Albuquerque Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Albuquerque Zoning Overview
Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city, situated along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. The city adopted its Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) in 2018, replacing the decades-old zoning code with a modern, form-based approach to land use regulation. The IDO organizes the city into a series of zone districts that range from low-density residential neighborhoods to high-intensity mixed-use centers, reflecting Albuquerque's diverse urban fabric from the historic Old Town and Downtown areas to suburban neighborhoods and the developing Mesa del Sol community.
The city's planning framework is guided by the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, which establishes goals for growth management, transportation, housing, and environmental protection. Albuquerque's geography, including the Rio Grande bosque, the Sandia Mountains, and the West Mesa volcanic escarpment, presents unique constraints and opportunities for development that are addressed through various overlay zones and environmental regulations.
Key Zoning Districts
The IDO establishes a spectrum of zone districts organized by use intensity and built form. Residential zones range from R-A (Rural Agricultural) through R-1 (Single-Family) to R-MH (Multi-Family High Density). Mixed-use zones (MX-T, MX-L, MX-M, MX-H, MX-FB) allow combinations of residential, commercial, and office uses at varying intensities. Non-residential zones include NR-C (Commercial), NR-BP (Business Park), and NR-LM/NR-GM (Light and General Manufacturing).
ADU Regulations
Albuquerque permits accessory dwelling units in most residential and mixed-use zones under the IDO. ADUs may be attached to or detached from the principal dwelling and are limited to 750 square feet. No additional off-street parking is required, and owner occupancy of either the primary or accessory unit is not mandated. ADUs must comply with setback, height, and design compatibility standards established in the IDO.
Development Process
Property owners seeking to develop in Albuquerque must obtain a zoning verification from the Planning Department, followed by building permits from the Building Safety Division. Projects requiring discretionary review, such as site plan approvals or conditional use permits, go through the Development Review Board or Zoning Hearing Examiner. The city encourages pre-application meetings to streamline the review process.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Albuquerque
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Bernalillo County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 26 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- 3,000 sq ft per unit
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 0 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Albuquerque
- Max Size
- 750 sq ft
- Max Height
- 18 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Permit Timeline
- 4-8 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Albuquerque are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Albuquerque permit fees →