ALBUQUERQUE & BERNALILLO COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
As Amended By City Council in OCTOBER 2025
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IMPROVING PLACE FROM PLANNING TO ZONING
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO · GENERAL PLAN TITLE PAGES
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Albuquerque/Bernalillo County
Comprehensive Plan
AS AMENDED BY CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2025
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IMPROVING PLACE FROM PLANNING TO ZONING
Comprehensive Plan Resolutions
The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan was first adopted in the 1970s and has been amended many times. The following resolutions include amendments reflected on City Council's Legistar program, which has records dating back to 2001.
| Adoption Date | Effective Date | Council Bill No. | Enactment No. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/3/25 | 9/5/25 | R-25-175 | R-2025-056 | Amending the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan to Change the Designation of Segments of Rio Grande Boulevard NW, Indian School Road NW, and Menaul Boulevard From Multi-Modal Corridors To Major Transit Corridors |
| 5/6/2024 | 6/22/2024 | R-24-27 | R-2024-033 | Adopting An Updated Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan to include policies for Community Planning Areas and to update the Action Matrix |
| 9/18/2017 | 10/3/2017 | R-17-217 | R-2017-088 | Amending The County Development Area Map Within The 2017 Albuquerque & Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan From Reserve To Developing Urban For An Unincorporated Property |
| 3/20/2017 | 4/7/2017 | R-16-108 | R-2017-026 | Adopting An Updated Albuquerque/ Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan |
| 4/21/2014 | 5/2/2014 | R-14-46 | R-2014-022 | Evaluating And Updating The Comprehensive Plan Vision For Growth And Development In The City Of Albuquerque; Revising Land Use, Transportation, And Development Regulations To Implement The Comprehensive Plan Vision |
| 8/19/2013 | 9/6/2013 | R-13-172 | R-2013-074 | Amending The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan To Update Appendix D. Statistical And Map Information And, In Section Ii, Figure 30 Development Areas With Activity Centers And Transportation Corridors And Figure 31 Development Areas, And To Add Figure 32 Activity Centers And Transportation Corridors |
| 8/11/2003 | 8/19/2003 | R-03-269 | R-2003-084 | Amending the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan Development Area Designation for the Unincorporated South Valley Area from Developing Urban to Semi-Urban, South of Woodward Road (E. Griego, by request) |
| 9/8/2003 | 9/22/2003 | R-03-233 | R-2003-100 | Amending the Development Area Boundary on the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan Map from "Rural" to "Developing Urban" for an Area Either Side of Montano NW, West of the Corrales Riverside Drain Extension, and East of Coors NW |
| 12/2/2002 | 12/12/2002 | R-02-150 | R-2002-154 | Amending the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the Cultural Plan Update |
| 11/19/2001 | 11/30/2001 | R-01-344 | R-2001-172 | Amending Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, Adding and Revising Text, Policies and Map, Relating to Identifying and Enhancing Activity Centers and Linking Transportation Corridors |
| 11/19/2001 | 11/30/2001 | R-01-343 | R-2001-171 | Amending Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, Adding and Revising Text, Policies and Map, Relating to Community Identity |
| 10/15/2001 | 10/25/2001 | R-01-304 | R-2001-145 | Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan Amendment 01252 00000 00245, Amending The Plan Map Of The Comprehensive Plan To Change The Land Use Designation Of Certain Portions Of The Unincorporated Area Of North Albuquerque Acres From Developing Urban And Semi-Urban To Rural |
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Table of Contents
Background & Vision
1: Introduction.................................................................................................................1-1
2: Factors of Growth & Development...........................................................................2-1
3: The Vision....................................................................................................................3-1
Comprehensive Plan Elements
4: Community Identity....................................................................................................4-1
5: Land Use ...................................................................................................................5-1
6: Transportation ............................................................................................................6-1
7: Urban Design ............................................................................................................7-1
8: Economic Development ............................................................................................8-1
9: Housing .....................................................................................................................9-1
10: Parks & Open Space .............................................................................................10-1
11: Heritage Conservation ...........................................................................................11-1
12: Infrastructure, Community Facilities & Services ...................................................12-1
13: Resilience & Sustainability .....................................................................................13-1
14: Implementation .......................................................................................................14-1
Appendices........................................................................... A-1
List of Figures
Chapter 1: Introduction
| Figure 1-1 | Location Map of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County | 1-3 |
| Figure 1-2 | Geographic Scope of the Comp Plan | 1-5 |
| Figure 1-3 | How the 2016 Update Affects the Land Use Planning Framework in the City and County | 1-9 |
Chapter 2: Factors of Growth & Development
| Figure 2-1 | Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Population Growth (1940-2040) | 2-3 |
| Figure 2-2 | Median Age Comparisons | 2-4 |
| Figure 2-3 | Change in Age Groups in the County (2000-2014) | 2-4 |
| Figure 2-4 | Changes in Ethnic Mix of Bernalillo County Residents (1980-2014) | 2-5 |
| Figure 2-5 | Bridge Crossings and Jurisdictions | 2-6 |
| Figure 2-6 | Natural Features | 2-6 |
| Figure 2-7 | Transit Ridership in the Albuquerque Metro Area (2000-2012) | 2-7 |
| Figure 2-8 | Current and Preferred Lifestyle Trends in Bernalillo County | 2-8 |
| Figure 2-9 | Share of Population Growth to 2040 | 2-9 |
| Figure 2-10 | Housing Mix in Bernalillo County | 2-10 |
| Figure 2-11 | Future Balanced Housing Mix by Type for Bernalillo County | 2-10 |
| Figure 2-12 | Potential Benefits of the MTP Preferred Scenario | 2-12 |
Chapter 3: The Vision
| Figure 3-1 | Countywide Vision Map | 3-6 |
| Figure 3-2 | Metro-focused Vision Map | 3-7 |
Chapter 4: Community Identity
| Figure 4-1 | Growth Through Annexation over Time in Albuquerque | 4-8 |
| Figure 4-2 | County Sector Development and Area Plans | 4-15 |
| Figure 4-3 | Community Planning Areas | 4-16 |
Chapter 5: Land Use
| Figure 5-1 | Vacant Land in Albuquerque and Unincorporated Bernalillo County | 5-6 |
| Figure 5-2 | Vision Map with Center Boundaries | 5-9 |
| Figure 5-3 | Community Green Space | 5-12 |
| Figure 5-4 | Centers and Corridors | 5-18 |
| Figure 5-5 | County Development Areas | 5-23 |
| Figure 5-6 | City Development Areas – Areas of Change and Areas of Consistency | 5-26 |
Chapter 6: Transportation
| Figure 6-1 | Long Range Roadway System | 6-8 |
| Figure 6-2 | Transit Map | 6-10 |
| Figure 6-3 | Priority Transit Network | 6-12 |
| FIGURE 6-4 | CONCEPTUAL TRANSIT NETWORK FOR MTP PREFERRED SCENARIO | 6-12 |
| FIGURE 6-5 | EXISTING AND PROPOSED BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS | 6-18 |
| FIGURE 6-6 | CONNECTIVITY STANDARDS FOR DIFFERENT CHARACTER AREAS | 6-25 |
CHAPTER 7: URBAN DESIGN
| FIGURE 7-1 | EXAMPLE STREET CROSS-SECTION | 7-8 |
| FIGURE 7-2 | HEIGHT-TO-WIDTH RATIOS FOR STREETS | 7-9 |
| FIGURE 7-3 | REVERSE-ANGLE PARKING | 7-10 |
CHAPTER 8: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
| FIGURE 8-1 | TOTAL EMPLOYMENT BY MAJOR SECTOR, BERNALILLO COUNTY (2012, 2040) | 8-6 |
| FIGURE 8-2 | GOVERNMENT JOBS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY (2011) | 8-6 |
| FIGURE 8-3 | BERNALILLO COUNTY ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (2005-2014) | 8-8 |
| FIGURE 8-4 | TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY EMPLOYMENT CONCENTRATION (SECOND QUARTER 2012-SECOND QUARTER 2014) | 8-12 |
| FIGURE 8-5 | EMPLOYMENT DENSITY, 2016 | 8-18 |
| FIGURE 8-6 | PRIMARY FREIGHT CORRIDORS AND TRUCK RESTRICTIONS | 8-23 |
CHAPTER 9: HOUSING
| FIGURE 9-1 | HOUSING MIX IN BERNALILLO COUNTY | 9-4 |
| FIGURE 9-2 | SHARE OF OWNER AND RENTAL HOUSEHOLDS | 9-6 |
| FIGURE 9-3 | RENTER AND OWNER HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY BY HOUSING TYPE | 9-6 |
| FIGURE 9-4 | HOUSING UNIT SIZE BY TENURE IN BERNALILLO COUNTY | 9-6 |
| FIGURE 9-5 | AGE OF HOUSING STOCK IN BERNALILLO COUNTY BY TENURE | 9-7 |
| FIGURE 9-6 | RENTER AND OWNER HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY BY ANNUAL INCOME | 9-8 |
| FIGURE 9-7 | OWNER AND RENTER HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN BERNALILLO COUNTY | 9-9 |
| FIGURE 9-8 | HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME | 9-10 |
| FIGURE 9-9 | COMPARING RENTAL HOUSEHOLDS TO AFFORDABLE UNITS BY INCOME LEVEL (COUNTYWIDE) | 9-11 |
| FIGURE 9-10 | COMPARING OWNER HOUSEHOLDS TO AFFORDABLE UNITS BY INCOME LEVEL (COUNTYWIDE) | 9-11 |
| FIGURE 9-11 | FUTURE BALANCED HOUSING MIX BY TYPE FOR BERNALILLO COUNTY | 9-14 |
| FIGURE 9-12 | FUTURE BALANCED HOUSING PROFILE VS. OCCUPIED HOUSING FOR BERNALILLO COUNTY | 9-14 |
CHAPTER 10: PARKS & OPEN SPACE
| FIGURE 10-1 | CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES | 10-7 |
| FIGURE 10-2 | CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY OPEN SPACE | 10-8 |
| FIGURE 10-3 | CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY TRAILS NETWORK | 10-10 |
| FIGURE 10-4 | ACRES OF CITY-OWNED OR MANAGED MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE | 10-12 |
| FIGURE 10-5 | ACRES OF OPEN SPACE PER 1,000 COUNTY RESIDENTS (LEVEL OF SERVICE) | 10-12 |
List of Figures (cont’d)
Chapter 11: Heritage Conservation
| Figure 11-1 | Schematic of Canals, Ditches, Drains, and Acequias along the Rio Grande | 11-7 |
| Figure 11-2 | Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) Boundaries and Facilities | 11-8 |
| Figure 11-3 | Petroglyph National Monument, Northwest Mesa Escarpment, and Volcano Mesa Areas | 11-16 |
Chapter 12: Infrastructure, Community Facilities & Services
| Figure 12-1 | Irrigation District Boundary and Flood Control and Solid Waste Facilities, 2016 | 12-9 |
| Figure 12-2 | City and County Public Safety Service Locations, 2016 | 12-14 |
| Figure 12-3 | Community, Multigenerational, and Senior Centers and Libraries, 2016 | 12-18 |
| Figure 12-4 | Educational Institutions in the City and County, 2016 | 12-20 |
| Figure 12-5 | Hospitals and City Health & Social Services Centers, 2016 | 12-23 |
Chapter 13: Resilience & Sustainability
| Figure 13-1 | Water Demand by Source and Use Type in Bernalillo County (2010) | 13-9 |
| Figure 13-2 | Gallons Consumed per Capita per Day (1994-2015) | 13-10 |
| Figure 13-3 | Major Physiographic and Hydrologic Features of the Middle Rio Grande Basin | 13-11 |
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
| Table 1-1 | Centers Framework Changes | 1-12 |
| Table 1-2 | Corridors Framework Changes | 1-12 |
Chapter 2: Factors of Growth & Development
| Table 2-1 | 100 Years of Population Growth and Density (1910-2010) | 2-3 |
| Table 2-2 | Developed and Vacant Land, Albuquerque and Unincorporated Bernalillo County | 2-9 |
| Table 2-3 | 2040 Preferred Scenario Results for Access, Sustainability, and Transportation | 2-11 |
Chapter 5: Land Use
| Table 5-1 | Developed and Vacant Land, Albuquerque and Unincorporated Bernalillo County | 5-6 |
| Table 5-2 | County Development Area Profile | 5-10 |
| Table 5-3 | City Development Area Profile | 5-10 |
| Table 5-4 | Planned Community Criteria (Summary) | 5-21 |
Chapter 6: Transportation
| Table 6-1 | Summary of Transportation System Elements | 6-6 |
| Table 6-2 | Total Annual Ridership by Route (Fiscal Year 2014 Ridership) | 6-11 |
| Table 6-3 | Street Design - Premium Transit Corridors | 6-36 |
| Table 6-4 | Street Design - Main Street Corridors | 6-37 |
| Table 6-5 | Street Design - Major Transit Corridors | 6-38 |
| Table 6-6 | Street Design - Multi-Modal Corridors | 6-39 |
| Table 6-7 | Street Design - Commuter Corridors | 6-40 |
| Table 6-8 | Street Design - Other Arterial Streets | 6-41 |
Chapter 7: Urban Design
| Table 7-1 | Development Context for Centers and Corridors | 7-6 |
| Table 7-2 | Development Patterns and Walkability | 7-6 |
| Table 7-3 | Development Form Matrix - Centers | 7-16 |
| Table 7-4 | Development Form Matrix - Corridors | 7-17 |
| Table 7-5 | Priority Street Elements Matrix | 7-18 |
Chapter 8: Economic Development
| Table 8-1 | Top Employers in the Albuquerque Area, 2015 | 8-7 |
| Table 8-2 | Living and Poverty Wages for Albuquerque, February 2016 | 8-9 |
| Table 8-3 | Average Wages by Major Occupations in Albuquerque (2014) | 8-10 |
| Table 8-4 | Total Government Jobs by Industry, New Mexico (Second Quarter 2015) | 8-13 |
Chapter 9: Housing
| Table 9-1 | Total Households & Average Household Size | 9-4 |
| Table 9-2 | Housing Affordability Gap for Renters in Bernalillo County | 9-10 |
Chapter 11: Heritage Conservation
| Table 11-1 | City and County Public Art Holdings | 11-21 |
Chapter 12: Infrastructure, Community Facilities & Services
| Table 12-1 | City and County Fire and Police Services, 2016 | 12-13 |
| Table 12-2 | Child Care and Child Development Programs | 12-16 |
| Table 12-3 | City and County Health and Social Services | 12-22 |
Chapter 13: Resilience & Sustainability
| Table 13-1 | Future High, Medium, and Low Water Demand Scenarios for ABCWUA Customers by 2130 | 13-12 |
| Table 13-2 | Hazards by Risk Level | 13-15 |
Chapter 14: Implementation Plan
| Table 14-1 | Comp Plan Metrics | 14-17 |
- Table 14-2 and Table 14-3 were removed from Chapter 14 and included in Appendix P.
Acronyms
| A | Albuquerque |
| AASHTO | American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials |
| ABC | Albuquerque/Bernalillo County |
| ABCWUA | Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority |
| ABQ | Albuquerque |
| ABQ RIDE | Albuquerque Transit Department (City) |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| AGIS | Albuquerque Geographic Information System (City, Division of Planning Department) |
| AMAFCA | Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority |
| AMI | Area Median Income |
| APD | City of Albuquerque Police Department |
| APS | Albuquerque Public Schools |
| BBER | University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research |
| BC | Bernalillo County |
| BCSO | Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office |
| BNSF | Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway |
| BRT | Bus Rapid Transit |
| CIP | Capital Implementation Program (City) or Capital Improvement Program (County) |
| CNM | Central New Mexico Community College |
| Comp Plan | Comprehensive Plan |
| CPA | Community Planning Area |
| CPTED | Crime Prevention through Environmental Design |
| DASZ | Data Analysis Subzone |
| DMD | Department of Municipal Development (City) |
| DPM | Development Process Manual |
| EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| FHWA | Federal Highway Administration |
| GO | General Obligation (Bonds) |
| HMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan |
| HUD | US Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| IDO | Integrated Development Ordinance |
| IPGR | Infrastructure Planning & GEO Resources Department (County) |
| ITE | Institute for Transportation Engineers |
| LOS | Level of Service |
| LRTS | Long Range Transportation System (Guide) |
| MMLOS | Multi-Modal Level of Service |
| MPOS | Major Public Open Space (City, Division of Parks & Recreation Department) |
| MRA | Metropolitan Redevelopment Area |
| MRCOG | Mid-Region Council of Governments |
| MRGCD | Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District |
| MRMPO | Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization |
| MTP | Metropolitan Transportation Plan |
| NACTO | National Association of City Transportation Officials |
| NMDOT | New Mexico Department of Transportation |
| NMGC | New Mexico Gas Company |
| NMPRC | New Mexico Public Regulation Commission |
| NPS | National Park Service |
| NTMP | Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (City) |
| PCC | Planned Communities Criteria |
| PNM | Public Service Company of New Mexico (electric utility) |
| PROS | Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (County) |
| RMRTD | Rio Metro Regional Transit District |
| SDP | Sector Development Plan |
| STEM | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math |
| SU | Special Use |
| SWRP | Southside Water Reclamation Plant |
| TOD | Transit-Oriented Development |
| UNM | University of New Mexico |
| VMT | Vehicle Miles Traveled |
| WRMS | Water Resources Management Strategy |
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