Albuquerque, NM Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- IDO § 14-16-5-5(F)(2)(a), Table 5-5-7
- Small lot cap (≤2,200 sq ft)
- 400 sq ft or 85%
- Mid lot cap (2,200-5,000 sq ft)
- 400 sq ft or 75%
- Large lot cap (≥5,000 sq ft)
- 400 sq ft or 60%
- Grandfather date
- Improvements before June 17, 2007
- Enforcement
- Code Enforcement notice to discontinue
Summary
Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance limits how much of a front or street-side yard a homeowner can pave for driveways and parking. Under IDO § 14-16-5-5(F)(2)(a) and Table 5-5-7, the improved area is capped at 400 square feet or a percentage of the yard tied to lot size, and parking on unpaved dirt, grass, or gravel areas outside that improved footprint is illegal.
6. Parking in any Residential zone district or for low-density residential development is prohibited on any portion of the front setback other than on a driveway or drive aisle meeting the standards of this IDO and the DPM. ... Table 5-5-7: Maximum Front and Street Side Yard Parking Area Lot Size (sq. ft.) Maximum Front and Street Side Yard Parking Area ≤2,200 400 sq. ft. or ≤85%, whichever is greater >2,200 and <5,000 400 sq. ft. or ≤75%, whichever is greater ≥5,000 400 sq. ft. or ≤60%, whichever is greater ... Parking on areas other than allowed pursuant to § 14-16-5-5(F)(1)(a)6 is illegal, and such parking shall be discontinued within the timeframe specified by Code Enforcement in notice provided to the property owner, with the following exceptions.
Full Breakdown
The IDO treats front-yard and street-side-yard parking as a design and location standard under § 14-16-5-5(F). Section 14-16-5-5(F)(1)(a)6 flatly prohibits parking in any Residential zone district, and for low-density residential development generally, anywhere in the front setback except on a driveway or drive aisle that meets IDO and Development Process Manual (DPM) standards. For low-density residential development in the R-1, R-T, R-ML, and R-MH zone districts, § 14-16-5-5(F)(2)(a) caps how much of the combined front and street-side yard can be improved for driveways and parking, keyed to lot size in Table 5-5-7: on a lot of 2,200 square feet or less, up to 400 square feet or 85 percent of the yard, whichever is greater; between 2,200 and 5,000 square feet, 400 square feet or 75 percent; and on a lot of 5,000 square feet or more, 400 square feet or 60 percent.
Any parking area installed before June 17, 2007, the date City Council first regulated front-yard parking under Ordinance O-07-61, can keep nonconforming status if it was lawful when built and remains a genuine paved or all-weather surface such as concrete, asphalt, recycled asphalt, or compacted crusher fines. Decorative gravel, patios, and pedestrian walkways never qualify, no matter how old they are, and parking on plain dirt, grass, or landscaping is illegal outright under § 14-16-6-8(G)(2).
Violations & Fines
Code Enforcement treats out-of-bounds front-yard parking as illegal under § 14-16-6-8(G)(2): once notified, the property owner must discontinue the parking within the timeframe the notice specifies. There's no fine schedule written into this section itself, but the City can pursue any enforcement power New Mexico law allows, including a stop-work order, permit denial or revocation, and civil or criminal penalties, and can escalate if the vehicle keeps returning to the unimproved area after notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on the grass or dirt in my front yard in Albuquerque?
How much of my front yard can I pave for parking?
Does an old gravel parking pad in my front yard count as legal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albuquerque
Compare Albuquerque to another location·View the New Mexico parking rules overview
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