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 (450–750 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 - 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 - Site Plan – Administrative (DFT) + Public Noticeconditionalverify locally
The ADU page lists a separate Site Plan – Administrative 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