Bernalillo County requires a grading permit for excavation or fill exceeding 50 cubic yards or any cut/fill over 4 feet, per the DPM and 2018 IBC Appendix J adopted by County Code. Drainage must be retained on-site; discharge to neighbors is prohibited.
Bernalillo County regulates grading under the joint City/County Development Process Manual and the 2018 International Building Code Appendix J (adopted via County Construction Industries Division reference). A grading permit is required for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards, cut slopes deeper than 4 feet, fill slopes supporting structures, and any work that changes drainage patterns. Sites in hillside overlay zones (Sandia foothills, West Mesa escarpment) require a separate hillside grading review under IDO §3-5. New Mexico case law (Martinez v. Albuquerque) establishes common-law duty not to concentrate surface water onto neighboring property — County Code codifies this. Retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing) require structural engineering sealed by an NM-licensed PE and a building permit. Historical drainage patterns must be preserved unless a drainage easement is acquired. Final grade must be inspected before certificate of occupancy.
Grading without permit: stop-work order and double-fee penalty plus fines up to $500/day under County Code. Redirecting runoff to neighbor: civil action for damages plus County correction order. Unpermitted retaining wall: removal or retroactive engineering required.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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 grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.