Bernalillo County is landlocked with no coastline, but the Rio Grande Bosque is the regulated equivalent. The Bosque Action Plan, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District jurisdiction, and FEMA floodway rules control any development within the river corridor.
While no coastal zone applies in New Mexico, development near the Rio Grande is regulated through multiple overlapping authorities. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) holds easements along the river levees and controls the irrigation ditch network — any crossing or bank work needs MRGCD approval. FEMA-mapped floodway along the Rio Grande (Zone AE/AO) prohibits any fill or structure that would raise the base flood elevation, enforced via Bernalillo County Ordinance Chapter 30 (Floodplain Management). The Bosque is a cottonwood/willow riparian forest managed under the 1993 Bosque Biological Management Plan; federal Section 404 Clean Water Act permits from the Army Corps of Engineers (Albuquerque District) are required for any fill in wetlands or waters of the U.S. Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (federally endangered) triggers ESA Section 7 consultation. Petroglyph National Monument and Sandia Pueblo boundaries add additional setbacks.
Floodway encroachment: stop-work, removal at owner expense, fines up to $500/day under County Code Chapter 30. Unpermitted wetland fill: Army Corps civil penalty up to $59,973/day plus restoration. MRGCD trespass: misdemeanor, removal of encroachment.
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Los Ranchos does not have a separate construction hours ordinance. Construction noise is governed by general village nuisance provisions and state law (NMSA ...
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque enforces noise control under village ordinances and NMSA §30-20-1 (disturbing the peace). Unreasonable noise that disturbs the pea...
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Animal control in Los Ranchos is provided by Bernalillo County Animal Care Services. Persistent barking that constitutes a nuisance is addressed under county...
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Los Ranchos commercial vehicle parking is regulated through zoning. Commercial activity is primarily allowed in A-C (Agricultural-Commercial) and V-C (Villag...
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Los Ranchos driveway rules are governed by village zoning code. The rural/agricultural character of the village means less restrictive driveway parking than ...
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Los Ranchos parking regulated under village zoning code §9.2.18 (Off-street Parking Regulations). Many village roads are narrow and rural without curbing. NM...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bernalillo County.
See how Los Ranchos de Albuquerque's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
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