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Planning Department FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions within the Planning Department.

Information Request vs. Records Request FAQs

  • What is the difference between an information request and a records request for the Planning Department?
  • How do I go about requesting a copy of a document that is housed within the Planning Department?
  • How do I go about requesting information from the Planning Department?
  • How do I search permits, applications and inspections from the Building Safety Division?
  • How do I search current violations on specific properties from the Code Enforcement Division?
  • How do I request a lien payoff amount or pay off a lien on my property?

General FAQs

  • What are your hours?
  • Where is your office located?
  • What is the physical size of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County?
  • How can I find a copy of the covenants on my property?
  • How can I find out who owns a particular property in my neighborhood?
  • How much do permits or other fees cost?
  • Who do I call if I find mold in my house?
  • How do I obtain a business license/registration?
  • How do I request a copy of a document housed within the Planning Department or one of its divisions?
  • How do I file an appeal?
  • What is Community Connect?

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) FAQs

  • Can I have an ADU on my property?
  • Is an ADU feasible on my property?
  • How can I get permission to build an ADU?
  • How can I finance an ADU?

Albuquerque GIS FAQs (Maps)

  • Can I get the Zone Atlas online?
  • Where do I obtain maps of Bernalillo County?
  • Can I view and download AGIS data online?
  • How can I obtain demographic, census or economic data?
  • How do I determine if a property is in the city or county?
  • Your GIS site displays my address incorrectly. What should I do?
  • Can I purchase city maps from AGIS?
  • How do I look up an address to find zoning and other information?

Building Safety & Permits FAQs (Construction Permits)

  • Do I need a permit for my project?
  • How long does the permit process take?
  • Is there a way to submit a plan or permit request online?
  • How much does a permit/plan review cost?
  • What is FasTrax and how much does it cost?
  • Can I track the status of my plans and view comments online?
  • What happens if I build without a permit?
  • How can I find out if a certain address has a permit for construction?
  • I believe a contractor is building without a permit or not building to code. What should I do?
  • Which codes are being used by the City of Albuquerque?
  • Does the City have plans for my house on file?
  • I have an inspection question. Who can help me?
  • I need to schedule an inspection. What do I do?
  • How do I obtain a Contractor's License?
  • How do I search for permits and applications from the Building Safety Division?
  • How do I get a copy of a specific document housed within the Building Safety Division?
  • I'm getting an error message when I try to pay online for my application/permit. What do I do?
  • My credit card payment failed online. What did I do wrong?

Business Registration FAQs (Part of Zoning & Code Enforcement)

  • How do I complete a business registration, renewal or other update?
  • How do I officially close my business with your Business Registration Section?
  • Will I have to pay late fees or penalties if my business registration is late because of the new online system?
  • Can I go into the Planning Department office to complete my business registration or must I do it online?
  • Can I download the paper application and bring it into your office to complete?
  • I don't have access to a computer. Can I visit the Planning Department to use a computer to complete my business registration?
  • What number do I need to enter online to complete my business registration or renewal?
  • I tried to register my business or complete my business registration renewal online and received an error message. What do I do?
  • I need to get the secret code to complete my business registration or renewal online. How do I do that?
  • I forgot the email I used to originally login and set up the online system for my business. What do I do? I want to change the email login used for the online system. How do I do that?
  • I'm still having issues completing my business registration online. What should I do?
  • How do I search for an existing business registration?
  • I'm getting an error message when I try to pay online for my application/permit. What do I do?
  • My credit card payment failed online. What did I do wrong?

Cannabis Retail Locations in Albuquerque

  • What types of cannabis establishments may be located in the City?
  • What types of licenses, approvals, permits and registrations are required?
  • What kinds of cannabis establishments do not require a Cannabis Retail Location Approval?
  • What are the separation requirements and zoning restrictions for cannabis retail establishments?
  • Can I locate a cannabis retail establishment in Old Town?
  • How do I know whether my proposed location is within 600 feet of another cannabis retail location?
  • How many potential retail cannabis locations are available within the City of Albuquerque?
  • How will the City prioritize the requests for cannabis retail locations?
  • Why is the City using a first come first serve process for reviewing completed applications for cannabis retail locations?
  • How do I submit an application for a Cannabis Retail Location Approval?
  • Can two or more State-licensed cannabis retail businesses conduct business at the same location?
  • Prior to the City now accepting applications for Cannabis Retail Location Approvals, how many proposed cannabis retail locations received Cannabis Retail Location Approvals from the City?
  • What questions must I answer in the application?
  • In addition to answering all the questions, what documents must I submit to complete a valid application for a Cannabis Retail Location Permit Approval?
  • Do I need to have a lease or deed in order to apply?
  • When will my cannabis retail site be “locked in” for separation purposes?
  • What happens if my location is denied via the first come first serve Cannabis Retail Location Approval process because it is too close to another Cannabis Retail Location?
  • How can I verify that the location I am considering for my cannabis business is zoned for the cannabis use(s) I am interested in pursuing?
  • Where can I find the City ordinances and regulations that apply to cannabis establishments?
  • Am I required to submit an odor control plan?

City Real Estate Sales & Services (Real Property) 

  • Where do I pay my property taxes?
  • How do I find out who owns a property?
  • What is surplus property?
  • I need to record or need copies of a recorded document. What do I do?
  • How do I buy property from the City?
  • I want to lease City property or I want the City to lease my property. What do I do?
  • How do I get a copy of a document housed within the Real Property Division?

Code Enforcement FAQs (Zoning)

  • How do I report a zoning, litter or weed ordinance violation?
  • How do I find out how a particular property is zoned?
  • What does a particular zone designation mean?
  • What businesses are allowed in single-family residential neighborhoods (R-1 Zones)?
  • Is there a limit to how many garage sales my neighbor can hold?
  • Can an RV be parked on private property in an R-1 zone?
  • Can a group home be located in an R-1 zone?
  • Do I need a zoning permit to raise the wall around my yard to 6ft?
  • How do I know if a weed violates the Weed & Anti-Litter Ordinance?
  • Where can I learn more about nuisance weed removal and how Code Enforcement works to correct issues with weeds?
  • I live in a poorly maintained apartment. What can I do?
  • Can the City put a lien on my property?
  • Does the Code Enforcement Division have regulations that cover billboards?
  • Can the Code Enforcement Division regulate the content of billboard ads?
  • How long is a dumpster permitted to sit in a driveway or on private property?
  • Can a "Chicken Business" be run out of a residential home?  
  • A neighbor is running a general contractor business or other type of business out of their home. Do they need to have a permit to do this?
  • Are goats allowed in residential areas and zones?
  • Where can I learn more about nuisance weed removal?
  • Does Code Enforcement handle graffiti calls for service?
  • Which Ordinances or Codes does the Code Enforcement Division enforce?
  • Can the Code Enforcement Division do anything about cars, RV's or boats parked in the street for an extended length of time?
  • Where can I learn more about Safe City Strike Force?
  • How do I get a lien payoff amount for a Code Enforcement lien placed on my property? How do I pay the lien off to release it? 
  • How do I find out if a property has any open violations from Code Enforcement?
  • How do I get a copy of open violations on a specific property?
  • How do I get a copy of a lien placed on a property?
  • How do I get a copy of all Code Enforcement actions placed upon a property?
  • How do I get a copy of a specific document housed within the Code Enforcement Division?
  • I'm getting an error message when I try to pay online for my application/permit. What do I do?
  • My credit card payment failed online. What did I do wrong?

Development Review Services FAQs (Development Review Board, etc.)

  • What process do I follow for a zone change, site plan approval, landscaping plan, conditional use, etc?
  • What are your fees for various services?
  • Who can help walk me through the City of Albuquerque's procedures for land development?
  • How do I get a copy of a document housed within the Development Review Services Division?
  • How do I look up flood zone information for a particular address?
  • Do I need a Flood Plain permit?

Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency FAQs

  • Where can I locate information about open RFPs with the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency?
  • Where can I locate information about current Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas within the city?

Urban Design & Development FAQs (Current & Long-Range Planning)

  • What process do I follow for a zone change, site plan approval, or conditional use approval?
  • What is the Bike Locker Program that's mentioned in the Bikeways &Trails Facility Plan?
  • How do I apply for a special exception to the Integrated Development Ordinance?
  • What are the fees for submissions to Boards and Commissions?
  • Who can walk me through the City of Albuquerque's procedures for land development?
  • Is there an official tree list that I can use to know what I can and can't plant on my private property? Or a list of trees that shows me what is recommended and follows City code?
  • How do I get a copy of a document housed within the Urban Design and Development Division?
  • What happened to my sector development plan?