Rio Rancho, NM Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone allowed
- A-R Agricultural Residential only
- Cattle/horse density
- 1 per 10,000 sq ft
- Sheep/goat density
- 1 per 4,000 sq ft
- Minimum lot size
- 1 acre for livestock use
Summary
Rio Rancho allows commercial livestock, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, only in the Agricultural Residential (A-R) zoning district, and caps how many animals a lot can hold based on open lot area.
Animals such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats for commercial purposes; provided, that one head of cattle or horses does not exceed one for each 10,000 square feet of open lot area, one sheep or goat for each 4,000 square feet, or equivalent combination. All livestock and poultry shall be kept in such a manner as not to constitute a nuisance... All animals shall be confined within the owner's property boundaries.
Full Breakdown
The A-R Agricultural Residential District is the only Rio Rancho zoning district that allows commercial livestock. City Code caps stocking density by open lot area, one head of cattle or horses per 10,000 square feet, one sheep or goat per 4,000 square feet, or an equivalent combination, and requires the lot to be at least one acre. Livestock and poultry must be kept so as not to create a nuisance: noise, odor, and dust must be controlled, animal areas must discourage insect breeding, and all animals must stay within the owner's property boundaries. Outside A-R zoning, keeping livestock is not a permissive use under Rio Rancho's zoning table.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock outside the A-R district, exceeding the per-square-foot stocking density, or letting animals create a nuisance or stray off-property is a zoning violation enforceable by the city's Code Enforcement division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse on my Rio Rancho property?
Do chickens count as livestock under this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
How Rio Rancho compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rio Rancho to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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