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Special Events & Permits in Bernalillo County, NM (2026)

3 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.

Park Event Permits

Bernalillo County requires a parks and recreation permit for events with 150+ people, exclusive-use reservations, amplified sound, alcohol, or temporary structures in county park facilities, applied for at least 14 days ahead.

Bernalillo County Park Event Permits

Some Restrictions

Bernalillo County Code § 58-10

the county manager shall establish a permit system and may require a permit for any activity within a park and recreation facility that satisfies one or more of the following criteria:(1)The activity intends to involve, is reasonably likely to involve or actually involves 150 persons as participants or spectators at any one time;(2)The activity occurs during the hours that a park and recreation...

Parade Permits

Parades on unincorporated county roads need a licensed traffic escort whose route, timing and safety plan is approved by the county manager and sheriff first.

Bernalillo County Parade Route Approval

Some Restrictions

Bernalillo County Code § 14-275

No operator shall provide escort service for any person, nor for any procession, parade, moving of buildings, structures or equipment, or other similar activity without first obtaining the approval of the county manager and county sheriff regarding routes, time limitations and safety factors.

Street Fair Rules

Bernalillo County zoning treats street fairs, festivals, carnivals and farmers markets as a conditional use in its agricultural and residential zones: a Zoning Administrator permit, agency sign-offs, a five-acre minimum site, and a three-day-per-year cap, or a Special Event's Permit for farmers markets.

Bernalillo County Street Fair & Festival Rules

Significant Restrictions

Bernalillo County Code, App. A (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance), § 7.B.3.e

Temporary festivals, circuses, carnivals or activities in a tent, provided...: (1) The minimum lot size per use or activity shall be five acres...(3) at least two miles from the nearest conforming residential use. (4) Prior approval...obtained from the County Sheriff, County Fire Department, County Environmental Health, County Public Works, City of Albuquerque Air Pollution Control, and Albuque...

Special Events & Permits by City in Bernalillo County

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

All Bernalillo County ordinances

See every category we cover for Bernalillo County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Bernalillo County Ordinance Hub →