Rio Rancho, NM Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Overnight cap
- 2 guests per bedroom + 2
- Gathering cap
- 2x max overnight occupancy
- Exclusion
- Children under 2 not counted
- Applies to
- All Ch. 123 permitted units
Summary
Rio Rancho caps short-term rental overnight occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two, excludes children under two from the count, and limits any gathering to double that number.
(7) The maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental unit is limited to two people per bedroom plus an additional two people per unit. For the purposes of calculating occupancy, children under the age of two are excluded.
(8) Gatherings of persons in excess of the maximum overnight occupancy prescribed above shall not exceed two times the maximum overnight occupancy.
(9) The short-term rental operator shall provide off-street parking on site as follows:
(a) One parking space for a short-term rental unit with zero to two bedrooms available for rent;
(b) Two parking spaces for a short-term rental unit with three to four bedrooms available for rent; and
(c) Three parking spaces for a short-term rental unit with five or more bedrooms available to rent.
(10) A short-term rental unit shall not be occupied for more than six separate rental periods within a calendar month. There shall be no rental frequency limitations during the month of October each year. (Ord. 24-22; Am. Ord. 25-01)
Full Breakdown
Rio Rancho's short-term rental ordinance sets a hard overnight headcount: two guests per bedroom, plus two more for the whole unit, with children under two excluded from the count. Daytime and evening gatherings, parties, visitors, non-overnight guests, can't exceed double that ceiling. The rule applies to every short-term rental permitted under Chapter 123, alongside the building, fire, and safety codes each unit must already meet. The Department of Development Services enforces the cap along with the rest of the chapter's operating requirements.
Violations & Fines
Violating any § 123.04 provision, including the occupancy or gathering caps, is a criminal offense under § 123.10(B), punishable per the general penalty in § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many overnight guests can a Rio Rancho short-term rental have?
Can I host a big gathering at my Rio Rancho short-term rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
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