Las Cruces, NM Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Sec. A of the Las Cruces Land Development Code creates the city's Single-Family Rural Residential Zoning Districts "to provide for low density single-family housing on large lots specifically designed for farming and/or raising and keeping of animals," stating the intent is to meet demand for lifestyles that want open space and animal-keeping in a rural atmosphere, with limited commercial activity permitted. The EE Equestrian Estate & Agriculture district is described as intended for housing on large lots "specifically designed for farming and/or the raising and keeping of animals such as horses, mules, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and fowl in a rural atmosphere," capped at a maximum density of one dwelling unit per acre, the lowest density ceiling in the entire zoning code.

The REM Residential Estate Mobile district carries the same farming and animal-keeping purpose language but allows a maximum density of two dwelling units per acre. By contrast, the RE Residential Estate district sitting between them is written to "limit commercial activity and to limit the keeping and raising of animals," also at two units per acre, showing the code draws a sharp line between districts meant to support agriculture and districts meant to cap it. Sec. 38-33C's use table backs this up: Animal Raising, Christmas Tree Farm, Horticulture, Produce Stand and horse boarding/riding-school facilities are allowed uses in EE and REM but not listed as allowed in RE or the general urban residential districts.

A commercial horse-boarding, breeding or riding operation additionally needs a minimum of five acres and must comply with Article IV of Chapter 16 and Chapter 7 of the Municipal Code. There is no separate right-to-farm nuisance-immunity ordinance in the Las Cruces code; agricultural protection here operates entirely through this zoning-district structure rather than through a statutory shield against nuisance suits.