Protecting the health, safety, and character of our neighborhoods is one of the City of Las Cruces’ highest priorities. The Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT) works every day to address properties that pose concerns for the community, reduce public safety risks, and promote positive neighborhood impacts. Problematic properties not only affect nearby residents but can also endanger the overall well-being of the city.
To safeguard our neighborhoods, the City has adopted the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). This code sets the minimum standards for the use, occupancy, and upkeep of all residential structures, non-residential buildings, and vacant or boarded properties. These standards help ensure that properties remain:
- Safe – structurally sound and free from hazards
- Sanitary – free of trash, pests, and unsafe conditions
- Presentable – maintained to the standards that support strong neighborhoods
Together, we can keep Las Cruces a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place to live. If you see a property that may be unsafe or neglected, please report it to the City so our team can follow up.
NAT is a task force comprising representatives of several departments within the City government, including
- Code Enforcement
- Community Development
- Fire Department
- GIS & Data Services
- Historic Preservation
- Housing and Neighborhood Services
- Legal
- Permitting and Registration
- Police Department
FAQs
How do I request a property be added to the NAT list?
Fill out a brief survey here. We ask for your name and email address to follow up with any questions about your submission and notify you if your requested property was added.
What happens when I submit a request for a new NAT property?
The NAT team will review the request for inclusion on the list. You will be notified by email if your requested property was added to the NAT list; we will not provide status updates of properties on the list.
How do I know what properties are on the NAT list?
Check the NAT property map below. Clicking on an address dot will show you what Council District the property is located in and link to a Google street view.
What does it mean when a property is condemned?
NAT uses the condemned definition from the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), which states that a property has been judged unfit for occupancy. This means the property has certain conditions that make it unsafe to live in or to run a business from. Click here for read-only access to the IPMC.
What are some of the common misunderstandings about condemnation?
Condemned does not mean that the City is trying to take control of your property or demolish your building. In fact, many property owners have voluntarily posted their properties as condemned to give them extra visibility to law enforcement personnel and make it easier to keep from being illegally occupied.
Property owners are encouraged to work with the NAT team to remedy unsafe situations and return their property to a habitable state.Â
What should I do if I see someone trying to enter a condemned property?
Please call non-emergency dispatch at 575.526.0795, inform call taker of the address, and let them know that someone is trying to access a condemned property.
What do I do if I own a NAT property?
The NAT team wants your help! Please reach out to Community Development with your contact information so we can help advise on abatement options and assist in permits for repair or demolition.
Fill out the brief property owner survey here and we will be in contact with you.
