Is Las Campanas Right For Your Second Home Plans?

Thinking about a Santa Fe second home that is easy to enjoy and easy to leave? You want security, services, and a lifestyle that fits how you actually live. If Las Campanas is on your shortlist, this guide gives you the clear, practical details you need to decide with confidence. You will learn how the community works, what it costs to carry, how club membership fits in, and what to expect if you plan seasonal or lock-and-leave use. Let’s dive in.

Las Campanas at a glance

Las Campanas is a master-planned, gated community of about 4,900 acres, set roughly 10 miles northwest of the Santa Fe Plaza. It blends custom estates, smaller lots, and several distinct neighborhoods inside one master layout. The Master Association manages the common infrastructure and community standards, which helps keep a consistent look and experience across the area. You can explore the Association’s public pages to see how the community is organized as a whole at the Las Campanas Owners Association website.

Las Campanas sits in Santa Fe’s luxury tier. Many homes trade in the seven-figure range, and listings often emphasize views, privacy, and architectural quality. If you value gated access and a resort-adjacent lifestyle, it is a strong contender.

Club membership: optional, limited, and lifestyle-driven

Inside the development, The Club at Las Campanas operates two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, plus fitness, spa, tennis and pickleball, dining, and an equestrian center. Club membership is separate from property ownership. The Club describes itself as an equity, member-owned private club with membership by invitation, and it publishes caps of 525 Golf and 350 Social memberships. Property ownership is not required to join. Learn more about the model and current availability on the Club’s membership page.

What to know as a buyer:

• Membership is optional and a separate cost from HOA dues.
• Initiation and dues are not posted publicly. You must contact the Membership Director for current terms.
• Some listings may include or offer a transferable membership, subject to Club approval. If the Club experience is important to you, confirm inclusion and transfer policy early in negotiations.

Lock-and-leave strengths

Las Campanas is well set up for part-time owners who want peace of mind when they are away.

• Security and response: The Association runs a staffed gate, 24-hour roving patrol, and on-site EMT-level responders. It also offers a Vacation Watch program, where patrol performs exterior checks while you are gone. Review services and details on Security and Safety.
• Road and snow care: Private roads and common areas are maintained by the Master Association. Crews handle snowplowing, landscaping in medians, and other infrastructure. See the scope on the Maintenance page.
• Utilities: Many homes are served by the Las Campanas Water Co-op. Estates I and II are county-served. Internet and cable options vary by address, so confirm providers and speeds for the specific lot before you buy.

Bottom line: With gate control, patrols, EMTs, and a formal vacation-watch service, you have a strong foundation for absentee ownership. You should still set up a trusted local contact and coordinate delivery and access plans before each extended trip.

HOA assessments, what they pay for, and design review

Understanding annual assessments is key to your total carrying cost. The Association’s published 2026 Fees Schedule shows a common Master assessment of $3,852 for all estates. Each estate then adds its own Reserve and Beneficial assessments. That means total annual assessments vary widely by location, with examples in 2026 ranging roughly from about $4,200 up to $16,000. All assessments are billed quarterly. For exact figures by estate, review the 2026 Assessments & Fees Schedule.

What those assessments support:

• Master-level services, including gates, roads, medians, security/roving patrol, and on-site EMTs.
• Neighborhood reserves and specific improvements funded by estate-level line items.
• Optional trash service through MCT can appear on your quarterly statement.

Planning to build or renovate? Las Campanas requires Design Review Committee (DRC) approvals for exteriors. The 2026 schedule lists non-refundable design-review fees for new-residence milestones — conceptual, preliminary, and final — at $2,500 each, plus per-square-foot review charges for certain projects. Compliance bonds are refundable if the work and site restoration meet standards. Get detailed fee and bond requirements from the 2026 Assessments & Fees Schedule.

The Association also enforces rules and fines. Renting or construction without approvals can trigger penalties. Read the fee and fines sections closely before you plan changes or leases.

Leasing rules: 30-day minimums and strict enforcement

Las Campanas is not designed for short-turnover vacation rentals. Under the Master Association Rules, no rental or lease may be for less than 30 consecutive days. Owners must also provide a copy of each lease to the Association before the lease starts, and operating a bed-and-breakfast from a home is not allowed. Review the leasing provisions in the Association Rules.

Violations are expensive. The 2026 Fees Schedule lists fines for leasing-rule violations, including $250 per day on discovery for continuing violations. Check the 2026 Assessments & Fees Schedule for the current fine structure.

Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County maintain their own short-term rental programs and rules. Those rules can change, and permits may be required. Even if a local ordinance allows certain rentals, the Master Association’s 30-day minimum still applies inside Las Campanas. You can read local context in this overview of county and city short-term rental programs.

Seasonal vs. full-time: what to expect

Las Campanas attracts many out-of-state and seasonal owners. Published occupancy estimates vary and the Association does not publish a single, official percentage community-wide. Treat any number you see in market write-ups as an estimate rather than a definitive figure.

Amenity seasonality matters. Some Club dining outlets operate only in warmer months, and high-elevation golf has a shorter prime season than lower-elevation markets. If you plan significant winter use, confirm year-round access to the specific Club services you value with the Club’s membership office.

Weather planning is part of Santa Fe homeownership. Winter brings cold nights and snow, while summer storms and dry periods create wildfire considerations. The Association emphasizes road plowing, common-area care, and landscape standards that support defensible space. Review community operations on the Maintenance page, and budget for winterizing, irrigation limits, and wildfire mitigation as part of your annual plan.

How it compares to other Santa Fe areas

• Downtown, Eastside, and Railyard: If you want walkable, gallery-and-dining proximity, these in-town neighborhoods fit that lifestyle. They are not gated or amenity-club communities.
• Eldorado at Santa Fe: Known for larger lots and a community-center feel. It is a suburban-style option and typically not resort-oriented.
• Tesuque, La Tierra, Santa Fe Summit: Think privacy and acreage, often with a rural or view-driven feel. Some gated enclaves exist, but the focus is not an integrated resort amenity package.

Las Campanas trades downtown walkability for privacy, security, and on-site amenities. If you prioritize golf, spa, equestrian, and a gated environment, it is aligned with that lifestyle.

Due-diligence checklist for second-home buyers

Use this list to streamline your evaluation and avoid surprises:

1. Confirm the exact estate name for the property. Pull the estate’s line items in the 2026 Assessments & Fees Schedule. Note Master, Reserve, and Beneficial totals.
2. Read the Association Rules and Master Design Guidelines. Factor DRC fees, bonds, and timelines into your plans.
3. If you plan any rentals, confirm the 30-day minimum and lease-copy requirements in the Rules. Check for any relevant city or county permitting updates.
4. If Club access is important, contact the Membership Director to learn current initiation and dues, and to verify whether a specific listing includes a transferable membership: The Club at Las Campanas membership.
5. Set up lock-and-leave support: complete a Vacation Watch request, list a local keyholder, and ask Security about delivery and alarm procedures.
6. Verify utilities for the address: water provider, sewer, and internet speeds. Start with the Las Campanas Water Co-op and confirm cable or fiber options by lot.
7. Price insurance with wildfire mitigation in mind. Ask about defensible-space expectations and budget for seasonal maintenance.

Is Las Campanas right for your plans?

If you want a secure, luxury base in Santa Fe with serious amenities and reliable community services, Las Campanas is a strong fit for a second home. The HOA structure supports lock-and-leave living, and the Club adds a true resort layer if you join. Your main homework is understanding assessments by estate, the 30-day rental minimum, and DRC requirements if you plan to build or remodel.

If you are weighing your options, let’s talk through lifestyle fit, carrying costs, and the specific estates that match how you live. To explore properties and next steps with a local, hands-on approach, reach out to Leland Titus.

FAQs

How far is Las Campanas from downtown Santa Fe?

• The community sits about 10 miles northwest of the Santa Fe Plaza, offering privacy with reasonable access to in-town dining, galleries, and events.

Is Club membership required when buying in Las Campanas?

• No. Club membership is optional and separate from property ownership. It is by invitation and capped, so confirm availability and costs with the Club’s membership office.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Las Campanas?

• No. The Association prohibits rentals under 30 consecutive days. Leases of 30 days or more may be possible, subject to the Rules and any local permits.

What are typical HOA costs for Las Campanas?

• The 2026 schedule shows a $3,852 Master assessment for all estates, with total annual assessments varying by estate from roughly $4,200 to $16,000. Check the current Fees Schedule for exact amounts.

What services support lock-and-leave owners in Las Campanas?

• The Association provides a staffed gate, roving patrol, on-site EMTs, and a Vacation Watch program, plus road and snow maintenance. You should still name a local keyholder or caretaker.

What should I budget if I plan to build or add a pool?

• Expect DRC fees of $2,500 for each review phase for new residences, possible per-square-foot review charges, and refundable compliance bonds. Confirm amounts in the current fee schedule.

Does property ownership guarantee Club access to golf and amenities?

• No. The Club is separate from the Master Association. Membership is by invitation and subject to availability and approval. Some sales may include transferable memberships; verify terms in writing.