The state of New Mexico administers several mitigation grants that offer financial assistance to property owners wanting to mitigate their flood prone structures. The following is a list of mitigation grants that may be available through the State and/or FEMA:
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM)
- Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
- Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC)
- Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL)
- Flood Protection Planning Program (FPP)
- Get a flood insurance policy.
- Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because Portales participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even properties that have been flooded. Because Portales participates in the Community Rating System, you will receive a reduction in the insurance premium.
- Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually, these policies just cover the building's structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in your area, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. Be sure you have contents coverage.
- Don’t wait for the next flood to buy insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect.
- Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage.
TO DOWNLOAD ANY FLOODPLAIN DOCUMENTS, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO 'AVAILABLE DOWNLOADS FOR PLANNING AND ZONING', CLICK 'FLOODPLAIN' SUBSECTION TO ACCESS FLOODPLAIN RELATED DOCUMENTS.
Are you building in a Flood Zone?
If, after checking Portales’ Flood Map, you realize that you’ll be building in the flood zone, you’ll need the following forms; Elevation Certificate and the Floodplain Permit Application.
Elevation Certificate- This is an engineer’s/land surveyor’s guarantee that the lowest flood of the proposed build is higher than the BFE (Base Flood Elevation). If the area floods, the structure has been built up to avoid damage.
Floodplain Permit Application- This form allows the Floodplain Manager to review your proposal and make sure all the Floodplain Ordinances are being followed and all the necessary forms have been turned in before issuing building permits.
Are you using fill in your construction?
If you said yes, you’ll need a ‘no rise certificate’. This must be filled out by an engineer/land surveyor guaranteeing that your project will not negatively impact your neighbors by raising the BFE (Base Flood Elevation).
For helpful links to learn more about the floodplain, please go to https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management or floodsmart.org .
CONTACT CLOVIS
1221 Mitchell Street,
Clovis, NM 88101
Phone: (575) 769-7829
Email: buildingsafety@cityofclovis.org
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
New Mexico State Construction Industries Division Website (contains all State forms and applications)
2016 Portales Comprehensive Plan
Business Registration Application
CONTACT US
181 Airport Rd,
Portales, NM 88130
Phone: (575) 356-8449, Opt 4
Email: p&z@portalesnm.gov
Hours: 8:00- 5:00 pm Closed Holidays
Closed for lunch from Noon to 1:00PM.