Albuquerque ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Albuquerque, New Mexico means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 15 source-cited requirements (13 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through ABQ-PLAN (Tyler EnerGov Self Service). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Albuquerque. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
Under the Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO § 14-16-4-3(F)(6)), ADUs/casitas are a permissive (by-right, no conditional-use approval) accessory use in the R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML zone districts. One ADU per lot, max 750 sf, no taller than the main house, 5-ft side/rear setbacks (and 5 ft from existing structures), covering no more than 25% of the combined side+rear yards. The City offers four free pre-designed casita plans (450 to 750 sf), but using them does not reduce the submittal burden (site plan, grading/drainage, and sealed truss drawings for pitched roofs are still required). Submit via ABQ-PLAN, which replaced the legacy POSSE and ePlan systems.
- Building Elevations (4)required
Four exterior elevations showing building height, finish-floor/plate heights, roof slope, and exterior finishes.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Building Permit Application (via ABQ-PLAN)required
Core application submitted online through ABQ-PLAN: a building permit with a full set of construction drawings and a scaled site plan.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Electrical Planrequired
Receptacle, switch, light, thermostat, smoke/CO-detector, and fan locations; AFCI/GFCI where required (a separate electrical trade permit is also required).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Energy Plan Review Checklist (EPRC) / Energy Compliancerequired
Energy documentation conforming to the adopted International Energy Conservation Code, plus air-barrier details.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Floor Planrequired
Dimensioned floor plan with room uses/ceiling heights; door/window/skylight openings (types, sizes, U-values); plumbing fixtures; smoke/CO alarms; egress; and heated-area square footage.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Foundation Planrequired
Foundation layout and dimensions (footings, piers, stem walls) with detail sections showing footing width, depth, and steel reinforcement.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Grading & Drainage Planrequired
An updated grading-and-drainage plan is required.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Mechanical & Plumbing Plans / Trade Permitsrequired
Mechanical and plumbing plans where applicable; separate trade permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical are required in addition to the building permit.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Plot Plan / Site Planrequired
Property lines on all sides; existing buildings with dimensions/distances to property lines; the proposed ADU with dimensions/distances; easements; setbacks; off-street parking; grading/drainage info.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Roof & Floor Framing Planrequired
Type, size, and spacing of all framing members; header sizes/locations; attic access; lumber grade/species; and wall-brace panel layout.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Roof Ventilation Planrequired
Roof-vent layout with Net Free Area calculations indicating vent type, capacity, and quantity.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Two (2) Sets of Detailed, Scaled Construction Plansrequired
Plans drawn to scale (plan views min ¼"=1', sections/details min ½"=1') of sufficient clarity to show conformance with the technical codes.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Wall Section & Detailsrequired
Exterior/interior bearing-wall section details; roof slope and finish; footing dimensions/reinforcement; and insulation type/thickness/R-value.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Administrative Site Plan (DFT) + Public Noticeconditionalverify locally
The ADU page lists a separate Administrative Site Plan step with sign-posting and neighborhood-association notice, but the ADU FAQ says only a building permit + drawings + site plan are required. Confirm whether this heavier path applies to a standard by-right ADU.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Signed & Sealed Engineered Truss Calculationsconditional
If engineered roof or floor trusses are used (e.g. the pitched-roof free-plan option), submit truss drawings sealed by a NM Licensed Structural Engineer.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22
Albuquerque ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Albuquerque?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Albuquerque requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 15 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (13 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Albuquerque?
- Core required items include: Building Elevations (4); Building Permit Application (via ABQ-PLAN); Electrical Plan; Energy Plan Review Checklist (EPRC) / Energy Compliance; Floor Plan; Foundation Plan, plus 7 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Albuquerque?
- Albuquerque accepts permit submittals via ABQ-PLAN (Tyler EnerGov Self Service). ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.