Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners

Liquor License: Board of County Commissioners hearing and approval (unincorporated area)

A New Mexico liquor license is issued by the state Regulation and Licensing Department, but under NMSA 1978 §60-6B-4 the local governing body decides first. For a location in unincorporated Sandoval County that body is the Board of County Commissioners: §60-3A-3 defines "governing body" as "the board of county commissioners of a county or the city council or city commissioners of a municipality". Before approving a new license or a transfer, the director notifies the governing body of preliminary approval by certified mail; within 45 days the governing body holds a public hearing, with notice published at least twice, the first at least 30 days before the hearing, and sent to the applicant by certified mail. The governing body may disapprove if the location is where alcohol sales are prohibited by state law, if the license would violate a zoning or other ordinance, or if it would be detrimental to public health, safety or morals. It notifies the department within 30 days of the hearing; its approval or disapproval binds the director, and if it does not act in that time the director may give final approval. The County Clerk's Business Registration packet (Rev. 2.18.26) states: "Alcohol and Cannabis Registrations Require Board of County Commission Approval." The statute text is from RLD's compilation of the Liquor Control Act effective July 1, 2025. A business inside a municipality goes before that municipality's governing body.