Taos County is one of New Mexico’s most celebrated and culturally distinctive counties, home to the town of Taos — an arts and outdoor recreation destination at 6,969 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that has attracted artists, writers, and cultural figures since the early 20th century when the Taos Society of Artists established the community as a major American art colony. The Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark, has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years and remains the home of the Taos Pueblo people. Taos Ski Valley, the southernmost major ski resort in the Rocky Mountains, anchors a strong winter tourism economy. The county’s population of approximately 33,000 is spread across Taos (the largest community at ~6,000), Ranchos de Taos, El Prado, and numerous smaller communities in the Taos Valley.
Taos County’s rental market faces intense short-term rental pressure — perhaps more acutely than any other New Mexico county outside Santa Fe. The Taos Ski Valley, summer outdoor recreation economy, and the town’s world-class arts scene have made vacation rentals extremely lucrative, dramatically reducing long-term rental supply and pushing rents to among the highest in rural New Mexico at $1,200–$2,000+ per month. The Town of Taos has been actively considering and implementing STR regulations. Hospitality workers, arts industry employees, county workers, and an increasing remote work population all compete for scarce long-term units.
Tourism/hospitality, arts industry, healthcare, county/school district
Court
Eighth Judicial District Court
Typical LTR Rent
$1,200–$2,000+/mo
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
STR Market
Very significant — active STR regulation
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Pay or Quit
Lease Violation
7-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
Security Deposit Cap
1 month’s rent (leases under 1 yr)
Deposit Return
30 days after termination
Late Fee Cap
10% of monthly rent
Entry Notice
24 hours
Statute
NMSA 1978 §§ 47-8-1 et seq. (UORRA)
Taos County & Town of Taos Local Ordinances
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rent Control
None. New Mexico’s Rent Control Preemption Act (1991) prohibits all local rent stabilization ordinances statewide, despite significant housing cost pressure in Taos.
Short-Term Rentals (STR)
The Town of Taos has implemented STR regulations including licensing requirements, owner-occupancy rules for certain STR categories, and occupancy limits. The regulatory environment is actively evolving. Confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Taos before operating any STR. Taos Ski Valley is an unincorporated community — confirm its specific STR rules separately.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1 month’s rent for leases under 1 year (NMSA § 47-8-31). At Taos rent levels, deposits of $1,200–$2,000 are common — all subject to the same 30-day return and itemization requirements.
Eighth Judicial District Court
Evictions filed at Eighth Judicial District Court. Taos courthouse: 105 Albright St., Ste. H, Taos, NM 87571. Phone: (575) 751-8969. The Eighth Judicial District also serves Colfax, Mora, and Union Counties.
Habitability
UORRA habitability standards apply (NMSA § 47-8-20). Taos at 6,969 ft has genuine mountain winters with significant snowfall — functioning heat is legally required and essential.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All removals require court process (NMSA § 47-8-36).
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full amount within 3 days to bar eviction action; also right to cure after judgment in disputed cases
Days to Hearing7-10 (trial set 7-10 days after service of summons) days
Days to Writ3-7 days after judgment (court discretion) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-49 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-500
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Rent must be 3 days past due before notice can be served. Tender of full amount due before expiration of 3-day notice bars any action for nonpayment (§ 47-8-33(D)). In disputed cases where tenant claims rent abatement or landlord allocated rent to damages, court enters writ conditioned on tenant's right to remedy within 3 days of judgment entry. Notice must use substantially similar form to § 47-8-56(a). Late fees capped at 10% of monthly rent (§ 47-8-15(D)). No state grace period beyond the 3 days. Filing fee: $80 magistrate + $30 per additional defendant; $157 Metro Court. Hearing set 7-10 days after service. Either party can request 7-day continuance. Tenant can appeal to district court within 10 days (magistrate) or 30 days (district); must pay rent or escrow within 5 days of appeal (§ 47-8-47).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magistrate Court (Metro Court in Albuquerque) or District Court - Petition for Restitution (NMSA § 47-8-41). Pay the filing fee (~$$80-157 (magistrate); $212 (district)).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about New Mexico eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified New Mexico attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Tight supply, high demand: Taos has one of the tightest long-term rental markets in New Mexico. Well-maintained units at market rent will fill quickly. Screen carefully — you can afford to be selective.
Government & healthcare workers: County employees, school district staff, and Holy Cross Medical Center workers are the most stable segment. Verify at 3x monthly rent.
STR decision: Given Taos STR income potential and active regulation, confirm current Town of Taos licensing rules before deciding between STR and LTR. Regulatory changes may affect the calculus significantly.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Taos County New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Taos Area Rental Property Owners
Taos County is one of New Mexico’s most storied and culturally rich counties — a high mountain valley where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise dramatically above the Rio Grande Gorge and where Pueblo, Spanish colonial, and Anglo-American artistic traditions have coexisted and intermingled for centuries. Taos Pueblo, whose multi-story adobe structures have stood for over a millennium, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The town of Taos achieved worldwide recognition as an arts colony beginning in the early 20th century when painters like Ernest Blumenschein and Bert Phillips founded the Taos Society of Artists, drawing creative figures from across the country and establishing Taos as a destination of cultural significance that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Taos Ski Valley, the southernmost major ski resort in the Rocky Mountains, adds a powerful winter tourism economy that has made short-term vacation rentals extraordinarily lucrative in Taos County. The resulting STR conversion of long-term rental stock has created one of New Mexico’s most acute housing affordability crises — hospitality workers, artists, teachers, and county employees who provide essential services to the community struggle to find year-round housing at prices they can afford. The Town of Taos has implemented STR licensing and regulatory measures in response, and the regulatory environment is actively evolving. Landlords considering STR operations should confirm current Town of Taos requirements before listing on any platform.
New Mexico Law in Taos County
New Mexico’s UORRA governs all long-term residential rental relationships in Taos County. The standard framework applies: 3-day pay or quit for nonpayment, 7-day cure or quit for lease violations, 30-day notice for month-to-month termination, 1-month deposit cap for leases under one year, 30-day deposit return with itemization, and 10% late fee cap. Taos at nearly 7,000 feet has genuine mountain winters with significant snowfall — functioning heat is legally required. Evictions are filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court at 105 Albright St., Ste. H, Taos, NM 87571, reachable at (575) 751-8969.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Town of Taos STR ordinances may add additional requirements. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Eighth Judicial District Court at (575) 751-8969 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Town of Taos STR ordinances may add requirements beyond state law. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Eighth Judicial District Court at (575) 751-8969 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
