O-26-2 IDO Update Passes City Council

On February 18, 2026, the Albuquerque City Council voted to adopt O-26-2, the 2025 Biennial Update to the City’s Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), following several hours of debate and multiple amendment votes.

View the final bill

O-26-2 (City Council File): https://cabq.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7790348&GUID=39E39AD3-6906-49AE-87DF-A5FEA8D16A89&Options=ID|Text|&Search=ido

View the approved Integrated Development Ordinance

City of Albuquerque IDO: https://www.cabq.gov/planning/codes-policies-regulations/integrated-development-ordinance

View the City Council Meeting & the IDO discussion

Albuquerque GOV TV YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Mvk378GuA&list=PLXiXslM00KnzufBtlS_VIDEbLb8IvsiZY&index=7

What is the IDO?

The Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) is Albuquerque’s zoning and land use code. It regulates what can be built, where it can be built, and under what standards — including residential uses, commercial uses, density, parking requirements, and development procedures.

The IDO directly affects:

  • Housing supply and availability
  • Property rights and land use flexibility
  • Development feasibility
  • Neighborhood character and predictability

The biennial update process allows the City Council to amend the ordinance to reflect policy priorities and community concerns.

Key Amendments Adopted

While numerous amendments were proposed during the meeting, the final version of O-26-2 incorporated several changes that materially affect residential zoning and development standards.

Duplexes and Townhouses in R-1

Duplexes and townhouses will not be broadly permitted in R-1 (single-family) zoning districts. Earlier proposals would have expanded these uses more widely, but those efforts were scaled back.

  • Impact: Traditional single-family zoning patterns remain largely intact.
Casitas / Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Proposed expansions to ADU flexibility — including attached ADUs and modified size and height allowances — were reversed.

  • Impact: Existing ADU standards remain in place, maintaining current limitations on secondary units in residential zones.
Cottage Developments

Changes that would have allowed cottage-style developments on smaller lots citywide were rolled back, restoring larger minimum lot size requirements.

  • Impact: Limits small-lot clustered housing options in certain areas.
Parking Maximums in Transit Areas

Parking maximums that had been added for Activity Centers and Major Transit Corridors were removed.

  • Impact: Developers retain flexibility to provide parking based on market demand rather than a capped ratio.
Neighborhood Retail / “Bodega” Uses

Proposals that would have expanded small-scale retail and live-work uses in residential areas were reversed.

  • Impact: Mixed-use flexibility in residential neighborhoods remains more limited.
Safe Outdoor Spaces

Safe Outdoor Spaces — defined as managed, temporary sites where individuals experiencing homelessness may stay in tents or small shelter units with required sanitation, oversight, and supportive services — were modified to include additional operational standards and siting requirements.

  • Impact: Tightens regulatory structure governing these facilities.
Right-of-Way Vacations

City Council re-established itself as the decision-making authority for larger public right-of-way vacations.

  • Impact: Adds a political review layer for certain development-related actions.

What This Means for Real Estate and Homeownership

From a real estate perspective, the adopted amendments emphasize zoning stability and predictability, particularly in single-family neighborhoods. The final version of O-26-2 maintains existing R-1 zoning protections and narrows several proposed expansions of density and housing flexibility.

Supporters of the adopted version argue that it preserves neighborhood character and provides clarity for property owners. Others had advocated for broader housing-type flexibility as a strategy to address affordability and supply constraints.

For homeowners and prospective buyers, the outcome reinforces current land use expectations in R-1 districts. For developers and small builders, the ordinance maintains a more traditional zoning framework rather than expanding by-right density tools.

Final Outcome

O-26-2 passed as amended by a 6–3 vote

As always, GAAR remains committed to engaging in land use discussions that balance:

  • Private property rights
  • Predictable zoning standards
  • Expanded homeownership opportunities
  • A healthy and sustainable housing market

We encourage members and stakeholders to review the adopted ordinance and remain involved in future IDO updates.