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Moving to Tijeras, NM?

Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.

Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Tijeras across 11 categories and 41 specific rules we track.

11 Permissive23 Moderate7 Strict

🔊 Noise Ordinances

Noise rules affect everything from weekend parties to lawn care schedules. Quiet hours, construction restrictions, and barking dog limits vary widely between cities.

🏠 Short-Term Rentals

If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.

Taxes & Fees

Some Restrictions

Tijeras STR operators must pay NM Gross Receipts Tax and applicable Lodgers' Tax under NMSA §3-38-15. State CRS tax ID required from NM Taxation & Revenue Department. Village zoning fees apply for STR permit applications.

Gross Receipts Tax: NM state + local rate appliesLodgers' Tax: NMSA §3-38-15

Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

Tijeras Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Sec. 26-861 et seq. (Ord. No. 240, Nov. 27, 2023) does not set a per-guest overnight occupancy cap, but it caps the village to thirty (30) active STR permits and limits each unit to 225 cumulative rental days per calendar year. The certificate of occupancy and adopted building/fire codes control how many people may stay.

Per-Guest Overnight Cap: Not numerically specified in Sec. 26-861Village-Wide Permit Cap: 30 active STR permits (Sec. 26-861(1))

Insurance Requirements

Some Restrictions

Village of Tijeras Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Sec. 26-862(5) requires every owner of a short-term rental to 'maintain adequate short-term rental insurance coverage' for the unit. Sec. 26-864(4) requires the application to include 'proof of adequate insurance coverage.' The ordinance does not specify a minimum dollar amount, leaving 'adequate' to the village clerk's review.

Insurance Required: Yes - Sec. 26-862(5) and Sec. 26-864(4)Minimum Dollar Amount: Not specified in ordinance ('adequate')

Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

STR renter provisions (§26-863) in Tijeras include behavioral standards. STR guests must comply with village nuisance and noise rules. The rural mountain village setting means noise carries; state law NMSA §30-20-1 applies.

Renter Rules: §26-863 provisions applyNoise Standard: State law + village nuisance rules

Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Tijeras zoning ordinance requires off-street parking with at least 10% landscaped area. STR properties must provide adequate guest parking. The village's rural roads have limited on-street parking options.

Off-Street Parking: Required per zoning ordinanceLandscaping: 10% of parking area must be landscaped

Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Tijeras Ordinance No. 240 (Dec 2023) includes Division 8 covering Short-Term Rentals (§26-861 through §26-864). STRs are regulated with general provisions, owner/operator requirements, renter provisions, and violation penalties.

Ordinance: No. 240, Division 8 (Dec 2023)Sections: §26-861 through §26-864

🔥 Fire Regulations

Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.

🚗 Parking Rules

Parking rules catch more new residents off guard than almost any other ordinance. RV storage, overnight parking bans, and driveway regulations vary significantly.

🧱 Fence Regulations

Planning to put up a fence? Height limits, material restrictions, and permit requirements differ by city - and sometimes by which side of the property the fence sits on.

🐔 Animal Ordinances

Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.

Breed Restrictions

Heavy Restrictions

Tijeras Ordinance No. 32, §VI(I) (1984) — BANS ownership or possession of American Pit Bull Terriers within village limits. Any pit bull may be impounded and destroyed after court determination. Upheld as constitutional in Garcia v. Village of Tijeras (1988).

Breed Ban: American Pit Bull Terrier BANNEDOrdinance: No. 32, §VI(I) (1984)

Beekeeping

Few Restrictions

Beekeeping is allowed in Tijeras consistent with the rural residential character. No village-specific beekeeping ordinance. State apiary rules under NMAC 21.27.2 apply. Commercial apiaries must register annually with NM Department of Agriculture by November 1.

Status: Allowed — rural character supports itVillage Permit: Not required for hobby beekeeping

Dog Leash Laws

Heavy Restrictions

Tijeras Animal Ordinance (Ord. No. 32, 1984) — unlawful to allow any animal to run at large on streets, alleys, sidewalks, vacant lots, or public property. Leash defined as chain, strap, or cord of sufficient substance to control the animal. County ACS provides services.

Ordinance: Ord. No. 32 (1984)At-Large: Prohibited on all public areas

Exotic Pets

Some Restrictions

Exotic pet regulations in Tijeras fall under Bernalillo County Animal Care Ordinance and state wildlife laws (NMSA §77-1A-1). The village animal ordinance addresses animal cruelty and dangerous animals. Contact Bernalillo County ACS for guidance.

County Ordinance: Bernalillo County Ch. 6 appliesState Law: NMSA §77-1A-1 (Wildlife Conservation)

Chickens & Livestock

Few Restrictions

Tijeras allows chickens and small livestock on residential properties consistent with the mountain village character. The rural setting in the Sandia Mountains accommodates hobby farming and animal keeping on larger lots.

Livestock: Permitted residentialCharacter: Rural mountain village

🌿 Landscaping Rules

From grass height limits to tree removal permits, landscaping rules can surprise new homeowners, especially in drought-prone areas with water restrictions.

Grass Height Limits

Few Restrictions

Tijeras has no specific grass height ordinance. The village's rural mountain character means natural vegetation is common. General nuisance and fire hazard provisions apply to overgrown vegetation that creates safety risks.

Specific Ordinance: None — general nuisance rulesCharacter: Rural mountain — natural vegetation common

Water Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Tijeras water service is regulated under Chapter 24 (Utilities) of the village code. Water conservation is important in the arid East Mountains. The village relies on groundwater. ABCWUA does not serve Tijeras; the village has its own water/sewer system.

Village Code: Chapter 24 — Utilities (Water & Sewer)Water Source: Groundwater (own system)

Tree Trimming

Few Restrictions

Tijeras does not have a specific tree trimming ordinance. The village is in a forested East Mountains setting. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property. Fire safety vegetation management may be recommended or required in WUI areas.

Specific Ordinance: NoneSetting: Forested East Mountains

Weed Ordinances

Some Restrictions

Tijeras enforces weed abatement. NM Noxious Weed Law applies statewide. Fire prevention concerns drive enforcement in arid areas.

Authority: City + county weed boardState Law: NMSA §3-53-1

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Few Restrictions

Tijeras does not have a specific tree removal permit requirement. The rural mountain setting includes pinon, juniper, and ponderosa pine. Building projects must submit site plans showing existing vegetation. Defensible space clearing for fire safety is encouraged.

Permit: No specific tree removal permitBuilding Projects: Site plan must show vegetation

💼 Home Business

Working from home is common, but running a business from home often requires permits and must comply with zoning restrictions on customer traffic and signage.

🏊 Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool ownership comes with safety fencing requirements, permit obligations, and drainage rules that vary by jurisdiction.

🏗️ Accessory Structures

Thinking about an ADU, shed, or garage conversion? Local rules on accessory structures have changed rapidly in recent years, especially in California.

Carport Rules

Few Restrictions

Tijeras Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance treats carports as accessory structures. Per the Article VI use table, accessory structures of 450 sq. ft. or smaller without utilities are permissive (P) in residential zones; larger or utility-served structures are designated (D) and need clerk review under Sec. 26-67. Buildings cannot exceed 26 feet in height (Sec. 26-654), and Bernalillo County issues the building permit under Sec. 26-69.

Classification: Accessory structure (Sec. 26-9 definition)Permissive Threshold: <= 450 sq. ft. and no utilities (P in R-1, R-2)

Garage Conversions

Some Restrictions

Garage conversions in Tijeras require P&Z Commission review per §26-67 since they alter building use. The village's ADU provisions (§26-881) may apply if converting to a dwelling unit. Building code compliance required.

Review: P&Z Commission approval requiredADU Provisions: §26-881 may apply

ADU Rules

Some Restrictions

Tijeras Ordinance No. 240 includes Division 9 specifically addressing Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (§26-881). ADU requirements are established in the 2023 comprehensive zoning ordinance. Contact the Village for current ADU application requirements.

Ordinance: No. 240, Division 9 (Dec 2023)Section: §26-881 (ADU Requirements)

Shed Rules

Some Restrictions

Accessory structures in Tijeras require P&Z Commission approval per §26-67 for any building erection or footprint alteration. The village's rural character on 1+ acre lots provides space for sheds and outbuildings. Setback requirements apply.

Approval: P&Z Commission review requiredLot Size: Minimum 1 acre (R-1)

🌍 Environmental Rules

Overall: What to Expect in Tijeras

Tijeras has 41 ordinances on file across 11 categories. Of these, 11 are rated permissive, 23 moderate, and 7 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Tijeras compared to other cities.

Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.

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