Building Setbacks & Zoning in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance sets minimum yard setbacks for each residential zone district in Table 2-3-1 and Table 5-1-1. In the R-A (Rural and Agricultural) zone, the city's least dense residential district, houses must sit back at least 20 feet from the front lot line, 10 feet from each side lot line, and 25 feet from the rear lot line.
Yard Setback Minimums in Albuquerque's R-A Zone
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance § 14-16-2-3(A)(2), Table 2-3-1
Table 2-3-1: ... R-A Zone District Dimensional Standards Summary ... Setback Standards ... D Front, minimum 20 ft. ... E Side, minimum 10 ft. ... F Rear, minimum 25 ft.
Structure Height Limits
Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance caps residential building height by zone district under Table 5-1-1 and each district's dimensional-standards summary table. In the R-A (Rural and Agricultural) zone, the city's largest-lot residential district, Table 2-3-1 sets a 26-foot maximum building height, measured under the IDO's zone-district dimensional standards in Part 14-16-2-3.
Residential Structure Height Limit in Albuquerque's R-A Zone
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance § 14-16-2-3(A)(2), Table 2-3-1
Table 2-3-1: ... R-A Zone District Dimensional Standards Summary ... Building Height ... G Building height, maximum 26 ft.
Lot Coverage Limits
In Albuquerque's Los Duranes Character Protection Overlay Zone (CPO-6), a building on an R-A-zoned lot cannot cover more than 50 percent of the lot. The same overlay layers on staggered front setbacks matched to neighboring homes, a 26-foot height cap, and other design rules unique to this Rio Grande Boulevard-area neighborhood.
Albuquerque Building Coverage Cap in R-A Zones
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance § 14-16-3-4(G)(2)-(4)
In the R-A zone district, building coverage shall not exceed 50 percent of the lot. ... Single-family and two-family dwellings, minimum: 10 feet to encourage staggered setbacks, compliant with 1 of the following, as applicable. ... Building height, maximum: 26 feet. ... Building height bonuses do not apply pursuant to § 14-16-3-1(C).
Looking for Bernalillo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albuquerque city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bernalillo County →