Environmental Rules in Sandoval County, NM (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Sandoval County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New subdivisions in unincorporated Sandoval County must be designed and built so post-development runoff does not increase flooding or erosion, sized to the 100-year storm, and reviewed by the local soil and water conservation district before final plat approval.
Sandoval County Subdivision Storm Drainage Plan Rule
Some RestrictionsSandoval County Code § 34-78(k)
(k)Storm drainage plan.(1)Subdivisions and developments shall be planned, constructed and maintained to:a.Protect and preserve existing natural drainage channels except where erosion and water control measures are found necessary and approved by the local district.b.Provide temporary measures to prevent damaging runoff waters from leaving the site until construction is completed and permanent c...
Erosion Control
Every subdivision plat in unincorporated Sandoval County must include an erosion and drainage plan as part of the required terrain management plan. Developers must submit watershed maps and 100-year storm runoff calculations and design drainage and erosion-control structures before a plat is approved.
Sandoval County Subdivision Erosion & Drainage Plan
Some RestrictionsSandoval County Code § 34-78(a), (g)
Sec. 34-78. - Terrain management plan. (a)Any person seeking approval of a subdivision plat must address terrain management. No subdivision plat shall be approved unless terrain management has been reviewed by the county. ... (g)Erosion and drainage plan.(1)This shall include the necessary charts, drawings, location maps, and calculations to support the plan:a.A watershed map showing all the up...
Flood Zones
Sandoval County requires a floodplain development permit for any construction, filling, grading or excavation in a special flood hazard area of the unincorporated county. Chapter 18 applies countywide outside Rio Rancho and the Pueblos, and violators face misdemeanor charges and a fine of up to $300 per violation.
Sandoval County Flood Hazard Development Permit
Some RestrictionsSandoval County Code §§ 18-1, 18-4, 18-6
Sec. 18-1. - Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the unincorporated areas of the county. ... Sec. 18-6. - Establishment of development permit. A floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter. ... Sec. 18-4. - Penalties for noncompliance. No structure or land shall he...
Defensible Space
In the Jemez Valley Community District, Sandoval County's zoning code requires buildings to preserve existing trees to the maximum extent possible, but Section 9(2.4)(E)(1) expressly carves out defensible space: it lets property owners clear trees around a structure for fire protection even where the general preservation rule would otherwise apply.
Sandoval County Defensible Space Tree Clearing Rule
Light RestrictionsSandoval County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 9(2.4)(E)(1)
Buildings shall be situated on the lot such that existing trees are preserved to the maximum extent possible. This provision shall not prevent the clearing of trees in order to provide defensible space around a building or structure for purposes of fire protection. Trees may be cleared to enhance views, but should be preserved to maintain the natural ridge line-of-sight as viewed from any publi...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In mapped flood hazard areas of unincorporated Sandoval County, new and substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor built at least one foot above base flood elevation. Nonresidential buildings can meet the same freeboard or be engineered watertight below it, and a licensed professional must certify compliance.
Sandoval County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSandoval County Code § 18-68(1)
Sec. 18-68. - Specific standards. In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in section 18-5, 18-44(8) or 18-69(c), the following provisions are required: (1)Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to one foot or more abo...
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