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Bernalillo County, NM Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Coverage
Unincorporated county streets only
Driveways
No parking in front of driveways
Curb distance
Right wheels within 18 inches of curb
Hydrant buffer
No standing within 15 feet
Max penalty
$300 fine, 90 days, towing

Summary

On unincorporated Bernalillo County streets, parking is banned in specified places, sidewalks, crosswalks, in front of driveways, within 15 feet of hydrants, and vehicles must park within 18 inches of the curb.

City-specific rules exist: Albuquerque has its own street parking limits rules that differ from Bernalillo County's county-level regulations. If you live in Albuquerque, check the city-specific page instead.

Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers;a.In front of a public or private driveway;b.Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;c.Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;d.Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a street:

Source: Bernalillo County Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A)View official code

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

Sec. 82-52 prohibits stopping, standing, or parking on sidewalks, in crosswalks, within intersections, on railroad tracks, and in front of any public or private driveway; standing is also barred within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk, and within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal. Sec. 82-53 requires vehicles on two-way streets to park with right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb, bars parking on streets narrower than 24 feet where posted, and bans overnight parking longer than 30 minutes in nonresidential areas between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. This governs unincorporated county roads only. Albuquerque enforces its own traffic code on city streets.

Violations & Fines

Violating vehicles may be towed and impounded under Sec. 82-54; the general Code penalty (Sec. 1-6) is a fine up to $300 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park in front of my own driveway?
No. Sec. 82-52 bars standing or parking in front of any public or private driveway except momentarily to load or unload passengers, regardless of who owns the property.
Which side of the street must I park on?
On a two-way street, park facing traffic direction with your right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb or street edge; a different rule applies on marked one-way streets.
Can the county tow my car for a parking violation?
Yes. Sec. 82-54 lets the sheriff's department remove vehicles left illegally parked, disabled in traffic, or unattended more than 42 hours, with removal and storage costs billed to the owner.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bernalillo County

All Bernalillo County rules

Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico parking rules overview

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Street Parking Limits in Cities Across Bernalillo County