Zoning: Making It Easier to Build

To make it easier to build the housing Albuquerque needs, the City continues to update local zoning rules—regulations that shape what types of buildings can be built and where. These changes are intended to give homeowners, developers, and communities more options to build homes for people at every stage of life.

For decades, nearly two-thirds of Albuquerque was zoned to allow only single-family homes. That has limited housing options and made it harder to meet demand. Housing Next ABQ is modernizing our zoning code to allow more housing types in the areas people want to live.

What’s Next?

The Planning Department is working on proposals to change zoning rules to allow more housing throughout the city and especially along transit corridors. These changes will be proposed as part of the package of zoning changes submitted to the Environmental Planning Commission in September 2025. Ultimately, City Council will decide what zoning changes to adopt.

Keep up with the latest zoning proposals 

What Has Changed?

City Council made several changes in 2025 that allow more types of housing near ART stations along Central and several commercial corridors. Council adopted these changes on January 6, 2025, through legislation (O-24-69) that went into effect on January 28, 2025. 

Key updates include:

 More Housing Types Near Transit and Main Streets

Duplexes, townhomes, and apartments are now allowed in all residential zones within ¼ mile of Main Streets (i.e., segments of Central Ave, 4th Street, Broadway, and San Pedro) and Premium Transit areas (i.e., ART station areas).

More Flexibility in Building Height

There are no height limits for apartments in the same ¼-mile radius, allowing for more housing near transit.

Easier Parking Requirements in Key Areas

Parking requirements have been reduced by 50% in Urban Centers, Activity Centers, Main Streets, and Major Transit Corridors. In Premium Transit areas, the reduction increases to 60%. 

In addition to the most recent zoning updates, the City Council also approved important zoning changes in 2023. On June 21, 2023, the City Council passed legislation O-22-54, which the Mayor signed into law on July 6, 2023. These changes officially took effect on July 27, 2023.

Casitas / Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs):

Small homes—often called casitas—are now allowed on existing residential properties, helping families create more flexible living space for relatives, renters, or caregivers.

Converting Commercial Buildings to Housing:

Former office buildings, retail spaces, and other non-residential structures can now be more easily converted into apartments or other types of housing.

What Didn’t Pass?

Two-Family Homes (Duplexes):

The proposed zoning change aimed to allow two-family homes in all R-1 zones citywide, expanding housing options and providing more flexibility for multigenerational families and those seeking rental income.

Building Heights:

The proposed zoning change sought to eliminate building height maximums for multi-family and mixed-use development citywide to incentivize denser housing and support public transit, while maintaining protections for residential areas and special zones.

Parking Reductions for Multi-Family Dwellings:

The proposed zoning change aimed to reduce parking requirements for multi-family dwellings in mixed-use zones, which would have promoted higher-density housing development and reduced construction costs per unit.

For full details, view the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO).