Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Bernalillo County, NM (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Sit-Lie Rules

Bernalillo County Code Section 54-34 bars obstructing or impeding pedestrian movement, and bars camping, on streets, sidewalks, medians or crosswalks at any "dangerous streets and intersections" identified on the Mid-Region Council of Governments' High Fatal and Injury Network, effective 30 days after the ordinance's December 2022 adoption.

Bernalillo County Sit-Lie Rule at Dangerous Intersections

Significant Restrictions

Bernalillo County Code § 54-34(b)-(c)

(b)Obstructing or impeding movement prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to obstruct or impede the movement of any persons passing along any street, sidewalk, median, crosswalk or any other public way, including a setback area, at any dangerous streets or intersections.(c)Camping in right-of-way prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to camp upon any part of a public right-of-way, inclu...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encampment Sanitation

Bernalillo County Code Section 54-33 makes it unlawful to enter, remain, camp or loiter in any arroyo, drainage channel, irrigation channel or piping right-of-way owned or maintained by a public agency, including AMAFCA and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, unless the person is public-safety or agency personnel.

Bernalillo County Arroyo Camping Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Bernalillo County Code § 54-33(b)-(c)

(b)Unauthorized presence in a water conveyance system prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to enter or to remain in a water conveyance system which is owned, maintained or operated by a public agency and which is not designated as an open space area or recreational path, except for public safety personnel and employees of the public agency that owns, maintains or operates said water convey...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Homelessness & Encampment Rules by City in Bernalillo County

1 cities in Bernalillo County have their own homelessness & encampment rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

AlbuquerquePop. 564,559

1 verified rule • Encampment Sanitation

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