Doña Ana County, NM Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Governing noise standard
- County Noise Ordinance, Ch. 261
- Amended
- March 9, 2021 by Ord. No. 320-2021
- Owner's authority
- Can set stricter posted party rules
Summary
Noise or disturbance from a short-term rental in unincorporated Doña Ana County is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under the County Noise Ordinance, and the owner may set and post its own conditions restricting parties and gatherings that disturb the neighborhood.
Any noise or other disturbance, as set forth in the County Noise Ordinance, Chapter 261 of the Code of Doña Ana County, emanating from the short-term rental is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [Amended 3-9-2021 by Ord. No. 320-2021] ... The short-term rental property owner has the right to limit or impose conditions on parties and gatherings at the site, as well as imposing conditions that limit disturbance to the neighborhood and the community. The owner shall post a notice of such limitations or conditions imposed by the owner or by this chapter in a prominent location within the site.
Full Breakdown
Section 280-4(J), amended March 9, 2021 by Ord. No. m. That cross-reference means Chapter 261's general noise standards apply to short-term rentals specifically during the overnight window, giving CDD and the Sheriff's Department a fixed quiet-hours benchmark rather than a case-by-case nuisance judgment. The same 2021 amendment added § 280-4(L), which gives the property owner the right to limit or impose conditions on parties and gatherings at the site and to impose conditions that limit disturbance to the neighborhood and the community; the owner must post a notice of those limitations or conditions in a prominent location on the property.
) and a ceiling the owner can tighten further through posted house rules, which CDD can point to when responding to a noise complaint about the rental.
Violations & Fines
A noise violation under § 280-4(J) is enforced through § 280-7's Chapter 280 penalty schedule: CDD, Codes Enforcement Officers and the Sheriff's Department can cite the property, with a first conviction fine of $50 to $300 and a mandatory, non-suspendable $300 fine on a second or later conviction. A third conviction results in revocation of the short-term rental permit and requires operations to stop within seven days, and each night of continued disturbance counts as a separate offense under § 1-20 of the County Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there quiet hours for short-term rentals in Doña Ana County?
Can the owner ban parties at their short-term rental?
Who enforces a noise complaint at a short-term rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doña Ana County
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