Tucumcari Toughens Nuisance Ordinances

City commissioners agree to stricter rules on vacant properties, junk cars, and privacy fences

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:00am

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The city commissioners in Tucumcari, New Mexico have agreed to toughen several aspects of the city's nuisance ordinances, including issuing immediate citations for nuisance properties, raising fees for vacant homes and buildings, increasing fines for junk cars, and requiring engineering approval for privacy fences over 6 feet tall.

Why it matters

Tucumcari has struggled with issues like abandoned properties, junk vehicles, and excessive fencing that can contribute to blight and public safety concerns. By strengthening these nuisance regulations, the city aims to compel property owners to better maintain their properties and address community eyesores.

The details

Under the proposed changes, nuisance properties will receive an immediate citation via a neon-colored sticker notice, giving owners 10 days to fix the problem. The city is also raising fees for safety inspections and annual licenses on vacant homes and buildings from $50 to $75. Fines for first offenses on junk cars will increase from $50 to $100, with a 5-day compliance window. Privacy fences up to 6 feet tall will not require any special approval, but fences taller than 6 feet will need to be engineered and subject to zoning variances.

  • The city attorney will review the recommendations, and the first meeting where the commission can have a first reading on ordinance amendments is March 26.
  • The second and final reading of the ordinance amendments would be in April.

The players

Marcy Willis

The mayor of Tucumcari.

Jonathan Brito

The mayor pro tem of Tucumcari.

Keith Hayes

A city commissioner in Tucumcari.

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What they’re saying

“Nuisance properties would be given an immediate citation via a neon-colored sticker notice placed on the front of the building, with 10 days to rectify the problem.”

— City Commissioners

“The city has too many vacant structures. She said those owners ought to put those properties on the market so prospective residents can purchase them.”

— Marcy Willis, Mayor

What’s next

The city attorney will review the recommendations, and the first meeting where the commission can have a first reading on ordinance amendments is March 26. The second and final reading would be in April.

The takeaway

Tucumcari's efforts to strengthen its nuisance ordinances reflect a broader trend of cities cracking down on blight, abandoned properties, and other community eyesores that can drag down property values and quality of life. By streamlining enforcement and increasing penalties, the city hopes to compel property owners to be more responsible stewards of their land and buildings.