Bernalillo County, NM Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Floor area cap
- 25% of dwelling
- Accessory building cap
- 600 sq ft
- Employees allowed by right
- Residing family only
- Client visits
- Require Conditional Use permit
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Home-based businesses in unincorporated Bernalillo County are capped at 25% of floor area with no exterior signs of business use, and client visits require a Conditional Use permit.
Home Occupation. Any occupation or activity clearly incidental and secondary to use of the premises for a dwelling. There shall be no exterior display... The home occupation shall not be open to the public (clients, customers, patients, patrons, or similar individuals or groups) unless specifically approved as a Conditional Use. Only members of the residing family are employed, unless approved as a Conditional Use for a single, additional employee. Not more than 25 percent of the floor area is devoted to the home occupation, nor more than 600 square feet of accessory building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
The county's 1973 zoning ordinance allows a "home occupation" by right in every residential zone, but only if it stays invisible: no exterior display, no exterior storage, no nuisances, and no exterior sign that a business is being run from the home. Only residents of the dwelling may work in it, the space used cannot exceed 25% of the home's floor area, and any dedicated accessory building is capped at 600 square feet. If the business will host clients, customers, or patients on-site, or needs to hire one non-family employee, that requires a Conditional Use approval from the Zoning Administrator, good for up to three years. This applies only to unincorporated county land. Albuquerque runs home occupations under its own Integrated Development Ordinance, and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and Tijeras have separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation that exceeds the 25% floor-area cap, adds exterior signage or storage, hires more than one non-family employee, or hosts client visits without an approved Conditional Use is a zoning violation, enforceable as any other Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance breach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see clients at my home business in unincorporated Bernalillo County?
Does this rule apply if I live in Albuquerque?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
How Bernalillo County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico home business overview
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