If you know the zone district for your property (which you can find using the Interactive IDO Zoning Map), you can use the Allowable Use Table from the Integrated Development Ordinance to see the uses that are allowed in your zone.

To use the allowable use table, find the column for your zone and scan down the table to see what uses are allowed. 

Zone districts (columns) are listed in three categories:

• Residential
• Mixed-use
• Non-residential 

Within these categories, zone districts are generally listed from least intense to most intense.

Uses (rows) are organized into these categories:

• Residential
• Civic/Institutional
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Accessory
• Temporary

Any sub-categories under those main categories are listed alphabetically.  Uses under each category are also listed alphabetically.

Uses may be allowed:

• Permissively as a primary use (P) or an accessory use (A), or
• Conditionally as a primary use (C) or as an accessory conditional use (CA).

Be sure to check the Use-specific Standards column and read the details in the referenced Subsection for additional allowances, restrictions, prohibitions, or standards associated with that use in your zone.

If you are familiar with Excel, you can also use the spreadsheet - turn on data filters, select the arrow next to the zone you want, and unselect "blanks".  The table will then show you only the allowable uses in that zone.  Clear filters to go back to the full table.

This file is provided for review and summary purposes only and reflects Table 4-2-1: Allowable Uses in the City of Albuquerque's Integrated Development Ordinance Effective Draft as of April 2025. 

The Allowable Uses table in the Effective Draft of the IDO is the official version of this table.

To see only the allowable uses in a particular zone, turn on the data filter.

• Select the arrow in the column for the zone you are interested in. 
• Un-check the "Blanks" row.
• To see all uses, clear the filter.

Table 4-2-1 Allowable Uses Downloadable File

See also:

• IDO Training - Zones & Uses

The following uses are required to have a certain distance between them via a Use-specific Standard, which is cross referenced in Table 4-2-1: Allowable Uses and found immediately following the table. These section numbers refer to the Effective Draft from April 2025.

IDO Section | Use/Provision | Separation Distance

• 4-3(B)(10) | Group Home | 1,500 ft
• 4-3(C)(6) | Overnight Shelter | 1,500 ft
• 4-3(D)(6) | Adult Entertainment or Adult Retail | 1,000 ft
• 4-3(D)(23) | [Bank] Small loan businesses | 1 mile/5,280 ft
• 4-3(D)(26) | [Medical or dental clinic] Methadone centers | 330 ft
• 4-3(D)(26) | [Medical or dental clinic] Syringe exchange facility | 500 ft
• 4-3(D)(27) | [Personal and Business Services] Bail bonds | 1mile/5,280 ft (there is no separation requirement within 500 ft of a courthouse)
• 4-3(D)(35) | Cannabis Retail | 660 ft
• 4-3(D)(40) | Nicotine Retail | 1,000 ft
• 4-3(D)(41) | Pawn Shop | 1 mile/5,280 ft
• 4-3(E)(13)(e) | [WTF] Freestanding WTF | 1,000 ft
• 4-3(G)(9)(c) | Safe Outdoor Space | 660 ft when the use has more than 10 designated spaces and 15 or more occupants.
• Table 5-12-5 | Off-premises Signs in Mixed-use and Non-residential zone districts | 300 ft

Many other uses are required to be a certain distance from either an existing residential use or residential zone.

• See FAQ: What are the special protections for residential uses in Residential and Mixed-use Zones?

Casitas are small, detached housing units that are accessory buildings with a kitchen. In 2022, the City of Albuquerque changed zoning laws to allow casitas in the R-1 zone district throughout the city. Accessory Dwelling Units (also known as ADUs, casitas, in-law units, granny flats, or carriage houses) are allowed as an accessory use in R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML zone districts.  They are also allowed in some Mixed-use and Non-residential zone districts as a caretaker’s unit [IDO § 14-16-4-3(F)(6)(a)2].

Remember to check the specific details of your zoning, as some overlay zones and small areas have special standards for ADUs. Find the zoning on your property on our Interactive Zoning Map.

Requirements specific to ADUs [IDO § 14-16-4-3(F)(6) and Table 5-5-1]:

• Only one ADU is allowed per lot.
• The maximum size is 750 square feet. (Some other small area/overlay rules apply, so check your specific zoning.)
• The casita cannot be taller than the main house on the lot.
• The exterior color of the casita must be the same or similar to the color of the main house.
• One off-street parking space must be provided.
• See the diagram below for an example of these other setback requirements and size limits.
  
  • A casita cannot take up more than 25% of the side and rear yards combined.
  • Casitas must be set back 5 feet from either the rear or one of the sides of the property.
  • Casitas must be at least 5 feet from existing structures (e.g., the main house or a house on the neighboring property) OR have fire-rated construction (which may be more expensive to construct).

If you have a casita on your property that was built with the required permits before July 27, 2023, you do not need to do anything to “legalize” the dwelling, but if you do not have the required permits, you may have to bring the casita into compliance with current zoning rules or building code requirements.

• More information about building permits can be found on the Building Safety Division webpage.
• Free, pre-approved casita construction plan sets are available online.
• Download the digital flyer on ADUs.

Here’s where each use is allowed under the IDO per Allowable Use Table 4-2-1:

• Note that the last column includes Use-specific Standards (i.e. the fine print!) that further restricts these uses and provides additional requirements.
• The Use-Specific Standard for Group Homes requires that they be 1,500 feet apart and caps the total number in each Council district to a maximum of 30 group homes. 

The size thresholds for small, medium, and large are included in the definitions for the uses in Part 7 of the IDO.

* The former Zoning Code specified different sizes for corrections programs, substance abuse programs, and others. See “Community Residential Program Handbook” available here:

https://www.cabq.gov/planning/documents/CRPhandbook0512.pdf

The IDO regulates 4 cannabis-related uses as of the 2024 IDO Effective Draft.

• General retail - Applies to selling medical cannabis as regulated by the State of New Mexico (Sections 26-2B-1 to 26-2B-10 NMSA 1978 = the Lynn and Eric Compassionate Use Act).
  
  • For zones that allow this use, see Table 4-2-1 Retail Sales in the Commercial Uses Category for General retail uses for small, medium, and large retail facilities.
  • See Subsection 4-3(D)(37) for general retail use-specific standards.
  • See Section 7-1 for definitions, including the size difference for small, medium, and large retail facilities.
• Cannabis retail – Applies to selling recreational cannabis as regulated by the State of New Mexico (Sections 26-2C-1 to 26-2C-42 NMSA 1978 = New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act).  
  
  • For zones that allow this use, see Table 4-2-1 Retail Sales in the Commercial Uses Category for cannabis retail use.
  • See Subsection 4-3(D)(35) for use-specific standards for cannabis retail. Some specific standards include:
    
    • Prohibited within 660 feet of another cannabis retail establishment.
    • Prohibited within 300 feet of any school or child day care facility.
    • Conditional use required if on-site cannabis consumption is proposed.
    • Odor control plan required if on-site smoking or vaporizing is proposed.
  • See Section 7-1 for definition.
  • See Cannabis Retail Location Approvals map.
• Cannabis cultivation - Applies to growing cannabis completely indoors.
  
  • For zones that allow this use, see Table 4-2-1 Industrial Uses Category in the Manufacturing, Fabrication, and Assembly Sub-category for cannabis cultivation use.
  • See Subsection 4-3(E)(2) for use-specific standards for cannabis cultivation.
    
    • Conditional use required within 300 feet of school or child day care facility.
    • Conditional use required if any outdoor activity is proposed in any non-residential zone.
    • Odor control plan required for all cannabis cultivation facilities.
    • Size limited to 10,000 square feet in any mixed use zone district.
  • See Section 7-1 for definition.
• Cannabis-derived products manufacturing 
  
  • For zones that allow this use, see Table 4-2-1 Industrial Uses Category in the Manufacturing, Fabrication, and Assembly Sub-category for Cannabis-derived products manufacturing
  • See Subsection 4-3(E)(3) for use-specific standards.
    
    • Conditional use required within 300 feet of school or child day care facility.
    • Conditional use required if any outdoor activity is proposed in any non-residential zone (aside from an approved screened incidental storage area).
    • Odor control plan required.
    • Size limited to 10,000 square feet in any mixed use zone district.
  • See Section 7-1 for definition.

To see where properties are zoned for these cannabis uses, there are multiple maps that may be helpful.

• IDO Zone Districts Map - simplest map that allows you to see each zone district separately
• IDO Zoning Map - easy map that shows zoning and other IDO regulations for small areas
• Advanced Map Viewer - map with many tools and many different layers of information
• Cannabis Retail Location Approvals - map and dashboard that shows where cannabis retail locations have been approved

The City has a cannabis webpage that summarizes information about requirements and processes outside of zoning approvals.

• 14-16-7-1 (Dwelling, Cottage Development)
• 14-16-4-3(B)(4) (Use-specific standard for Dwelling, Cottage Development)

Where are cottage development allowed?

Cottage development is allowed as a permissive use in the following zones: R-A, R-1, R-MC, R-T, R-ML, and MX-T. A cottage development is allowed on lots between 1 and 3 acres.

Relevant IDO sections:

• Table 4-2-1 (Dwelling, Cottage Development)
• 14-16-4-3(B)(4) (Use-specific standard for Dwelling, Cottage Development)

What density is allowed in cottage developments?

The density of a cottage development is calculated from the gross floor area allowed for dwelling units, instead of the number of dwelling units. Different zones allow a different number of units based on the minimum lot size of each zone and the square footage of the dwelling units that are built. This will typically result in more dwellings that are smaller in size.

The maximum square footage that is allowed is calculated by determining the number of dwellings that would be allowed if the property were subdivided based on the minimum lot size allowed by the zone, and then multiplying by 2,000 square feet, the size of a typical single-family dwelling (note: in the R-1D subzone, the assumed size of a typical single-family dwelling is 2,600 square feet). This maximum square footage can be divided into “cottages” up to 1,200 square feet in most zones or 650 square feet in the R-A and R-1 zones. Shared buildings do not count in these calculations. There are no regulations limiting the number of bedrooms in a cottage development, but the dwelling units must comply with minimum square footage requirements in the Uniform Housing Code.

Other regulations, such as parking, open space, and site acreage, further limit the number of dwelling units in a cottage development. Cottage developments are required to have one parking space per dwelling unit. In R-A and R-1 zone districts, two additional spaces are required per project for visitors to use. Also, in R-A and R-1 zone districts, 30% of a cottage development site must be usable open space, and balconies and rooftop desks do not count toward the requirement. In all zone districts where cottage development is allowed, the site must have a 10 feet landscape buffer on the sides and rear of the lot, and no buildings are allowed within the buffer.

Relevant IDO sections:

• 14-16-4-3(B)(4) (Use-specific standard for Dwelling, Cottage Development)
• Table 5-5-1 (Parking requirement for Dwelling, Cottage Development)

Examples:

The example below demonstrates one possible design for cottage development in an R-A zone, with shared parking and open space. The dwellings are 1,200 square feet, single-story homes. The project site has a total of 6 dwellings on 1 acre with 8 shared parking spaces.

The examples below demonstrate potential massing of dwelling units in varying zone districts. The project sites have a mixture of single- and two-story single-family units ranging from 650 square feet to 1,200 square feet. Because these designs do not reflect the site requirements mentioned above, such as parking, open space, or shared facilities, they show more dwelling units than could realistically fit on any particular site.

Similarly, the table below shows the maximum number of dwelling units allowed in each zone district, which would then be further limited by site requirements.

Assuming a 1-acre site, the following calculations show how to determine the total project density (allowed building size in Square Feet (SF)), the maximum number of units if they were the smallest allowed or largest allowed, and the amount of open space required.

What does a cottage development look like?

IDO regulations allow many configurations for cottage developments to provide flexibility for innovative designs. Most often, cottage developments would include small single-family homes spaced closer together than typical residential development to allow room for shared community spaces. In the R-T, R-ML, and MX-T zone districts, dwelling units in a cottage development can also be duplexes (two connected units) or townhouses (three or more connected units).

Dwellings can be centered around a shared design feature of the site, such as open space, parking, or a community building. A cottage development might cluster the dwellings and use open space to buffer a parking area. A landscape buffer is required around the site to provide a natural screen from surrounding uses, giving residents privacy and open space.

Relevant IDO sections:

• 14-16-4-3(B)(4) (Use-specific standard for Dwelling, Cottage Development)

What are the parking requirements for cottage development?

Cottage developments are required to have one parking space per dwelling unit. In R-A and R-1 zone districts, two additional spaces are required per project for visitors to use.

Relevant IDO sections:

• Table 5-5-1 (Parking requirement for Dwelling, Cottage Development)

Why did the City add cottage development as a new use in the IDO?

Cottage development furthers the goals of the Comprehensive Plan by promoting housing options, affordability, and sustainability.

• Adds to housing-type options: Cottage development is a form of the co-housing model, which allows for shared spaces and amenities while offering the privacy of an individual dwelling unit. Cottage development allows for multiple configurations to benefit various populations, such as older folks seeking to downsize but stay in their neighborhood or young families interested in sharing resources, like childcare.
• Creates opportunities for development of affordable housing: Cottage development can create more affordable housing options because of the potential for lower development costs associated with the smaller dwellings units, which can result in lower sale or rental expenses. Living costs can also be reduced if residents share expenses, such as by cooking in a shared kitchen or using shared laundry facilities. 
• Promotes environmental sustainability: Cottage development can help prevent sprawl since it promotes in-fill development with area-appropriate density. It can also work to preserve open space and natural resources, especially in R-A and R-1 zone districts. Cottage development can also promote sustainable practices, such as shared gardening.
• Adds development that respects neighborhood character: Cottage development presents an opportunity to add density to a neighborhood without adding height and reflecting the character of surrounding single-family homes.

Are there any examples of cottage development in Albuquerque?

Acequia Jardin was developed before the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) was adopted. While it does not necessarily conform to all the IDO regulations for cottage development, it is a useful example of a cottage style development.  Acequia Jardin is a “senior-focused community” on a one-acre lot on Rio Grande Boulevard next to La Montañita Co-op. There are 10 dwelling units on the site, all owner-occupied, and the units range between 800 and 900 square feet. The majority of the units share a wall, which mean they are considered duplexes by current IDO definitions and would not be allowed in new cottage developments in R-A and R-1 zones. Acequia Jardin also has shared living amenities, including a shared garden, guest casita, and community room, which are maintained through a monthly homeownership association fee.

Campgrounds and RV parks are allowed in some Mixed-use and Non-residential zone districts as shown in Table 4-2-1: Allowable Uses.

• A new campground will require a Site Plan – Administrative approval (assuming it includes <50,000 square feet of gross floor area of non-residential development).
• Code Enforcement will look for compliance with Use-specific Standards in Subsection 14-16-4-3(D)(14).
• Section 7-1 defines the use.

• Table 4-2-1 Allowable Uses
  
  • ​Industrial Uses
    
    • Telecommunications, Towers, and Utilities
      
      • Solar Energy Generation: permissive use allowed in all zones with a use-specific standard in 4-3(E)(11) that says the use is allowed per state regulation
      • Geothermal energy generation: accessory use allowed in all zones; it is a permissive primary use in NR-BP, NR-LM, and NR-GM
        
        • Use-specific standard 4-3(E)(10)
      • ​Wind energy generation or device: accessory use allowed in all mixed-use and non-residential zones; conditional primary use in NR-GM
        
        • Use-specific standard 4-3(E)(12)
• Section 7-1: Definitions
  
  • Solar Energy Generation or Device
  • Geothermal Energy Generation
  • Wind Energy Generation or Device

• All approved site plans stay in place, even if the IDO is adopted, so churches should not be affected by the IDO. (This is often referred to as “grandfathering in” existing, legal uses.)
• The approved site plan “runs with the land,” meaning the property can be sold, and the site plan remains in effect.
• The zoning “underneath” the approved site plan converted from SU-1 to an IDO zone. 
  
  • See the Zoning Conversion Map to compare pre-existing zoning and IDO zoning.
  • Churches are allowed in almost all zones in the IDO, so this zoning conversion should have no effect on the use of the property as a church with related facilities.
  • One benefit of the new zoning is that more uses of the property would be allowed, should the church decide to sell the property in the future. For this reason, church properties that are currently located within single-family residential neighborhoods with R-1 zoning have been proposed to convert to R-1 zoning, to ensure ongoing compatibility with residential uses in the future, even if the church use goes away. 
  • See Table 4-2-1 Allowable Uses – “Religious Institution” for the zones where religious institutions are allowed.
  • See Section 7-1 Definitions for “Religious Institution."

• If the church wants to make minor changes on the property, these can be approved administratively by staff. Larger changes (such as removing or adding a building, or subdividing the property.) would need to go back to the original decision-making body

Online Tool: Which Site Plan Do I Need?

The project team has created this online tool to help determine which Site Plan might be required.

• Please note that this is not official advice.

For guidance about IDO processes and requirements or application questions the Planning Department offers Pre-application Review as an opportunity for prospective applicants to get answers from City staff about development proposals.

• Apply for a Pre-application Review through ABQ-PLAN or learn more about Pre-application Review here.

See also:

• Why did the IDO change review and approval processes?

No. In fact, the IDO provides more notice to Recognized Neighborhood Associations than required under the previous Zoning Code. Half the applications the City received under the old Zoning Code went directly to the building permit stage with a zone check along the way. No notice was required under this previous Zoning Code. Under the IDO, notice to Recognized and Non-recognized Neighborhood Associations is required by email for all site plans.

The IDO sets a size limit on projects that can be reviewed by staff for administrative approval. Under the previous Zoning Code, there was no size limit except for shopping centers (5+ acres) and Large Retail Facilities (90,000+ square feet). Under the IDO, larger projects require review by the Development Review Board at a public meeting or hearing.

Zone change requests and development in the PD, PC, NR-BP, and NR-SU zones continue to require review and decision by the Environmental Planning Commission or City Council at a noticed public hearing.

The IDO requires applicants to meet with Neighborhood Associations before the City will accept their applications for projects required to be reviewed at a public meeting or hearing. This new requirement provides more opportunities for neighbors to meet with applicants earlier in the process, so that concerns and opportunities can be addressed before the application is submitted to the City.