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1. How is land annexed into the city?

An annexation request can be initiated by either a land owner or the city. The basic requirements are:

• The land to be annexed must be contiguous to the municipal boundaries;
• The annexation applications must be signed by the owners of a majority of the acreage in the contiguous area;
• A map that shows the external boundary of the territory proposed to be annexed must accompany the annexation request.

Download the annexation request form

2. What are the steps in the annexation process?

1. Consult with the Planning Department.
2. Prepare the application and plat with the appropriate information shown
3. Submit your request with the processing fee.
4. The Planning Department reviews your request and distributes to the Gallup Task Force GTF for initial review and comment.
5. Planning Department returns GTF comments to the applicant for revisions prior to submittal to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration. If there are several comments or revisions to your submittal the Planning office will ask you and your project engineer to meet with the GTF.
6. Planning Department holds a public hearing and makes recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Your attendance or representation at the public hearing is required or action will not be taken. There is a deadline on the second Friday of each month to accept annexation requests to be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission the following month.
7. The Planning and Zoning Commission makes recommendation to the City Council.
8. City Council holds a public hearing and makes a decision about the annexation request.
9. After a 30-day appeal period, owners sign the final plat. The annexation is complete once plat is filed with the County Clerk's Office.

Download the annexation request form

3. What are the general criteria used to evaluate an annexation request?

1. The area to be annexed must be within the "Urban Service Area Boundary" as delineated by the growth management maps. The maps are available in the Planning Department.
2. The annexation should be compatible and timely from the standpoint of the city's Master Plan and Growth Management Program.
3. The area to be annexed should be accessible and serviceable with all city services and utilities, either presently or in the foreseeable future.
4. The Configuration of the area to be annexed should be substantially compact and of regular shape.
5. The area proposed for annexation should be integrated with existing streets so that existing development will not be adversely impacted by the new development.
   Please refer to the annexation request form for complete details.

4. Can there be special requirements for certain annexation requests?

Yes. Please note the following:

1. Proposed commercial-industrial developments or residential development of twenty five (25) or more units are required to put together a written economic analysis per Section 1Q-6-1-C(2) of the Gallup Land Development Standards. The analysis is to outline costs as well as revenues to the City which would result from the proposed annexation.
2. Annexation does not automatically create legal tracts or lots of record from unplatted land. To create a lot of record, you also may need to submit a request for subdivision.

5. What are accepted grounds or a basis for re-zoning?

1. There was a mistake in the original mapping of the district for a particular area and the proposed amendment would correct this mistake. In most instances, a mistake would imply that the zoning district which was applied originally did not correspond well to the character of the existing land use in the area.
2. The exact location of a particular zoning district boundary is obscure or irrational or severs a lot area into two 2 or more zoning districts so that it is difficult to develop the lot area properly.
3. Due to changing circumstances of land use in the area, the proposed zoning district would be better suited to the area than the existing zoning district.
4. The land area within a rural holding zone designation has become appropriate for urban development as a result of availability of public utilities and services as well as the needs of the public.
5. The social, economic or environmental interests of the general public good would be better served by the proposed zoning district than the existing one.
6. The proposed change in zoning district boundaries is needed to bring the official zoning map into conformance with changes in the text of this title or with the city master plan.

Download the rezoning request form

6. How can I obtain the ownership and legal description for a parcel?

Contact the McKinley County Assessor’s Office at (505) 863-3032 or visit them at 201 West Hill Avenue in Gallup.

7. What are accepted grounds for a zoning variance?

1. Special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land such as exceptionally irregular, narrow, shallow, or steep lots, or other exceptional physical conditions, structure or building involved and which are not generally applicable to other lands, structures or buildings in the same zoning district.
2. Literal interpretation of the provisions of this title would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same zoning district under the terms of this title and would work an unnecessary and undue hardship upon the applicant.
3. The extent of the variance requested is reasonably related to what is needed to overcome the alleged hardship.

Download the zoning variance request form

8. I disagree with a decision of the planning department, Can I appeal it?

Yes, you may appeal a decision of either the Zoning Administrator or the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Download the appeal form

9. What can I do to minimize problems and expedite my requests with the Planning and Zoning Department?

• Please completely read the entire documentation accompanying permits and applications. We have detailed instructions explaining your responsibilities and the overall process.
• Ask questions if you don't know or aren’t sure about an issue. We are happy to work with you to make sure you fully understand requirements for permits and applications.
• Consult with the appropriate City departments.
• Avoid neighborhood opposition to your request. Let your neighbors know what is going on. Remember, no one likes to be surprised.
• Keep yourself informed about upcoming commission hearings. If you or your representative fail to attend a hearing, your request will not be heard.
• For requests requiring consideration of the Planning and Zoning Commission, please submit your application by the second Friday of the month to be scheduled for review by the Commission in the following month.