Rio Arriba County Planning & Zoning Department

The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for overseeing the orderly and appropriate development and use of land within the jurisdiction of Rio Arriba County while serving to protect the health, safety, and economic well-being of the residents of the County.

PROOF OF PHYSICAL ADDRESS

A 911 Address Verification Form may be required of residents by the US Postal Service, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department, Utilities, and Mortgage Lenders. To obtain an address verification please review our requirements list HERE. You may come into our office or email us with all your information to retrieve one.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

To apply for a development permit, an application must be filled out and turned in with all the required submittals. Fines may be charged if development begins before a permit is issued. Please apply and contact us prior to contruction, placement, or a change of land use.

PLAT REVIEWS

Plat reviews are by appointment ONLY. It is required that all the proper forms be filled out and submitted. Please call our office at (505)753-7774 to make an appointment.

FILE A COMPLAINT

To report a suspected zoning violation, please complete and submit a form to the Planning & Zoning Department with the suspected violation. You may submit your complaint form by email, mail or by coming into our office.

TYPES OF PERMITS REQUIRED BY RIO ARRIBA COUNTY

(In accordance to Rio Arriba County Design & Development Regulation System Ordinance 2012-001).

-Construction

-Manufactured Home Placement

-New Utility Service/ Meter Relocation/ Service Upgrade

-Grading-Solar Panels

-Accessory Structures (CID and pre-assembled)

-Fencing

-Temporary RV while under construction

-Additions

-Demolitions

BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS:

-Business Registration Application

-Lodgers Business Registration Application

-Home Business Occupation Permit Application

LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT OR SPECIAL PROJECTS:

-Film

-Temporary Use (Events)

-Conditional Use Permit Application

-Special Use Permit Application

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

-Cellular tower/tower collocation

(NOTE: Every habitable dwelling in the County must have an account with the North Central Solid Waste Authority.)

LA LOMA VISTA CEMETERY

For information on the La Loma Vista Cemetery contact the Managers Department at (505)753-2992.

LAND-USE APPLICATIONS: May be subject to a Public Hearing process. Depending on the class of application, there are three bodies that hold public hearings in which the application may be reviewed.

Administrative Public Hearing may be scheduled at any time by the Director.

The planning and Zoning Committee, an advisory committee will review applications and typically meet on the first Wednesday of each month.

The Board of County Commission, will make final decisions on applications and typically meets on the last Thursday of each month. (meeting dates subject to change with public notice)

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PUBLIC HEARINGS: Will be held before The Planning & Zoning Committee, Board of County Commissioners, or Administrative Hearing Officer when scheduled.

P&Z Committee Meeting: All scheduled Planning and Zoning meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month in Espanola Complex or Tierra Amarilla Complex.
Board of County Commission meetings: Are held each and every Last Tuesday of the month, (some meeting dates may change with proper notice).
Written Notice of Appeal: An appeal of a decision made by the Administrative Hearing Officer or the P & Z Committee shall be received by submiting a written notice of appeal to the Planning and Zoning Department within 15 days from the date the decision was issued. A BOCC decision may be appealed in District Court.