What review/approval process will I need to go through?

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Create and email yourself a property report

Use the maps and drop-down forms in each section to get information about what and how you can build on your chosen property. You can enter your email address at the bottom of the page to send yourself a copy of the information.

Continue to Step 3 to determine what review/approval processes will be required.

There are many types of work that require a permit from the City, including electrical and plumbing, re-roofs, constructing shade structures or pools, etc. This type of work is regulated by building codes and fire codes and is reviewed by the City’s Building Safety Division.

  • Permits desk: 505-924-3964
  • Main line: 505-924-3320

Most of these permits do not rely on zoning standards found in the IDO. The Integrated Development Ordinance regulates new development that meets or exceeds the thresholds established for Site Plan - Administrative approvals in Subsection 6-5(G)(1). Code Enforcement reviews permits for compliance with zoning standards. If any of these permits do meet or exceed these thresholds, Code Enforcement will review the permits as a Site Plan - Administrative.

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

All walls and fences require a permit from the City. See Table 6-1-1 and Subsection 14-16-6-5(J).

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

All signs require a permit from the City. See Table 6-1-1 and Subsection 14-16-6-5(F).

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

The IDO describes the process for minor and major subdivisions. Any subdivision over the thresholds established for minor subdivisions is considered a major subdivision.

Use this online tool to help figure out which kind of subdivision you need.

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

All new WTFs and upgrades require a Wireless Telecommunications Facility Approval per Table 6-1-1 and Subsection 6-5(K).

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

See Table 6-1-1 for other types of decisions regulated by the Integrated Development Ordinance.

If you need additional help, contact Planning Department staff:

You may stop here, as the remainder of this Step-by-Step guide will not be relevant to this need.

Continue to Step 4 to determine whether you need a zone change.

Skip to Step 7 to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

If this is a new use, you will need a Conditional Use approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner per Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(A). Skip to Step 7 to go to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

If you are expanding an existing use or restarting a use on the property within 12 months of when the use was last operational, continue to Step 6 to see what you need to do next.

Accessory uses must be paired with a primary use on the site (either a “P” or “C” use).

Skip to Step 7 to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

Conditional Accessory uses must be paired with a primary use on the site (either a “P” or “C” use).

If this is a new use, you will need a Conditional Use approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner per Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(A). Skip to Step 7 to go to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

If you are expanding an existing use or restarting a use on the property, continue to Step 4 to see what you need to do next.

Conditional Vacant uses are only allowed in an existing building that has been vacant for at least 5 years. You will need to show that it has been continuously vacant through utility bills, Notice of Value, or registry for a vacant building.

You will need a Conditional Use approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner per Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(A). 

Skip to Step 7 to go to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

Be sure to read the use-specific standard for the use, if there is one, to read about what process might be required.

Read more about the process for a temporary use permit in IDO Subsection 14-16-6-5(I).

If there is no use-specific standard, or for more information, call Code Enforcement at 505-924-3850.

You will likely need a zone map amendment to allow this use on this property. Continue to the next step to see about getting a different zone.

You are likely trying to expand or re-start a use that is considered “nonconforming.” If so, you would need approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner. See Subsection 14-16-6-8 for nonconformity regulations and Subsection 14-16-6-6(C) for the process.

If you are not sure whether your use is nonconforming, contact Code Enforcement at 505-924-3850.

Your property is in an Area of Change. Click on the property to find out the acreage, if you don’t already know it. Use this online tool to help determine whether EPC or City Council will decide your zone change.

Continue to Step 7 to go to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

If any portion of your property is in an Area of Consistency, a Zone Map Amendment will treat your property as though all of it is in an Area of Consistency. Click on the property to find out the acreage, if you don’t already know it. Use this online tool to help determine whether EPC or City Council will decide your zone change.

Continue to Step 7 to go to determine whether you can meet required development standards.

If your use was previously allowed permissively under your pre-existing zoning, but is now considered a conditional use under the IDO, you are considered to have an Approved Conditional Use per IDO Subsection 14-16-4-(E)(1).

That approval only expires if you stop operating for 12 continuous months, at which point you need to get a new approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-3(A).

Continue to Step 7 to determine whether you can meet the required development standards.

You need a Conditional Use Approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner. See Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 6-6(A).

Continue to Step 7 to determine whether you can meet the required development standards.

Conditional Use Approvals expire after the use is not operational for a continuous 12 months. If the use stops for less than 12 months, you can resume operations without needing a new Conditional Use Approval.

Once the use has not been operational for 12 continuous months, you will need a new Conditional Use Approval from the Zoning Hearing Examiner. See Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 6-6(A).

Continue to Step 7 to determine whether you can meet the required development standards.

Continue to the next step to see if you need to subdivide the property.

You may need a Deviation or a Variance or your project may not work on this property.

Deviations from standards can be granted within thresholds established by Table 6-4-2 for the items listed in Table 6-4-2  for requests that meet all the criteria in IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(O)2.

Beyond the thresholds for a deviation, a variance would be needed.

  • Variances to IDO Sections 14-16-5-3 (Access and Connectivity), 14-16-5-4 (Subdivision of Land), and 14-16-5-5 (Parking and Loading) can only be granted by the Development Review Board as a Variance - DRB. See Table 6-1-1 and IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(L).
  • Variances to other IDO Sections may be granted by the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) during a Site Plan - EPC review and decision as a Variance - EPC. See Table 6-1-1 and Subsection 14-16-6-6(M).
  • Otherwise, variances to other IDO Sections must be reviewed and decided by the Zoning Hearing Examiner as a Variance - ZHE. See Table 6-1-1 and Subsection 14-16-6-6(N). 

If you need to request an exception to an IDO standard, you can use this online tool to help you determine what type of deviation or variance you might need.

If your property does not qualify for a variance, you may need a zone change to a zone with development standards that meet the needs of your project, or you’ll need to change the location of the project.

Continue to the next step to determine which review/approval process is required.

The Development Review Board (DRB) decides all subdivision requests.

Any subdivision over the thresholds established for minor subdivisions is considered a major subdivision.

Use this online tool to help figure out which kind of subdivision you need.

Speak to Planning staff about your project to figure out your next steps.

Administrative decisions are staff decisions. Staff has no discretion over whether to approve the project or what standards apply.

Projects that meet all applicable standards will be approved. Projects that do not meet all applicable standards will not be approved.

Forms, procedures, and fees can be found on the Planning webpage.

If you need further help, contact Planning Department staff:

  • Visit our one-stop shop in Plaza del Sol, 600 2nd St. NW
  • Email: devhelp@cabq.gov
  • Phone: 505-924-3860

The Zoning Hearing Examiner decides the following:

  • Conditional Uses per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(A)
  • Expansions of Nonconforming Uses or Structures per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(C)
  • Variances from IDO standards other than Sections 14-16-5-3, 14-16-5-4, and 14-16-5-5 (which require review by the Development Review Board) for all projects EXCEPT those reviewed by the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(N).

Forms, procedures, fees and agendas can be found on the Planning webpage.

The Development Review Board decides the following:

​Forms, procedures, fees and agendas can be found on the Planning webpage.

The Landmarks Commission decides the following:

The Landmarks Commission reviews and recommends the following:

Forms, procedures, fees, and agendas can be found on the Planning webpage.

The Environmental Planning Commission decides the following:

  • Master Development Plans (only required for properties zoned NR-BP) per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(F)
  • Site Plan - EPC (only required for certain zones or by request of the applicant) per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(H)
  • Variances from IDO standards other than Sections 14-16-5-3, 14-16-5-4, and 14-16-5-5 (which require review by the Development Review Board) for projects undergoing review for a Site Plan - EPC per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(M)
  • Wireless Telecommunications Facility Waiver per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-6(O)
  • Zoning Map Amendments for properties <10 acres in Areas of Change or <20 acres in Areas of Change per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(F)

The Environmental Planning Commission reviews and makes a recommendation to City Council about the following:

  • Adoption or Amendment of Comprehensive Plan per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(A)
  • Adoption or Amendment of Facility Plan per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(B)
  • Amendment of IDO Text per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(D)
  • Annexation of Land per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(E)
  • Zoning Map Amendments for properties 10+ acres in Areas of Change or 20+ acres in Areas of Change per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(G)

Forms, procedures, fees, and agendas can be found on the Planning webpage.

The Land Use Hearing Officer reviews appeals and makes a recommendation to City Council per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(U) for all decisions in Table 6-1-1 EXCEPT the following:

  • Staff decision about a Historic Certificate of Appropriateness - Minor, which is reviewed first by the Landmarks Commission per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(U)(3)(b)
  • Staff decision about an Impact Fee Assessment, which is reviewed first by the Environmental Planning Commission per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(U)(3)(c)

City Council decides the following:

  • Adoption or Amendment of Comprehensive Plan per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(A)
  • Adoption or Amendment of Facility Plan per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(B)
  • Adoption or Amendment of Historic Designation per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(C)
  • Amendment of IDO Text per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(D)
  • Annexation of Land per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(E)
  • Zoning Map Amendments for properties 10+ acres in Areas of Change or 20+ acres in Areas of Change per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-7(G)
  • Appeals of all decisions in Table 6-1-1 per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(U)

Speak to Planning staff about your project to figure out your next steps.

  • Visit our one-stop shop in Plaza del Sol, 600 2nd St. NW
  • Email: devhelp@cabq.gov
  • Phone: 505-924-3860

Continue to the next step to determine what public notice is required.

Published notice is the responsibility of the City, per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(K).

Mailed notice is the responsibility of the applicant, per IDO Subsection 6-4(K)(2).

  • Neighborhood Associations - Request the applicable Neighborhood Associations from the Office of Neighborhood Coordination via this Public Notice Inquiry Form
  • Property Owners - Request the applicable Property Owners from the Planning Department

Posted signs are the responsibility of the applicant, per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(K)(3).

You will need to come to the Planning Department to pick up the sign and complete a sign posting agreement.

  • Visit Plaza del Sol, 600 2nd St. NW

Electronic mail is the responsibility of the applicant, per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(K)(4).

Electronic mail goes to applicable Neighborhood Associations. Request the applicable Neighborhood Associations from the Office of Neighborhood Coordination via this Public Notice Inquiry Form.

Web posting is the responsibility of the City, per IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(K)(5). The City posts the agenda and Notice of Decisions for decisions requiring a public meeting or hearing.

Pre-application Meetings are an opportunity for the applicant to meet with staff to answer questions and confirm applicable requirements and review/approval processes.

Pre-application Meetings are described in IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(B).

More information about scheduling a Pre-application Meeting is available on the Planning Department webpage.

Neighborhood Meetings are an opportunity for the applicant to meet with Neighborhood Associations that include or are adjacent to a proposed project.

The process for Neighborhood Meetings is described in IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(C). The process can take up to 45 days, so applicants are strongly encouraged to plan accordingly.