Residential Lot Close To Power With Relaxed Zoning 30 Minutes Outside Taos 

Highland Estates is a small but developed rural residential subdivision located within the unincorporated community of Tres Piedras. It is situated just south of where US Highway 64 meets Route 285 and within thirty minutes of the vibrant community of Taos. In addition, it is located within close proximity of the Taos Ski Valley and some of the best skiing in America.

The Highland Estates subdivision consists entirely of quarter acre parcels and the region is divided evenly by the 285 which separates Highland Estates East from Highland Estates West.

When we speak of property we typically use an address -- 123 Main Street for instance. 

As most vacant land does not have a physical address, however, county governments will identify it in other ways, such as a "legal description", a parcel number or a tax code. The information provided in the table to the right are the ways in which the various state and county agencies will identify this specific parcel of land. These signifiers are important to have when speaking with these agencies - whether they be the assessor, the zoning office, or even the local utilities - and may prove invaluable when initiating conversations about whatever research a buyer intends to do.

Whenever one exists or has been assigned to the land, the physical address will be included in this table.

Roads & Access: The subject property is located along an Unnamed Road in the eastern portion of Highland Estates. This road is a well-maintained dirt road which appears to receive regular traffic. Because of this it is in good condition and can be navigated by any vehicle type. 

Power & Utilities: While there are no power lines at the subject property, the nearest one can be found servicing a home site no further than 500 feet away. Because of this, it should be both easy and affordable to get power extended to the subject property. 

Power & Utilities, Cont'd: Power in this region is provided by the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. Anyone looking to investigate the cost of getting service extended to or connected on a property is encouraged to contact them.

Water Service: The Tres Piedras Water Association is a local water utility with a very small service area, but one which includes the Highland Estates subdivision. Because of this, those wanting to develop land in this region may be able to do so without the costly expense of drilling and installing a well. To learn more about the Tres Piedras Water Association or getting water service to a property in Highland Estates, you can visit their website here.

Septic Installation: All of the parcels in this subdivision are under the ¾ acreage requirement set forth by the New Mexico Environmental Department for traditional septic installation. While this standard may not apply to a property or a subdivision which has its own water system, anyone developing the land will need to consult the NM EPA about proper septic systems or appropriate work-arounds. It should be noted, however, that many of the developed properties in this region are under the ¾ acre threshold, suggesting that whatever is required will not be difficult or prohibitively expensive.

Zoning: While most of the properties in this subdivision fall under Taos County jurisdiction, some are located in Rio Arriba County. Substantively there is not much difference in the zoning between the two as each identifies this region as County Rural Area, a fairly permissive designation which, amongst other things, allows a person to park an RV and live out of it for 180 Days even without a building permit.

Anyone purchasing land to build should check with the County zoning office to learn what permits are required on land smaller than ¾ of an acre.

No HOA: Highland Estates has no HOA and there are no dues associated with land ownership here.

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions: Calls to Taos and Rio Arriba Counties ended with both saying there are no recorded covenants on file for Highland Estates. The Management of Hemingway Land, however, feels compelled to at least point out that such a thing defies our experience buying in developed residential regions such as these, however rural they may be. Subdivisions are usually created with some rules outlining acceptable structures, behaviors or both. While we would similarly assume that those rules are both minor and reasonable, we cannot confirm any exist.

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions, Cont'd: Continuing on this point, our photographer sent back images of a sign posted at the entrance to Highland Estates West which stipulates no Trailer Homes, No Campers or RVs and No Camping. In all likelihood this means that these things can't be done or used permanently. In most all residential subdivisions, exceptions are always made for things like these, if even only for narrow windows of time such as one month or "with a building permit." In addition, there's enough evidence to suggest that many residents don't abide by these "rules" anyway.

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The Hemingway Land Company does our best to represent the properties we list as accurately as possible. Our research, however, will always be limited. 

Because of this, included in the table to the right is a list of the relevant state and county governments, agencies and authorities as well as local utilities (and all their respective websites and contact information) which should help to answer any questions a buyer may have about developing this specific property.

Whenever possible it is best to speak with these agencies first as they will always be a far greater source of information about the local region and the regulations which govern it. 

The Little Goat House: Highland Estates is home to the Little Goat House which hosts Goat Hikes and Camping Sites throughout Tres Piedras and is home to a goat named David Lynch.

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