Albuquerque requires defensible space clearance of flammable vegetation within 30 feet of structures in designated wildland-urban interface zones under AFR fire code and ROA 1994 Chapter 14.
Properties in Albuquerque's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), primarily the Sandia Foothills, East Mountains fringe, and Bosque-adjacent parcels, must maintain defensible space per Albuquerque Fire Rescue code (adopted from the International WUI Code). Zone 1 (0-5 feet) must be non-combustible with no wood mulch or dead vegetation. Zone 2 (5-30 feet) requires grass under 4 inches, no dead limbs, and trees pruned to 10 feet above ground. Zone 3 (30-100 feet) requires thinned vegetation and removed deadwood. Chamisa, juniper, and Russian thistle (tumbleweed) are high-ignition fuels common in Albuquerque and must be cleared annually by June 1. AFR conducts inspections in WUI neighborhoods and issues abatement orders.
First notice requires compliance within 30 days. Failure triggers city abatement with costs billed at $500 minimum plus $150/hour crew time. Continued non-compliance becomes a misdemeanor with fines to $500 and potential lien.
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