Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit - known locally as a casita - in Albuquerque: size limits, setbacks, permits, and the 2023 zoning overhaul that opened casita construction to single-family lots citywide.
Last verified: September 2026
8/10 · Very ADU-friendly
750 sq ft*
Max ADU size
≤ main house*
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes the accessory dwelling unit ("casita") standards in the Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) for general reference - it is not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm current requirements with the City of Albuquerque Planning Department before designing or applying for permits. See sources below.
Zoning & size requirements
What you're allowed to build
ADU type
Max size
Max height
Notes
Casita (attached, detached, or interior conversion)
750 sq ft, or 25% of the combined side and rear yard area, whichever is smaller
Cannot exceed the height of the primary dwelling (18 ft cap in the Downtown Neighborhood Area overlay, CPO-3, where size is also capped at 650 sq ft)
A detached unit must sit behind the rear wall of the primary dwelling; a 5 ft access passage must be kept clear
Allowed zoning districts
R-A, R-T, R-ML, and R-1. Since a July 2023 IDO amendment, that includes R-1 (single-family) lots citywide, not just the handful of areas and corridors where casitas with kitchens were previously allowed. Confirm your parcel's zone with Planning.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
Minimum 5 ft from the rear or side property line, and minimum 5 ft from any existing structure unless built to fire-rated standards
Parking
One additional off-street parking space required for the casita
Units per lot
1 casita permitted per lot in R-A and R-1 zones, in addition to the primary dwelling
Owner-occupancy
Not required - a casita can be rented out without the owner living on site
Exterior design
Exterior color must match or closely resemble the primary dwelling
Building permit
A full construction drawing set and a scaled site plan showing property lines and existing structures are required; the Planning Department reviews administratively, with no public hearing
Ordinance history
How Albuquerque's casita rules got here
2018Integrated Development Ordinance takes effect. Adopted by City Council in November 2017 and effective May 17, 2018, the IDO consolidated Albuquerque's previously separate zoning codes into a single unified ordinance - the same document that today's casita standards live in.
2023Housing Forward ABQ zoning changes adopted. City Council passed the package aligning the IDO with Mayor Tim Keller's Housing Forward ABQ plan; it took effect July 27, 2023, opening casita construction - including units with kitchens - to R-1 single-family lots citywide, instead of the limited areas and corridors allowed before.
2023Free pre-approved casita plans released. The Planning Department published four ready-to-use casita designs, ranging from 450 to 750 sq ft, so homeowners could skip architect fees and move straight to permitting.
OngoingCasita construction as a housing-supply strategy. The city set a public goal of 1,000 new casitas following the 2023 reform, framing casitas partly around multigenerational living - aging parents, adult kids, or rental income on one lot.
Whether the city's 1,000-casita goal has been reached isn't something we could independently verify from public sources as of this review - confirm current build counts with the Planning Department if that matters for your project.
Permit process
How Albuquerque casita permitting works
1
Confirm your zone and consider a pre-approved plan
Verify your lot is zoned R-A, R-1, R-T, or R-ML, and check whether one of the city's four free casita plan sets (450-750 sq ft) fits your site - it can save design fees and speed up review.
2
Prepare your plan set
You'll need a full set of construction drawings plus a scaled site plan showing property lines, the primary dwelling, and the proposed casita's placement, setbacks, and yard coverage.
3
Submit for administrative site plan review
The Planning Department reviews casita applications administratively - there's no public hearing for a standard by-right casita.
4
Apply for your building permit
Submit at the Plaza del Sol Building or online, along with any required trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Permit fees are generally valuation-based.
5
Plan review
Typical review timelines run roughly 6-10 weeks, often faster when using one of the pre-approved plan sets.
6
Construction & inspections
Build to the approved plans and schedule standard framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections before occupancy.
Fees and timelines are approximate and change - confirm current figures with the Planning Department before budgeting.
Budgeting
What it costs to build a casita in Albuquerque
Garage conversion
Roughly $60,000-$130,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
Prefab / manufactured casita
Roughly $80,000-$170,000 installed, depending on size and site prep
New detached casita (stick-built)
Roughly $120,000-$240,000, or about $180-$400 per sq ft depending on finishes and site conditions
Site utilities
Trenching to extend water, sewer, or electrical service can add roughly $10,000-$30,000 if the site isn't already served
Permit & plan-check fees
Roughly $1,500-$5,000+ depending on the project's valuation, separate from any architect or design fees
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and utility access. Using one of the city's free pre-approved casita plans can save an estimated $3,000-$10,000 in design fees alone.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
See if a pre-approved plan fits your lot first. The city's four free casita designs (450-750 sq ft) already meet code, which can cut both design cost and review time.
Run the yard-coverage math, not just the size cap. On a smaller lot, the 25% combined side/rear yard limit can restrict you well before you hit 750 sq ft.
Budget for one parking space. Unlike some reformed cities, Albuquerque's IDO still requires an off-street space for the casita itself.
Get a utility estimate early. If your casita site needs new water, sewer, or electrical service, trenching costs can rival the structure's own cost.
Match your exterior finishes to the main house. The IDO requires the casita's exterior color to closely resemble the primary dwelling, so plan materials accordingly.
FAQ
Common questions
What's a casita, and is it the same as an ADU in Albuquerque?
Yes. "Casita" is the term the City of Albuquerque and its Housing Forward ABQ program use for what the Integrated Development Ordinance formally calls an accessory dwelling unit - a smaller, independent dwelling on the same lot as a primary home.
Do I need to live on the property to build or rent out a casita?
No. Albuquerque's IDO does not require owner-occupancy for a casita - you can build one and rent it out without living on site.
How many casitas can I build on one lot?
One casita is permitted per lot in the R-A and R-1 zones, in addition to the primary dwelling.
Do I need extra parking for a casita?
Yes - the IDO requires one additional off-street parking space for the casita itself.
How big can a casita be?
Up to 750 sq ft, or 25% of the combined side and rear yard area, whichever is smaller. The Downtown Neighborhood Area (CPO-3) overlay caps casitas at 650 sq ft.
How tall can a casita be?
It can't be taller than the primary dwelling on the lot; in the Downtown (CPO-3) overlay, there's also an 18 ft cap.
Where on my property can a casita go?
It can be a new detached structure, a garage conversion, an addition, or an interior conversion - all subject to the same 750 sq ft, height, and setback framework.
How much does it cost to build a casita in Albuquerque?
Garage conversions tend to run roughly $60,000-$130,000, prefab units roughly $80,000-$170,000, and new detached casitas roughly $120,000-$240,000 (about $180-$400 per sq ft), based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting - not counting permit fees or utility extension costs.
How long does the permit process take?
Typical review runs roughly 6-10 weeks, often faster if you use one of the city's free pre-approved casita plans.
