Otero County, NM Ordinances (2026)

In unincorporated Otero County it is unlawful under County Code Chapter 220 to store, keep or maintain any junked vehicle anywhere on public or private property. A vehicle inoperative…

Unincorporated Otero County has no general use-district zoning, but Article VII of Chapter 150 creates a Multiple Use/Multiple Functions Agricultural and Natural Resource Production…

In unincorporated Otero County, running a radio, phonograph or musical instrument loud enough to disturb the quiet or comfort of anyone in a nearby dwelling, motel, hotel or hospital…

It is unlawful in unincorporated Otero County for a dog owner to let a dog bark excessively enough to disturb the peace, or to keep any animal that habitually barks, howls or otherwise…

Unincorporated Otero County bans unmuffled engine-brake retarders (Jake brakes) and unmuffled straight pipes on all county roadways outside municipal limits, a dedicated chapter…

Any development in a special flood hazard area of unincorporated Otero County needs a floodplain development permit before construction, alteration or land use change under Chapter…

New and substantially improved homes in a mapped Otero County flood hazard area must have their lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation, or 24 inches above the highest…

Every new subdivision in unincorporated Otero County must prove its stormwater will not overwhelm neighboring land. Otero County Code § 200-12.C(4) requires a terrain management plan…

Smoking cannabis in a public place is banned countywide in unincorporated Otero County unless you're inside a licensed cannabis consumption area. Section 114-3 confines legal public…

Dumping solid waste, rubbish or refuse anywhere in unincorporated Otero County outside an approved collection time and place is banned under § 190-7.A, with fines that jump to as much…

Commercial haulers and anyone collecting solid waste in unincorporated Otero County must use a vehicle with a tightly secured cover operated to prevent odors escaping and waste from…

Otero County's only dedicated recycling program is its Tire Recycling Center, not curbside pickup. Otero County Code § 210-2 charges commercial users $1 per tire equivalent to dump…

In unincorporated Otero County, the Board of County Commissioners can order removal of any ruined, damaged or dilapidated building, mobile home or debris-covered premises by…

Any owner, renter or occupant in unincorporated Otero County who allows piles of rubbish, tires, debris, grass, weeds or tree limbs susceptible to rodent, reptile or noxious-weed…

Otero County has no breed-specific ban; instead Code § 105-8G regulates any animal by conduct. A dog or other animal that unprovoked seriously injures a person or another animal meets…

Otero County's Animal Control Ordinance carves out a formal community-cat exemption at Code § 105-6: a free-roaming cat that is sterilized, vaccinated and ear-tipped is exempt from…

Otero County requires every dog and cat over six months old to be sterilized under Code § 105-7B, unless the owner obtains an intact-animal permit or a veterinarian signs a medical…

Otero County requires microchip identification for strays, not for every pet at home. Code § 105-7E says dogs and cats impounded as strays must be microchipped within 60 days of being…

In unincorporated Otero County, letting a dog or other domestic animal run loose off its own property is unlawful under Code § 105-8D. Any animal caught running at large is declared a…

Keeping an exotic or wild animal in unincorporated Otero County requires a state permit, not just a county nod. Code § 105-9 ties possession to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish…

Small and large campfires are allowed anytime of day in unincorporated Otero County under § 111-6(5) and (6), as long as someone continuously attends the fire with at least five…

In unincorporated Otero County, outdoor vegetative burning is allowed only under Chapter 111's conditions, but the County Office of Emergency Services or Board of Commissioners can…

Selling fireworks anywhere in unincorporated Otero County requires a free County permit, and aerial and ground audible fireworks are automatically off-limits above 5,500 feet in the…

To report an animal-control violation in unincorporated Otero County, file a sworn complaint with the Sheriff's Office under Code § 105-12A. You must have personal knowledge of the…

Airbnb, Vrbo and other marketplace providers renting short-term lodging in unincorporated Otero County must collect the county's occupancy tax and remit it directly. Otero County Code…

No one may rent out lodging in unincorporated Otero County until the County Manager approves a vendor application under the county's Lodger's Tax Ordinance. Otero County Code § 205-67…

Anyone occupying Otero County road right-of-way without authorization faces the county's Road Encroachment Act. Under Otero County Code §§ 195-9 and 195-13, the Road Department and…

Hotels, motels, cabins and other commercial lodging in unincorporated Otero County pay a 5% occupancy tax on top of gross receipts tax. Otero County Code § 205-66 imposes the tax on…

Subdividing land in unincorporated Otero County requires checking it against the State Register of Cultural Properties first. Otero County Code § 200-31 makes every subdivider review…