Albuquerque apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site property managers: avoid costly code violations while giving residents the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with the Albuquerque Integrated Solid Waste Management Ordinance, including the City’s mandatory recycling requirements for multifamily communities with 25+ dwelling units, so you can stay ahead of inspections and protect NOI.
Within the City of Albuquerque, multiple-family dwellings with 25 or more dwelling units must provide residents with access to recycling service and manage containers and collection points in line with Albuquerque Code of Ordinances §§ 9-10-1-7 and 9-10-1-10. In unincorporated Bernalillo County and nearby municipalities like Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, and Tijeras, there is currently no county-wide apartment recycling mandate with a unit threshold, but properties are still subject to solid-waste, nuisance, and fee-enforcement provisions when enclosures overflow or residents lack safe, convenient disposal options.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of escalating misdemeanor fines and civil penalties under Albuquerque’s solid-waste and recycling code by designing your program around the 25+ unit multifamily recycling requirement.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection keeps residents out of dark or distant enclosures, reduces illegal dumping, and supports renewals, reviews, and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, signage, and service frequencies are built around City of Albuquerque storage and recycling rules, plus regional expectations in Bernalillo County and surrounding municipalities.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your teams can focus on leasing, maintenance, and resident experience.
At a Glance: City of Albuquerque vs. Bernalillo County Area
City of Albuquerque (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling service for qualifying multifamily properties.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to “multiple-family dwellings” with 25 or more dwelling units under § 9-10-1-10.
- Property Manager Duties: Provide on-site recycling service; ensure recyclables are stored and set out per § 9-10-1-7; keep containers properly labeled and maintained; place materials at collection points designated by the City and accessible to collection crews.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate container capacity, keep collection areas clean and safe for residents, and minimize contamination so recycling containers are not treated as refuse containers (which can trigger additional fees and violations).
- Key City Links: Albuquerque Code – § 9-10-1-10 Multifamily Recycling · Albuquerque Code – § 9-10-1-7 Storage of Solid Waste · City of Albuquerque – Commercial & Multifamily Recycling · Albuquerque Solid Waste Management
Bernalillo County & Nearby Municipalities
- Mandate Type: No county-wide apartment recycling mandate with a clear unit threshold. Unincorporated Bernalillo County regulates solid waste and nuisance conditions; municipalities like Los Ranchos and Rio Rancho layer on local service requirements.
- Key Local Variations:
- Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque: Ordinance allows and expects Village-provided solid waste and recycling service for all “Serviced Properties,” including apartments; violations can result in fines, imprisonment, and even liens for nonpayment.
- City of Rio Rancho: Chapter 50 requires commercial service for multiple-family dwellings with more than two dwellings on a single site, but there is no separate, codified multifamily recycling mandate similar to Albuquerque’s 25+ unit rule.
- Village of Corrales & Village of Tijeras: No explicit multifamily recycling mandate identified; apartments are treated under general solid-waste and property-maintenance rules.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate trash service, prevent overflowing containers and illegal dumping, and use private or municipal recycling programs to provide residents with safe, convenient options.
- Risk Profile: Even where no explicit apartment recycling mandate exists, properties can still be cited for unsanitary conditions, missed collection, nuisance, and nonpayment of solid-waste fees.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that satisfy Albuquerque’s strictest rules while keeping Bernalillo County and nearby jurisdictions “inspection ready” as recycling expectations tighten.
Albuquerque & Bernalillo County Area Apartment Recycling Mandates
Only the City of Albuquerque currently has a codified multifamily recycling mandate with a clearly defined unit threshold. Other jurisdictions rely on general solid-waste, nuisance, and fee-enforcement provisions, but multifamily recycling is still a best practice for risk management and resident satisfaction.
| City / Jurisdiction | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| City of Albuquerque | Yes – Mandatory multifamily recycling for 25+ units |
Multiple-family dwellings with 25 or more dwelling units must provide on-site recycling service for residents in line with § 9-10-1-10. Property managers must manage storage, placement, and set-out under § 9-10-1-7, keep containers clean and labeled, and prevent contamination that turns recycling into refuse. Violations can lead to misdemeanor penalties and civil fines. Key local links: Albuquerque Code – Multifamily Recycling · ABQ Commercial & Multifamily Recycling · City of Albuquerque – Official Site |
| Unincorporated Bernalillo County | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
The County oversees solid waste and environmental health but does not have a stand-alone multifamily recycling ordinance with a unit trigger. Properties are expected to maintain sanitary conditions, use approved haulers where required, and prevent nuisance accumulation of waste. Key local links: Bernalillo County – Official Site · Health & Environmental Ordinances |
| Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | Service-based recycling requirement; no unit threshold |
Under the Village’s solid-waste ordinance and recent service contracts, the Village may provide solid-waste and recycling collection to all “Serviced Properties”, including apartments. Property owners and property managers can face fines, imprisonment, and even liens on the property for failing to comply with the Article’s requirements or pay service charges. Key local links: Los Ranchos Code – Solid Waste & Recycling · Village of Los Ranchos – Official Site |
| City of Rio Rancho* | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate (solid-waste service required) |
Chapter 50 of the Rio Rancho Code requires commercial service for multiple-family dwellings with more than two dwellings on a single site, which captures most apartment properties. However, there is no separate multifamily recycling mandate with a defined unit threshold and fines, as in Albuquerque. Recycling is typically added via service contract. Key local links: Rio Rancho Code – Chapter 50 Solid Waste · City of Rio Rancho – Official Site *Primarily in Sandoval County; included here because residents and properties share the Albuquerque metro market. |
| Village of Corrales* | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Corrales regulates zoning, solid waste, and nuisance conditions, but there is no codified multifamily recycling ordinance with a unit threshold. Apartments are generally treated like other commercial solid-waste customers. Recycling access is typically added by contract with haulers. Key local links: Corrales Code of Ordinances · Village of Corrales – Official Site *Located in Sandoval County; included due to close integration with the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County market. |
| Village of Tijeras | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Tijeras’ code defines multifamily dwellings for zoning but does not contain a separate multifamily recycling requirement. Solid-waste expectations focus on general sanitation. Apartment properties should work with haulers to offer recycling and keep enclosures inspection-ready. Key local links: Village of Tijeras – Official Site · Tijeras Code of Ordinances (PDF) |
Albuquerque Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Misdemeanor Penalties: Under Albuquerque Code § 9-10-1-99 (referencing general penalty § 1-1-99), violations of the integrated solid-waste and recycling provisions can be prosecuted as misdemeanors, typically punishable by fines that can reach several hundred dollars per violation, and in some cases additional sanctions.
- Civil Fine Schedules: Within the solid-waste and recycling Article, certain violations carry civil fines that escalate per offense (for example, first, second, and subsequent violations) and may reach into the hundreds of dollars per violation range, especially for repeat offenders.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: For ongoing non-compliance—such as failing to provide required recycling service at a 25+ unit community or ignoring a notice of violation—each day the violation continues may be treated as a separate offense, multiplying exposure.
- Los Ranchos Enforcement: In the Village of Los Ranchos, the solid-waste Article authorizes fines, imprisonment up to the maximum allowed by New Mexico law, and liens against the real property if owners or property managers fail to pay solid-waste and recycling charges.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a compliance file: keep copies of hauler agreements, invoices, service logs, photos of container areas, and resident education materials. This shows good-faith compliance if a resident complains or an inspector visits.
Albuquerque Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Unit Count | Verify that your community is inside the City of Albuquerque or in another jurisdiction, and confirm your total dwelling units. If you have 25 or more dwelling units within Albuquerque city limits, the multifamily recycling requirements of § 9-10-1-10 apply. | ABQ Code – Multifamily Recycling · ABQ Solid Waste Management |
| ☑ Secure Appropriate Recycling Service | Confirm that your property has recycling service in addition to trash service and that container sizes and collection frequency are adequate for your resident population. In Albuquerque, ensure service aligns with the City’s integrated solid-waste program expectations. | Commercial & Multifamily Recycling – ABQ · ABQ Recycling Overview |
| ☑ Meet Storage & Set-Out Rules | Follow § 9-10-1-7 for storage of solid waste and recyclables: use approved containers, maintain safe and sanitary enclosures, and place recyclables at the City-designated collection point by the required time on service days. Design valet collection points that feed cleanly into these locations. | ABQ Code – Storage of Solid Waste |
| ☑ Provide Resident Education & Signage | Give residents simple, recurring education at move-in and throughout the year: what can be recycled, how valet collection works, where to place items, and what contamination to avoid. Use enclosure signage, door hangers, email, and portal messages so residents know exactly what is expected. | ABQ Recycling – What Goes Where |
| ☑ Document Service & Inspections | Maintain a file with service logs, contamination notices, photos of container areas, vendor contracts, and resident communications. This demonstrates that ownership and property management are taking reasonable steps to comply with local rules and keep the community clean. | ABQ Solid Waste – Contact & Resources |
| ☑ Align Neighboring Properties in Your Portfolio | For properties in Los Ranchos, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Tijeras, or unincorporated Bernalillo County, align your valet trash & recycling standards with Albuquerque’s stricter rules so your whole portfolio is inspection-ready as more jurisdictions adopt formal mandates. | Bernalillo County · Los Ranchos · Rio Rancho |
Ready to get your Albuquerque-area properties out of the penalty risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Albuquerque & Bernalillo County portfolio. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with the City of Albuquerque and surrounding jurisdictions.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
