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Grading and Drainage Plans
Get Approved
In order to minimize property damage and to protect the public, the City of Albuquerque and the County Board of Commissioners voted upon, and adopted various ordinances which require that grading and drainage plans be submitted for review and approval by the Bernalillo County's Public Works Division (BCPWD) in order to secure a building permit or subdivision approval.
If you are planning to build in an incorporated area within the Bernalillo County, a grading and drainage plan must be submitted for approval. The grading and drainage plan is a report prepared by a registered professional engineer that estimates the amount of storm water runoff reaching a specific site and the amount of storm runoff generated by the site itself.
To build within the municipal limits of Albuquerque, call us for specific drainage requirements.
To build within other incorporated areas, such as Tijeras, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, or Corrales, you must check with that municipality regarding their specific requirements.
To build within other unincorporated areas in the county, call the BCPWD at (505) 848-1500.
Floodplain Determination
When preparing grading and drainage plans, or upon purchase of a new home, or re-mortgaging home, you must determine whether or not the property is located in a floodplain. For those developments proposed to be located within a floodplain, the plan review is coordinated through the City/County Floodplain Administrator's office, also, additional comments and review will be sought by other agencies such as Bernalillo County, AMAFCA, and MRGCD. Floodplain maps are available and can be reviewed at the Plaza del Sol Building, 600 2nd Street NW, Development & Building Services Division. These floodplain maps will reflect the most current changes which have been accepted by FEMA. The floodplain maps can be viewed at www.cabq.gov/gis. The internet floodplain maps do not reflect the latest changes. The Floodplain Administrator can be contacted at 924-3982. The internet floodplain maps should be used as a tool to determine the flood zones, however the insurance or mortgage companies will make the final determination for flood insurance.
The following two sites will help to explain the FEMA flood insurance program: