Bernalillo County and Albuquerque generally permit overnight on-street parking in residential areas, but vehicles may not remain in the same spot on a public street for more than 72 continuous hours under Albuquerque Traffic Code §8-5-2-6 and NM Motor Vehicle Code §66-7-351.
Neither Bernalillo County nor the City of Albuquerque operates a blanket overnight parking ban on residential streets. Instead, enforcement is driven by the 72-hour rule: Albuquerque Traffic Code §8-5-2-6 prohibits parking any vehicle on a public street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours without moving it, and NMSA §66-7-351 authorizes removal of vehicles left standing on a highway. Commercial corridors, downtown metered zones, and signed tow-away areas have stricter rules. In unincorporated Bernalillo County, the Sheriff and County Code enforce similar 72-hour limits on roadways. Residential permit parking does not currently exist countywide; specific neighborhoods (such as near UNM and the Sunport) use signed time-limit zones rather than overnight permits. Vehicles parked across sidewalks, within 15 feet of fire hydrants, or blocking driveways are subject to immediate citation or tow regardless of hour.
72-hour violations start at $25 and escalate with repeat offenses. Vehicles may be towed at owner expense, with ABQ contracted tow fees typically $150-$250 plus daily storage. Obstruction violations (hydrants, driveways) carry fines up to $50 plus tow.
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See how Bernalillo County's overnight parking rules stack up against other locations.
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