Skip to main content

Safer Spaces Ordinance

The City of Albuquerque's Safer Community Places Ordinance (O-26-15) establishes clear rules to protect privacy, support public safety, and ensure residents can safely access City services, healthcare facilities, schools, businesses, and other essential community spaces. The ordinance explains the responsibilities of City facilities and certain private businesses, including requirements for workplace signage, employee notifications during federal immigration inspections, and protections for private areas and records that cannot be voluntarily accessed for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. By creating consistent standards across Albuquerque, the ordinance helps residents, employees, businesses, and visitors understand their rights and responsibilities while keeping community spaces safe, welcoming, and focused on serving the public.

Safer Community Places Ordinance

The City of Albuquerque is committed to making sure everyone can safely access public services, visit local businesses, and participate in their community without fear.

The Safer Community Places Ordinance creates clear guidelines to help protect privacy, support public safety, and ensure residents can access important services. The ordinance establishes consistent expectations for City facilities, community spaces, and businesses while respecting the rights of everyone who lives, works, and visits Albuquerque.

By creating these protections, Albuquerque is strengthening trust between residents, local businesses, and public institutions. The goal is simple: keep community spaces focused on serving the people who rely on them every day.

Creating Safer Community Places

The ordinance designates certain locations as Safer Community Places, including City facilities and other essential community spaces such as healthcare facilities, hospitals, schools, daycare centers, and transit hubs.

These spaces are intended to remain accessible and welcoming places where anyone can receive services, learn, work, and seek help.

Under the ordinance:

  • Non-public areas cannot be accessed voluntarily by law enforcement agents seeking to conduct civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
  • Private student and patient records cannot be voluntarily accessed for immigration enforcement purposes without a judicial warrant.
  • Facilities must maintain clear policies that protect privacy and ensure consistent procedures.


    Supporting Businesses and Employees

    The ordinance also provides guidance for local businesses by creating clearer expectations around public and private areas in workplaces.

    Businesses applying for or renewing a City business license will be required to:

    • Display signage identifying public areas and private employee-only spaces.
    • Provide written notice to employees if an immigration agency requests to inspect employment records, including I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms.

    These requirements help businesses understand their responsibilities while protecting employees’ rights and privacy.

    Building a Safer Albuquerque

    The Safety and Privacy in Community Spaces Ordinance is designed to create clear, consistent expectations for residents, businesses, and public facilities.

    By establishing these protections, Albuquerque is working to ensure that community spaces remain places where people can access services, support their families, and participate fully in the life of the city.

     BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

     City of Albuquerque has adopted the Safer Community Places Ordinance (O-26-15). This notice outlines requirements that apply to certain private businesses.

    DOWNLOAD THE PACKET FOR BUSINESSES HERE

Bilingual Safer Spaces Sign Example
safer spaces sign 2 english

Required Signage Marking Private (Non-Public) Areas

Businesses that register or re-register with the City of Albuquerque must clearly mark areas that are not open to the public. If your business has private areas (such as offices, kitchens, storage rooms, back rooms, or any employee-only spaces), you must:

  • Post signage at each entrance to those areas.
  • Clearly indicate the area is restricted.
  • Ensure the sign is visible before entry.

Download free printable approved signs in the Business Kit. 

Employee Notification Requirements

    If your business receives notice of a federal I-9 inspection:

    Within 24 hours, you must:

    • Notify all current employees.
    • Post notice in a visible location.
    • Provide notice in the language normally used at the workplace.
    • If applicable, notify workers if the federal government determines their documents do not establish authorization to work in the U.S.

    Additionally, if immigration enforcement agents are present at the workplace outside of an I-9 inspection, employees and contractors must also be notified within 24 hours.

    Safety Plan Requirement (Five+ Employees)

    Businesses with five (5) or more employees must adopt a written workplace safety plan that meets City of Albuquerque standards.

    The safety plan must address:

    • Protection of private workplace areas
    • Procedures for responding to law enforcement requests to enter into private spaces
    • Measures to protect workers and customers 

         Albuquerque Police Dept. FAQ

           The Albuquerque Police Department has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for those who want to learn more about the ordinance. You can download that document HERE and learn how the ordinance establishes clear rules regarding voluntary workplace consent, signage, safety plans and employee notifications.