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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) Permit in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Required for construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (locally called a 'casita') in Albuquerque. Zoning laws changed in 2023 to allow casitas in R-1 neighborhoods citywide. Requires a Site Plan approval followed by a building permit, both processed through ABQ-PLAN.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Casitas are allowed in R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML residential zone districts — confirm zoning using the City's zone look-up map
  • Maximum casita size: 750 sq. ft. (650 sq. ft. in the Downtown Neighborhood Area CPO-3)
  • Only 1 casita allowed per lot in R-A and R-1 zones; cannot exceed 25% of combined side and rear yard area and cannot be taller than the main house
  • Minimum setback: 5 feet on either side or rear (same minimum street-side setback as the main house on corner lots)
  • Placement must be behind the rear wall of the main house; exterior color must match or be similar to the main house
  • One off-street parking space must be provided
  • 5-foot minimum building separation from the main house required by the International Residential Code (unless fire-rated) and by the Integrated Development Ordinance setback
  • Step 1: Submit a Site Plan (Administrative) via ABQ-PLAN, including property lines, easements, existing structures, new ADU location/size, and required parking space, plus required public notice (signage and Neighborhood Association email)
  • Step 2: Submit a Building Permit application via ABQ-PLAN with the building plans and approved Site Plan
  • Separate trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) required in addition to the building permit

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, valuation-based, one- and two-family regional modifier 0.50)2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code, Section 112.2.1 and Table 112-A
Same Table 112-A formula and 0.50 regional modifier as new residential construction, applied to the casita's building valuation
Plan Review FeeUAC Section 112.3
65% of the building permit fee

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) Permit permit actually take in Albuquerque?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation

    Footings and foundation before concrete pour

  2. 2

    Framing

    Structural framing complete

  3. 3

    Insulation

    Insulation installed before wall cover

  4. 4

    Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical

    Trade rough-ins inspected under their respective trade permits

  5. 5

    Final Inspection

    All work complete and ready for occupancy

See the full Albuquerque inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • A Site Plan – Administrative approval is required before the building permit application for a casita — plan for both steps in your timeline.
  • Use the City's Zone Look-Up Map to confirm your property is in an R-A, R-1, R-T, or R-ML zone before designing your casita.
  • The casita cannot exceed 25% of the combined side and rear yard area or 750 sq. ft. (650 sq. ft. in the Downtown CPO-3 area), whichever is smaller.
  • Public notice — posting a sign and emailing the affected Neighborhood Association — is a required step in the Site Plan process.
  • Visit the Building Safety counter at Plaza Del Sol, Suite 190, 600 2nd St. NW, if you need in-person help with the ABQ-PLAN submittal.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. In addition to the building permit, separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade permits are needed for a casita, per the City's Accessory Dwelling Unit guidance.

In Albuquerque, the published Building Permit Fee (Table 112-A, valuation-based, one- and two-family regional modifier 0.50) is: Same Table 112-A formula and 0.50 regional modifier as new residential construction, applied to the casita's building valuation. Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — 65% of the building permit fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Albuquerque does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety Division at (505) 924-3320 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Site Plan – Administrative Application; Building Permit Application; Grading and Drainage Plan; Public Notice Documentation. Depending on your project, Albuquerque may also ask for: Truss Detail Drawings. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Albuquerque requires 5 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu / casita) permit, in order: Foundation, Framing, Insulation, Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety Division ((505) 924-3320).

Apply through City of Albuquerque Planning Department — Building Safety Division at Plaza Del Sol Building, 600 2nd St. NW, Suite 190, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone: (505) 924-3320. Office hours: Building Permits & Plan Review: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday. Building/Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical Inspections & Trade Permits: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday. The Building Safety permit counter is closed every Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.. Official information: https://www.cabq.gov/planning/building-safety-division.

Albuquerque, New Mexico has adopted: 2021 New Mexico Commercial Building Code — adopted statewide by the NM Construction Industries Commission (NMAC Title 14), effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code — adopted statewide by the NM Construction Industries Commission (NMAC Title 14), effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code — effective in Albuquerque December 14, 2023; 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code — effective in Albuquerque September 28, 2023; 2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D; 2021 New Mexico Plumbing Code, including Appendixes A, B, C, D, E, F, I, K, and L; 2012 New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; 2012 New Mexico Solar Energy Code; 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (includes EV-charging-readiness requirements adopted by the Construction Industries Commission, required on new construction starting July 30, 2024); 2021 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code (includes EV-charging-infrastructure parking requirements, required on new construction starting July 30, 2024); 2021 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code; 2021 New Mexico Historic Earthen Buildings Code; New Mexico Boiler Code; 2023 Uniform Administrative Code of the City of Albuquerque (ROA 1994, Chapter 14, Article 1) — the City's local administrative amendment governing permitting, fees, and inspections; effective February 2, 2024; a 2024 edition (Exhibit A) is the current administrative chapter on file with Building Safety; City of Albuquerque Ordinance O-2022-024 (Council Bill O-22-23) — adopted the Uniform Administrative Code and technical codes, repealing the prior Chapter 14, Article 1, ROA 1994. Local amendments apply — see the Albuquerque overview page for the full list.

Yes, if your property is zoned R-A, R-1, R-T, or R-ML — confirm using the City's zone look-up map. Since 2023, casitas up to 750 sq. ft. are allowed in R-1 neighborhoods citywide (650 sq. ft. in the Downtown CPO-3 area), subject to setback, height, and yard-coverage limits. The process requires a Site Plan – Administrative approval before applying for the building permit, both via ABQ-PLAN.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Albuquerque building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) Permit in other cities

Las Cruces, New MexicoRio Rancho, New MexicoSanta Fe, New MexicoUnincorporated Bernalillo County, New MexicoArvada, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoBoise, IdahoBoulder, Colorado

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