Fence Regulations in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Albuquerque IDO §14-16-5-7(D) — front yard walls max 3 ft for residential. Side and rear yard walls max 6 ft. Walls above 3 ft in front yard need view fencing (max 50% opaque). Design elements may project 2 ft above max height.
Albuquerque Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Albuquerque IDO §14-16-6-5(F) — Permit - Wall or Fence - Minor ($25) required for fences under 6 ft. Fences over 3 ft in front yard require Permit - Wall or Fence - Major (Zoning Hearing Examiner review with public hearing). Over 6 ft needs building permit.
Albuquerque Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
New Mexico is an open range state (NMSA §77-16-1) with no shared fence cost statute. Albuquerque does not require neighbor consent for fences on your own property. Fence must be on or inside your property line. No spite fence statute in NM.
Albuquerque Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet tall (measured from bottom of footing to top) or with surcharge require engineered plans and a building permit in Albuquerque per the 2018 IRC and IDO.
Albuquerque Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Albuquerque requires a self-closing, self-latching pool barrier at least 60 inches high around any residential swimming pool over 24 inches deep per the 2018 IRC Appendix G and ROA Chapter 14.
Albuquerque Pool Barrier Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side/rear yards, with permits required for walls over 6 feet.
Albuquerque Fence Requirements
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Albuquerque's IDO prohibits barbed wire, concertina, and electric fencing in residential zones and restricts chain-link in front yards of most neighborhoods.
Albuquerque Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Bernalillo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albuquerque city rules.
Fence Regulations in Bernalillo County →