The proposed update could influence how infrastructure needs and development impacts are addressed across Bernalillo County.

Bernalillo County announced on September 11 that an update to its Capital Improvements Ordinance is moving forward, with the proposal expected to go before the Bernalillo County Commission in May 2027.

For REALTORS®, builders, property owners, and others involved in housing and development, this is an issue worth following. Capital improvement policies can play an important role in how communities plan for growth and pay for infrastructure needed to support new development.

What Is the Capital Improvements Ordinance?

Bernalillo County's capital improvement planning helps guide investments in infrastructure and public facilities, including roads, parks, public safety facilities, transportation improvements, and other projects needed to serve communities.

The County also administers an Impact Fee Program, which connects development with the costs of certain capital improvements needed to accommodate growth. County staff oversee impact fee assessments and collections, credits, waivers, expenditures, and the associated Capital Improvements Plan.

The proposed ordinance update creates an important opportunity to examine how these policies work as Bernalillo County continues to grow.

What REALTORS® Should Pay Attention To

While the proposal still has several months before it reaches the County Commission, REALTORS® should pay attention to how the final ordinance could affect:

• Housing development costs: Changes involving impact fees or infrastructure requirements can influence the cost of developing new housing.
• Housing supply: Policies that affect the feasibility and cost of development can become part of the larger conversation about adding housing in Bernalillo County.
• Where growth occurs: Infrastructure availability and planned improvements can influence where residential and commercial development is practical.
• Private property and development: Changes to requirements, fees, credits, or processes could be particularly important for property owners and developers considering future projects.
• Long-term infrastructure investment: Roads, parks, transportation, public facilities, and other improvements help determine how communities accommodate growth. Bernalillo County's Capital Improvement Program oversees long-term infrastructure planning, financing, construction, renovation, and land acquisition.

May 2027 Is the Date to Watch

The September announcement is not the end of the process. The proposed update is expected to go before the Bernalillo County Commission in May 2027, giving REALTORS® and the broader community time to learn more about the proposal and consider its potential effects on housing and real estate.

As that meeting approaches, details about the proposed changes and their potential impacts will be particularly important to review.