Bernalillo County requires vacant lot owners to control weeds, tumbleweeds, and debris under its Weed and Litter Abatement Ordinance. Grass and weed growth over 8 inches triggers notice; the county may mow and bill under NMSA 1978 Section 3-18-5 lien authority. Albuquerque enforces parallel rules under ROA 1994 Section 9-8.
Vacant parcels in unincorporated Bernalillo County must be maintained free of noxious weeds, accumulated tumbleweeds (Russian thistle), litter, and fire-fuel loading. The county Weed and Litter Abatement program uses an 8-inch vegetation height threshold and inspects heavily during monsoon season (July to September) when rapid growth occurs and after hard freezes when tumbleweed detachment creates fire hazards. Inside the City of Albuquerque, ROA 1994 Section 9-8-1 et seq. (Weed and Litter Control Ordinance) requires lots to be cleared to 4 inches and assessed a minimum $100 abatement fee plus actual mowing costs if the city performs the work. Owners receive a 10-day Notice of Violation; non-compliance authorizes contractor cleanup with costs placed as a lien under NMSA 1978 Section 3-18-5. In the Middle Rio Grande floodway and bosque-adjacent lots, additional vegetation rules apply through the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Illegal dumping on vacant lots is separately prosecuted under NMSA 1978 Section 30-8-4 with fines up to $1,000 plus cleanup costs.
10-day written notice to abate. Non-compliance triggers county or city contractor cleanup with a minimum $100 administrative fee plus actual mowing costs ($250 to $800+ per acre typical). Unpaid charges become a tax lien under NMSA 1978 Section 3-18-5. Illegal dumping (NMSA 30-8-4): fines up to $1,000 and misdemeanor charges.
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 vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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