Coconino County, AZ Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona requires a building permit for most residential construction, and the applicant must get sign-off from Planning and Zoning, Environmental Quality, Engineering and the Building Division before the permit is issued¹². Small structures such as sheds no larger than 200 square feet, fences no taller than 7 feet and water tanks holding no more than 5,000 gallons are exempt³. The county zones unincorporated land itself, with parcel-size, setback and coverage rules that vary by district⁴. Septic permits go through Community Development's Environmental Quality Division, and a septic permit has to be approved before a building permit is issued⁵⁶.

At a glance

Building permit: Required for most construction; sheds up to 200 sq ft, fences up to 7 ft and a few other small structures are exempt¹³
Zoning: Yes, county-administered, with minimum parcel sizes from 1 to 10 acres depending on the district⁴⁷
Septic permit: Issued by Community Development's Environmental Quality Division; must be approved before a building permit⁵⁶
RV living: Permit options include 120 consecutive days, 180 days with a building permit, or permanent placement and occupancy⁸
Tiny home: Permitted only in the zoning districts the county's land-use table lists, on a permanent foundation, built to code⁹
Owner-builder: Allowed under Arizona law with a county affidavit that you won't sell or rent the home within 1 year¹⁰
Wells: Domestic wells pumping 35 gallons a minute or less are generally exempt from Active Management Area rights¹¹

Who to call

Building permits

Coconino County Community Development, Building Division

Building permits, inspections, certificates of occupancy and the list of small structures that don't need a permit, for unincorporated Coconino County

(928) 679-8850

Online permits →

Zoning

Coconino County Community Development, Planning & Zoning Division

Zoning questions, RV and camping permits, ingress/egress and easement questions, and certificates of occupancy (including for RVs)

(928) 679-8850

Septic permits

Coconino County Community Development, Environmental Quality Division

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits, repairs and inspections for unincorporated Coconino County

(928) 679-8764

Zoning

Coconino County Community Development, Planning & Zoning Division

Online zoning applications, including temporary and permanent RV or travel-trailer permit options

Floodplain permits

Coconino County Community Development, Engineering Division (Floodplain Administrator)

Floodplain development permits, elevation certificates, and driveway/culvert encroachment permits for county-maintained roads

(928) 679-8850

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Coconino County, Arizona?

Yes. Unincorporated Coconino County requires a building permit for residential construction, and the applicant must receive approvals from Planning and Zoning, Environmental Quality, Engineering and the Building Division before the permit is issued¹². Arizona law lets a county board of supervisors require a permit for any construction or addition over $1,000 in the unincorporated areas it has zoned, which is the statewide authority behind Coconino County's permit requirement¹². A short list of small structures does not need a building permit: one-story detached sheds and playhouses no larger than 200 square feet with no more than an 8-foot wall height and 15-foot overall height, fences no more than 7 feet tall, retaining walls no more than 4 feet high, water tanks up to 5,000 gallons, and sidewalks and driveways³. Arizona separately exempts a hoophouse or polyhouse used only to grow and store live plants from the county building-permit requirement, provided it isn't anchored permanently, stores no chemicals, and meets width and covering limits¹³. Once a permit is issued, inspections are a condition of it, and the Environmental Quality Division must sign off on any septic system before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued¹⁴¹⁵.

Who is the Coconino County building department, and how do you reach them?

Building, zoning, environmental quality and engineering permits in Coconino County all run through Community Development, and the fastest way to reach any of them is the department's main line, (928) 679-8850³. If you're not sure which division to ask for, a permit technician at that same number can route you³. Zoning questions, ingress and egress, easements, building-structure questions and certificate-of-occupancy questions -- including for RVs -- all go through Community Development at (928) 679-8850¹⁶. Septic permitting has its own direct line at Environmental Quality, (928) 679-8764⁶. You are allowed to build your own home yourself: submit an application and a set of construction documents to the Building Division for review, and once the plans are approved and fees are paid you can start construction and call for routine inspections³.

Does Coconino County have zoning?

Yes. Coconino County administers its own zoning under an ordinance the Board of Supervisors adopted under Arizona's Title 11 authority, and it applies to buildings, structures and land within the county¹⁷¹⁸. Minimum parcel sizes run from 10 acres in the General zone down to 1 acre in the Agricultural-Residential and Rural-Residential zones, and down to 6,000 square feet in the smallest Residential-Suburban district⁷. Setbacks, lot coverage and building height are also district-specific: a General-zone lot gets a 30-foot front setback and a 40-foot height limit, while Agricultural-Residential and Rural-Residential lots get a 25-foot front setback, a 35-foot height limit, and 35% maximum lot coverage¹⁹²⁰²¹. Arizona law gives every county board of supervisors this zoning authority statewide, but leaves the actual acreage, setback and coverage numbers to each county's own ordinance, so Coconino's numbers don't carry over to any other Arizona county²²²³²⁴. Dividing land into six or more lots is a subdivision under Arizona law and triggers the state's separate subdivision review process, and Coconino County's own Subdivision Ordinance additionally covers preliminary plats, minor subdivisions, final plats and replats²⁵²⁶. A tiny home built to building-code standards on a permanent foundation is a permitted residential use only in the zoning districts the county's land-use table lists it in; a use the table doesn't list is prohibited⁹. We could not confirm a minimum floor-area requirement for a primary dwelling in Coconino County's zoning ordinance, so confirm any minimum square footage for your district with Planning and Zoning before you design a small home¹⁶.

How do septic permits work in Coconino County?

Septic systems are permitted at the county level here. Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality holds statewide authority to issue onsite wastewater permits but delegates that authority to each of the state's 15 counties, and Coconino County is one of them²⁷²⁸. Coconino County's delegation covers all conventional septic systems and some alternative systems up to 3,000 gallons per day; larger systems in Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kachina Village and Pinewood are regulated directly by ADEQ instead of the county²⁹. Community Development's Environmental Quality Division reviews the permit application, issues the construction authorization, inspects the finished system, and issues the discharge authorization the county requires before it will sign off on a Certificate of Occupancy³⁰³¹⁶. A septic permit has to be issued before a building permit is issued, though the septic system itself doesn't have to be finished until just before the Certificate of Occupancy, and the county can issue a conditional building permit if septic approval is still pending⁶. On soils, only about 11% of Coconino County's mapped soils rate anything other than 'very limited' for a conventional septic drain field, so plan on a site evaluation and budget for the real possibility of an engineered or alternative system on your parcel³². If you ever sell, Arizona's statewide transfer program requires a certified inspection within six months before the sale and a Notice of Transfer from the buyer within 15 calendar days after closing³³.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Coconino County?

Coconino County requires the right zoning permit for RV occupancy rather than imposing one answer for every stay. The Planning & Zoning Division lists an option for up to 120 consecutive days per calendar year, a renewable 180-day option tied to an active building permit, and an option for permanent placement and occupancy of one RV or travel trailer⁸. For the 120-day option, the county says there cannot already be a residence on the property¹⁶. Tent camping on private land in unincorporated Coconino County is prohibited outside permitted campgrounds¹⁶. An RV is not treated as an accessory dwelling unit: if a home is already on the land, the RV cannot be rented separately, and the owner cannot live in the RV while renting the house¹⁶. A tiny home follows a different path: a tiny home built to building-code standards on a permanent foundation is allowed only in the zoning districts listed in the county's land-use table and still needs the applicable permits⁹. Ask Planning & Zoning which RV or tiny-home permit fits the parcel before buying¹⁶.

Building a home in Coconino County: the steps, in order

Confirm your parcel's zoning district and its minimum lot size, setback and coverage rules by calling Community Development's Planning & Zoning Division at (928) 679-8850 before you buy¹⁶⁷.
Submit your building application and construction documents online for the Building Division to review; only PDF plan sets are accepted, and if a complete plan set isn't received within 10 working days of submission the county cancels the permit and you have to reapply³⁴.
Apply for your septic permit with Environmental Quality before your building permit is issued; conventional systems and smaller alternative systems up to 3,000 gallons a day go through the county, and larger systems go through ADEQ directly⁶²⁹.
If your project is in a mapped floodplain, get a Floodplain Development Permit from the Floodplain Administrator before you start, with scaled plans and lowest-floor elevation data³⁵³⁶.
If your driveway will connect to a county-maintained road, apply for a county Encroachment Permit; if it connects to a state highway, apply for an ADOT Encroachment Permit instead; private-road access needs neither³⁵³⁷³⁸.
Build to the codes in effect on your submittal date: Coconino County's newly adopted International codes and National Electrical Code take effect June 2, 2026, though the county will keep accepting plans designed to the prior codes through December 31, 2026³⁹.
Call for inspections before 3:00 p.m. the day before you want them, keep your approved plans on site, and expect a $120 fee if the county has to re-inspect work that wasn't ready¹⁴.
Get your septic Authorization to Discharge and pass all required inspections before the county issues your Certificate of Occupancy¹⁵.

What to check before you buy land in Coconino County

Coconino County sits on the high, dry Colorado Plateau: average annual precipitation is only 12.7 inches, and the county has spent about 30.3% of recent years in severe drought⁴⁰⁴¹. About 39.6% of the county is federal land, so verify your parcel has legal, physical access that doesn't cross Forest Service or BLM ground before you make an offer⁴². Roughly 24% of the county is wooded, and 76.7% of the land sits at 15% slope or less, so most parcels are buildable, but check floodplain status with the Floodplain Administrator, since a Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction inside a mapped Regulatory Floodplain⁴³⁴⁴³⁶. Population density is only about 7.8 people per square mile across the county's 144,472 residents, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more people is about 130 miles away in a straight line, so Flagstaff is the region's real hub for services⁴⁵⁴⁶⁴⁷. Typical home value runs about $633,105, with a median property tax bill of $2,008 a year at an effective rate around 0.5%, and typical homeowner's insurance costs about $1,198 a year⁴⁸⁴⁹⁵⁰⁵¹. Before you drill, know that a domestic well pumping 35 gallons a minute or less is generally exempt from Active Management Area groundwater rights, but you still must file a Notice of Intent to Drill with ADWR and use a licensed well-drilling contractor¹¹. Confirm road access before you close: a driveway connecting to a county-maintained road needs a county Encroachment Permit, and one connecting to a state highway needs an ADOT Encroachment Permit instead³⁷³⁸. If you're weighing short-term rental income, Coconino County requires its own permit, an annual $250 renewal fee and a background check before it will issue one, and only in the unincorporated area⁵².

Watch-outs

Coconino County's newly adopted building codes take effect June 2, 2026; the county will keep accepting plans designed to the prior codes through December 31, 2026, and new permit fees take effect January 1, 2027³⁹⁵³.
Within the Sedona Fire District, including Oak Creek Canyon, Coconino County's Wildland and Urban Interface Codes apply on top of the standard building code, fire suppression systems are required, and the Sedona Fire Marshal does a concurrent plan review with the county³⁹.
Systems in Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kachina Village and Pinewood are regulated directly by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality rather than Coconino County, even though the county issues most conventional septic permits²⁹.

Sources

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Coconino County scores

Seclusion85100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency29100% ev.

Admin Boringness49100% ev.

Durability26100% ev.

Property Autonomy65100% ev.

Carry Cost74100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$633kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$344Land / acre

12.7"Annual rain

30.3% of yrsSevere drought

13 / yr (+9.9)Mid-century 100°F days

40.3 daysMid-century dry spell

0.93" (+8.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.15×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,198Home insurance / yr

2.4% / yrInsurance growth

1.86%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

553Radius comparison (15 mi)

7.8People / sq mi

39.6%Federal land

76.7%Land at 15% slope or less

11%Septic soil without severe limits

1,018,689 acWorkable land screen

24%Wooded land

21 tonsBiomass / forest ac

53.4°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Coconino County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Coconino County rules

Building permitRequired
Residential building projects subject to Coconino County's conventional building-permit process.
- The applicant must receive approvals from Planning and Zoning, Environmental Quality, Engineering, and the Building Division before the Building Permit will be issued.
- The source document is a county residential-project procedure and does not establish that incorporated municipalities use the same permitting authority or process.
“This document is intended to provide procedures for developing a complete residential building permit application with minimum plan requirements for submittal. PLEASE NOTE: The Applicant must receive approvals from Planning and Zoning, Environmental Quality, Engineering, and the Building Division before a Building Permit will be issued.”
Minimum Building Plan Requirements, Building Permit Procedures, and Minimum Plan Requirements for Residential Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Building-code requirements administered by the Coconino County Building Division for applicable construction in Coconino County.
- The newly adopted codes are effective June 2, 2026.
- The adopted codes include the 2024 International Residential, Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Existing Building, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes; the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code; the 2023 National Electrical Code; and the 2017 International Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Code.
- The Building Division will accept fully submitted permit applications with plan sets designed to the listed previously adopted codes through December 31, 2026.
- Newly adopted building permit fees take effect January 1, 2027.
- Owner-builders may seek an exemption from building codes for alternative methods and materials under certain circumstances.
- Within the Sedona Fire District, including Oak Creek Canyon, the 2018 Wildland and Urban Interface Codes apply and fire suppression systems are required in addition to compliance with those codes; the Sedona Fire Marshal conducts concurrent plan reviews with Coconino County.
“Current and newly-adopted codes (per this Ordinance), effective June 2, 2026, include:”
Building Codes, Ordinances, Design Criteria ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
InspectionsRequired
Construction performed under an issued and approved Coconino County building permit.
- Inspections are required as a condition of the issued permit.
- The contractor or owner is responsible for calling for inspections and follow-up inspections if corrections are required.
- Inspection requests should be scheduled before 3:00 p.m. the day before the desired inspection.
- A $120 re-inspection fee may apply for work not ready at inspection or a third or subsequent re-inspection.
- The approved building plans must be available at the job site; otherwise there will be no inspection.
- Before a Certificate of Occupancy, the Environmental Quality Division must obtain Authorization To Discharge for any installed septic systems.
inspection request deadline: 3:00 p.m. the day before the desired inspection · re-inspection fee: 120 USD (Applies to work not ready at inspection or a third or subsequent re-inspection)
“An issued and approved building permit constitutes consent to allow building inspectors the right of access to the property during the course of construction. No further consent or notice shall be required before Coconino County Building Inspectors enter for inspection purposes. Inspections are required as a condition of the issued permit.”
Plan Attachment Sheet ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Residential homes constructed through Coconino County's conventional building-permit process.
- The Certificate of Occupancy is issued after passing all required inspections.
- Conditions of approval must be met before a Certificate of Occupancy, as applicable.
- For any installed septic system, the Environmental Quality Division must obtain Authorization To Discharge before issuance.
- The county's Alternative Methods and Materials Permit Program is an exception: no Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion is issued under that program.
“After passing all required inspections, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.”
Building a House in Coconino County ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
County-administered zoning districts, permitted uses, conditional uses, and development standards in Coconino County.
- Permitted uses must be listed for the applicable zoning district and remain subject to applicable ordinance standards.
- Conditional uses require submission, review, and approval of the required use permit.
- Uses not listed or designated as prohibited are prohibited unless otherwise determined under the ordinance.
- The ordinance applies to buildings, structures, and land within the corporate limits of Coconino County.
- The ordinance is effective January 15, 2026.
“In accordance with the authority granted under A.R.S. § 11-811 et seq., the County is divided into the following zoning districts and overlay districts (Table 1-1):”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)
Zoning districts and related county zoning controls within Coconino County's county-administered zoning jurisdiction.
- The county publishes an adopted Zoning Ordinance.
- The ordinance page states that the current adopted ordinance is effective January 15, 2026.
- Incorporated municipalities and other areas governed by separate authorities may have separate zoning rules; this claim is limited to the county-administered zoning jurisdiction.
“Click to view the adopted Zoning Ordinance effective January 15, 2026.”
Zoning Ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)
Minimum parcel or lot size in county-administered zoning districts, primarily in unincorporated Coconino County.
- For G, AR, and RR zones, Table 2-1 lists minimum net parcel sizes of 10 acres, 1 acre, and 1 acre, respectively.
- For AR and RR zones, larger minimum lot sizes may be designated on the Official Zoning Map in 1/2-acre increments.
- For RS zones, minimum parcel sizes are 6,000, 10,000, 18,000, and 36,000 square feet for RS-6,000, RS-10,000, RS-18,000, and RS-36,000; larger RS lot sizes may be designated on the Official Zoning Map.
- Lots on an approved and recorded subdivision map or covered by a qualifying prior deed may be used as building sites for not more than one primary dwelling.
G minimum parcel size: 10 acres · AR minimum parcel size: 1 acre (larger sizes may be designated in 1/2-acre increments) · RR minimum parcel size: 1 acre (larger sizes may be designated in 1/2-acre increments) · RS minimum parcel size: 6,000; 10,000; 18,000; 36,000 square feet (by RS district)
“Minimum parcel size, net area in acres (or subject to the provisions of Section 2.2.D) 10 1 1 [...] Minimum parcel size net area, in square feet (or subject to the provisions of Section 2.3.C.3) 6,000 10,000 18,000 36,000”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance, effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Required setbacks in county-administered G, AR, RR, and RS zoning districts.
- For G, AR, and RR zones, front setbacks are 30, 25, and 25 feet; interior side setbacks are 20, 10, and 10 feet; street-side setbacks are 30, 15, and 15 feet; rear setbacks are 30, 20, and 20 feet.
- For RS-6,000, RS-10,000, RS-18,000, and RS-36,000 zones, front setbacks are 20, 20, 25, and 25 feet; interior side setbacks are 5, 10, 10, and 20 feet; street-side setbacks are 10, 10, 15, and 20 feet; rear setbacks are 20, 20, 25, and 25 feet.
- All setbacks are measured from property lines; an access easement along a property line is measured from its interior edge, and an easement bisecting a parcel is treated as a street for setback purposes.
“Front Setback, in feet 30 25 25 [...] Side Interior Setback, in feet 20 10 10 [...] Side Street Side Setback, in feet 30 15 15 [...] Rear Setback, in feet 30 20 20”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance, effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)
Maximum lot coverage in county-administered G, AR, RR, and RS zoning districts.
- G, AR, and RR maximum lot coverage is 30%, 35%, and 35%, respectively.
- RS-6,000 and RS-10,000 maximum lot coverage is 40%; RS-18,000 and RS-36,000 maximum lot coverage is 35%.
- Alternate RS zoning designations use the standards of the next lower minimum parcel-size classification except for minimum parcel size.
G lot coverage maximum: 30 percent · AR/RR lot coverage maximum: 35 percent · RS-6,000/RS-10,000 lot coverage maximum: 40 percent · RS-18,000/RS-36,000 lot coverage maximum: 35 percent
“Lot Coverage, maximum 30% 35% 35% [...] Lot Coverage, maximum 40% 40% 35% 35%”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance, effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
Maximum structure height in county-administered G, AR, RR, and RS zoning districts.
- G maximum structure height is 40 feet; AR and RR maximum structure height is 35 feet.
- RS-6,000, RS-10,000, RS-18,000, and RS-36,000 maximum structure height is 35 feet.
- Other zoning districts may have different standards; the cited tables apply only to the listed districts.
G maximum structure height: 40 feet · AR/RR maximum structure height: 35 feet · RS zones maximum structure height: 35 feet
“Structure Height, maximum, in feet 40 35 35 [...] Structure Height, maximum, in feet 35 35 35 35”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance, effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Tiny homesLimited
Tiny homes built to applicable building-code standards in Coconino County residential zoning districts.
- The residential land-use table lists manufactured homes, including tiny homes built to building-code standards, as permitted only in the listed zoning districts; uses not listed are prohibited.
- A single-family dwelling or tiny house on a permanent foundation is listed as a permitted residential use, subject to the table's zoning columns.
- Applicable building, environmental-quality, engineering, wastewater, and other permits remain required.
- Municipal zoning rules may differ.
“Tiny Homes built to building code standards”
Coconino County Zoning Ordinance, effective January 15, 2026 ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)
Conventional septic systems and some alternative onsite wastewater systems in Coconino County.
- Coconino County has delegated authority for all conventional septic systems and some alternative onsite wastewater systems up to 3,000 gallons per day.
- Larger systems in Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kachina Village, and Pinewood are regulated by ADEQ.
design capacity: <= 3000 gallons per day (County delegation covers conventional systems and some alternative systems; larger systems are regulated by ADEQ.)
“Authority for the wastewater program is delegated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to Coconino County Community Development, Environmental Quality division (CCCDEQ). Coconino County has delegation for all conventional (septic systems) and some alternative onsite wastewater systems up to a capacity of 3,000 gallons per day (gpd). Larger systems such as Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kachina Village, and Pinewood are regulated by ADEQ.”
Environmental Quality ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction of conventional septic systems and some alternative onsite wastewater systems within Coconino County's delegated jurisdiction.
- Coconino County Environmental Quality reviews permit applications and issues construction authorizations.
- County delegation covers conventional systems and some alternative systems up to 3,000 gallons per day.
- Larger systems such as Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kachina Village, and Pinewood are regulated by ADEQ.
design capacity: <= 3000 gallons per day (Larger systems are regulated by ADEQ.)
“The Environmental Quality division is responsible for: Site investigations Reviewing applications for permits Issuing construction authorizations Inspecting newly constructed systems Issuing authorizations for discharge from wastewater systems Recording transfers of septic systems to new property owners”
Environmental Quality ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Newly constructed onsite wastewater systems within Coconino County's delegated jurisdiction.
- Coconino County Environmental Quality is responsible for inspecting newly constructed systems.
- County delegation limits and ADEQ-regulated larger systems apply.
“The Environmental Quality division is responsible for: Site investigations Reviewing applications for permits Issuing construction authorizations Inspecting newly constructed systems Issuing authorizations for discharge from wastewater systems Recording transfers of septic systems to new property owners”
Environmental Quality ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Residential building permit approvals involving community sewer in Coconino County.
- Some areas with community sewer require proof of available sewer, including Pinewood and Kachina Village.
- Other community sewer systems may not require approvals.
- Environmental Quality approval and sewer availability or septic permit review may be required before a building permit is issued.
“Some areas with community sewer require proof of available sewer such as Pinewood, and Kachina Village, Other community sewer systems may not require approvals.”
Minimum Building Plan Requirements, Building Permit Procedures, and Minimum Plan Requirements for Residential Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision applications in Coconino County, including preliminary plats, minor subdivisions, final plats, replats, and plat amendments.
- The county page identifies a May 2019 adopted Subdivision Ordinance.
- The ordinance addresses integrated conservation design, conservation areas, environmentally sensitive features, plat amendments and adjustments, phased development, financial assurances, and vested rights.
- Subdivision applications are accepted through the county online portal; the county publishes subtype information sheets, process materials, checklists, and a subdivision type matrix indicating whether public hearings are required.
“Click here to view the May 2019 adopted version of the Subdivision Ordinance. [...] Subdivision applications are accepted using the online portal.”
Subdivision Ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Driveway accessLimited
Driveways and culverts accessing property in Coconino County, differentiated by the road authority.
- A driveway connecting to a county-maintained road requires a county Encroachment Permit.
- The county does not require an encroachment permit to access private roads.
- A driveway accessing a state road requires an ADOT Encroachment Permit.
“If your driveway will connect to a county-maintained road, then yes you will need an Encroachment Permit. (The county will not require encroachment permits to access private roads.) If your driveway accesses a state road, you will need an ADOT Encroachment Permit.”
Coconino County FAQs ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction or development, including placement of manufactured homes, within a Regulatory Floodplain in Coconino County.
- A development permit must be obtained before construction or development begins within a Regulatory Floodplain established in Section 3.2.
- Applications use forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator.
- Applications may include plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of the area, existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities, and their locations.
- Required information includes lowest-floor elevations, applicable floodproofing elevations and certification, Base Flood Elevation data for subdivision proposals or other development greater than 50 lots or 5 acres (whichever is lesser), and a description of any proposed watercourse alteration or relocation.
large-development threshold: more than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is the lesser (Base Flood Elevation data is required for subdivision proposals or other development exceeding this threshold.)
“A Floodplain Development Permit is required when your project is within a FEMA Floodplain.”
Coconino County Floodplain Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Short-term rentalsLimited
Short-term rental use regulated by Coconino County in its unincorporated area.
- A county permit application and fee are required.
- Operators must notify neighbors, meet building codes, prevent rentals for special events, and verify that the owner has not been convicted of particular felonies.
- Permit suspension and fines may apply depending on verified violations.
- Renewal requires a new application and payment of an annual $250 fee.
annual renewal fee: 250 USD (The source states this fee for renewal; it does not expressly state whether the same fee applies to an initial application.)
“If you are renewing an STR Permit, please note that it requires a NEW Application be filled out and that the annual $250 fee be paid.”
Short Term Rental Information ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Coconino County building permit fees administered by Community Development.
- The county publishes fee tables and lists through its Building Codes, Ordinances, Design Criteria page.
- The newly adopted building permit fees take effect on January 1, 2027; the source does not state that date is the effective date of all currently applicable fees.
“The newly-adopted building permit fees will take effect 1/1/27. Click here to view the fee tables and lists.”
Building Codes, Ordinances, Design Criteria ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
County building permit applications submitted through Coconino County's online portal.
- Only PDF files are accepted.
- Applicants must include calculations, engineering, and specifications as applicable.
- A Permit Technician reviews the application and may identify plan deficiencies.
- If all required plan sets are not received within ten working days of submission, the permit is canceled and the applicant must reapply with a complete set of plans.
- The department recommends a geotechnical report before submission for new structures; otherwise, a soils analysis may be required during inspection.
complete required plan sets deadline: 10 working days (If not received, the permit will be canceled and the applicant must reapply.)
“Once received, a Permit Technician will review your application and be in touch with further information. This may include a list of submitted plan deficiencies.”
Online Permit Applications ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
County-wide zoningPresent
The county administers its own Planning & Zoning; every parcel carries a county zoning classification viewable on the County Parcel Viewer zoning layer.
Coconino County Planning and Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arizona rules that apply here

Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
An owner who improves property or builds or improves structures or appurtenances and performs the work personally, through the owner's employees, or through duly licensed contractors, when the property is intended solely for the owner's occupancy and is not intended for public occupancy, sale, or rent.
- The exemption is from Arizona contractor-licensing requirements under A.R.S. § 32-1121; it does not itself eliminate any local building-permit requirement.
- The structure or appurtenance must be intended for occupancy solely by the owner.
- The structure or appurtenance must not be intended for occupancy by members of the public as the owner's employees or business visitors.
- The structure or appurtenance must not be intended for sale or rent.
- Sale, rent, or an arrangement by which the owner receives compensation from occupancy or transfer is included in the statutory definition of sale or rent.
- Sale or rent, or an offer of sale or rent, within one year after completion or issuance of a certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence that the project was undertaken for sale or rent.
one-year post-completion evidence period: 1 year (Applies to the statutory prima facie evidence rule concerning sale or rent.)
“who do the work themselves, with their own employees or with duly licensed contractors”
Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Owners of property performing work themselves, through their own employees, or with duly licensed contractors, where the structures or improvements are intended solely for the owner's occupancy and are not intended for public occupancy, sale, or rent.
  “Owners of property who improve such property or who build or improve structures or appurtenances on such property and who do the work themselves, with their own employees or with duly licensed contractors, if the structure, group of structures or appurtenances, including the improvements thereto, are intended for occupancy solely by the owner and are not intended for occupancy by members of the public as the owner's employees or business visitors and the structures or appurtenances are not intended for sale or for rent.”
  A.R.S. § 32-1121: Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Camping on your landLimited
Parking and camping along open roads in closed areas governed by A.R.S. § 17-452 restrictions.
- Camping is allowed only along open roads in the specified closed areas.
- No vehicle may be parked or operated more than 300 feet from the road.
maximum distance from open road: <= 300 feet
“Parking and camping shall be allowed along open roads in closed areas, except that no vehicle shall be parked or operated at a distance greater than three hundred feet from such roads.”
A.R.S. § 17-455 — Exceptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Well permitLimited
Groundwater well drilling, deepening, or modification in Coconino County under Arizona statewide rules.
- Before drilling a new well or deepening or modifying an existing well, a Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed with ADWR and accompanied by the appropriate filing fee.
- Authorization to deepen an existing well or drill a new well is valid for one year; after that, a new Notice of Intent must be filed.
- A licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work.
- An exempt well is typically domestic, has a maximum pumping capacity of 35 gallons per minute or less, and may be constructed in many areas of Arizona.
- Non-exempt wells have pump capacity greater than 35 gallons per minute; in Active Management Areas, specified groundwater withdrawal rights or permits are required.
- Well-spacing criteria do not apply to wells drilled outside Active Management Areas except the listed statutory exceptions, or to exempt wells within AMAs and other listed categories.
exempt well maximum pumping capacity: <= 35 gallons per minute (Non-exempt wells exceed 35 gallons per minute.) · NOI authorization validity: 1 year (After one year, a new Notice of Intent must be filed.)
“Prior to drilling a new well, or deepening or modifying an existing well, a Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed with ADWR. Forms are available on this site and must be submitted to ADWR accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. Authority to deepen an existing well or drill a new well will be valid for one year. After that, a new Notice of Intent must be filed. A licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work.”
Permitting and Wells Overview ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
Construction of a hoophouse or polyhouse used exclusively for producing and storing live plants in Arizona counties.
- The structure must not have a permanent anchoring system.
- No temporary or permanent storage of solvents, fertilizers, gases, chemicals, or flammable materials is allowed.
- The structure must not be wider than thirty-one feet and must have an unobstructed path of not more than one hundred fifty feet from any point to a door or fully accessible wall.
- The covering must be no greater than twelve mils thick, comply with NFPA 701, and provide approximately four pounds of maximum impact resistance for egress.
- Electrical or mechanical devices subject to county codes and backflow-prevention devices connected to potable water still require permits.
- The structure must comply with county height, setback, and lot-coverage requirements for detached accessory buildings or structures.
- A county may establish an administrative review process.
maximum width: <= 31 feet · maximum unobstructed path to exit: <= 150 feet · maximum covering thickness: <= 12 mils
“construction of a hoophouse or polyhouse is exempt from county building permit requirements”
11-324 - Building permits; hoophouses; polyhouses; exemption; existing zoning regulations; compliance; administrative review; definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Conditional — County zoning ordinances authorized under A.R.S. chapter 11; use or occupation of land or improvements for general agricultural purposes on tracts of five or more contiguous commercial acres.
  “Prevent, restrict or otherwise regulate the use or occupation of land or improvements for [...] general agricultural purposes, if the tract concerned is five or more contiguous commercial acres.”
  A.R.S. § 11-812 — Restriction on regulation; exceptions; aggregate mining regulation; definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Conditional — Construction or operation incidental to irrigation and drainage ditches, farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, stock or poultry raising, and specified rural fire-prevention work under the building-code article referenced by A.R.S. § 11-865.
  “This article does not apply to: 1. Construction or operation incidental to [...] farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture or stock or poultry raising”
  A.R.S. § 11-865 — Exemptions; exception ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Available (with conditions) — Leasing agricultural lands under Arizona's statutory definition of subdivision or subdivided lands.
  “(c) Does not include: [...] (iii) The leasing of agricultural lands or apartments, offices, stores, hotels, motels, pads or similar space within an apartment building, industrial building, rental recreational vehicle community, rental manufactured home community, rental mobile home park or commercial building.”
  32-2101 - Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
The Arizona Recreational Vehicle Long-Term Rental Space Act applies to a recreational-vehicle space rented in a recreational-vehicle park or mobile-home park by the same tenant for more than 180 consecutive days, and to park-model or park-trailer spaces rented by the same tenant for more than 180 consecutive days.
- For an ordinary recreational-vehicle space, the space must be rented under a rental agreement.
- For a park model or park trailer, the chapter applies without regard to whether a rental agreement is executed.
- The chapter does not apply to mobile homes, manufactured homes or factory-built buildings.
- The chapter does not apply to a property with one or two recreational-vehicle rental spaces.
occupancy duration: > 180 consecutive days · same tenant: required · property recreational-vehicle rental spaces: <= 2 spaces (The chapter does not apply to a property with one or two recreational-vehicle rental spaces.)
“This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations and remedies for a recreational vehicle space that is rented in a recreational vehicle park or”
33-2101 - Application; duration of stay; exclusions; notice and pleading requirements ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy or use of a mobile home brought into Arizona, or movement of a mobile home from one Arizona mobile-home park to another Arizona mobile-home park.
  “unless it meets the standards adopted pursuant to this chapter and displays the proper state certificate.”
  41-4048 - Violation; classification; penalty ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
county zoning authorityGeneral
Arizona county boards of supervisors adopting zoning for the county area outside incorporated municipalities, including unincorporated land.
- The statutory definition of county area of jurisdiction is the part of the county outside the corporate limits of any municipality.
- The zoning ordinance and rezonings and zoning-regulation amendments must be consistent with and conform to the adopted comprehensive plan.
- The board must consider individual property rights and personal liberties before adopting a zoning ordinance.
- The statute does not authorize dedications, exactions, fees, or other requirements not otherwise authorized by law.
- The statute does not authorize regulation or restriction of railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing, or general agricultural uses on tracts of five or more contiguous commercial acres, subject to the statutory cannabis and marijuana qualification.
“Pursuant to this article, the board of supervisors may adopt a zoning ordinance in order to conserve and promote the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare.”
11-801 - Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
county building authorityGeneral
Arizona county boards of supervisors requiring building permits and adopting building, related, and fire-prevention codes for construction in unincorporated areas, including residential construction.
- Except in cities and towns with an ordinance relating to building permits, the board of supervisors shall require a permit for construction or additions exceeding $1,000 within its jurisdiction.
- A county building code under section 11-861 applies to unincorporated areas of the county so zoned, and the board may exempt areas zoned rural or unclassified.
- Building codes may be adopted by reference only after notice and hearings before the county planning and zoning commission and board of supervisors.
- Authorized building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes must be adopted by a qualifying national code organization or by the largest city in the county; if a city code is adopted, the county must adopt notified changes within 90 days or terminate the adopted city code.
- A fire-prevention code may be adopted in unincorporated areas where a fire district has not adopted a nationally recognized fire code; it remains effective until a fire district is established and adopts an applicable code.
- The board may adopt a current wildland-urban interface code using written public-participation procedures.
- Certain single-family and two-family residential sprinkler requirements are restricted, subject to the statutory exception for codes adopted before December 31, 2009.
- A county may not deny a building permit based on the proposed capable and authorized utility provider, and may not require a transaction privilege tax or business license as a permit condition.
- A county may recover reasonable costs associated with reviewing and issuing a building permit.
building permit construction-cost threshold: > 1000 USD (The requirement does not apply in cities and towns that have an ordinance relating to issuance of building permits.) · city-code change adoption deadline: 90 days (If the county adopts a city code and does not adopt the same notified change within 90 days, it must terminate the adopted city code.) · preexisting sprinkler-code exception date: 2009-12-31 (The statutory sprinkler restriction does not apply to a code or ordinance requiring sprinklers in a residence that was adopted before December 31, 2009.)
“In any county that has adopted zoning pursuant to this chapter, the board of supervisors may adopt and enforce, for the unincorporated areas of the county so zoned, a building code and other related codes to regulate the quality, type of material and workmanship of all aspects of construction of buildings or structures, except that the board may authorize that areas zoned rural or unclassified may be exempt from the provisions of the code adopted.”
11-321 - Building permits; issuance; state preemption; utilities; distribution of copies; subsequent owner; limitation; definition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area or dwelling size for primary residential dwellings in Coconino County zoning districts.
Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Coconino County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Coconino County, Arizona

Is Coconino County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Coconino County scores 49/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 553 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure and weak self-sufficiency basics: only 12.7″ of rain a year, in severe drought 30.3% of years.

Do you need a building permit in Coconino County, Arizona?

Coconino County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Coconino County Community Development, Environmental Quality Division. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Coconino County, Arizona?

Land in Coconino County runs about $344 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Coconino County?

Coconino County gets about 12.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 30.3% of years.

How remote is Coconino County?

A typical private-land location has about 553 people within 15 miles and 372,030 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Coconino County, Arizona

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Coconino County, Arizona?

Who is the Coconino County building department, and how do you reach them?

Does Coconino County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Coconino County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Coconino County?

Building a home in Coconino County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Coconino County

Watch-outs

Sources

Coconino County in Arizona

How Coconino County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Coconino County

Coconino County rules

Arizona rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Coconino County, Arizona

Is Coconino County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in Coconino County, Arizona?

How much does land cost in Coconino County, Arizona?

What is the water situation in Coconino County?

How remote is Coconino County?

How Coconino compares in Arizona