Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

What is the physical size of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County?
Albuquerque is 188.8 square miles. Bernalillo County is about 1167 square miles.

How can we find a copy of the covenants on our property?
If you can determine the subdivision name and filing date from your paperwork (deed, etc.), you can contact the County Clerk's Office to purchase a copy of the covenants. For more information, contact the County Clerk at (505)468-1290.

How can we find out who owns a problem property in our neighborhood?
You can visit the Bernalillo County Assessor's Office with a map showing the location, the address, or the legal description of the property. You should be given the name and address of the person to whom the Tax Assessment Notice is being mailed. The Bernalillo County Treasurer's Office can tell you who is currently paying the property taxes on the property. Some information may be available by phone if you have the exact street address.

Who do we contact about an apparently abandoned car which has been sitting on the street in our neighborhood for several weeks?
You may report an apparently abandoned car or an obviously inoperable car parked on your neighborhood street online or by calling (505)768-2277. If the inoperable or abandoned car is parked on private property, contact Zoning Enforcement.

Where do I find zone designations and what they mean?
You can find information related to zone designations in the Comprehensive Zone Code.

***Please Note: FAQs are listed alphabetically by the divisions in the Planning Department***

 

AGIS (Albuquerque Geographic Information System)

Does AGIS have topographic or contour data?
No. However, this data may be obtained from commercial engineering firms.

Where do I obtain maps of Bernalillo County?
The Bernalillo County GIS office or from commercial map outlets.

Does AGIS have maps of Rio Rancho?
No. AGIS data is limited to Bernalillo County. For information, call the Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Department at (505)891-7206.

Can I get the Zone Atlas on-line?
Yes. The Zone Atlas is available for free as either individual .pdf files of pages or as a complete .zip file. This data is republished on our website on a monthly basis. The Address Atlas is also available as either individual .pdf files of pages or as a complete .zip file. A hard copy of the Zone Atlas can be purchased at the Publications counter in the Plaza del Sol building. Contact AGIS for more information.

Can I access AGIS data on the Internet?
Yes. The City of Albuquerque has an interactive GIS web site.

How often is the printed Zone Atlas updated?
A hard copy of the Zone Atlas is updated approximately every six months.

Can I get just "update pages" to the Zone Atlas?
You can print 8 1/2 by 11 .pdf files of the maps (which are updated monthly on the website), but updated insert pages are not available.

Do you make custom maps for anybody?
Yes, as time allows, but the public is charged for custom maps and design. Custom maps vary in cost from $150 to several hundred dollars.

Does AGIS sell digital data?
AGIS data is available for download, but you may need additional software to use it.

Can AGIS provide dimensions (bearings, distances, lot size) of a parcel?
No. The County Clerk is the source of this information, which is contained in plats and deeds.

Can AGIS calculate latitude and longitude?
Yes.

Does AGIS have ownership information for parcels?
No. The source of this data is the County Assessor.

Can AGIS provide location information for specific addresses?
Yes. This information is available on the city's GIS website.

Does AGIS have building footprints?
No.

Building And Safety

When is a building permit necessary for a remodeling or building project in our neighborhood?
Commercial remodeling and construction and all additions, structural changes and garage conversions to houses require a building permit. A building permit is also required for fences over 6'0 and walls that retain over 18" of dirt. Most plumbing, mechanical and electrical work requires permits. If you are trying to determine if a permit is required for a project, call the Building and Safety Division at 924-3963.

I believe that the contractors who helped build my home are not building to the Code. What should I do?
If you believe that the work being done on construction of a new home or addition is not code compliant you may make a formal complaint to the City of Albuquerque Building and Safety Division. An official complaint form is available at the Plaza del Sol Building, 600 2nd St NW, Garden Level or may be downloaded from the Publications Section of the Planning Department. If it is determined there is a code violation the contractor will be notified to correct the problem. For additional information call Eugene Castillo, Complaint Investigator, Building and Safety Division, at 924-3319.

How do I know if a permit has been issued for construction projects in our neighborhood?
If a building permit has been obtained, it should be posted so that it is clearly visible from the front of the house or commercial project. If no permit is posted, you may call the Building and Safety Division at 924-3326 with the correct address of where the work is taking place. They can tell you if a permit has been issued and the scope of the work permitted.

Which building codes is the City currently enforcing?

All of the building codes and standards that the Building and Safety Division enforces are listed in the 2004 Uniform Administrative Code of the City of Albuquerque (Albuquerque's Building Code).

Currently adopted codes include:

• The 2003 International Building Code
• The 2003 International Existing Buildings Code
• The 2003 International Residential Code
• The 2003 International Energy Conservation Code
• The 2003 Uniform Mechanical Code
• The 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code
• The 2002 National Electrical Code (the date for the adoption of the 2005 edition is July 1, 2005)

If not available at local bookstores, or at the public library, the International Codes can be ordered on the International Code Council website and the Uniform Codes can be ordered on the National Fire Protection Association website. The National Electrical Code is available on both websites.

Development Services

Can you tell me on which Zone Atlas page my property is located? Can you tell me if my property is located within the city limits?
Yes. This information is available on the city's GIS website.

Can you tell me what the zoning is for my property?
We can tell you how the zoning of a piece of property is reflected on the Zone Map. For verification of zoning, you need to contact Zoning Code Services at (505)924-3850.

What uses are allowed under the current zoning of a piece of property?
The Zoning Ordinance regulates uses allowed according to zoning category. Copies of the Zoning Ordinance are available for purchase at the main Planning reception area. Planners working at the front counter are also available to help explain zoning categories. You can find information related to zone designations in the Comprehensive Zone Code.

What process do I follow for a zone change, site plan approval, landscaping plan, sector development plan amendment, conditional use, etc.?
The Comprehensive Zone Code and the Development Process Manual contain information related to these questions. For specific inquiries or explanations of the process, call the Planning front counter at (505)924-3895 or Planning reception at (505)924-3860.

Policy Planning

Where do I get bicycle trail maps?
You can get these maps from Cultural and Recreational Services. The phone number is (505)768-3550.

Where do I get information about the Comprehensive Plan? Where do I get information on Sector Plans?
You can purchase publications on the Comprehensive Plan and Sector Development Plans at Development Services counter on the second floor of the Plaza del Sol building, located at 600 2nd St NW. The Comprehensive Plan and most Sector Development Plans are available on the Planning Departments Publications webpage. You can purchase publications on the Comprehensive Plan and Sector Development Plans at the Development Services counter on the main floor of the Plaza del Sol building, located at 600 2nd St NW. The phone number is (505)924-3860.

Zoning Code Services

Where do I find zone designations and what they mean?
You can find information related to zone designations in the Comprehensive Zone Code.

What businesses are allowed in a single-family residential neighborhood (R-1 zone)?
Home businesses or "home occupations" are allowed, but are limited to telephone or mailing services or low-key businesses. Manufacturing, which includes baking, small machine repair, and automotive work, are not allowed. A residential dwelling may not be used solely for business purposes. Only residing family members may be employed by the home occupation. No stock in trade may be manufactured, displayed, or sold on the premises except a small stock of custom sewing or hand made art objects is allowed. All business must take place indoors. No more than 25% of the residential floor space including the garage may be for the home occupation and no more than 5% for storage. Health occupations are not allowed permissively as a home occupation. A square foot non-illuminated sign attached to the building is allowed to identify home occupations activity. For more information, contact Zoning at (505)924-3850.

Are there any rules which govern landscaping in a single-family neighborhood?
Single-family homes built after October, 1995 must meet water conservation standards which limit the amount and type of plants and grass used. The City's anti-pollen ordinance, enforced by the Environmental Health Department, controls the types of trees which can be planted after 1992.

Is there a limit to how many garage sales my neighbor can hold?
Each home in an R-1 area may have a garage sale or yard sale once every twelve (12) months. The sale may not exceed three (3) days in length and only normally accumulated household goods may be sold. Only one non-illuminated sign, not more than six (6) square feet in area, may be located on the premises where the sale is being held during the period of the sale. No off-site signs may be located in public right-of-way median or on utility poles.

How can you find out the zoning of a particular property and what the property can be used for?
Call City Zoning at (505)924-3850 with the specific property address or legal description or visit City Zoning at 600 2nd St NW, 7th floor.

Can an inoperable car be stored in the driveway or yard of a house in a residential zone?
No, all motor vehicles which are not parked inside a building must be operative and not wholly or partially dismantled.

Can a recreational vehicle be parked on private property in an R-1 zone?
Recreational vehicles, boats and boat trailers may be parked inside or outside in the side yard or rear yard, provided that no part of the unit extends over a public sidewalk. They may also be parked in the front yard if the unit is parked perpendicular to the front curb, the body or the RV or boat is at least 11 feet from the face of the curb, and no part of the unit extends over the public sidewalk. The unit can only be used for dwelling purposes for a maximum or 14 days. Cooking is not permitted and there can be no permanent connection of water, sewer, or electricity.

Can a car repair business be conducted at a home in a residential neighborhood?
The Zoning Code does not allow auto repair done as a business to take place in residential zones. The provisions for an allowable home occupation provide that such businesses must be conducted entirely indoors. Cars parked outside must be operative and may not be wholly or partially dismantled. A declaratory ruling issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer in January of 1996 speaks to the regulation of minor maintenance or repair of the resident's own private vehicle and notes that if there is a complaint a 2-week grace period may be given to allow the repair to be completed.

Can day care be conducted in a residential neighborhood?
A family day care home, with only members of the residing family providing care for no more than 6 children (limit not including provider's children over 6) may exist if the activity is licensed by the State as a family day care home. If over 6 but not more than 12 children are cared for, the facility requires that a conditional use be obtained from the City.

Can a group home be located in an R-1 zone?
A Community Residential Program (not a Community Residential Corrections Program or a Community Residential Program for substance abusers) with up to ten (10) client residents can be located in an R-1 zone provided that the standards of Section 14-16-3-12 of the Zoning Code are met.