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The Planning Department provides leadership to facilitate sustainable growth and development in our city.
The Planning Department will play a key role in developing the tools to implement and manage the future growth of Albuquerque.
Michelle Gricius, Division Manager
(505) 924-3816
Albuquerque Geographic Information System (AGIS) is the primary GIS group in the City of Albuquerque. AGIS is a Division of the Planning Department. AGIS maintains and updates dozens of layers of geographic information in a computerized format. Geographic analysis of this data provides City officials a better understanding of existing conditions in Albuquerque, improving their ability to deliver services to Albuquerque citizens. Beyond maintaining and updating information, AGIS creates custom maps and searches its layers of data for specific information. AGIS makes special maps for the Planning Department, all other City Departments, the City Council, and other government agencies. For the general public, AGIS publishes the City Zone Atlas and keeps a list of standard maps available at a reasonable cost. For access to on-line information for such topics as zoning, schools, parks, and other geographic data please check the City of Albuquerque's interactive GIS website.
Anthony Medley, Chief Building Official
(505) 924-3313
The Building and Safety Division administers the building permit process for residential and commercial construction. This is a fundamental process for ensuring the protection of life and property. The process begins with the submittal of construction documents which are reviewed for compliance with applicable building codes and standards. Approved projects are issued a building permit, allowing construction to begin. The Division also conducts field inspections to monitor compliance. The inspection process culminated with the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
For more information regarding building permits, contact the Building and Safety Division, Plan Review Section at (505) 924-3963. The Division is located in the basement of Plaza del Sol Building on the west side of the building.
Juanita Garcia, Interim Division Manager
(505) 924-3450
The Code Enforcement Division is a combination of two former Divisions - Zoning Enforcement and Housing Code Enforcement. The mission of the Division is to regulate the occupancy level and maintenance of all residential structures within the City in order to safeguard life, health, property and public water. Albuquerque Code Enforcement also enforces the Uniform Housing Code to ensure that dwelling units in the City are decent, safe and sanitary. Enforcing the Uniform Housing Code consists of working with tenants and concerned neighborhood associations and accepts referrals from other agencies. This Division is also responsible for administering and implementing other City Codes and Ordinances, including the Comprehensive City Zoning Code.
Code Enforcement issues zoning citations and reviews all building permit applications for compliance. Development standards administered by this Division include landscaping, parking, setbacks, signs and business licenses. This Division also enforces compliance of the Water Conservation Landscaping and Waste Water Ordinance as well as the Weed and Litter Ordinance. The Division assists with business registrations and plays a major role in the Mayor's Nuisance Abatement Task Force.
Richard Dourte, City Engineer/Division Manager
(505) 924-3999
The Development Review Services Division administers the processing and regulation of development services related to subdivision design and permitting for the Planning Department One Stop Shop, the first source of information and advice regarding many other development requests.
Division staff accepts applications for various subdivision activities, scheduled for hearing by the Development Review Board (DRB). The DRB is composed of City staff professionals who have final approval authority unless appealed. The Division staff also processes applications concerning land development matters for hearings before the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC), the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission (LUCC). Applications are available online here.
Appeals of various board decisions are accepted at the front counter, along with site development plan approvals/amendments, text amendments, and amendments to other adopted plans including the Comprehensive Zoning Code and the Subdivision Ordinance. In addition, staff processes new water meter services and construction plans for public infrastructure projects required as a condition of subdivision and/or site plan approval.
Russell Brito, Division Manager
(505) 924-3337
This Division is responsible for developing plans, policies and programs designed to guide the physical development of Albuquerque. As the Division's name suggests, work often has a long-range orientation toward improving the quality of life for Albuquerque residents. Community participation is a key component. The Division works with the community to articulate ideas and develop goals, which are then translated into policy. Extensive coordination with various government agencies and private sector interests is also a critical element of the Division's work, as is on-going public policy analysis.
The Comprehensive Plan, the over-arching guide for the development of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, is the Division's pre-eminent planning responsibility. Other Division responsibilities include developing Area and Sector Plans, administering the City's Historic Preservation and Urban Design Programs, maintaining and providing data to the public including the 2000 Census.
The Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) serves as a liaison between neighborhood associations and City government. The Division publishes a monthly newsletter, Neighborhood News, that provides information between neighborhoods and local government.
The Division provides a series of training workshops on topics such as Land Use, Zoning Issues and other relevant topics. ONC is responsible for implementation of the Neighborhood Recognition Ordinance. This Ordinance (O-92) defines the process by which the City organizes and officially recognizes neighborhood associations who meet the requirements of the ordinance. The Division coordinates notification to recognized and non-recognized neighborhoods or homeowner associations and from applicants who apply for zone changes, site development plans and liquor licenses prior to the City's acceptance of such requests.