Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance caps walls and fences at 3 feet in a front or street side yard and 8 feet elsewhere on a residential lot, with limited exceptions for taller view fencing.
Wall and fence heights are governed by IDO Section 14-16-5-7(D) and Table 5-7-1. In Residential and Mixed-use zones, a wall or fence in the front yard or street side yard is limited to 3 feet, while walls in other locations on the lot (side and rear) may reach 8 feet. Non-residential commercial zones (NR-C, NR-BP) follow the same 3 ft / 8 ft pattern, and light/general manufacturing zones (NR-LM, NR-GM) allow 6 ft in front and 10 ft elsewhere. Taller front-yard walls (up to 5-6 feet) may be approved for low-density residential development when at least 50% of the portion above 3 feet is view fencing and the wall is set back from the street, but in the Downtown Neighborhood Area CPO-3 and the Monte Vista/College View Historic District, walls over 3 feet in any front or street side yard are flatly prohibited. Design elements may project up to 2 feet above the maximum height at intervals of at least 50 feet.
Violations of the IDO are subject to the General Penalty in ROA 1994 1-1-99: a fine up to $500, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both; each day of violation is a separate offense (IDO 14-16-6-9(D)).
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