Albuquerque calls an accessory dwelling unit a casita. The City’s Planning Department guidance lists R-A, R-1, R-T, and R-ML among the zones with casita provisions. It describes one casita in R-A and R-1, with additional district rules that depend on the parcel and the applicable Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) text.
Check the exact zone and special area
The City’s page identifies additional conditions for certain areas. For example, its Downtown CPO-3 guidance includes a 650-square-foot and height limit, while the Sawmill and Wells Park CPO-12 guidance identifies a 7,000-square-foot minimum lot area in R-1. These area-specific examples are not citywide defaults.
Use the current official zoning map to identify the parcel’s zone and any Character Protection Overlay (CPO). Then check the current IDO, applicable overlay text, and parcel conditions. A zone family name or citywide guide alone does not establish whether the casita count or standards apply to a particular site.
Albuquerque’s City page notes that zoning rules changed in 2023. Confirm the current code and any later amendments with Planning before relying on an older summary. This page is an initial eligibility screen, not a parcel approval or building permit.