Bernalillo County, NM Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Conditional use + Special Event's Permit
- Minimum lot size
- 5 acres
- Residential buffer
- 2 miles from residential use
- Allowed hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Annual cap
- 3 days per calendar year
Summary
Bernalillo County zoning treats street fairs, festivals, carnivals and farmers markets as a conditional use in its agricultural and residential zones: a Zoning Administrator permit, agency sign-offs, a five-acre minimum site, and a three-day-per-year cap, or a Special Event's Permit for farmers markets.
Temporary festivals, circuses, carnivals or activities in a tent, provided...: (1) The minimum lot size per use or activity shall be five acres...(3) at least two miles from the nearest conforming residential use. (4) Prior approval...obtained from the County Sheriff, County Fire Department, County Environmental Health, County Public Works, City of Albuquerque Air Pollution Control, and Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority...(5) hours of operation...between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m....(6) limited to three days in one calendar year.
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 1973 zoning ordinance (Appendix A) lists 'temporary festivals, circuses, carnivals or activities in a tent' as a conditional use in the A-1, R-1, and other unincorporated zones. It requires Zoning Administrator approval, a five-acre minimum site, on-site parking, a two-mile buffer from the nearest residential use, prior approval from the County Sheriff, Fire Department, Environmental Health, Public Works, City of Albuquerque Air Pollution Control, and AMAFCA, hours of 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. including setup and teardown, a three-day-per-year cap, no permanent structures, and temporary fencing removed within 24 hours. Farmers markets need a separate county Special Event's Permit. This governs unincorporated county land only. Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras issue their own event permits.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required conditional-use approval violates the Code; general penalty under Sec. 1-6 is a fine up to $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus possible permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a street fair in unincorporated Bernalillo County?
Does this apply if my event is in Albuquerque?
How long can a festival or carnival run?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico special events & permits overview
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