Albuquerque, NM Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Detached storage sheds are governed by two layers of City of Albuquerque rules. First, the City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code (Article 14-1 of ROA 1994) provides that a building permit is not required for one-story detached accessory buildings used as tool storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the building does not exceed 120 square feet, as stated in the City's official Building Safety Storage / Accessory Buildings handout. A storage building over 120 square feet requires a building permit (two sets of plans plus an extra site plan and water conservation sheet) and must meet the City's adopted technical codes, including the 2015 International Residential Code.

Per the handout's zoning requirements, there is no side or rear setback for an accessory building on interior lots, but any wall less than 5 feet from a property line must be one-hour fire-resistive construction. Second, the Integrated Development Ordinance dimensional standards in Subsection 14-16-5-11(C)(4) apply: an accessory building may not be located in any required front setback and may not occupy over 25 percent of the side and rear yards combined; unless specified otherwise it has no required setback from a lot line; and no accessory building may extend across the width of the rear or side yard unless a passage of at least 5 feet is provided.

All accessory buildings must comply with Articles 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 of ROA 1994 (Uniform Administrative Code and Technical Codes, Fire Code, and Uniform Housing Code).