Mayor Keller Empowers Neighborhood Associations, Signs Recognition Ordinance
Updated ordinance ensures that neighborhoods can’t be represented without their consent.
Today, Mayor Keller announced he has signed legislation updating Albuquerque's Neighborhood Association Recognition Ordinance (NARO), strengthening the role of individual neighborhood associations and ensuring residents have a direct voice in decisions affecting their communities by removing the ability for coalitions to speak for them without their consent.
“The voices of a few don’t reflect the will of the majority, neighborhoods should be able to choose how and who represents them in court,” said Mayor Keller. “This bill is fundamentally about one question: In ABQ should any group, including coalitions, be allowed to legally represent a neighborhood without their consent? Common sense clearly says ‘no’; neighborhoods are a fundamental cornerstone of our community and should be the legal representative of their needs. “
The legislation, O-26-61, updates the City’s neighborhood association process to strengthen voices and direct representation of neighborhood associations and establish clearer requirements for participation in development decisions. The bill does not change the opportunity for neighborhood coalitions to organize and advocate – it simply ensures that only neighborhood associations can be the legal representatives in court.
Neighborhood associations will continue to receive development notifications and retain qualifying appeal rights with new requirements to demonstrate member support when challenging development decisions. Other groups wishing to advocate for communities are not affected, other than that they may not represent neighborhood associations legally without their consent.
The updated ordinance is more in line with Mayor’s broader efforts to reduce bureaucracy, remove red tape and streamline processes for innovative projects, housing, grocery stores, essential services, while preserving opportunities for residents to participate in decisions affecting their communities.
The legislation was approved by the Albuquerque City Council on October 5, 2026.
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