Integrated Development Ordinance Updates Residential Zoning in Albuquerque

The Integrated Development Ordinance, adopted in 2017 and effective since May 2018, sets Albuquerque's zoning and development rules after replacing the prior Comprehensive Zoning Code. The ordinance establishes 25 zone classifications that include seven residential zones, five commercial zones, four mixed-use zones and two industrial zones.

Accessory Dwelling Units on Residential Properties

Legislation O-22-54 took effect on July 27, 2023, and allows accessory dwelling units, also called casitas, by right in R-1 zones and on existing residential properties. This provision applies directly to homeowners who already own residential lots and wish to add a second unit without additional discretionary approvals under the prior framework.

Housing Types Near Transit Corridors

As of January 28, 2025, duplexes, townhomes and apartments are permitted in all residential zones within one-quarter mile of Main Streets and Premium Transit areas, including ART stations. The same update removes height limits for apartments in those locations. Parking requirements have been reduced by 50 percent in Urban Centers, Activity Centers, Main Streets and Major Transit Corridors, and by 60 percent in Premium Transit areas.

For residents living on properties that meet the location criteria, these rules expand the range of housing that can be built on residential land. Homeowners may consider adding an accessory dwelling unit to an existing lot, while property owners near designated corridors can pursue multi-unit projects under the updated allowances. The reductions in required parking apply to new development in the listed centers and corridors.

The rules remain in effect under the Integrated Development Ordinance and subsequent legislation O-22-54. City planning documents outline how the zone classifications and distance-based allowances function for properties that fall inside or outside the specified areas.