Restaurant Regulation
We pride ourselves on keeping you informed on the ever-changing rules and regulations you need to know to avoid penalties and fines from enforcement and regulatory agencies in New Mexico and beyond…
Food Regulation Quick Links
Link here to find all your model food code regulations, required posters, model inspection sheets and more…
Alcohol Regulation Quick Links
Link here to find all your copy of the ABC regulations, required posters, duplicate server permit, inspection form, happy hour rules and more…
Employment Regulation Quick Links
Find links here to General labor regulations, Workforce Solutions, FLSA, unemployment basics, Work Comp, Minimum Wage, tipping rules and more…
Taxes and Other Regulation Quick Links
Link here to find restaurant financing, NM GRT rates, pets on patios, water by request, ADA, restaurant scams and more…
Links to Regulatory Agencies
Alcoholic Beverage Control Division
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is a division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. They issue, transfer, and revoke liquor licenses per the liquor Control Act. Phone: 505-476-4875
NM Environment Department
The NMED is the inspection agency that enforces the state food regulations. Their jurisdiction is everywhere but Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Link here to your NMED field office. Phone: 800-219-6157
NM Workforce Connection
The NM Workforce Connection office manages everything from unemployment insurance claims to HR, job postings, employer recruitment and employer incentives.
Bernalillo County Food Safety
The Bernalillo County food safety program is the inspection and food safety department with a jurisdiction of restaurants residing in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. Phone: 505-314-0310
Albuquerque Environment Department
The city of Albuquerque maintains it’s own food inspection and safety department. If your restaurant is in Albuquerque this link takes you to their website. Phone: 505-768-2718
US Department of Labor
The US Department of Labor maintains the federal employment rules and regulations including but never limited to: overtime rules, tip credit rules, tip pooling rules, exempt vs non-exempt definitions etc.
New Mexico Food Safety Regulations
New Mexico Food Safety Regulations
This informative resource page will help ensure you know current regulations in the three jurisdictions of New Mexico – Albuquerque, Bernalillo and the rest of the state (NMED).
Link to NM ABC Rules and Regulations
New Mexico Alcoholic Beverage Control Regulations
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department requires every licensee to have a copy of the rules and regulations on the premise of the licensed establishment. Here is a link to your copy.
Regulatory Blog Posts
Sobering Statistics September 2020
Here are some Sobering Statistics from September 2020. So much has changed for all of us in the last six months. It is time to take a look at the raw numbers of our industry and how we are all being affected. To be sure, restaurants are taking the virus seriously. We...
New Form W-4 for 2020
IRS to release new form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate: Effective January 1, 2020 The IRS is updating the W-4 Form in 2020. The new design reduces the form’s complexity and increases the transparency and accuracy of the withholding system. While it uses the...
Alcohol Serving: Third Party Liability
Serving alcohol is a serious responsibility that is governed and controlled by laws at the national, state and local levels. One of the most important and overlooked aspects of this responsibility is third party liability. Third party liability means you can be held...
Holiday Season Alcohol Serving Guide
With the holidays comes celebrations, and with celebrations comes alcohol. Knowing the proper laws and rules as well as useful techniques, can mean the difference between a Happy Holidays and a big fat Bah Hambug. NMRA has you covered. Here are links to exclusive...
Labor Dept. Proposes Changes to 80/20 & Tip Pooling Rules
October 28, 2021 The U.S. DOL announced its Dual Jobs final rule that, as expected, restores the Obama-era “80/20” rule, effectively revoking the Trump administration rule that the Association successfully secured to provide regulatory relief for the industry. Under...
Wage & Hours Rules for Restaurant Workers
WAGE STATUTES: BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR TIPPED EMPLOYEES Play Webinar Recording Access Slide Deck Here If you haven’t been audited yet get your paperwork in order because the Federal DOL and New Mexico Workforce Solutions are targeting restaurants. If you are in any way...
New Laws Go Into Effect this Summer
Top 10 things you need to know about the new laws going into effect in June and July 2019 Your single-user restrooms will have to be: made available to any person regardless of gender identity or sex; designated for use by not more than one occupant at a time...
Wage Theft vs Wage Compliance in New Mexico
If you haven’t been audited yet get your paperwork in order because the Federal DOL and New Mexico Workforce Solutions are targeting restaurants. If you are in any way responsible for making payroll at your restaurant DO NOT MISS these webinars on the new minimum wage...
Dining with Dogs: New Mexico Statutes for Service Animals and Pets in Restaurants
National Restaurant Association - Rules for Pups on PatiosDo you welcome dogs on your restaurant's patio? What about a customer who wants their animal right there at the table? It’s not an uncommon experience. Patrons have been inviting their furry friends to join...