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Valencia County, NM Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing sections
§§ 91.036, 91.037, 91.070-91.073
Extension available
Up to 120 additional days
Demolition-start deadline
30 days after final notice
Max fine
$300 or 90 days jail
Appeal body
Board of County Commissioners

Summary

In unincorporated Valencia County, any building the county official finds dangerous, or any abandoned building, mobile home, wreckage or debris, is declared a public nuisance under Code § 91.036 and must be repaired, rehabilitated, demolished or removed. Owners who fail to comply face misdemeanor prosecution and county-ordered demolition.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Valencia County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Penalties for violations of any county ordinances shall not exceed a fine of $300 or imprisonment for 90 days or both the fine and imprisonment ... All buildings or structures within the scope of this chapter which are determined after inspection by the county official to be dangerous as defined in this chapter and all abandoned buildings, structures, mobile or manufactured housing, wreckage, rubbish or debris as defined in this chapter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition and/or removal in accordance with the procedures specified in § 91.070 of this chapter. ... It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to maintain dangerous or abandoned buildings, structures, mobile or manufactured housing, wreckage, rubbish or debris or otherwise maintain a public nuisance in violation of this chapter. ... Whenever the required demolition and removal is not commenced within 30 days after any notice and resolution issued under this chapter becomes effective

View official code

Full Breakdown

036. 070(B). 070(C), but that extension does not toll the separate deadline to appeal the notice and order. 072(C) directs the county official to post the building "Dangerous Building, Do Not Occupy" and authorizes the county to demolish it itself and recover the cost, with any surplus after demolition and lot-cleaning costs returned to the rightful owner. 085 is directed by the County Manager, performed by county crews or private contract, and paid from a revolving demolition and removal account that can become a special assessment lien against the property. Appeals of a nuisance declaration go to the Board of County Commissioners. 073.

Violations & Fines

Maintaining a dangerous or abandoned building, structure, mobile home, wreckage, rubbish or debris in violation of Chapter 91 is unlawful under § 91.037, and occupying a building posted "Do Not Enter, Unsafe to Occupy" or removing the posted notice is a misdemeanor under § 91.071. The county's general penalty under § 10.99 caps fines at $300 or 90 days imprisonment, or both, per violation, and citations may be issued by county employees authorized by the Board of County Commissioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides a building is dangerous in unincorporated Valencia County?
The county official, which under Chapter 91 includes the Building Inspector, Fire Chief and Zoning Officer, inspects and applies the criteria in § 91.038, such as unsafe exits, overstressed structural members, or 33% or more damage to supporting members, before declaring the structure a public nuisance under § 91.036.
Can I get more time to repair or demolish?
Yes. Under § 91.070(C) the building official may grant one extension of up to 120 additional days if it will not create a situation imminently dangerous to life or property, but that extension does not extend your separate deadline to appeal the notice and order.
What happens if I don't demolish within 30 days?
Under § 91.072(C), the county posts the building "Dangerous Building, Do Not Occupy" and may demolish it itself, recovering the cost as a special assessment lien against the property, with any surplus after costs returned to the owner.
What's the penalty for ignoring the abatement order?
Failing to obey a final Board order is a misdemeanor under § 91.072(A), and the general county penalty in § 10.99 caps fines at $300 or 90 days imprisonment, or both, per violation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Valencia County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsVacant Lot MaintenanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew RestrictionsBuilding Safety: Childcare Center RulesSignificant RestrictionsHistoric Preservation: Historic-Cultural MonumentsSome Restrictions

All Valencia County rules

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