Bernalillo County, NM Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Nuisance Abatement Office (NAO)
- Inspection basis
- Periodic, not just complaint-driven
- Entry requires
- Consent or administrative warrant
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $300 fine or 90 days
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
The Nuisance Abatement Office may conduct periodic inspections of buildings and land, not just respond to complaints, to check compliance with the county's building, health and nuisance codes.
To the extent that appropriate resources are available, the NAO shall coordinate with appropriate county staff and investigate complaints received from citizens of nuisances within the county and may conduct periodic inspections of buildings, structures, and the use of land to confirm compliance with this chapter.
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
Bernalillo County's Nuisance Abatement Office (NAO) administers Chapter 11 and coordinates with staff enforcing the building code, environmental health code (including dwelling sanitation and safety), fire code, weed/litter rules and the zoning ordinance. Beyond investigating citizen complaints, county code lets the NAO 'conduct periodic inspections of buildings, structures, and the use of land' proactively to confirm compliance, resources permitting. Substandard dwelling-unit conditions like missing hot water, a broken kitchen sink or inadequate heat count as nuisances under Sec. 11-3, so this proactive authority reaches rental housing conditions, though it is not a registered rental-inspection program. Entry still requires owner consent or an administrative warrant absent an emergency.
Violations & Fines
Unresolved nuisances go to an administrative hearing officer, then possible clean-and-lien action by the county commission, or a criminal complaint in Metropolitan Court punishable by up to a $300 fine, 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bernalillo County inspect a rental property without a complaint?
Does this apply inside Albuquerque?
What happens if an inspection finds bad conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
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