Albuquerque, NM Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Albuquerque does not have a separate 'tiny home' zoning category; a permanent detached tiny dwelling on a residential lot is regulated as an accessory dwelling unit (casita) under Subsection 14-16-4-3(F)(6) of the Integrated Development Ordinance. As such it is limited to 750 square feet of gross floor area (650 square feet in the Downtown Neighborhood Area CPO-3), must observe a minimum 5-foot side or rear setback, may be no taller than the primary structure, and is allowed only one per lot in the R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML zones. To encourage casita construction under the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, the City of Albuquerque Planning Department publishes free pre-approved casita construction plans. According to the City, 'These construction plans range in size from 450 to 750 square feet and meet the currently adopted building codes and standards.' Plans are offered at 450, 550, 650, and 750 square feet, each available with a flat or pitched roof and as downloadable construction drawings, allowing homeowners to skip custom design review and move directly to permitting. A movable tiny house on wheels (an RV or park-model trailer) is not a permitted permanent dwelling and would instead be subject to the IDO's rules for recreational vehicles rather than the ADU standards.