Adopted by City Council in February 2025, Realize Las Cruces marked the City’s first comprehensive development code update in nearly 25 years.
Source: City of Las Cruces
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The City of Las Cruces’ Realize Las Cruces development code has received the 2026 Excellence in Implementation and Action Award from the New Mexico Chapter of the American Planning Association, recognizing the City’s work to modernize its approach to growth and development.
Adopted by City Council in February 2025, Realize Las Cruces marked the City’s first comprehensive development code update in nearly 25 years. The update simplified development regulations and established more flexible standards to advance the goals of Elevate Las Cruces, the City’s comprehensive plan.
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“Realize Las Cruces is about creating more opportunities for housing, supporting local businesses and making it easier to invest in our community,” said Community Development Director Chris Faivre. “This recognition reflects years of work by City staff, community members and our partners to develop a code that responds to the needs of Las Cruces today and gives us better tools to plan for the future.”
The updated code supports a broader range of housing choices, including duplexes, small multifamily developments and accessory dwelling units. It also creates opportunities for neighborhood businesses and mixed-use development that bring homes, shops and services closer together.
Additional changes provide greater flexibility in lot sizes, setbacks and site design; reduce parking requirements in urban infill areas; and support redevelopment of underused properties. Together, these provisions are designed to remove barriers to investment, expand housing opportunities and encourage more connected, walkable neighborhoods.
The City developed Realize Las Cruces in partnership with planning and engineering firm Freese and Nichols. The process included work by the Realize Las Cruces Technical Advisory Committee and more than 30 meetings and public comment opportunities involving residents, City staff, elected officials, developers and other code users.
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