Artificial turf is permitted in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County with no general ban. It counts toward the pervious/impervious calculation in new construction and must drain on-site per the ABCWUA Water Conservation Ordinance and ABQ Drainage Ordinance. HOAs generally cannot prohibit it for front yards under the Water Conservation Ordinance.
Neither the City of Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance nor the Bernalillo County Zoning Ordinance bans artificial turf in residential yards. However, ABQ's Drainage Ordinance (DPM §22.2) treats artificial turf with impervious backing as impervious surface for stormwater calculations, so large installations in new construction must be offset by pervious pavers or retention. Proper installation requires a compacted base course, weed barrier, and permeable backing to allow percolation. The NM Solar Rights Act does not cover artificial turf, but ABCWUA's Water Conservation Ordinance generally preempts HOA rules requiring live turf beyond the 20% front-yard cap. Heat reflection onto adjacent properties (surface temperatures 140-170F) can become a nuisance; properties adjacent to vinyl siding or delicate landscaping should use lighter-colored fibers. Permits are not required for residential turf replacement that doesn't alter grading, but grading over 50 cubic yards in Bernalillo County requires a grading permit.
Installations causing off-site drainage can trigger ABQ Stormwater Quality citations and required remediation. Impervious turf exceeding lot coverage in new construction can delay certificate of occupancy. Generally no fines for routine residential installation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Tijeras, NM
Tijeras regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. NMSA §30-20-1 applies.
Tijeras, NM
Tijeras does not have a specific construction hours ordinance. All building requires Planning and Zoning Commission approval per §26-67. Construction noise i...
Tijeras, NM
Tijeras Animal Control Ordinance (Ord. No. 32, 1984) prohibits animals running at large. Nuisance barking is addressed under the animal ordinance and general...
Tijeras, NM
The Village of Tijeras addresses noise under general nuisance provisions in its Code of Ordinances and state law NMSA §30-20-1 (disturbing the peace). Unreas...
Tijeras, NM
Tijeras zoning code restricts commercial activity in residential zones (R-1, R-2). Commercial Business Zones (CB-1, CB-2) accommodate commercial vehicles. Bu...
Tijeras, NM
Tijeras Chapter 22 (Traffic and Vehicles) governs parking on village roads. NM state traffic laws (NMSA §66-7-351 to §66-7-353) apply. The village's rural ch...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bernalillo County.
See how Tijeras's artificial turf rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.