Building Setbacks & Zoning in Doña Ana County, NM (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

In the D1 Low Density Residential zone, homes must sit back 20 feet from the primary frontage, 5 feet from a secondary frontage, and 10 feet from both side and rear property lines under UDC Table 5.8; rural R5 lots use a deeper 25-foot front setback instead.

Doña Ana County Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Doña Ana County UDC § 350-502.D & Table 5.8 (D1 Zone)

Principal building, accessory building, setbacks and building height. One principal building shall be built at the primary frontage. Required building placement, setbacks and building heights shall conform to Tables 5.4 through 5.17. ... 5. Principal Building E Primary frontage: 20 feet (minimum) F Secondary frontage: 5 feet (minimum) G Side setback: 10 feet (minimum) H Rear: 10 feet (minimum)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

In the D1 Low Density Residential zone, the County's default single-family district, both principal and accessory buildings are capped at 35 feet under UDC Table 5.8. Height caps vary by zone: the rural T2, R5 and R5L districts instead cap principal and accessory buildings at two stories.

Doña Ana County Residential Building Height Limit

Some Restrictions

Doña Ana County UDC § 350-502, Table 5.8 (D1 Zone)

Table 5.8 Site Standards: D1 Zone. Low Density Residential Zone (D1 & D1L) ... 3. Building Height C Principal building height: 35 feet (maximum) D Accessory building height: 35 feet (maximum)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

On rural R5 and R5L lots (5+ acres), Doña Ana County caps total lot coverage at 12,500 square feet or 10% of the lot size, whichever is greater, excluding the driveway, under UDC Table 5.4; the D1-D3 residential use zones instead leave lot coverage unregulated.

Doña Ana County Rural Lot Coverage Limit

Some Restrictions

Doña Ana County UDC § 350-502.C(5) & Table 5.4 (T2, R5 & R5L Zone)

8. Lot Coverage and Encroachments 8.1 Lot coverage: 12,500 square feet or 10% of the lot size, whichever is greater, excluding the residential access driveway 8.2 Portal: 16% of setback (maximum), but no more than 8 feet 8.3 Balcony or bay window: 8% of setback (maximum), but no more than 4 feet

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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