Albuquerque Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Albuquerque, including the Integrated Development Ordinance and desert development standards.

Albuquerque Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico requires meeting specific requirements set by the Planning and Development Services Division within the Planning Department. Albuquerque's development is governed by the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), adopted in 2018 as a comprehensive modernization replacing the prior Zoning Code. The IDO integrates zoning, subdivision, and development standards into a single document, with special attention to New Mexico's unique architectural heritage, water conservation and xeric landscaping, mesa and volcano preservation, and arroyo flood management.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Albuquerque Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. Planning and Development Services requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the IDO and the New Mexico Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the ABQ GIS portal at cabq.gov/gis.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per IDO zone district standards
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
  • Lot coverage and impervious surface calculations
  • Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for applicable zones
  • Parking spaces per IDO Article 5
  • Landscaping with water-efficient/xeric plant species per IDO Article 5
  • Drainage and stormwater management
  • Wall and fence locations with heights
  • North arrow and scale
  • Bernalillo County parcel number

Albuquerque Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R-1A (Residential, large lot, 10,000+ sq ft): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 35%. Height max 26 feet.
  • R-1B (Residential, small lot, 5,000 sq ft): Front 15 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 40%. Height max 26 feet.
  • R-A (Residential-Agricultural, 1+ acre): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 25%.
  • R-T (Residential Townhouse): Front 15 feet, side 0/5 feet (0 on party wall), rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 50%.
  • R-ML (Multi-Family Low): Front 15 feet, side 10 feet, rear 15 feet. Height max 35 feet.
  • R-MH (Multi-Family High): Front 15 feet, side 15 feet, rear 20 feet. Height max 65 feet.
  • MX-T (Mixed-Use Transition): Front 10-15 feet, side 0-5 feet, rear 15 feet.
  • MX-M (Mixed-Use Medium): Front 0-10 feet (build-to), side 0-5 feet, rear 15 feet.
  • MX-H (Mixed-Use High): Front 0-5 feet (build-to), side 0 feet, rear 10 feet. Maximum height 65+ feet.

Water Conservation and Xeric Landscaping

Albuquerque is a national leader in water-efficient development, driven by Rio Grande water rights limitations and aquifer sustainability:

  • Xeric landscaping required: All new landscaping must use water-efficient, drought-tolerant plants per IDO Article 5
  • Water budget: Landscape water use must comply with ABCWUA (Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority) water budget calculations — maximum annual water allowance per square foot of landscaping
  • Rainwater harvesting: Encouraged for landscape irrigation; City and ABCWUA rebate programs available for cisterns and rain barrels
  • Greywater: New Mexico allows residential greywater use for landscape irrigation per NMED regulations
  • Low-flow fixtures: Required per New Mexico Building Code for all new construction
  • Approved plant list: ABCWUA maintains an approved xeric plant list for the Albuquerque climate zone

Drainage and Arroyo Flood Requirements

Albuquerque faces significant flash flood risks from monsoon storms and arroyos:

  • AMAFCA (Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority): Manages regional drainage infrastructure, flood channels, and detention facilities
  • Drainage studies: Required for all development to manage arroyo flash flood risks; must show how drainage is routed to AMAFCA facilities or public right-of-way
  • Flood hazard areas: FEMA AE zones along arroyos, the Rio Grande, and other drainage channels. Flood insurance required in Special Flood Hazard Areas
  • Detention/retention: Required for most commercial and larger residential development to capture and slowly release runoff
  • Grading permits: Required for earth-moving activities that alter drainage patterns
  • Arroyo setbacks: Development must maintain setbacks from AMAFCA facilities and natural arroyos

Historic Preservation Requirements

Albuquerque has a rich cultural and architectural heritage:

  • Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission (LUCC) reviews projects in designated historic districts and for individual landmarks
  • Historic zones: Including Old Town (one of Albuquerque's oldest neighborhoods with adobe architecture), Huning Highland, Fourth Ward, Silver Hill, and Downtown
  • Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work in historic districts — must demonstrate compatibility with district character
  • New Mexico State historic tax credits: 50% state credit for qualified rehabilitation of registered historic properties (one of the most generous state programs)
  • Federal historic tax credits: 20% for income-producing historic properties
  • LUCC review adds 30-60 days

ADU Requirements

  • Accessory dwelling units allowed in most residential zones per IDO
  • Size limit: Generally up to 750 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling
  • Setbacks: Must meet zone district setbacks (typically 5 feet side and rear)
  • Height: Limited to the primary dwelling height or zone maximum
  • Parking: 1 additional space typically required

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Accela Citizen Access

Submit through Accela Citizen Access at cabq.gov/planning/online-services for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 600 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque Plaza, 3rd Floor.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per fee schedule based on construction cost; includes plan review and building permit fees
  • Impact fees: Development impact fees for roads, drainage, parks, and fire for new construction
  • Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. LUCC historic review adds 30-60 days. AMAFCA drainage review concurrent.

Creating Your Albuquerque Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Albuquerque property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Planning and Development Services submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Albuquerque?
In R-1A zones (10,000+ sq ft lots), front setbacks are 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet with 35% lot coverage and 26-foot height max. R-1B smaller lots have 15-foot front setbacks and 40% coverage. R-A agricultural zones require 25-foot front and 10-foot side setbacks. Mixed-use zones (MX-M, MX-H) use build-to lines with minimal setbacks. Check the ABQ GIS portal.
What is the Integrated Development Ordinance?
The IDO replaced Albuquerque's previous zoning code in 2018, integrating zoning, subdivision, and development standards into a single comprehensive document. It modernized the city's regulations with a range of zone districts from R-A (agricultural) through MX-H (high-intensity mixed-use). The IDO significantly changed how setbacks, parking, landscaping, and design standards work.
What water conservation landscaping is required?
All new landscaping must use xeric, drought-tolerant plants per IDO Article 5 and ABCWUA's approved plant list. Water budgets must meet ABCWUA maximum allowances. Rainwater harvesting and greywater use are encouraged with rebate programs. Low-flow fixtures are required per New Mexico Building Code. Drip irrigation is standard for xeric landscapes.
What drainage and arroyo flood requirements apply?
AMAFCA manages regional flood control. Drainage studies are required for all development to manage monsoon flash flood risks. FEMA flood zones exist along arroyos and the Rio Grande. Detention/retention is required for most development. Arroyo setbacks must be maintained from AMAFCA facilities. Grading permits needed for earth-moving.
What historic district rules apply in Albuquerque?
The LUCC reviews projects in districts including Old Town (adobe architecture), Huning Highland, Fourth Ward, Silver Hill, and Downtown. Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work. New Mexico offers an exceptionally generous 50% state historic tax credit for registered properties, plus 20% federal credit. LUCC review adds 30-60 days.
Can I build an ADU in Albuquerque?
Yes, ADUs are allowed in most residential zones per the IDO. Size generally limited to 750 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling. Zone district setbacks apply (typically 5 feet). Height limited to primary dwelling. 1 additional parking space typically required.
How do I submit plans to Albuquerque?
Submit through Accela Citizen Access at cabq.gov/planning/online-services. Walk-in at 600 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque Plaza, 3rd Floor. Residential permits take 10-15 business days.
How long does plan review take and what fees apply?
Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. LUCC historic review adds 30-60 days. AMAFCA drainage review concurrent. Impact fees apply for roads, drainage, parks, and fire. Plan review and building permit fees based on construction cost.

How to Create a Site Plan in Albuquerque

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use ABQ GIS at cabq.gov/gis to find zoning, AMAFCA arroyo flood zones, FEMA flood zones, historic district status, and lot dimensions. Note your Bernalillo County parcel number.
  2. Assess Environmental and Cultural Constraints: Determine drainage/arroyo flood requirements, FEMA flood zone status, xeric landscaping standards, and historic district (LUCC) jurisdiction. These factors significantly affect site design in Albuquerque.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Albuquerque address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per IDO zone district standards.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, impervious surface, FAR, xeric landscape plan with ABCWUA-approved plants, parking per Article 5, drainage features, wall/fence locations, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare drainage study showing arroyo management and AMAFCA coordination. Prepare xeric landscape plan with water budget. For historic districts, prepare LUCC application with photographs and design drawings.
  6. Submit Through Accela Portal: Upload plans through Accela at cabq.gov/planning/online-services. Pay fees including impact fees for roads, drainage, parks, and fire.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Attend LUCC hearings if in a historic district. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.