Bernalillo County, NM Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Nuisance Abatement Office (NAO)
- Complaint method
- NAO prescribed complaint form
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $300 fine, 90 days
- Civil remedy
- Clean-and-lien on property
- Hearing appeal window
- 15 days to appeal
Summary
The Nuisance Abatement Office investigates complaints against junk, inoperative vehicles, weeds, and unscreened outdoor storage on unincorporated county parcels, backed by fines up to $300 or a property lien for noncompliance.
each of the following conditions existing on any parcel of real property within the County shall be deemed and declared to constitute a public nuisance and is prohibited: (1) General nuisances. The accumulation, collection, dumping, or stockpiling of any garbage, trash, litter, debris, rubbish, tires, appliances, junk or other material. (2) Motor vehicles and mechanical equipment. The presence of abandoned or inoperative mechanical equipment, construction equipment, motor vehicles, mobile homes or other commercial or recreational vehicles or equipment...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
The county's Nuisance Abatement Office (NAO) accepts complaints on a prescribed form and investigates conditions declared public nuisances under Sec. 11-2: accumulated garbage, trash, or junk; abandoned or inoperative vehicles and mechanical equipment; excessive weeds or invasive plants; unscreened outdoor storage; unclean fill dumping; watercourse interference; and insect or rodent infestation. The NAO first seeks voluntary compliance through written notice unless the condition is an imminent health or safety threat, then may pursue an administrative hearing, a clean-and-lien action, or criminal charges in Metropolitan Court. This applies only to unincorporated county land. Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras enforce their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Petty misdemeanor conviction carries up to a $300 fine and 90 days jail per violation-day (Sec. 11-12); the county can also clean the property and lien it for the abatement cost (Sec. 11-11).
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a common code violation in Bernalillo County?
How do I report a nuisance violation?
Does this apply inside Albuquerque?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
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