Environmental Rules in Valencia County, NM (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Valencia County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Valencia County requires every driveway on a road without curb and gutter to include a culvert sized by drainage-flow calculations for a 10-year, 24-hour storm, at least 12 inches in diameter, under County Code § 94.013(D). Roads that do have curb and gutter must use a standard 6-inch barrier curb with a 1-inch gutter depth, built to the Public Works Director's approved Standard Details, to carry stormwater away from the roadway.
Valencia County Drainage and Culvert Rule
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 94.013(D)
(D) Curb and gutter and drainage criteria. (1) Standard 6-inch high barrier-type curb and gutter with 1-inch gutter depth as shown in Standard Details must be used as the exterior curb section for all classes of roads or streets required to have curb and gutter. Deviation from these standards will require written approval and concurrence by the Public Works Director. ... (4) For roads wit...
Erosion Control
Any new subdivision in unincorporated Valencia County must show how construction will prevent erosion under County Code § 151.156(N). The Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District reviews a terrain management plan before the county approves a plat, checking road grades, borrow areas, culvert inlets and outlets, and disturbed-slope stabilization so cuts, fills and grading do not wash soil or sediment into a watercourse, drainage channel or floodplain.
Erosion Control Rules for Valencia County Subdivisions
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 151.156
EROSION. Soil movement due to wind or water. EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURE. Any manmade device for preventing or controlling erosion. ... (N) Erosion control. (1) The plan should clearly indicate that installed measures will prevent or control erosion. (2) As a minimum the following items should be considered: (a) Road grades should be designed flat enough to prevent erosion, based on the soils inv...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Valencia County requires a development permit before anyone builds, fills, grades, mines or otherwise alters land within a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area. The Floodplain Administrator reviews every application under Chapter 153 to confirm the project is anchored against flotation, built with flood-resistant materials, and keeps utilities and waste systems out of floodwater's reach.
Valencia County Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code §§ 153.032, 153.065
A development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter. ... In all areas of special flood hazard, the following provisions are required for all new construction and substantial improvements: (A) All new construction or substantial improvements shall be designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of t...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Valencia County, new homes and additions built in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation shown on the county's Flood Insurance Rate Map. A registered engineer, architect or land surveyor must certify that elevation to the Floodplain Administrator, and the code sets no additional freeboard margin above that mark.
Valencia County Base Flood Elevation Requirements
Some RestrictionsValencia County Code § 153.066
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in §§ 153.031, 153.051 or 153.067, the following provisions are required: (A) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation. A registered professio...
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