Albuquerque designates 'Champion Trees' on public land but has no formal heritage tree program for private property. Historic cottonwoods in the Rio Grande Bosque and old-growth trees in Los Ranchos and Corrales receive informal recognition but limited legal protection.
Neither Bernalillo County nor the City of Albuquerque maintains a formal heritage or landmark tree ordinance applicable to private property. The city does maintain a Champion Tree registry recognizing the largest specimens of each species on public land, coordinated through the City Forester. Historic Rio Grande cottonwoods in the Bosque are federally protected as part of the Middle Rio Grande Conservation Area. The Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (within county boundaries) has tree-preservation policies in its Master Plan emphasizing cottonwood retention. Trees listed on properties in the Historic Overlay Zones (e.g., Huning Highland, Barelas, Los Poblanos) may receive enhanced scrutiny during construction review but aren't individually designated. New Mexico's Solar Rights Act (NMSA §47-3-6) can indirectly protect trees that provide solar shading when deliberately planted pre-easement.
Damage to Champion Trees on public land: ROA §6-6-99 penalties up to $500 plus tree replacement value (typically $5,000 to $25,000 for large specimens). Bosque cottonwood damage: federal/state charges possible.
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Animal Care Ordinance (Chapter 6, §6-47) — unlawful to allow an animal to persistently or continuously bark, howl, or make noise common to ...
Bernalillo County, NM
Construction noise in unincorporated Bernalillo County is regulated under the county noise ordinance (Chapter 30, Art. IV) and general nuisance provisions. B...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County has no leaf blower-specific ban. Gas-powered blowers are widely used in unincorporated areas. General noise and air quality rules apply, wi...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Code Chapter 30, Article IV (Noise) establishes noise regulations for unincorporated areas. State law NMSA §30-20-1 also applies — disturbi...
Bernalillo County, NM
Commercial vehicle parking in unincorporated Bernalillo County regulated by zoning code. Off-street loading/unloading requirements in Section 21 of Appendix ...
Bernalillo County, NM
Bernalillo County Code §30 and Albuquerque §8-5-2-6 define abandoned vehicles as those left on public right-of-way for 72+ hours or inoperable vehicles store...
See how Bernalillo County's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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