Landscaping Rules in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Albuquerque's Street Tree Ordinance (ROA 1994, Article 6-6) sets minimum clearance for trees overhanging public ways: the lowest permanent branch over a sidewalk must be at least 7 feet, and over a street at least 14 feet. The City Forester administers planting, trimming, and removal of street trees.
Street tree clearance over sidewalks and streets
Some RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque Street Tree Ordinance, ROA 1994 Sec. 6-6-2-5 (Street Tree Policies)
The minimum height to the lowest permanent branch overhanging a sidewalk shall be seven feet; the lowest height of a permanent branch overhanging a street shall be 14 feet. Coniferous trees may be used as street trees only when the minimum required vertical clearance over streets and sidewalks can be maintained throughout the life of the tree and only where they will not at maturity block solar...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Cutting, trimming, spraying, removing, or planting any tree, shrub, or hedge within Albuquerque's streets, alleys, sidewalks, or other public places requires a written permit from the City Forester first.
Albuquerque Street Tree Removal Permit Required
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 6-6-1-4
It shall be unlawful to cut, trim, spray, remove or plant any tree, vine, shrub, hedge, or other plant within the limits of any streets, alley, sidewalk, or other public place within the city without first having obtained a permit so to do from the City Forester, and/or without complying in all respects with the condition set forth in such written permit, save and except, nevertheless, that tre...
Weed Ordinances
Under Albuquerque's Weed, Litter and Snow Removal Ordinance (Sec. 9-8-1 et seq.), it is unlawful to permit listed nuisance weeds to grow to a height or width of more than 4 inches. The owner must keep the property clear, including the area between the property line and the middle of the adjacent alley.
Nuisance weeds over 4 inches prohibited
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque, Weed, Litter and Snow Removal Ordinance (ROA Sec. 9-8-1 et seq.; Sec. 9-8-4)
The Weed, Litter and Snow Removal Ordinance is intended to promote the general health, safety and welfare for Albuquerque by prohibiting the maintenance or accumulation of plants determined to be of major allergenic significance, those which constitute a fire hazard when wind collected, or those which otherwise present a hazard or nuisance to inhabitants of the city. Any weeds with a height or ...
Water Restrictions
Albuquerque enforces mandatory time-of-day watering restrictions. Under the Water Conservation Landscaping and Water Waste Ordinance (ROA 1994, Sec. 6-1-1-5), all spray irrigation from April 1 through October 31 must occur between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. Drip irrigation, low-precipitation bubblers, and hand watering are exempt.
Seasonal time-of-day watering restrictions (Apr-Oct)
Heavy RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque 1994, Sec. 6-1-1-5 (Watering Restrictions)
All spray irrigation during the period beginning on April 1 and ending on October 31 of each year shall occur between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. This restriction shall not apply to drip irrigation, low precipitation bubblers, hand watering, or the watering of containerized plants and plant stock.
Rainwater Harvesting
Albuquerque law voids any homeowners' association covenant that blocks a property holder from using rain barrels or other water harvesting devices, so long as the devices protect public health and safety. Associations may still set placement and type criteria, but cannot ban rainwater collection outright, and violating the underlying ordinance is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $500 fine.
Albuquerque Protects Rain Barrels From HOAs
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 6-1-1-8(C)(1)(c), (C)(3)
HARVESTED WATER. Precipitation or irrigation runoff collected, stored and available for reuse for irrigation purposes. (C) Certain Restrictive Covenants Prohibited. (1) A property holders' association shall not enforce a provision in a covenant that prohibits or restricts a property holder from: (c) Using rain barrels or other water harvesting devices, provided such devi...
Native Plants
Albuquerque voids any HOA covenant that bars a homeowner from tearing out turf grass and planting xeriscape or native, low-water landscaping, so long as the work meets the city's cap on high-water turf for new development.
Albuquerque Protects Native, Xeriscape Landscaping Rights
Few RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 6-1-1-8(C)(1)(a)
A property holders' association shall not enforce a provision in a covenant that prohibits or restricts a property holder from: (a) Removing turf grass and installing xeriscape landscaping in compliance with the restrictions for new development in subsection (B) of this section;
Artificial Turf
Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance allows artificial turf on private property but refuses to credit it toward any landscaping requirement. IDO § 14-16-5-6(C)(4)(i) states artificial turf/grass is not living vegetative material, so a project can't use fake grass to satisfy required landscaped area, tree, or shrub counts.
Artificial Turf Doesn't Count as Landscaping
Light RestrictionsAlbuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance § 14-16-5-6(C)(4)(e), (f), (i); § 14-16-6-9(C)(5)(f)
No more than 10 percent of required landscape areas shall be cool season grass species. Irrigated grass shall not be planted on slopes exceeding 1:4 rise:run or planted in narrow or irregularly shaped areas 10 feet or less in any dimension in order to avoid water waste. ... Artificial turf/grass shall not be counted as living vegetative material or to meet the requirements of this § 14-16-5-6(C...
Looking for Bernalillo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albuquerque city rules.
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