Safe Outdoor Spaces FAQs

Here are Frequently Asked Questions about Safe Outdoor Spaces (SOS):

• When can I apply for an SOS?
• Where can an SOS operate that is NOT associated with a Religious Institution?
• Where can an SOS operate that IS associated with a Religious Institution?
• How can I apply for an SOS?
  • Religious Institutions
  • Other Applicants
• What documents will I need to apply for an SOS?
• What regulations do I need to be aware of?
  • Religious Institutions
  • Other Applicants

More FAQs are available here:

• City Council SOS information

When can I apply for an SOS?

• The Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) allows Safe Outdoor Spaces as of July 28, 2022.
• Note: The City Council has two bills on the August 1, 2022 Letter of Introduction:
  • R-22-56 Establishing a Moratorium for SOS
  • O-22-33 Amending the IDO to remove all references to SOS

Where can an SOS operate that is not associated with a Religious Institution?

• Find the proposed location's IDO Zone District: IDO Zone Look-up Map
  • An SOS is a conditional use in the MX-T, MX-L, MX-M, and MX-H zone districts.
    • A Conditional Use requires approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner after a public hearing to consider the request.
    • Find more information about applying for a Conditional Use.
  • An SOS is permissive in the NR-C, NR-BP, NR-LM, and NR-GM zone districts.
• An SOS is prohibited adjacent to Major Public Open Space.
• The portion of a lot used for an SOS must be at least 330 feet from any property zoned R-A, R-1, R-MC, or R-T that contains low-density residential development (e.g. single-family house, duplex, or townhouse).

Where can a Religious Institution operate an SOS?

• Find the proposed location's IDO Zone District: IDO Zone Look-up Map
  • If you are a Religious Institution, you may have an SOS in any zone district that allows Religious Institutions (R-A, R-1, R-T, R-ML, R-MH, all MX zones, NR-C, NR-BP).
• An SOS is prohibited adjacent to Major Public Open Space.

How can I apply for an SOS?

• First, you will need to get an Operations Plan / Management Plan / Security Agreement reviewed and signed by City of Albuquerque Family & Community Services Department.
• Email Maria Wolfe, Deputy Director, Homeless Solutions and Clinical Advisor: [email protected]
• If you are not a Religious Institution, and you are proposing an SOS in a Mixed-use zone district (MX-T, MX-L, MX-M, MX-H), you will need a conditional use approval before you can apply for a Temporary Use Permit.
  • Find more information about applying for a Conditional Use.
• Next, you will need to send public notice as required by IDO Table 6-1-1.
  • Religious Institutions must send notice for a Site Plan - Administrative.
  • Other applicants must send notice for a Permit - Temporary Use.
  • See more information and required public notice forms.
• Then click the button below to apply for a Safe Outdoor Space.
  
  • NOTE: Complete applications that satisfy all relevant regulations will be approved in the order that they are received.
  • View the map showing the status of submitted Safe Outdoor Space applications 

Application for a Safe Outdoor Space 

What documents will I need to apply for an SOS?

• If you are not a Religious Institution, you will need to upload the following documents:

• Operations Plan / Management Plan / Security Agreement that has been reviewed and signed by the City of Albuquerque Family & Community Services Department.
  • See above for contact information.
• If the proposed SOS is on a property with a Mixed-use zone, a Notice of Decision for a Conditional Use Approval.
  • Visit the Zoning Hearing Examiner page for more information.
  • Note: If the Conditional Use Approval is appealed, the Planning Department will not be able to approve the SOS application until the appeal has been decided by the City Council.
• Written permission from the property owner, if different from applicant, for the temporary use for the requested duration, number of designated spaces, and total occupants.
• Proof of written notification to abutting property owners of the temporary use for the requested duration, number of designated spaces, and total occupants.
  • Download the required form.
• Zone Atlas page clearly indicating the proposed SOS property.
  • See the zone atlas map where you can download a PDF of your zone atlas page.
• A vicinity map showing surrounding properties and their respective zoning.
  • See more requirements below.
• A scaled site plan.
  • See more requirements below.

• If you are a Religious Institution, you will need to upload the following documents:

• Operations Plan / Management Plan / Security Agreement that has been reviewed and signed by the City of Albuquerque Family & Community Services Department.
  • See above for contact information.
• Written permission from the property owner, if different from applicant, for the SOS, including the requested duration, number of designated spaces, and total occupants.
• Proof of email notice to Neighborhood Association representatives of an application for a Site Plan - Administrative as required by IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(K)(5), including information about the requested duration, number of designated spaces, and total occupants of the SOS.
  • Download the required forms.
• A Zone Atlas page clearly indicating the proposed SOS property.
  • See the the zone atlas map where you can download a PDF of your zone atlas page.
• A vicinity map showing surrounding properties and their respective zoning.
  • See more requirements below.
• A scaled site plan.
  • See more requirements below.

What regulations do I need to be aware of?

• If you are not a Religious Institution, you must meet all the use-specific standards in IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8), including, but not limited to, the following:

• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(c): Safe outdoor spaces with more than 10 designated spaces and 15 or more occupants are prohibited within 660 feet in any direction of a lot containing any other safe outdoor space with more than
• 10 designated spaces and 15 or more occupants.
• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(d): Any portion of a lot in use as a safe outdoor space shall be at least 330 feet in any direction from any property zoned R-A, R-1, R-MC, or R-T that contains low-density residential development
• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(f): Designated spaces, toilets, hand washing stations, and lavatories (i.e. facilities with toilets, showers, and sinks) shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from each property line that abuts R-ML, R-MH or any Mixed-Use zone district and a minimum of 5 feet from any other property line
• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(j): This use is prohibited adjacent to Major Public Open Space
• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(k): The total number of safe outdoor spaces shall not exceed 2 in each City Council District.

• If you are a Religious Institution, you must meet all the use-specific standards in IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8), as noted above, EXCEPT the following:

• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(d): Any portion of a lot in use as a safe outdoor space shall be at least 330 feet in any direction from any property zoned R-A, R-1, R-MC, or R-T that contains low-density residential development.
  • IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(C)(8)(a)3.a.i: Religious Institution exemption
• IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(G)(8)(k): The total number of safe outdoor spaces shall not exceed 2 in each City Council District.
  • IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(C)(8)(a)3.a.ii: Religious Institution exemption

I am in a Mixed-use zone district; how can I apply for a Conditional Use?

• Application information.
• If you are a Religious Institution, a conditional use approval is not required for an SOS.
  • See IDO Subsection 14-16-4-3(C)(8)3.b

How are distances to be measured and shown on the vicinity map and site plan?

For the vicinity map showing surrounding properties and their respective zoning, please show:

• The straight-line distance in feet from the proposed SOS property line to the property line of the nearest SOS (if known).
  • See the SOS locations map.
• The straight-line distance in feet from the proposed SOS property line to the property line of the nearest property zoned R-A, R-1, R-MC, or R-T.
  • Religious Institutions are exempt from this requirement.
• The straight-line distance from proposed spaces, toilets, hand washing stations, and lavatories to the nearest property line of any property zoned R-ML, R-MH, or any MX zone district.

On your scaled site plan, please indicate all of the following:

• Number and location of proposed designated spaces
• Number and location of proposed water-flush, portable, or composting toilets
• Number and location of proposed hand washing stations
• Number and location of proposed showers
• Location and dimensions of screening wall if designated spaces for tents are proposed