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Code Enforcement

1000 McNutt Rd # G, Sunland Park, NM 88063 | (575) 589-3631
Protecting community health, safety, and animal welfare through fair ordinance enforcement, field response, and public education.

ORDINANCES & LOCAL CODE FORMS & APPLICATIONS COMPLIANCE GUIDES & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS CONTACT & HOURS LEGAL AUTHORITY & CITATIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ORDINANCES & LOCAL CODE

The City of Sunland Park Code Compliance Division enforces the following ordinances and codes:

Ordinance 2023-5 — Addresses overgrown vegetation, property maintenance, debris removal, and general nuisance conditions on public and private property.

Statutory Authority: NMSA 1978 § 3-18-5

Local Code: Sunland Park Land Development Code §§ 10-4-7, 10-4-8, 10-4-12, 10-4-17, 10-4-18

[Ordinance 10-11-9 ] — Addresses the removal and disposition of vehicles that are unregistered, inoperable, or left unattended on public streets, alleys, or residential property.

Statutory Authority: NMSA 1978 §§ 66-3-101, 66-7-350; NM Uniform Traffic Ordinance, Page XII-14

Legal Reference: Code of Sunland Park Land Development, Page 171

[Ordinance 10-11-9 ]  Regulates the placement and storage of semi-trailers, commercial vehicles, and oversized equipment within city limits.

Local Code: Sunland Park Land Development Code

Ordinance -2017-3, 9-19-2017)Prohibits the unauthorized disposal of waste, construction debris, appliances, and hazardous materials on public and private property.

Statutory Authority: NMSA 1978 § 30-34-5

FORMS & APPLICATIONS

All forms are available for download below. Forms may also be picked up at the Code Compliance Division office (see Contact Information section).

Complaint & Violation Forms

Code Compliance Complaint Form: Submit reports of suspected code violations, including overgrown vegetation, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, or other nuisance conditions.

Include property address, detailed description of violation, and photographs if available.

Abandoned Vehicle Forms

Abandoned Vehicle Investigation Checklist (CE-AV-01): Reference guide for property owners and officers.

COMPLIANCE GUIDES & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Nuisance Abatement: Property Maintenance Standards
  • Vegetation must be maintained at a height not to exceed 8 inches on residential property.
  • Dead, diseased, or hazardous vegetation must be removed.
  • Debris, junk, and inoperable equipment must not be stored in visible areas or in a manner that creates a fire hazard.
  • All structures on a property must be in good repair and not constitute a public nuisance.

Property owners have 10 days from service of a Notice of Violation to comply. Failure to comply may result in City abatement and liens.

Cite: Ordinance 2023-5 § 7.a–§ 7.f.viii

Abandoned Vehicle: Standards & Removal Timeline

A vehicle on a public street or alley may be considered abandoned and subject to removal if it meets ANY of the following conditions:

  • No valid license plate is displayed.
  • The license plate has expired 90 or more days.
  • The vehicle has been left unattended on the public way for 72 hours or more without a valid extension sticker issued by the police.
  • The vehicle is in an inoperable condition (e.g., flat tires, broken windows, missing engine, etc.).

Timeline:

  • Immediate Impound: Vehicles with no license plate (Class 1).
  • 72-Hour Notice: Vehicles on the public way with expired tags or no extension sticker (Class 2).
  • 10-Day Notice: Inoperable vehicles stored on residential property (Class 3).

Property owners may not store inoperable vehicles on residential property outside of an enclosed structure. Violations may result in civil fines and vehicle impound.

LEGAL AUTHORITY & CITATIONS

Ordinance 2023-5: City of Sunland Park Nuisance Abatement Ordinance

Sunland Park Land Development Code: §§ 10-4-7, 10-4-8, 10-4-12, 10-4-17, 10-4-18 (Vehicle storage, parking, property maintenance)

New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA 1978):

§ 3-18-5 (Nuisance; abatement)

§ 66-3-101 (Vehicle registration requirements)

§ 66-7-350 (Removal of abandoned vehicles)

§ 77-1-1 et seq. (Animal control)

§ 77-1A-1 et seq. (Rabies control)

New Mexico Uniform Traffic Ordinance (UTO): Page XII-14 (Abandoned and unattended vehicles)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone

Main Division Line: (575) 589-3631

Dispatch/Direct Line: (575) 647-6850

Email

General Inquiries: @sunlandpark-nm.gov

Office Hours

Monday–Friday: 8:00am-5:00

Closed: Weekends and City holidays

STAFF

Vincent Byrd

Code Enforcement / Animal Control Officer

Vincent Byrd brings experience from military and public service to his role as a Code Enforcement Officer. He works to help keep Sunland Park neighborhoods safe, clean, and in compliance by addressing property maintenance, abandoned vehicles, and animal control concerns. Officer Byrd works with residents and businesses to resolve concerns fairly.

Priscilla Miranda

Code Enforcement / Animal Control Officer

Priscilla Miranda helps protect the community through code enforcement and animal services. She responds to animal-related concerns, investigates complaints, enforces city ordinances, and works with residents to promote responsible pet ownership. Her experience in animal shelter operations and field services supports her work in the field.

Alberto Herrera

Code Enforcement / Animal Control Officer

Alberto Herrera has several years of experience in animal control and code enforcement. Certified in New Mexico animal control, he previously helped establish and improve operations for the City of Anthony before joining Sunland Park. He focuses on helping maintain safe neighborhoods while working with residents.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Property owners generally have 10 days from the date of service to cure the violation. If the violation is not corrected within 10 days, the City may abate the violation and place a lien on the property for the cost of abatement.

Yes. Property owners have the right to appeal within the timeline posted in the Notice of Violation. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk. See the Active Public Notices section above for current appeal deadlines.

No. Inoperable vehicles (vehicles that cannot be safely driven) may not be stored outside of an enclosed structure on residential property. Violations are subject to City abatement and civil fines.

An abandoned vehicle is one left unattended on a public way with no current registration or extension sticker. An inoperable vehicle is one in non-running condition (flat tires, missing engine, structural damage, etc.) and may violate code whether on a public way or on private residential property.