Bolthole Index

Coconino County, Arizona

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Fredonia, Arizona

The Town of Fredonia, Arizona requires building permits for construction and administers its own zoning ordinance.12 Inside Fredonia, in Coconino County, septic approval stays with the county: the town code requires a County Health Department septic installation permit before a building-permit application and prohibits septic tanks where sewer hookup is available within 300 feet.34 Start with the Town Office for building and zoning questions and Coconino County Environmental Quality for septic questions.56

At a glance

Building permits
Required; apply through the town building permit process1
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside Fredonia limits2
Septic
County approval before the building application; no septic tank where sewer hookup is available within 300 feet4
Manufactured homes
Permanently erected manufactured homes allowed in the Single-Family Residential Zone7
Second dwelling
Permitted in the Single-Family Residential Zone on a lot of at least 1 acre8
Agricultural lots
Minimum areas: AG-5, 5 acres; AG-10, 10 acres; AG-20, 20 acres9

Who to call

Zoning

Town of Fredonia Town Office — Planning and Zoning

Building permit forms and the starting contact for town zoning, conditional use, variance and land-split questions

(928) 643-7241

25 N Main Street, Fredonia AZ 86022

Building permits

Town of Fredonia Building Official

Town building permit applications, plan requirements and inspection scheduling; ask the Town Office for the current packet and fees

Septic permits

Coconino County Community Development, Environmental Quality Division

Conventional septic and delegated alternative onsite wastewater applications, site investigations and inspections

928-679-8850

2500 N Fort Valley Rd Building 1 Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Fredonia means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Fredonia, AZ?

Fredonia requires building permits for construction; the town’s published packet directs applicants to submit the building permit application, signed requirement checklist and required supporting documents.1 Fredonia has adopted the 2006 International Building Code and 2006 International Residential Code.10 Building-permit approval also requires compliance with the town subdivision chapter and planning and zoning ordinance.11

Use the Town Office’s building permit forms rather than the county’s unincorporated-area building application.5 The town packet calls for a nonrefundable plan-review payment when documents are submitted, credited toward the total building permit price; ask the Town Office for the current amount before budgeting.1

Who handles building permits and zoning in the Town of Fredonia?

The Fredonia Town Office publishes the building permit packet, conditional-use application, variance form and zone-change application; the office telephone is (928) 643-7241.5 Bring the parcel address and proposed use when asking which application to complete. The town building packet requires an owner-builder’s form to be notarized and the original sent to the office.1

Fredonia’s packet also says inspections must be scheduled 24 hours ahead and required work must remain uncovered until the Building Official approves the inspection.1 Before starting work, ask the Town Office to confirm the current checklist, fees and inspection schedule: the posted packet is dated 2011.1

Does the Town of Fredonia have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Fredonia has a town zoning ordinance with Open Space, Agricultural, Single-Family Residential, Mobile Home Residential, Multiple-Family Residential, Commercial and Industrial districts.212 The Agricultural Zone requires minimum lot areas of 5 acres in AG-5, 10 acres in AG-10 and 20 acres in AG-20, with a 200-foot minimum width in each district.9 Agricultural district yards are 20 feet at the front and 15 feet at the sides and rear.9

In Fredonia’s Single-Family Residential Zone, a second dwelling is permitted on a lot of at least 1 acre.8 Buildings in both the Single-Family Residential and Agricultural zones must avoid interfering with a neighbor’s solar rights.1314 Ask the Town Office to identify the parcel’s district before choosing a house location.5

How do septic permits work inside the Town of Fredonia?

Fredonia’s zoning code directs applicants to obtain a County Health Department septic-tank installation permit before applying for a building permit.3 Fredonia prohibits septic tanks where sewer hookup is available within 300 feet, so establish sewer availability before commissioning a septic design.4 The town building packet describes septic clearance as applicable outside the town sewer service area.1

Coconino County Community Development’s Environmental Quality Division handles conventional septic systems and delegated alternative systems up to 3,000 gallons per day.6 Environmental Quality’s work includes site investigations, construction authorizations, inspections of newly constructed systems and discharge authorizations.6 Contact Environmental Quality about the wastewater approval and the Town Office about sewer availability; building approval and wastewater approval are separate steps.64

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Town of Fredonia?

Fredonia allows permanently erected manufactured homes in the Single-Family Residential Zone, subject to that district’s lot and yard standards.7 That provision specifically addresses manufactured homes; it does not establish permission for an occupied RV or a tiny home on wheels.7

We could not confirm Fredonia’s rules for living in an RV, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy. Ask the Town Office about the proposed dwelling type, the parcel’s zoning district and occupancy approval before buying a trailer or arranging utility connections. Fredonia’s published building packet says a building cannot be occupied until a final inspection passes and a certificate of occupancy or temporary occupancy permit is granted.1

What are the steps to building a home in the Town of Fredonia?

  1. Identify the parcel’s town zoning district and check the intended dwelling against the district rules with the Town Office.25
  2. Establish sewer availability; if septic is applicable, obtain county septic approval before the town building-permit application.41
  3. Submit the town application, signed requirement checklist and required documents, and pay the plan-review fee.1
  4. Arrange required building inspections and leave work uncovered until approved by the Building Official.1
  5. Obtain final inspection approval and the certificate of occupancy or temporary occupancy permit before occupying the building.1

For land outside town limits, use the Coconino County guide for the county building-permit process; county residential building procedures do not establish the town’s building-permit process.15

Watch-outs

  • Fredonia’s sewer-distance rule can prevent septic installation even on a lot large enough for the desired dwelling: no septic tank is allowed where sewer hookup is available within 300 feet.4
  • Fredonia’s posted building packet is dated 2011; confirm current building permit fees and application requirements with the Town Office before submitting.1
  • We could not confirm private-well requirements, alternative off-grid sanitation or minimum dwelling floor area in Fredonia; ask the Town Office and Coconino County Environmental Quality before committing to those plans.56

Sources

  1. Town of Fredonia Building Official (fredoniaaz.gov)
  2. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  3. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  4. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  5. Town of Fredonia Town Office — Planning and Zoning (fredoniaaz.gov)
  6. Coconino County Community Development, Environmental Quality Division (coconino.az.gov)
  7. § 153.114 Single-Family Residential Zone (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 153.114 Single-Family Residential Zone (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  9. § 153.113 Agricultural Zone (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  10. § 151.01 Adoption of Uniform Building Code (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 152 Subdivisions (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 153.110 Establishment of Zoning Districts (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 153.114 Single-Family Residential Zone (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 153.113 Agricultural Zone (Town of Fredonia), quoted and re-checked
  15. Minimum Building Plan Requirements, Building Permit Procedures, and Minimum Plan Requirements for Residential Projects (2026 county census)

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Fredonia

Town of Fredonia’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The adopted editions are the 2006 International Building Code and 2006 International Residential Code.
    • At least three copies must be filed in the Clerk’s Office and kept available for public use and inspection.

    International Building Code edition: 2006 · International Residential Code edition: 2006

    ““International Building Code,” 2006 Edition, and “International Residential Code,” 2006 Edition”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The code identifies the chapter as the Town of Fredonia zoning ordinance.
    “The Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Fredonia, Arizona”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The code lists Open Space, Agricultural, Single-Family Residential, Mobile Home Residential, Multiple-Family Residential, Commercial, and Industrial districts.
    “the town is hereby classified into eight zoning districts”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    AG-5, AG-10, and AG-20 districts inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The Agricultural Zone table specifies minimum area and width for each agricultural district.

    AG-5 minimum lot area: >= 5 acres · AG-10 minimum lot area: >= 10 acres · AG-20 minimum lot area: >= 20 acres · agricultural district minimum lot width: 200 feet (Applies to AG-5, AG-10, and AG-20.)

    “District | Area | Width | Front | Side | Rear AG-5 | 5 acres | 200 feet | 20 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet AG-10 | 10 acres | 200 feet | 20 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet AG-20 | 20 acres | 200 feet | 20 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings and structures in the Agricultural Zone inside Fredonia town limits.

    • No building or other structure may interfere with a neighbor’s solar rights.

    height control: No building or other structure shall be erected to interfere with solar rights of neighbor.

    “No building or other structure shall be erected to interfere with solar rights of neighbor.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Buildings and structures in the Single-Family Residential Zone inside Fredonia town limits.
      “No building or other structure shall be erected to interfere with solar rights of neighbor.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Permanently erected manufactured homes in the Single-Family Residential Zone inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The provision applies to single-family dwellings, including permanently erected manufactured homes.
    • The Single-Family Residential Zone has district-specific lot, width, depth, and yard standards.
    “including permanently erected manufactured homes.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    A second dwelling on a Single-Family Residential Zone lot of at least one acre inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The code permits a second dwelling on a lot of one acre or larger.

    minimum lot size for second dwelling: >= 1 acre

    “On a lot of one acre or larger, a second dwelling is permitted.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Septic permitting for lots inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The town zoning code directs applicants to obtain the septic-tank installation permit from the County Health Department before applying for a building permit.
    “All lots for which a building permit is requested shall receive a permit for the installation of a septic tank from the County Health Department prior to making application for the building permit.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Lots inside Fredonia town limits for which a building permit is requested.

    • The County Health Department septic installation permit must be obtained before the building-permit application.
    • No septic tank is allowed where sewer hookup is available within 300 feet.

    sewer hookup availability distance: <= 300 feet (No septic tanks will be allowed where sewer hook-up is available within 300 feet.)

    “receive a permit for the installation of a septic tank”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Fredonia town limits.

    • The municipal code provides preliminary-plat, final-plat, design-standard, review, hearing, fee, and building-permit provisions.
    • Building permits require compliance with the subdivision chapter and planning and zoning ordinance.
    “Preliminary Plat 152.020 Pre-application 152.021 Filing procedure, fee and distribution 152.022 Form of preliminary plat 152.023 Plat contents 152.024 Supplementary information 152.025 Revised plats 152.026 Division into units 152.027 Expiration of approval; extension of time 152.028 Refiling following disapproval 152.029 Subdivision Committee review and action 152.030 Council review and action 152.031 Public hearing”
  • Permit processPartial

    Subdivision and building-permit process inside Fredonia town limits.

    • Subdivision procedures include pre-application, preliminary-plat filing, review, public hearing, final-plat procedures, and fees.
    • A building permit requires full compliance with the subdivision chapter and planning and zoning ordinance.
    • A septic installation permit from the County Health Department is required before a building-permit application for lots subject to § 153.036(C).
    “Preliminary Plat 152.020 Pre-application 152.021 Filing procedure, fee and distribution 152.022 Form of preliminary plat 152.023 Plat contents 152.024 Supplementary information 152.025 Revised plats 152.026 Division into units 152.027 Expiration of approval; extension of time 152.028 Refiling following disapproval 152.029 Subdivision Committee review and action 152.030 Council review and action 152.031 Public hearing”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Fredonia or Coconino County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing inside Fredonia town limits.
  • Inspections — Building, plumbing, electrical, and other inspections inside Fredonia town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Fredonia town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in the Agricultural Zone inside Fredonia town limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Fredonia town limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Fredonia publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Coconino County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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