Zoning Report

Albuquerque, NM Zoning

Albuquerque’s current zoning framework is organized under the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), which replaced the city’s older Comprehensive City Zoning Code in 2018. The source material shows a citywide system of residential, mixed-use, and non-residential base districts, plus several mapped overlay zones and use-specific standards. Development review appears to be split among administrative staff review, the Environmental Planning Commission for certain map amendments and policy-level cases, the Zoning Hearing Examiner for special exceptions, and additional overlay-specific review bodies such as the Landmarks Commission.

Last researched May 2026

Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO)R-1 zoningADUs / casitasallowable usesoverlay zonesHistoric Protection OverlayAirport Protection OverlayCharacter Protection OverlayView Protection Overlayfloodplain permittingEnvironmental Planning CommissionZoning Hearing Examinersite plan approvalbuilding permitsnonconforming uses and structures

Zoning Districts in Albuquerque, NM

R-A

Rural and agricultural residential district intended for low-density single-family residences and limited agricultural uses, generally on lots of 1/4 acre or larger, with limited civic and institutional uses.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cluster development, cottage development, two-family dwelling (duplex), townhouse

R-1

Single-family residential district intended for neighborhoods of single-family homes, with redevelopment expected to reinforce neighborhood character in developed areas.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cluster development, cottage development, two-family dwelling (duplex), townhouse

R-MC

Residential district intended to accommodate manufactured home communities with higher-quality planning and design.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cottage development

R-T

Townhouse district intended to accommodate a mix of single-family, two-family, and townhouse residential development, plus limited civic and institutional uses.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cluster development, cottage development, two-family dwelling (duplex), townhouse

R-ML

Low-density multi-family residential district intended for a variety of housing options.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cluster development, cottage development, two-family dwelling (duplex), townhouse

R-MH

Residential district listed in the current IDO use framework; the source material indicates it is a residential category allowing a broad range of housing types.

Allowed uses: townhouse, multi-family dwelling, community residential facility, small, community center or library, elementary or middle school

MX-T

Mixed-use transition district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: townhouse, multi-family dwelling, community residential facility, small, community center or library, elementary or middle school

MX-L

Low-intensity mixed-use district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, cluster development, cottage development, two-family dwelling (duplex), townhouse

MX-M

Medium-intensity mixed-use district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: townhouse, multi-family dwelling, community residential facility, small, community center or library, elementary or middle school

MX-H

High-intensity mixed-use district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: townhouse, multi-family dwelling, community residential facility, small, community center or library, elementary or middle school

NR-C

Non-residential commercial district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: community center or library (conditional)

NR-BP

Business park non-residential district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: community center or library (conditional)

NR-LM

Light manufacturing / non-residential district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: elementary or middle school (conditional if structure vacant for 5+ years or more), high school (conditional), multi-family dwelling (conditional if structure vacant for 5+ years or more)

NR-GM

General manufacturing / non-residential district listed in the IDO framework.

NR-PO

Non-residential public/open or similar district listed in the IDO framework.

Allowed uses: community center or library, elementary or middle school, high school

PD (Planned Development)

Planned development district referenced in the city’s zoning lookup tool.

PC (Planned Community)

Planned community district referenced in the city’s zoning lookup tool.

Recent Zoning Changes

The strongest recent change identified in the provided sources is the 2023 citywide zoning change allowing accessory dwelling units, or casitas, in R-1 neighborhoods. The source set also shows that the city’s current IDO is codified as 2026 S-95 and that proposed revisions to ZHE rules were under consideration in 2026, but the gathered sources do not provide a full amendment log for all recent IDO changes.

Setbacks, Lot Size & Height Limits in Albuquerque, NM

The provided sources include one clear dimensional standards sheet for the R-1 district and a separate city ADU page with casita size and placement rules. The city also notes that overlay zones, Neighborhood Edges, and contextual residential standards can override or modify base standards.

District	Standard	Requirement
R-1	Lot size, minimum	3,500 sq. ft. — See Subsection 14-16-5-1(C)(2); contextual residential standards may modify this in Areas of Consistency.
R-1	Lot width, minimum	25 ft. — See Subsection 14-16-5-1(C)(2).
R-1	Front setback, minimum	10 ft. — Overlay zones or Neighborhood Edges may prevail over this standard.
R-1	Side setback, minimum	Interior: 5 ft.; Street side of corner lots: 10 ft. — Overlay zones or Neighborhood Edges may prevail over this standard.
R-1	Rear setback, minimum	10 ft. — Overlay zones or Neighborhood Edges may prevail over this standard.
R-1	Building height, maximum	26 ft. — Overlay zones may prevail over this standard.
R-A and R-1	Accessory dwelling unit maximum number per lot	1 casita — Per city ADU guidance.
R-A, R-1, R-T, R-ML	Accessory dwelling unit maximum square footage	750 sq. ft. — Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3 limits casita size to 650 sq. ft.
R-A, R-1, R-T, R-ML	Accessory dwelling unit minimum setback	5 feet on either side or rear — On corner lots, the minimum street-side setback is the same as the main house.
R-A, R-1, R-T, R-ML	Accessory dwelling unit placement	Behind the rear wall of the main house — City ADU guidance.
R-A and R-1	Accessory dwelling unit yard coverage limit	cannot take up more than 25% of the side and rear yards combined — From city ADU guidance.
R-A and R-1	Accessory dwelling unit height	cannot be taller than the main house on the lot — In Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3, height is limited to the main house or 18 feet, whichever is less.
Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3	Accessory dwelling unit maximum square footage	650 sq. ft. — Specific neighborhood overlay-related ADU rule.
Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3	Accessory dwelling unit height limit	the main house or 18 feet, whichever is less — Specific neighborhood overlay-related ADU rule.
Sawmill/Wells Park – CPO-12 in R-1	Minimum lot size for casita eligibility	7,000 sq. ft. — Specific neighborhood overlay-related ADU rule.

ADU, Rental & Special Use Rules in Albuquerque, NM

Accessory Dwelling Unit (Casita)

Casitas are allowed in R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML, subject to dimensional, placement, parking, and approval requirements. In 2023, zoning changed to allow casitas in R-1 neighborhoods throughout the city.

Maximum square footage: 750 sq. ft.
Minimum setback: 5 feet on either side or rear
Corner lot street-side setback: same minimum street-side setback as the main house
Placement: behind the rear wall of the main house
Only 1 casita is allowed per lot in R-A and R-1 zones

Accessory Dwelling Unit (Casita) in Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3

Casitas in the Downtown neighborhood overlay area are subject to stricter size and height limits.

Casita size is limited to 650 sq. ft.
Casita height is limited to the main house or 18 feet, whichever is less

Accessory Dwelling Unit (Casita) in Sawmill/Wells Park – CPO-12

Casitas in parts of Sawmill/Wells Park have an added lot size threshold in R-1.

In R-1, the minimum lot size is 7,000 sq. ft.

Overlay Districts in Albuquerque, NM

Airport Protection Overlay (APO)

Mapped overlay zone identified in the IDO maps resource.

Character Protection Overlay (CPO)

Mapped overlay zone used in Albuquerque to apply neighborhood- or area-specific development standards.

Historic Protection Overlay (HPO)

Overlay zones created by City Council to protect areas of historical, architectural, or cultural significance.

View Protection Overlay (VPO)

Mapped overlay zone identified in the IDO maps resource.

Special Flood Hazard Areas / Floodplain Regulation

Flood-related constraints regulated through the city’s Flood Hazard Ordinance and building code rather than described as an IDO overlay in the gathered text, but functionally a major mapped development constraint.

Albuquerque, NM Zoning FAQ

Are ADUs allowed in Albuquerque, NM?

What are the setback requirements in Albuquerque, NM?

Setbacks vary by district. Examples — R-1: 10 ft.; R-1: Interior: 5 ft.; Street side of corner lots: 10 ft.; R-1: 10 ft.; R-A, R-1, R-T, R-ML: 5 feet on either side or rear. Always confirm the exact yard requirements for your district with Albuquerque, NM.

What is the minimum lot size in Albuquerque, NM?

Minimum lot size depends on the zoning district — R-1: 3,500 sq. ft.; Sawmill/Wells Park – CPO-12 in R-1: 7,000 sq. ft..

How tall can buildings be in Albuquerque, NM?

Height limits are set per district — R-1: 26 ft.; R-A and R-1: cannot be taller than the main house on the lot; Downtown Neighborhood Area – CPO-3: the main house or 18 feet, whichever is less.

What zoning districts are in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque, NM includes districts such as R-A, R-1, R-MC, R-T, R-ML, R-MH, MX-T, MX-L.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Albuquerque, NM?

The most clearly documented environmental constraint in the gathered sources is floodplain regulation. The city reports extensive Special Flood Hazard Areas and requires floodplain permits for a broad range of site and building work in those areas;

Have there been recent zoning changes in Albuquerque, NM?

The strongest recent change identified in the provided sources is the 2023 citywide zoning change allowing accessory dwelling units, or casitas, in R-1 neighborhoods.

Common questions about Albuquerque, NM zoning

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Sources

What uses can be developed on a property? | Interactive Integrated Development Ordinance — Provided the current overview of Albuquerque zone districts, use status codes, and the relationship between zoning, adjacent residential zones, and use-specific standards.
Zone Distrtict Summary Pages - Effective April 2026 — Primary source for R-1 dimensional standards and excerpted allowable uses across multiple districts from Table 4-2-1.
Albuquerque, NM Laws — Confirmed that the current Albuquerque IDO is codified as 2026 S-95 and that the city uses the IDO as current law.
Comprehensive City Zoning Code — City of Albuquerque — Confirmed that the former Comprehensive Zoning Code was repealed and replaced by the IDO effective May 17, 2018.
Accessory Dwelling Units — City of Albuquerque — Primary source for ADU/casita rules, including eligible districts, size, setbacks, parking, overlay-specific modifications, and approval process.
IDO Maps — City of Albuquerque — Identified overlay categories, zoning lookup tools, use-specific standards maps, development standards maps, and topic maps relevant to parcel-level diligence.
Floodplain Development — City of Albuquerque — Primary source for floodplain constraints, permit triggers, SFHA extent, and FEMA map revision pathways.
Historic Protection Overlay Zones — City of Albuquerque — Primary source for Historic Protection Overlay requirements, Certificate of Appropriateness triggers, and approval levels.
Zoning Hearing Examiner — City of Albuquerque — Primary source for special exception procedures, monthly hearing schedule, decision timing, and appeal note for ZHE cases.
Permits — City of Albuquerque — Provided permit process overview, ABQ-PLAN filing platform, permit categories, and note that commercial development may require site plan approval.
Plan Review — City of Albuquerque — Provided plan review submission requirements and FasTrax expedited review timing/cost information.
EPC Agendas, Cases, & Actions — City of Albuquerque — Primary source for recent EPC hearing schedule, 2026 case activity, staff report availability, and notices of decision.

This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Albuquerque, NM officials before making decisions.