Accessory Structures in New Mexico (2026)
26 rules on the books across New Mexico, 8 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
ADU Rules
Rules for building accessory dwelling units (granny flats, in-law suites) including size limits, parking requirements, and owner-occupancy rules.
Dona Ana County
Significant RestrictionsThe D1 Low Density Residential zone allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, capped at 1,800 square feet, but only…
Read full rule →Bernalillo County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Bernalillo County's R-1 zone, a secondary dwelling unit is allowed by right if it meets setback…
Read full rule →Las Cruces
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family lot in the EE, RE, REM and R-1 zoning districts…
Read full rule →Rio Rancho
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho, New Mexico, in Sandoval County, allows accessory dwelling units in residential zones, capping them at 900…
Read full rule →Santa Fe
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe caps an accessory dwelling unit at 1,500 square feet or the principal home's floor area, whichever is smaller…
Read full rule →Valencia County
Some RestrictionsCode § 154.006 defines a SECONDARY DWELLING as a caretaker, health-care, farm-worker or guest-house unit accessory to a…
Read full rule →Sandoval County
Light RestrictionsSandoval County's zoning code allows one detached, kitchen-free Guest House per lot as a by-right accessory dwelling in…
Read full rule →Albuquerque
Few RestrictionsAlbuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance allows one accessory dwelling unit (casita) per lot in the R-A, R-1…
Read full rule →ADU Impact Fees
Impact fees, school fees, utility hookup charges, and waivers for ADUs. Many jurisdictions exempt ADUs under 750 sq ft from impact fees per state law.
ADU Owner Occupancy
Whether the property owner must live on-site to operate an ADU, deed-restriction requirements, and recent state-law changes lifting owner-occupancy rules.
Las Cruces
Some RestrictionsOwning an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Las Cruces comes with a residency string attached: under Land Development…
Read full rule →Santa Fe
Some RestrictionsAn owner-occupant who wants to short-term rent a Santa Fe accessory dwelling unit must live in either the principal…
Read full rule →ADU Rental Restrictions
Whether an ADU can be rented short-term (Airbnb), 30-day minimums, separate rental licenses, and long-term lease requirements.
Las Cruces
Significant RestrictionsA Las Cruces accessory dwelling unit cannot be rented out on the open market. Land Development Code Section 38-33A(c)…
Read full rule →Santa Fe
Some RestrictionsIf the property owner does not occupy either unit, Santa Fe's ADU ordinance blocks short-term rentals entirely: the…
Read full rule →Shed & Carport Rules
When a storage shed or carport needs a permit, the square-footage exemption thresholds, and the setback and height limits that apply either way.
Bernalillo County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Bernalillo County's R-1 and A-1 zones, a carport built into the required front or side yard needs…
Read full rule →Albuquerque
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque exempts one-story detached storage sheds of 120 square feet or less from a building permit, while larger…
Read full rule →Dona Ana County
Some RestrictionsSheds and other accessory buildings in the D1 Low Density Residential zone are capped at 5,000 square feet or 10% of…
Read full rule →Rio Rancho
Some RestrictionsFront-yard carports must sit at least 10 feet back from the property line, and side-yard carports are capped at 300 to…
Read full rule →Sandoval County
Some RestrictionsSandoval County limits detached sheds and accessory buildings to fifteen feet in height and to twenty-five percent of…
Read full rule →Valencia County
Some RestrictionsIn the Rural Residential Districts covering most of unincorporated Valencia County, Code § 154.105(F)(3)(c) lets a…
Read full rule →Las Cruces
Light RestrictionsA detached backyard shed in Las Cruces skips a building permit only if it is a one-story accessory structure of 120…
Read full rule →Santa Fe
Light RestrictionsSanta Fe confines a residential utility shed to the rear yard under Land Development Code Section 14-6.3(B)(2)(a)(iv)…
Read full rule →Garage Conversions
Rules for converting a garage into living space, including whether you need to replace the lost parking and what building codes apply.
Rio Rancho
Heavy RestrictionsRio Rancho prohibits converting a home's private garage to living space unless the homeowner builds a replacement…
Read full rule →Albuquerque
Some RestrictionsConverting a garage into habitable space in Albuquerque requires a building permit with full plans, and a converted…
Read full rule →Tiny Homes
Zoning rules for tiny houses on wheels and foundations, including minimum square footage requirements and where they can be placed.
New Mexico: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNew Mexico has adopted Appendix Q of the International Residential Code, allowing tiny houses on permanent foundations…
Read full rule →Bernalillo County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Bernalillo County allows composting or incinerating toilets on tiny-home parcels only if the lot is…
Read full rule →Albuquerque
Few RestrictionsAlbuquerque treats permanent backyard tiny homes as accessory dwelling units (casitas) under the IDO, capped at 750…
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