Albuquerque actively promotes native and xeric landscaping through the ABCWUA Xeriscape Rebate and the Water Conservation Ordinance §6-1-1-11 ROA, which caps high-water turf in new front yards. NM Prohibited Noxious Weed List (NMAC 21.17.2) requires removal of listed invasives.
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) Water Conservation Ordinance (Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque §6-1-1-11) limits high-water-use turf in new residential front yards to no more than 20% of the landscapable area and prohibits spray irrigation of non-turf areas. Native plant palettes using Chamisa, Apache Plume, Four-Wing Saltbush, Desert Willow, Blue Grama, and Cholla are promoted through ABCWUA's 'Water By the Numbers' guide. The ABCWUA Xeriscape Rebate pays up to $2/sq ft (up to $1,000-$2,000 per property) to convert turf to xeric landscaping. Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension (NMSU) publishes the official native plant list for the Middle Rio Grande. State-listed Class A noxious weeds (e.g., Salt Cedar, Russian Olive, Siberian Elm is Class C) must be controlled per 21.17.2 NMAC administered by the NM Department of Agriculture. The NM Solar Rights Act does not cover landscaping, but the NM Condominium Act and HOA Act generally allow reasonable xeric landscaping.
Installing prohibited high-water turf exceeding Ordinance caps in new construction can block final landscape approval. Noxious weed violations under NMDA can result in state-ordered removal at owner expense. HOA attempts to require Kentucky bluegrass lawns in new covenants are typically unenforceable under ABCWUA rules.
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Animal Care Ordinance (Chapter 6, §6-47) — unlawful to allow an animal to persistently or continuously bark, howl, or make noise common to ...
Bernalillo County, NM
Construction noise in unincorporated Bernalillo County is regulated under the county noise ordinance (Chapter 30, Art. IV) and general nuisance provisions. B...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County has no leaf blower-specific ban. Gas-powered blowers are widely used in unincorporated areas. General noise and air quality rules apply, wi...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Code Chapter 30, Article IV (Noise) establishes noise regulations for unincorporated areas. State law NMSA §30-20-1 also applies — disturbi...
Bernalillo County, NM
Commercial vehicle parking in unincorporated Bernalillo County regulated by zoning code. Off-street loading/unloading requirements in Section 21 of Appendix ...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Code §30 and Albuquerque §8-5-2-6 define abandoned vehicles as those left on public right-of-way for 72+ hours or inoperable vehicles store...
See how Bernalillo County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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