N.M. Admin. Code § 20.4.5 § 11
CONTENTS OF NOTICE OF CONTAMINATION
Operative Text
The notice of contamination required by 20.4.5.10 NMAC shall contain the following in both English and Spanish or other appropriate tribal language. A. The word "warning" in large bold type at the top and bottom of the notice. B. A statement that a clandestine drug laboratory was identified at the property. C. The date of the identification. D. The address or location of the property where the clandestine drug laboratory was identified. A description of the residually contaminated portion of the property, including a structure, room, apartment or unit number if not the entire or a vehicle registration or vehicle identification number if appropriate. E. The name of the law enforcement agency that identified the clandestine drug laboratory and that agency's telephone number. F. A statement that hazardous substances, toxic chemicals, or other residual contamination from operation of the clandestine drug laboratory may still be present. G. A statement that a person other than the owner or the owner's agent may not enter, occupy, or use the clandestine drug laboratory property or otherwise knowingly and intentionally violate the provisions of the notice of contamination until remediation of the residually contaminated portion of the property has taken place in accordance with 20.4.5.16 NMAC and such remediation has been approved by the department. H. A statement that a person may not knowingly and intentionally disturb the notice of contamination posted at the clandestine drug laboratory. I. A statement that the owner of the property shall remediate the residually contaminated portion of the property in compliance with 20.4.5.16 NMAC. J. A statement that until remediation is complete, the owner or the owner’s agent shall not sell, lease, rent, loan, assign, exchange, or otherwise transfer the residually contaminated portion of the property without providing notice of its existence as required by 20.4.5.13 NMAC. K. A statement that failure of the owner to comply with the requirements of this part may result in a fine of up to $10,000 per day pursuant to Section 74-4-12 NMSA 1978 , and is a petty misdemeanor pursuant to Section 74-1-10 NMSA 1978. L. Contact information for the department. [20.4.5.11 NMAC - N, 1/01/2008]
NMAC 20.4.5 § 11 specifies the exact content that must appear in every official notice of contamination posted at a property where a clandestine drug laboratory has been identified. The notice must be bilingual (English and Spanish, or an appropriate tribal language) and must include prominent warnings, a description of the contaminated property, the identifying law enforcement agency, and clear statements about restrictions on entry, occupancy, sale, or transfer until remediation is approved. It must also disclose that the property owner is responsible for cleanup and that noncompliance can result in civil fines and criminal penalties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to a contamination notice under NMAC 20.4.5 § 11 are generally expected to ensure the posted notice contains every required element — including bilingual text, bold 'warning' labels, a description of the contaminated area, and contact information for the New Mexico Environment Department. Compliant operators refrain from selling, leasing, renting, or otherwise transferring the contaminated portion of the property without providing the disclosure required by 20.4.5.13 NMAC. Owners also pursue remediation in accordance with 20.4.5.16 NMAC, since failure to comply with this part can result in fines of up to $10,000 per day and petty misdemeanor charges under New Mexico law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under NMAC 20.4.5 § 11, a notice of contamination posted at a property must clearly inform occupants and prospective occupants that hazardous substances may still be present and that entry, occupancy, or use is restricted until remediation is completed and approved by the department. Tenants who encounter a property with such a notice — or who believe a required notice was never posted — may contact the New Mexico Environment Department, whose contact information is itself a required element of the notice. Tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand what the presence or absence of a compliant notice may mean for their housing situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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