The intent of the Agriculture Overlay (O-AG) is to support goals and policies in the Agriculture and Ranching Element of the SGMP, the County’s Code of the West and the County Agriculture and Ranching Implementation Plan.

The O-AG accommodates the development of agricultural use and business that would not cause a detriment to any abutting residential lands. This overlay is appropriate for areas where agriculture and ranching may logically locate because of established land use patterns, and agricultural potential in either greenhouse or land-based environments. The O-AG allows a mixture of agricultural land uses and also establishes appropriate scale and intensity for these uses.

See § 8.11.7 Agriculture Overlay (O-AG) for more detailed information on this overlay district.

The O-AN Overlay Zone is intended to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on human health within the noise impact area surrounding the City of Santa Fe Municipal Airport. The zone achieves this by limiting residential uses and by requiring noise insulation, noise disclosure statements, and noise easements, as applicable.

See § 8.11.6 Airport Noise Overlay Zone (O-AN) for more detailed information on this overlay district.

Developments of Countywide Impact (DCIs) are those developments that have potential for far-reaching effects on the community, place major demands on public facilities and the County’s capital improvement plan and budget, and have the potential to affect the environment and public health, safety, and welfare beyond the impacts on immediately neighboring properties, including adverse noise, light, odor and vibration; explosive hazards; traffic congestion; and burdens on County emergency response services. For these reasons, the special regulation of DCIs is necessary:

To protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, residents, and businesses of the County from the potentially harmful or hazardous long-term impacts of DCIs;
To ensure short and long-term compatibility (both on-site and off-site) of DCIs and the County at large;
To preserve the quality of life, economy, infrastructure, environment, natural and cultural resources, and natural landscapes;
To promote sustainability by protecting against the degradation of air, surface water, groundwater, and soil; and
To protect environmentally sensitive lands and visual and scenic qualities.

See CHAPTER 11: DEVELOPMENTS OF COUNTYWIDE IMPACT (DCIs) for more detailed information. 

As a matter of public policy, Santa Fe County aims to preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate the value of its historic areas through the establishment of Historic Preservation (O-HP) zones.

See § 8.11.5 Historic Preservation Overlay (O-HP) for more detailed information on this overlay district.

The Rural Commercial Overlay zone (O-RC) accommodates the development of agriculture[,] business, commercial, service-related, and limited industrial activities that have adequate facilities and would not cause a detriment to any abutting rural residential lands. This zone is appropriate for areas where such development should logically locate because of established land use patterns, planned or existing public facilities, and appropriate transportation system capacity and access. Although this zone allows a mixture of land uses, there are controls intended to minimize or buffer any nuisances caused by such land uses.

See § 8.11.2 Rural Commercial Overlay (O-RC) for more detailed information on this overlay zone.

Purpose.
 Some of the County’s most significant resources are the views from the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway was forged centuries ago by Native Americans, miners and Spanish Conquistadores. The character of rural and scenic highway corridors should be preserved and protected as an important resource.

Applicability.
 The Turquoise Trail Environmental and Resource Protection Overlay (TT-OERP) is a segment of the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway on State Road 14 that extends one thousand (1,000) feet on either side of the centerline of SR 14 and is identified on the Zoning Map.

See § 8.1147 Turquoise Trail Environmental and Resource Protection Overlay (TT-OERP) for more detailed information on this district overlay.

Note: This layer represents all Community District Overlay areas. Individual Communities and specific information related to those communitys can be accessed from the list below. 

The provisions of the Chimayo Community District (ChCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Chimayo Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The ChCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage compact development, support the agricultural nature of the community, protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural development patterns, accommodate a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces, conserve water resources and accommodate the natural growth of the community.

See § 9.16: CHIMAYO COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the El Valle de Arroyo Seco Highway Corridor Community District Overlay (ASHCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the El Valle de Arroyo Seco Highway Corridor Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The ASHCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage compact development, protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural development patterns, accommodate a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces and conserve water resources while accommodating the anticipated natural growth of the corridor. The ASHCD includes standards and dimensions based on historic development patterns and incentives to facilitate compact development where appropriate.

See § 9.9: EL VALLE DE ARROYO SECO HIGHWAY CORRIDOR DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Galisteo Community District (GCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Galisteo Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The GCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage compact development, protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural development patterns, accommodate a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces and conserve water resources while accommodating the anticipated natural growth of the community. Provisions include standards and dimensions based on historic development patterns and incentives to encourage compact development in conjunction with conservation easements that preserve agricultural land and open space.

See § 9.15: GALISTEO COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the La Cienega and La Cieneguilla Community District Overlay (LCLCCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the La Cienega and La Cieneguilla Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The LCLCCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage compact development, protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural development patterns, accommodate a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces and conserve water resources while accommodating the anticipated natural growth of the community. The LCLCCD includes standards and dimensions based on historic development patterns and incentives to facilitate compact development where appropriate in conjunction with conservation easements that preserve agricultural land and open space.

See § 9.8: LA CIENEGA  AND LA CIENEGUILLA COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Los Cerrillos Community District (LCCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Los Cerrillos Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The LCCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage cluster development, protect cultural, historical and scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural Los Cerrillos development patterns, support a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces and conserve water resources while accommodating the anticipated natural growth of the community. Provisions include standards, dimensions and incentives to encourage cluster development in conjunction with conservation easements that preserve agricultural land and open space, preserve authentic rural village values, atmosphere, peace and quiet, village’s dirt or base course roads, and encourages economic activity that reinvests into the community.

See § 9.4: LOS CERRILLOS COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Madrid Community District (MCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Madrid Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The MCD is designed to preserve the rural character, community self-sufficiency, history and culture of Madrid to help manage growth, maintain sustainable water and wastewater, preserve a high quality of life and protect and strengthen relationships between neighbors, accommodate a variety of lifestyles and meet future needs.

See § 9.6: MADRID COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Pojoaque Valley Community District Overlay (PVCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives and policies of the Pojoaque Valley Community Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The PVCD is designed to preserve the rural character, history and culture of the Pojoaque Valley, to help manage growth, maintain sustainable water and wastewater, preserve a high quality of life, protect and strengthen relationships between neighbors, and accommodate a variety of lifestyles and meet future needs. The rural character of the valley includes a mixture of uses including agricultural, residential and nonresidential uses.

See § 9.13: POJOAQUE VALLEY COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the San Marcos Community District (SMCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the San Marcos Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). Arts and agricultural uses support the history and future vision of the San Marcos District. The SMCD supports and accommodates agricultural and artistic businesses that do not cause a detriment to the rural residential nature of the community. Appropriate uses include artist studios, agriculture, and ranching with equestrian uses based on established land use patterns. The SMCD is designed to implement the San Marcos Community Plan to ensure compatibility among various land uses, in the San Marcos community.

See § 9.14: SAN MARCOS COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the San Pedro Community District (SPCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the San Pedro Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The SPCD is designed to implement the updated San Pedro Community Plan to ensure compatibility among various land uses in the San Pedro Community. Provisions of the SPCD include standards and dimensions based on development patterns and incentives to facilitate compact development where appropriate.

See § 9.7: SAN PEDRO COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Tesuque Community District (TCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Tesuque Community Plan adopted by Resolution 2022-072 and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The 2022 Tesuque Community Plan articulates the future direction for the community and expresses preferences for design standards, uses, locations and intensity of development in order to protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas and accommodate the anticipated natural growth of the community.

See § 9.5: TESUQUE COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Tres Arroyos del Poniente Community District (TAPCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Tres Arroyos del Poniente (TAP) Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The TAPCD is designed to implement the TAP Community Plan to ensure compatibility among various land uses, of the TAP community.

See § 9.11: TRES ARROYOS DEL PONIENTE COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the Village of Agua Fria Community District (VAFCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the Village of Agua Fria Community Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The VAFCD is designed to implement the Village of Agua Fria’s Community Plan to ensure compatibility among various land uses of the Agua Fria community. Clustering of structures is encouraged to preserve natural open areas.

See § 9.12: VILLAGE OF AGUA FRIA COMMUNITY DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

The provisions of the U.S. 285 South Highway Corridor District (285 SHCD) are intended to implement and be consistent with the land use goals, objectives, policies, and strategies of the U.S. 285 South Highway Corridor Plan and the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The 285 SHCD is designed to ensure compatibility among various land uses, encourage compact development, protect scenic features and environmentally sensitive areas, enhance rural development patterns, accommodate a variety of lifestyles, delineate historic community spaces and conserve water resources while accommodating the anticipated natural growth of the community. Provisions include standards and dimensions based on historic development patterns and incentives to facilitate compact development where appropriate in conjunction with conservation easements that preserve agricultural land and open space.

See § 9.10: U.S. 285 SOUTH HIGHWAY CORRIDOR DISTRICT OVERLAY for more detailed information on this district overlay.

Purpose.
The purpose of the Environmental and Resource Protection Overlay (O-ERP) is to ensure that property is developed in a manner consistent with the protection of environmental, natural, historical and archeological resources and that development is designed and arranged to protect both on-site and adjacent resources. Damage to the natural, scenic, and cultural environment has significant impacts on visual and natural resources. The County has identified goals to protect archaeological, historic and cultural resources, species, habitat and biodiversity, scenic beauty and environmentally sensitive lands. Preserving and supporting the conservation of these resources will enhance the character and function of communities, neighborhoods and rural areas. This Section establishes procedures to enable the applicant to achieve the mutually compatible objectives of reasonable use of land and resource protection.

Applicability.
The boundaries of an Environmental and Resource Protection Overlay zone shall be delineated using the most current and best available location data and be of sufficient size to guarantee the appropriate level of resource protection. Boundaries may be modified as necessary as new data becomes available.

See § 8.11.4 Environmental and Resource Protection Overlay (O-ERP) for more detailed information on this district overlay.

This Ordinance is enacted to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of present and future residents of the County. This Ordinance implements the plans, studies and preparation of an Oil and Gas Ordinance and General Plan Oil and Gas Element required by the Interim Development Ordinance, Ordinance 2008-02, enacted on February 27, 2008. This Ordinance is a police power, public nuisance and land use regulation designed to establish separate land use, environmental, fiscal, adequate public facility, traffic, cultural, historical and archeological, emergency service and preparedness, health and safety, and toxic chemical pollution standards to protect from adverse public nuisance and/or land use effects and impacts resulting from oil and gas exploration, drilling, extraction or transportation in the County. Applications for Oil and Gas Overlay Zoning District Classifications may be found to constitute as applied public nuisances and/or land uses affecting and impacting the health and safety of nearby and countywide residents and resources and such projects are required to fully mitigate all adverse public nuisance and/or land use effects and impacts prior to obtaining a development order granting development approval. The Land and Environmental Suitability Analysis (“LESA”) as set forth in this Ordinance legislatively determines areas of environmental suitability for oil and gas facilities and shall be applied, together with all plans, studies, reports and assessments, upon review of application for oil and gas facilities to specifically determine the extent of any as applied adverse public nuisance and/or land use effects and impacts for the Galisteo Basin.

See Exhibit 150B: Oil and Gas Overlay Zoning District for more detailed information on this district overlay.