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
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.
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