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Zoning Changes

Information about the City of Albuquerque's updates to the Integrated Development Ordinance to help spur housing development

Our Vision

A zoning code that allows Albuquerque the flexibility we need to address our housing demand. Two-thirds of the city is zoned for single-family detached homes, which prevents diverse types of housing in the majority of the city. Adjusting the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) to provide more options and flexibility for housing developers is desperately needed to accommodate the needs of the various populations in our city: from seniors, to families, to students.

Summary of Adopted Zoning Changes

The City Council voted on the following zoning changes on January 6, 2025 in O-24-69, which went into effect on January 28, 2025.

O-24-69 will be incorporated into the IDO document after the next biennial update, expected in Fall 2026.

Zoning changes include: 

  • Allowing the following housing types permissively in all Residential zone districts within ¼ mile of Main Street and Premium Transit areas – Adopted
    • Duplexes
    • Townhouses
    • Multi-family dwellings
  • Removing building height maximums from multi-family dwellings within ¼ mile of Main Street and Premium Transit areas – Adopted
  • Increasing parking reductions in Urban Centers, Activity Centers, Main Streets, and Major Transit Corridors in Areas of Change to 50%
  • Increasing parking reductions in Premium Transit areas to 60%

The City Council voted on the proposed Zoning Changes on June 21, 2023 as O-22-54, which the Mayor signed into law on July 6, 2023. The adopted changes go into effect on July 27, 2023. The IDO is available in full on the City's Planning webpage. 

  • Casitas/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Adopted
  • Conversions of Non-residential Development to Multi-family Dwellings - Adopted
  • Two-Family Homes (Duplexes) – Not Adopted
  • Building Heights – Not Adopted
  • Parking Reductions for Multi-Family Dwellings – Not Adopted

Explanation of Proposed Zoning Changes

Casitas/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Two-Family Homes (Duplexes)

Building Heights

Parking Reductions for Multi-Family Dwellings

FAQs

Casitas/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

To help meet the immediate demand for housing and prepare for expected growth, the Housing Forward ABQ initiative is pursuing solution-oriented zoning changes. One of the adopted zoning changes allows casitas in the R-1 zones citywide. Previously casitas with kitchens were allowed in small areas and just two corridors in R-1 zones. Casitas are small, detached homes located on the same lot as a typical single-family home. Now, casitas are  allowed only in the rear yard on lots with enough room to meet all setbacks and other requirements. They are limited to 750 sq. ft. and require an off -street parking space.

Casitas provide a flexible housing option for multigenerational families or households that can benefit from rental income. Allowing this option is intended to add housing for families in existing neighborhoods where the city has already invested in infrastructure, community facilities, and amenities.

The City of Albuquerque’s Planning Department is providing four different casita construction plans for free to the community to help property owners who may want to add a casita on their property. Watch for more information from the Planning Department.

Read the Planning Department's Accessory Dwelling Unit FAQ

Download the Casitas/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) One-Page Overview

Two-Family Homes (Duplexes)

To help meet the immediate demand for housing and prepare for expected growth, the Housing Forward ABQ initiative is pursuing solution-oriented zoning changes.  One of the proposed zoning changes that was not adopted would have allowed two-family homes in all R-1 zones citywide, which account for 68% of zoned properties in Albuquerque. Today, two-family homes are allowed in a small fraction of the R-1 zones in Albuquerque. The proposed change would have opened up the current restrictive zoning code to allow two-family homes to flourish throughout the city and add vital housing options for all income levels.

Today, two-family homes are created most often when people convert part of their homes into a separate dwelling unit. The result is called a two-family home. Allowing these in existing neighborhoods would have added housing for families in homes of a comparable size to those in existing neighborhoods. Two-family homes provide a flexible housing option for multigenerational families or households that can potentially benefit from extra rental income.

Currently two-family homes are only allowed in R-1A zone. The proposed change would have allowed two-family homes in all R-1 zones, which would have allowed conversions and new construction at the scale of single-family houses in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Download the Two-Family Homes One-Page Overview

Building Heights

To help meet the immediate demand for housing and prepare for expected growth, the Housing Forward ABQ initiative is pursuing solution-oriented zoning changes.  One of the proposed zoning changes that was not adopted aimed to eliminate building height maximums for multi-family residential development and mixed-use development, except in small areas where distinct rules apply.  Eliminating maximum building heights was intended to remove a regulatory barrier to development projects to increase housing units.

 

Impact

No Impact

Eliminating building height maximums for

multi-family residential and mixed-use

development will:

  • Incentivize developers to build more two-family homes.
  • Promote a more sustainable development pattern by maximizing the efficient use of available land.
  • Create more diverse housing options for all income levels.
  • Encourage development densities that help support our public transit system.

Eliminating building height maximums for

multi-family residential and mixed-use

development will not:

  • Affect special rules and overlay zones, which include airport protection, view protection, and character protection overlay zones.
  • Allow for increased building height bonuses on lots within 330 feet of Major Public Open Spaces.
  • Allow for increased building height bonuses within 100 feet of most residential areas.

Graph 01:  Building Height Step Down Diagram

I diagram demonstrating the Building Height Step Down concept. It features two tall rectangles representing buildings on the left-hand side of the diagram, one with "> 30ft." next to it, and the other with "< or = 30 ft." next to it. To the right, there is a small, house-like outline. Just to the right of this is a vertical line with "protected property line" labeled. At the very bottom of the diagram is a horizontal line between the left-hand buildings and the protected propertly line labeled "regulated lot". Regulated Lot in UC-MS-PT areas: 50 ft.

One existing rule that remains in place is the Neighborhood Edge, which requires a transition between more higher-density and low-density development. Any commercial or apartment building within 100 feet of a single-family home, townhouse, or two-family home can only be a maximum of 30 feet tall. At more than 100 feet away the building height maximum is determined by the zoning.  Near the Centers and Corridors where development is most appropriate, Urban Centers (UC), Main Streets (MS), and Premium Transit (PT) areas, building heights are limited to 30 feet high only within 50 feet of a single-family home, townhouse, or two-family homes.

Download the Building Heights One-Page Overview

Parking Reductions for Multi-Family Dwellings

Albuquerque is experiencing a housing supply crisis. With rising costs and the need for between 13,000 and 28,000 more units, families in our city feel the strain every day. Further, it is people of color who are disproportionately experiencing housing cost burdens, eviction, overcrowding, and instability. To help meet the immediate demand for housing and prepare for expected growth, the Housing Forward ABQ initiative is pursuing solution-oriented zoning changes.

One proposed zoning change that was not adopted aimed to reduce parking requirements for multi-family dwellings in mixed-use zone districts. Modifying the restrictive requirements in the City's zoning code would have allowed housing developers to provide an appropriate amount of parking for development in mixed-use zones to promote higher density and more infill housing. It was anticipated that this change would have increased rental options for families by at least 1,000 units by 2025.

Download the Parking Reductions for Multi-Family Dwellings One-Page Overview

FAQs

Process 

  • Is there an opportunity for non-profit community partners to support or be a part of affordable housing development projects?
  • How can community members provide input on the proposed Housing Forward ABQ IDO changes?
    • Community members interested in making their voices heard can attend City Council meetings as well as the Land Use Planning and Zoning sub committee. All meetings and agendas are posted here: https://cabq.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
  • Can someone come to my neighborhood association meeting to share information on the Housing Forward ABQ IDO Changes?

Accessory Dwelling Units

  • In order for the ADU proposal to achieve the goal of increasing affordable housing, what policies and enforcement mechanisms will prevent the new units from becoming just more short term rentals?
    • The City is proposing legislation (O-23-69) to cap the number of short term rentals in the City to avoid losing further housing stock. We are working with stakeholders to develop a policy that is fair to existing property managers and takes into account the needs of the community.
  • How will property taxes be recalculated on a property that has an additional ADU added?
    • The addition of an ADU would likely increase the value of your property. Any assessment to your potential tax liability would need to be discussed with an attorney and the County Assessor.
  • How many ADUs would be allowed on a property?
    • This proposal allows for one detached unit and up to two attached units (i.e. a two-family home).

Integrated Development Ordinance

  • What is the IDO?
    • The IDO stands for the Integrated Development Ordinance: https://ido.abc-zone.com. It is the zoning code for the City of Albuquerque and was enacted in 2017 by the City Council. There is an annual update process to the IDO each year when members of the public are able to submit input for any desired changes. https://ido.abc-zone.com/ido-annual-update-2022
  • How are neighborhood associations notified of construction projects in their neighborhood?
    • The Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance, which is managed through the Office of Neighborhood Coordination, outlines how neighborhoods can register for notice of projects near them: https://www.cabq.gov/office-of-neighborhood-coordination The Integrated Development Ordinance establishes what type of notice is required for different kinds of projects. 
  • How do the proposed changes to the IDO affect people living in a Home Owners Association that has existing covenants?
    • HOA's are governed by the State of New Mexico, not the City of Albuquerque. Any existing covenants would not be subject to these changes.
  • What are the different types of zoning designations?
    • There are many different types of zoning designations in the City of Albuqerque. The largest share of zoning is residential R-1 for single-family homes, totaling 68% of all parcels in the city, which comprise 49% of total area in the City. The City is not proposing to eliminate the R-1 designation. The proposal simply expands the ability for the owner of an R-1 property to add an additional dwelling unit, either attached (i.e. creating a duplex) or detached (i.e. creating a casita) provided specific conditions are met, if the owner so chooses. For a list of all zoning designations please visit https://ido.abc-zone.com/. To see a zoning map of Albuquerque, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/idozoningmap
  • Will ADA requirements still be enforced with these proposed changes?
    • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is federal law and is required of municipalities across the country without exception. All ADA requirements will still be applied to any new development regardless of any changes to zoning.
  • What are Protection Overlays?
    • Character, View, and Historical Protection Overlay zones are areas of the City that are designated by the City Council to establish special regulations to protect them when development occurs. An example of an area with Character Protection Overlay is the Santa Barbara Martineztown Neighborhood near downtown. An example of an area with a Historical Protection Overlay zone is the Silver Hill neighborhood near the University. Finally, an example of an area with a View Protection Overlay zone is along Coors north of Namaste Road as well as the area around the Petroglyph National Monument. The proposed zoning changes would not affect any special regulations established by these Overlay zones. To view all areas covered by protection overlays please visit: https://tinyurl.com/idozoningmap and click on button 3 at the bottom of the map to turn on/off different types of Overlay zones.
  • What are the new height requirements for buildings under the proposed changes?
    • O-22-54 proposes to eliminate building height maximums for multi-family dwellings (i.e. apartments) in Mixed-use zone districts. Casitas are limited to the height of the main house. Building heights in R-A, R-1, and R-ML are also limited on the northern side of the property to ensure southern solar access to properties to the north.
  • Are there any protections for existing solar panels so that they will not be blocked?
    • There are regulations limiting building height on the northern side of the property to ensure southern solar access to properties to the north. Property owners with solar panels can also apply for a solar rights permit to protect existing solar panels.

Parking Requirements

  • What changes are being proposed to Parking requirements?
    • The proposal would eliminate minimum parking requirements for any affordable housing development project and would reduce parking requirements by 75% for multi-family dwellings (i.e. apartments) citywide.
  • Why are these changes to parking being proposed?
    • Reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements allows developers, parking consultants, and other stakeholders to determine how much parking to include in projects rather than requiring developers to build a set ratio of parking spaces based on a building’s square footage, planned uses, or the number of bedrooms in multi-family units. In the case of casitas, an additional parking space is required in order for the project to be considered viable by the City.
  • How would the proposed changes impact areas with Character Protection Overlay (CPO) zones?
    • Any protections or restrictions related to parking in existing Historic or Character Protection Zones would supercede any of the proposed changes.
  • How would neighborhoods be impacted by the proposed changes to parking requirements?
    • Given the areas most affected by these proposals are designated as Areas of Change, adjacent neighborhoods would be unlikely to experience drastic shifts in their ability to park. Parking exemptions and reductions are primarily geared towards Areas of Change, which all contain active public transit routes and underutilized on-street parking. Casitas would still require an additional parking space to be considered viable by the City.
  • Which projects would be affected by these proposed changes?
    • Any project that includes at least 20 percent of units as affordable housing would not have off-street parking requirements. Any multi-family dwellings (i.e. apartments) in Mixed-use zone districts would have parking requirements reduced by 75%. Instead of the City establishing how much parking to provide, the developer would be able to calculate the amount of parking appropriate for the project. Regardless, all ADA requirements for parking would have to be met.
  • How would the proposed changes to parking requirements apply to ADUs or Multi-unit housing developments?
    • ADUs already require an additional parking space in order to be approved, so the proposal does not affect parking requirements. Two-family dwellings already require at least 1 parking space per dwelling unit, so the proposal does not affect parking requirements. The proposal would reduce parking requirements for multi-family dwellings (i.e. apartments) by 75% in Mixed-use zone districts.