Bolthole Index

Navajo County, Arizona

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Navajo County, Arizona

54Index Score / 100
#3 of 15 in Arizona

Unincorporated Navajo County, Arizona requires a building permit whenever a project's labor and materials are worth more than $1,000, or the structure is bigger than 200 square feet1. The same office, Planning & Development Services, also administers zoning for the unincorporated county and issues septic and manufactured-home permits23. None of the county's zoning or building rules reach inside an incorporated town or onto reservation land outside the county's authority, so confirm which jurisdiction actually covers your parcel first4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required over $1,000 in labor/materials or for structures over 200 sq ft1
Zoning
Yes, in the unincorporated area only; towns and reservation land are excluded2
Septic permits
Planning & Development Services, delegated by Arizona DEQ3
Owner-builder
Yes, you can build your own home yourself with permits and inspections5
RV on your land
Only temporary (seasonal or up to one year), never permanent, outside an RV park6
Guest houses
One attached plus one or two detached, depending on lot size7
Wells
Notice of Intent to Drill required; county must endorse it for a domestic well on 5 acres or fewer8
Bolthole Index score
53.63 / 1009

Who to call

Building permits

Navajo County Planning & Development Services

Building, manufactured-home, and septic (onsite wastewater) permits, inspections, and zoning administration for unincorporated Navajo County

928-532-6040

1100 E. Thornton Rd., Show Low, AZ 85901

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Navajo County Public Works

Right-of-way and driveway/culvert access permits for county-maintained roads in unincorporated Navajo County

1100 E Thornton Road, Show Low, AZ 85901

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 Navajo County, Arizona?

Unincorporated Navajo County requires a building permit whenever a remodeling or construction project is estimated at more than $1,000 in labor and materials, or whenever a shed or other structure is bigger than 200 square feet110. A storage shed at or under 200 square feet doesn't need a permit if it sits in the rear of the property, keeps its distance from other structures and the septic system, and meets the zoning district's setbacks and fire separations — but any accessory building with electrical, plumbing, or other utilities needs a permit regardless of size11. Arizona sets that same $1,000 threshold as the statewide baseline for counties that require permits, and Navajo County's own ordinance matches it12. You are allowed to build your own house yourself, so long as you follow all federal, state, and local codes, submit a complete set of construction documents, and pass routine inspections; Arizona's owner-builder law exempts an owner from needing a contractor's license for a home built for the owner's own occupancy, though it does not waive the permit or inspections513.

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

Navajo County's Planning & Development Services issues building, septic, and manufactured-home permits and administers zoning for the unincorporated county1413. Reach the office at 928-532-6040, at 1100 E. Thornton Rd., Show Low, Arizona (mailing address P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025), Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.14. Inspections are required at every phase of construction — footings, foundation, under-floor, rough frame, shear wall, roof sheathing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, meter-loop, gas line, septic, and signs — and can generally be scheduled with 24 hours' notice, Monday through Friday15. Footing, foundation, and septic inspections require your property lines and setbacks to be clearly marked before the inspector arrives15.

Does Navajo County have zoning?

Navajo County's Zoning Ordinance covers the unincorporated areas of the county only — it excludes land inside any incorporated town or city, and it excludes reservation land outside the county's authority24. The county's own zoning-check tool puts it simply: if your parcel is inside the shaded municipal overlay on the map, it's inside a town; if not, it's in unincorporated Navajo County under the county's own zoning16. Unincorporated land is classified into districts including A-General, Rural districts named for their minimum acres per dwelling (RU-20, RU-10, RU-5, and RU-1, meaning 20, 10, 5, or 1 acre per home), Single-Family districts (R1-43 and R1-10), and Commercial-Residential and Industrial districts17. Setbacks vary by district: A-General requires a 20-foot front, 20-foot rear, and 10-foot side setback, and other districts set their own numbers under the same state authority that lets counties fix setback lines by ordinance1819. Confirm your specific parcel's district, minimum lot size, and setbacks with Planning & Development Services before you buy or build14.

How do septic and well permits work in Navajo County?

Septic systems in unincorporated Navajo County go through Planning & Development Services, which acts under a delegation agreement with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for systems under 3,000 gallons a day320. You apply with a Notice of Intent to Construct, and once approved you have two years to build; after construction, inspection, and testing, you file a Notice of Intent to Discharge and need a Discharge Authorization before you can actually use the system21. Only about 22.1% of Navajo County's soils carry no severe USDA rating against a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation to matter here22. If you're buying an existing home on septic, Arizona law requires the seller to have the system inspected within six months before the transfer, and the buyer must file a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days after closing23. Composting toilets and other listed alternative systems are allowed, but still need the county's application review and a construction/discharge authorization, just like a conventional system24. For a well, you need a Notice of Intent to Drill filed with the Arizona Department of Water Resources before drilling, deepening, or modifying it, and for domestic use on a parcel of 5 acres or fewer, the county or local health authority must endorse that notice before it goes to the state8.

Can you place an RV, guest house, or manufactured home on your land in Navajo County?

A single RV outside an approved RV park can only be placed temporarily in unincorporated Navajo County, and only in an A-General, Rural, Single-Family, or qualifying Special Development zoning district; it must sit an extra 10 feet back from every property line beyond the normal setback, connect to permanent power with no generators, and dispose of garbage and sewage through an approved system6. A Seasonal RV Permit allows one placement of up to 120 days per calendar year, and a Temporary RV Permit allows one RV for up to one year, often tied to a building permit for a house you're constructing on the same lot; no RV may ever be a permanent residence or a rental unit6. Using an RV, or primitive camping, on vacant Navajo County land for more than 30 consecutive days within the same calendar year outside those permits is treated as a code violation25. Guest houses are allowed in any zoning district where a single-family home is allowed: one attached and one detached guest house on a lot under one acre, or one attached and two detached on a lot of one acre or more, each at least 5 feet from the rear and side property lines; a travel trailer or RV cannot be used as a guest house, though a manufactured home or park model can be if it sits on a permanent or semi-permanent foundation7. We could not confirm a specific Navajo County rule on tiny-home occupancy as its own category — ask Planning & Development Services whether your particular structure counts as a dwelling, a manufactured home, a factory-built building, a park model, or an RV before you buy or build2.

Building a home in Navajo County, Arizona: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Navajo County, not inside a town or on reservation land, and check its zoning district with Planning & Development Services at 928-532-6040142.
  2. If you're not on a public sewer, apply for a septic permit through Planning & Development Services with a Notice of Intent to Construct2114.
  3. If you need a well, file a Notice of Intent to Drill with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, endorsed by the county for a domestic well on 5 acres or fewer8.
  4. If you'll need a new or improved access onto a county-maintained road, get a right-of-way permit from Navajo County Public Works before any permanent construction, culvert, or driveway work2627.
  5. Submit your building permit application and construction documents to Planning & Development Services141.
  6. Build within two years of your septic construction approval, and complete the septic system, inspection, and testing before you file for a Discharge Authorization21.
  7. Schedule inspections as construction reaches each phase — footings, foundation, framing, and so on — generally with 24 hours' notice15.
  8. If the parcel is in a mapped flood hazard area, get a Development Permit before any development begins, including placing a manufactured home28.

What to check before you buy land in Navajo County

Navajo County sits about 142 miles from the nearest city of 100,000 or more people by straight-line distance, making it one of the more remote counties on the Bolthole Index29. It's also dry: the county gets only about 10.8 inches of rain a year and has been in severe drought about 41% of years, so water — a well, a hauled-water plan, or a verified existing source — deserves more attention here than almost anything else3031. About 73.1% of the county's land sits at 15% slope or less, and just 16.1% is wooded, with federal land covering 9.5% of the county323334. Average annual temperature is about 52.7°F, with mid-century projections showing about 9.1 days a year at or above 100°F3536. Farmland here has recently traded around $325 an acre, reflecting the county's dry rangeland rather than irrigated cropland, while the typical home value is about $401,700 and typical home insurance runs about $1,251 a year373839. Expect a comparatively low effective property tax rate near 0.6% and a median annual property tax bill around $1,1264041. Arizona bars counties from banning short-term rentals outright, so a neighboring property could legally operate one under county rules, capped at a $250 permit fee and a 7-business-day decision if Navajo County requires a local permit42. Before you buy, confirm the parcel is unincorporated and outside reservation land, since that determines which zoning and building rules actually apply4.

Watch-outs

  • Navajo County's zoning and building rules stop at the edge of any incorporated town and at reservation boundaries; confirm which jurisdiction covers your specific parcel before assuming county rules apply4.
  • No RV may be a permanent residence in unincorporated Navajo County — even a Temporary RV Permit tops out at one year, and using an RV or camping on vacant land for more than 30 consecutive days without one is a code violation625.
  • We could not confirm a specific tiny-home occupancy rule or a minimum dwelling floor area in Navajo County's zoning ordinance; ask Planning & Development Services directly before you plan around either2.

Sources

  1. Navajo County Planning & Development Services - Building FAQ (2026 county census)
  2. Navajo County Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  3. Construction Permit Application (2026 county census)
  4. Navajo County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  5. A.R.S. 32-1121 Owner-Builder Exemption (2026 county census)
  6. Article 15 – Recreational Vehicle Placement (RV), quoted and re-checked
  7. Navajo County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  8. Well Drilling in Arizona, quoted and re-checked
  9. Bolthole Index score (off-grid/homestead land score): Bolthole Index county data
  10. Navajo County Questions & Answers Packet, quoted and re-checked
  11. Navajo County Questions & Answers Packet, quoted and re-checked
  12. 11-321 - Building permits; issuance; state preemption; utilities; distribution of copies; subsequent owner; limitation; definition (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. A.R.S. § 32-1121, Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability, quoted and re-checked
  14. Navajo County Planning & Development Services (navajocountyaz.gov)
  15. Construction Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  16. Navajo County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Article 2 – Zoning Districts, quoted and re-checked
  18. Article 3 - A-General Zoning District, quoted and re-checked
  19. 11-811 - Zoning ordinance; zoning districts; definitions (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Construction Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  21. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Type 4.02–4.23 General Permit, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. Notice of Transfer and Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  24. Construction Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  25. Navajo County FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  26. Navajo County Public Works (navajocountyaz.gov)
  27. Right-of-Way, quoted and re-checked
  28. Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Average annual temperature: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Projected mid-century days at or above 100°F: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  38. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  39. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  41. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  42. A.R.S. § 11-269.17, quoted and re-checked

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.

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County locator

Navajo County in Arizona

54
County map
Navajo County highlighted among the Arizona counties · colored by Index score

How Navajo County scores

Seclusion81100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency25100% ev.
Admin Boringness48100% ev.
Durability47100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% 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 →

$402kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$325Land / acre
10.8"Annual rain
41% of yrsSevere drought
9.1 / yr (+7.8)Mid-century 100°F days
42 daysMid-century dry spell
0.83" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,251Home insurance / yr
3.5% / yrInsurance growth
1.78%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,523Radius comparison (15 mi)
11People / sq mi
9.5%Federal land
73.1%Land at 15% slope or less
22.1%Septic soil without severe limits
1,052,323 acWorkable land screen
16.1%Wooded land
12.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Navajo County

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

Navajo County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Specified exempt work in unincorporated Navajo County.

    • One-story detached accessory structures must not exceed 200 square feet and must meet property-line, septic-system, and other-building setbacks and fire separations.
    • Deck exemptions require no more than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade, no attachment to a dwelling, no service to the required exit door, 10 feet of separation from septic components, and compliance with zoning and property-line setbacks.
    • Interior remodeling is exempt only when materials and labor do not exceed $1,000.
    • The packet directs applicants to consult the building official for gas, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and emergency repairs.

    detached accessory structure area: <= 200 sq ft (Must satisfy the stated setbacks and fire separations.) · deck area: <= 200 sq ft (Additional height, attachment, exit-door, septic, zoning, and property-line conditions apply.) · interior remodeling materials and labor: <= 1000 USD (The exemption is for remodeling not exceeding this amount.)

    “One story detached(a) accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, provided it meets all setbacks from property lines, septic system and other buildings, and achieves fire separations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, alteration, repair, movement, conversion, enlargement, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work in unincorporated Navajo County.
      “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, move, convert, enlarge or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or erect, install, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code. or if the structure is greater than 200 square feet, has any utilities or sleeping quarters, shall first make application and obtain the required permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction in the unincorporated portions of Navajo County.

    • Navajo County amended its addenda and additions to the 2018 IBC and IRC.
    • The approved document is used in conjunction with construction in the unincorporated portions of Navajo County.
    • The resolution states an effective date of June 22, 2022.

    adopted residential code: 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) · adopted building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) · effective date: 2022-06-22

    “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors that the amendments to Navajo County Addenda and Additions to the 2018 International Building Code and the 2018 International Residential Code are APPROVED and the attached document shall be used in conjunction with construction in the unincorporated portions of Navajo County with an effective date of June 22, 2022.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction covered by a Navajo County construction permit in unincorporated Navajo County.

    • Inspections are required for all listed construction phases, including footings, foundations, under-floor, rough frame, shear wall, roof sheathing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, meter-loop, gas line, septic systems, and signs.
    • Footing, foundation, and septic inspections require property lines and required yard setbacks to be clearly marked.
    • Inspections can generally be scheduled with 24-hour notice, Monday through Friday.
    • After a building is totally enclosed, someone must be on the premises for further inspections.
    • All utilities must be on and working for the final inspection.

    general inspection notice: 24 hours (The county says inspections can generally be scheduled within this notice period, Monday through Friday.)

    “Inspections are required for all phases of construction; footings, foundations, under- floor, rough frame, shear wall, roof sheathing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, meter-loop, gas line, septic systems, and signs.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Relocation within unincorporated Navajo County of a mobile home lawfully located there as of March 1, 2024.

    • The owner must obtain rehabilitation verification and any relevant permits from the Navajo County Building Division before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
    • The ordinance states that the rule applies when the mobile home is thereafter relocated to another location within the unincorporated area.
    • The ordinance’s exception for a mobile home certified as rehabilitated to HUD standards by the State Office of Manufactured Housing or its designee applies to the age-based placement prohibition.

    ordinance date: 2024-03-01

    “If a Mobile Home lawfully located in the unincorporated area of Navajo County as of March 1, 2024, is thereafter to be relocated to another location within the unincorporated area of Navajo County, the owner shall obtain rehabilitation verification and any relevant permits from the Navajo County Building Division prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (COO).”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning regulation in the unincorporated areas of Navajo County, Arizona.

    • The ordinance does not apply to land within the boundary of a reservation and outside Navajo County authority.
    • The ordinance excludes areas within incorporated towns and cities.
    • The ordinance establishes zoning districts and development standards, including setbacks, lot coverage, yards, and open spaces.
    “The Navajo County Zoning Ordinance is an enactment for the unincorporated areas of Navajo County, Arizona, except land within the boundary of a reservation and outside the authority of Navajo County, including those areas within incorporated towns and cities. This Ordinance divides the unincorporated areas of Navajo County into Zoning Districts appropriate for various classes of residential, commercial, and industrial uses.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Navajo County, including county zoning in unincorporated areas and separate zoning authority in incorporated towns and cities.

    • Navajo County zoning applies to unincorporated areas.
    • The county ordinance expressly excludes incorporated towns and cities, where municipal zoning rules may apply instead.
    • The county ordinance also excludes reservation land outside Navajo County authority.
    “If your property is within the yellow overlay, you are within the nearest municipal boundary, if not - you are within the unincorporated area of Navajo County.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Published Navajo County zoning districts for unincorporated land.

    • The ordinance classifies unincorporated Navajo County into A-General, RU-20, RU-10, RU-5, RU-1, R1-43, R1-10, R-2, R-3, C-R, IND-1, IND-2, and SD districts.
    • Zoning district boundaries are shown on official zoning district maps incorporated into the ordinance.
    • Lands not previously zoned by another jurisdiction are subject to the A-General district until zoning hearings are held.
    • Lands previously zoned by another jurisdiction retain that zoning until the county holds hearings to zone them under the ordinance.

    RU-20 minimum area per dwelling unit: 20 acres · RU-10 minimum area per dwelling unit: 10 acres · RU-5 minimum area per dwelling unit: 5 acres · RU-1 minimum area per dwelling unit: 1 acre · R1-43 area per dwelling unit: 43000 square feet · R1-10 area per dwelling unit: 10000 square feet

    “For the purpose of this Ordinance, the unincorporated area of Navajo County is hereby classified into the following zoning districts.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Required building yards and setbacks in unincorporated Navajo County zoning districts.

    • A-General requires 20-foot front, 20-foot rear, and 10-foot side setbacks.
    • RU-20, RU-10, RU-5, and RU-1 each require 20-foot front, rear, and side setbacks.
    • R1-43 requires 20-foot front, rear, and side setbacks; R1-10 requires 20-foot front, rear, and 10-foot side setbacks.
    • R-2 and R-3 require 20-foot front, 15-foot rear, and 5-foot side setbacks.
    • C-R requires 20-foot front, 15-foot rear, and 5-foot side setbacks.
    • Article 25 contains additional yard rules, projections, corner-lot visibility restrictions, accessory-building rules, and a discretionary administrative waiver of up to 15%.

    A-General front/rear/side setback: 20 / 20 / 10 feet · RU districts front/rear/side setback: 20 / 20 / 20 feet · R1-43 front/rear/side setback: 20 / 20 / 20 feet · R1-10 front/rear/side setback: 20 / 20 / 10 feet · R-2/R-3 front/rear/side setback: 20 / 15 / 5 feet · C-R front/rear/side setback: 20 / 15 / 5 feet

    “Front Yard Setback (Feet) 20 20 Rear Yard Setback (Feet) 20 20 Side Yard Setback (Feet) 20 10”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Placement and occupancy of a single recreational vehicle outside an approved RV park in unincorporated Navajo County.

    • The county article regulates RV placement outside approved RV parks and provides for temporary placement; it does not regulate RVs within approved RV parks, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks, or County Parks.
    • A single RV is allowed only in A-General, Rural (RU), Single-Family (R1), or qualifying Special Development zoning districts.
    • An RV may not be placed in Industrial (IND), Commercial-Residential (C-R), or Multi-Family (R) districts except in an approved RV Park; the Director may waive this restriction case-by-case and grant a Temporary RV Permit upon a showing of good cause.
    • No RV may be placed on a permanent basis or as a rental unit.
    • The RV must comply with parcel zoning regulations and setbacks and be placed an additional ten feet from all property lines.
    • Floodplain requirements apply and a separate Floodplain Use Permit may be required.
    • Garbage and sewage must be disposed of in an approved system; the RV must be connected to permanent power; generators are prohibited; site-built additions may not be attached; and required building permits must be obtained.
    • A Seasonal RV Permit allows one placement once per calendar year for up to 120 days and may be renewed once per calendar year for good cause.
    • A Temporary RV Permit allows one RV for up to one year and may be renewed for good cause. A permit may run with a building permit for a principal dwelling and expires when the building permit expires, a certificate of occupancy is issued, or one year elapses, whichever comes first.
    • Temporary RV Permit fees are set by a Board of Supervisors fee schedule.

    additional property-line setback: 10 feet · seasonal placement duration: <= 120 days (one time each calendar year with Seasonal RV Permit) · temporary placement duration: up to one year (with Temporary RV Permit)

    “This Article provides for the temporary placement of an RV.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Primitive camping on vacant property and one-time RV use exceeding 30 consecutive days in the same calendar year in unincorporated Navajo County.

    • Navajo County Code Enforcement identifies an RV one-time use for more than 30 consecutive days within the same calendar year or primitive camping on vacant property as a code violation.
    • Other camping contexts are not established by this source and remain outside this claim.

    RV one-time use threshold: > 30 consecutive days (within the same calendar year)

    “Recreational Vehicle (one-time use for more than 30 consecutive days within the same calendar year) or primitive camping on vacant property.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Guest houses/accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Navajo County zoning districts where single-family dwellings are allowed.

    • On lots under one acre, a maximum of one attached and one detached guest house are permitted.
    • On lots of one acre or more, a maximum of one attached and two detached guest houses are permitted.
    • Guest houses must be at least five feet from rear and side property lines; front setbacks are those required for the primary dwelling in the applicable zoning district.
    • Single-family dwellings, manufactured homes including rehabilitated mobile homes, and factory-built buildings may be used as guest houses where those structures are allowed as primary dwelling units.
    • Travel trailers and recreational vehicles are prohibited as guest houses.
    • Park models may be used where guest houses are permissible if placed on a permanent or semi-permanent foundation and all other permitting requirements are met.
    • An attached guest house does not require a guest-house permit, but applicable building, environmental-quality, and engineering permits apply to all guest houses; detached applications require a department form, site plan, property description, preliminary floor plans, and elevations.

    maximum attached guest houses on lots under one acre: 1 guest house · maximum detached guest houses on lots under one acre: 1 guest house · maximum detached guest houses on lots of one acre or more: 2 guest houses · rear/side setback: >= 5 feet minimum (front setback follows primary-dwelling zoning requirement)

    “Guest Houses shall be permitted in all zoning districts in which single-family dwellings are an allowed use.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater treatment facilities in Navajo County that fall within the county's delegated authority.

    • Navajo County acts through a delegation agreement with ADEQ.
    • For the 4.02 permit, the delegated county authority covers septic systems with design flow less than 3000 gallons per day.
    • Projects presenting a conflict of interest if reviewed by the local authority are not delegated and ADEQ reviews those projects.

    delegated 4.02 design flow: < 3000 gallons per day (Projects presenting a conflict of interest are reviewed by ADEQ.)

    “THEREFORE, the Director of ADEQ delegates to the Navajo County Planning and Development Services as LA, and the LA accepts the delegation”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction and operation of residential conventional or alternative on-site wastewater treatment facilities in Navajo County.

    • Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to Construct that meets state design requirements.
    • After approval, construction is authorized and must be completed within two years.
    • After construction, inspection, and testing, the applicant must submit a Notice of Intent to Discharge.
    • A Discharge Authorization is required before operation.
    • County review fees may differ from ADEQ fees.

    construction period after approval: 2 years · delegated conventional 4.02 design flow: < 3000 gallons per day (Higher-flow or non-delegated projects may require ADEQ review.)

    “The permitting process requires applicants to submit a Notice of Intent to Construct an onsite wastewater treatment facility that meets state design requirements.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Alternative on-site sanitation systems, including composting toilets, in Navajo County.

    • Composting toilets and listed alternative systems are subject to county application review and construction/discharge authorization.
    • The county's delegated authority is conditional and includes issuance or denial, inspections, compliance, and enforcement.
    • The cited county delegation materials do not establish unrestricted off-grid sanitation without approval.

    listed alternative system design flow: < 3000 gallons per day (Some alternative systems or projects may be reviewed by ADEQ rather than the county.)

    “Also, Navajo County does permit some alternative systems as well. [...] 4.03 Composting Toilet”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Homes built through Navajo County's A Home of My Own program.

    • The program requires either permitting and installing a septic system or providing evidence of a connection to a wastewater system.
    • The page states that the requirement applies before submitting for a permit through the A Home of My Own Program.
    • This source does not establish a countywide sewer-connection requirement outside that program.
    “will need to permit and install a septic system or provide evidence of a connection to a wastewater system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Use or occupation of land or improvements for railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing, or general agricultural purposes under Navajo County zoning regulations.

    • The exemption applies only when the lot is five or more contiguous acres.
    • The qualifying zones named are C-R, Ind-1, and Ind-2.
    • The paragraph does not affect uses or zones where the use is expressly permitted.
    • The ordinance specifically states that the exemption has no effect on agricultural uses allowed in the A-General Zone.
    • Other applicable regulations, including subdivision, septic, floodplain, building, and health requirements, may still apply.

    minimum contiguous acreage: >= 5 acres · qualifying zoning districts: C-R, Ind-1, and Ind-2 (No effect where the use or zone is expressly permitted; no effect on agricultural uses allowed in A-General.)

    “This Ordinance shall not prevent, restrict or otherwise regulate [...] general agricultural purposes, if the lot concerned is five or more contiguous acres [...] C-R, Ind-1, and Ind-2.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in Navajo County, including subdivision activity in the county's unincorporated area.

    • The county subdivision regulations were approved and adopted by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
    • In the A-General Zoning District, no subdivision may be conducted or approved without prior rezoning of the land intended to be subdivided.
    • Subdivision regulations include plat, improvement, utility, sewage, floodplain, engineering, approval, and recording requirements.
    • The regulations state that a subdivision developer is a person or entity that initiates proceedings for a subdivision of six or more lots; applicability of other subdivision and land-division rules may depend on the specific proposal.

    subdivider threshold stated in definitions: >= 6 lots (Definition in the subdivision regulations; other land-division rules may apply separately.)

    “Any land or lands in the unincorporated territory of Navajo County [...] shall be subject to all of the provisions of the Subdivision Regulations.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Permanent construction, improvements, culvert installation, or new access involving a Navajo County road right-of-way in unincorporated Navajo County.

    • A right-of-way permit is required before permanent construction or improvements within the Navajo County road right-of-way.
    • For county-maintained roads, the permit process coordinates with Highway Maintenance for installing culverts and reviewing new access.
    • Routine maintenance on a public easement that is not a county-maintained roadway may not need a permit unless more than 50 cubic yards of roadway material is moved, permanent improvements are performed, or permanent obstructions are created.
    • Applications require job prints and a traffic control plan; failure to provide them may cause significant delays or denial.

    roadway material threshold for routine-maintenance permit exception: > 50 cubic yards (routine maintenance on a non-county-maintained public easement)

    “Prior to performing any permanent construction or improvements within the Navajo County Road right-of-way, a permit shall be applied for at the Navajo County Public Works Department.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development, including manufactured-home placement, within an Area of Special Flood Hazard under the jurisdiction of the Navajo County Flood Control District.

    • A Development Permit must be obtained before development begins in an Area of Special Flood Hazard.
    • The application may require scaled plans showing the nature, location, dimensions, elevations, structures, fill, storage, drainage facilities, and related locations.
    • Required information includes proposed lowest-floor elevations; floodproofing elevation for nonresidential structures; professional certification of nonresidential floodproofing; and a description of any watercourse alteration or relocation.
    • Floodway encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, are prohibited unless a registered professional engineer or architect certifies that they will not increase flood levels during the base flood discharge.

    maximum permitted cumulative increase in base-flood water-surface elevation where no floodway is designated: <= 1 foot

    “A Development Permit shall be obtained before Development, including placement of a Manufactured Home, begins within any Area of Special Flood Hazard.”

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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Owners of property who perform work themselves, through their own employees, or through duly licensed contractors, where the structures are solely for the owner’s occupancy and not 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.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Land divisions reviewed under Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-831 and subject to applicable county zoning designations.

    • Each resulting lot, parcel, or fractional interest must meet the minimum applicable county zoning requirements of the applicable zoning designation.
    • The statute defines those minimum applicable county zoning requirements as the minimum acreage and dimensions required by the county zoning ordinance.
    • The actual acreage and dimensions vary by county and zoning district and are not established by this statewide record.

    resulting lot area and dimensions: minimum applicable county zoning requirements

    “The lots, parcels or fractional interests each meet the minimum applicable county zoning requirements of the applicable zoning designation.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations in Arizona's unincorporated county zoning districts.

    • A county board of supervisors may establish the percentage of a lot or parcel that may be covered by buildings.
    • The applicable percentage depends on the county zoning ordinance and district; this record does not supply a universal numeric percentage.

    maximum building lot coverage: percentage established by applicable county zoning ordinance percent

    “May establish the percentage of a lot or parcel that may be covered by buildings”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations governing the height and location of buildings in Arizona county zoning districts.

    • The applicable height standard depends on the county zoning ordinance and zoning district.
    • No universal statewide residential height limit was established by the reviewed statute.

    building height: regulated by applicable county zoning regulations

    “the height and location of buildings”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Properties in Navajo County served by a conventional septic system or alternative onsite system when the home is transferred after resale.

    • The inspection requirement is triggered by resale of a home by an owner or with the assistance of a real estate professional.
    • The seller must retain a qualified inspector.
    • The inspection must occur within six months before the property transfer.
    • The buyer must submit a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days after transfer.

    inspection timing: 6 months before property transfer · Notice of Transfer deadline: 15 calendar days after transfer

    “The seller of a property served by a conventional septic system or alternative system shall retain a certified inspector”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling a new groundwater well or deepening or modifying an existing well in Arizona, including Navajo County.

    • A Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed with ADWR before drilling, deepening, or modifying a well.
    • The application must include the appropriate filing fee.
    • The authority to deepen or drill is valid for one year; after that, a new Notice of Intent is required.
    • A licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work.
    • A Notice of Intent is not required for an exploration or specialty well that is less than 100 feet deep and not expected to hit water; if water is encountered, an NOI must be filed.
    • An NOI is also not required for oil, gas, or helium wells regulated by the Oil and Gas Commission.
    • For domestic use on a parcel of five acres or fewer, the applicable county or local health authority must endorse the NOI before submission to ADWR and a site plan must be attached.

    domestic parcel threshold for county health review: <= 5 acres · exploration or specialty well exemption depth: < 100 feet (The well must not be expected to hit water; an NOI is required if water is encountered.) · drilling authority validity: 1 year (A new NOI is required after expiration.)

    “Prior to drilling a new well, or deepening or modifying an existing well, a Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed with ADWR.”
  • Short-term rentalsAllowed (with conditions)

    Vacation rentals and short-term rentals in Arizona, including unincorporated Navajo County.

    • A county may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals.
    • A county may regulate them in unincorporated areas for public health and safety, qualifying use and zoning ordinances, specified prohibited activities, emergency contact information, local regulatory permits or licenses, notice to neighboring properties, advertising identification, liability insurance, and certain accessory-dwelling-unit owner-residency requirements.
    • A local regulatory permit or license fee may not exceed the actual cost of issuance or $250, whichever is less.
    • A county requiring a local regulatory permit or license must issue or deny it within seven business days after receiving the required information, subject to statutory denial grounds.
    • Short-term rentals may not be used for nonresidential uses such as special events requiring a permit, retail, restaurants, banquets, or similar uses.

    maximum local regulatory permit or license fee: <= 250 USD (fee may not exceed the actual cost of issuing the permit or license if lower) · permit or license decision deadline: 7 business days (applies after receipt of information required by statute) · minimum liability insurance: >= 500000 USD (unless offered through an online lodging marketplace providing equal or greater coverage)

    “A. A county may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals.”
  • 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”
    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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”

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 requirement for residential dwellings in unincorporated Navajo County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home in unincorporated Navajo 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.

Water rights & wells in Navajo County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arizona’s water agency.

Managed area

Groundwater is actively managed here, but a small household well is generally still available.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Small non-irrigation 'exempt' wells (pump capacity 35 gpm or less) are allowed statewide, including inside Active Management Areas and INAs, but must be registered with ADWR; outside any AMA/INA groundwater is essentially rule of capture. Inside an AMA a new subdivision or large use must show an Assured Water Supply.

Limit: exempt well = pump capacity 35 gpm or less (A.R.S. §45-454)

Arizona Dept of Water Resources — Exempt Well ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arizona state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Navajo County, Arizona

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

Navajo County scores 54/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: sparse surroundings — about 6,523 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 10.8″ of rain a year, in severe drought 41% of years.

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

Navajo County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Navajo County Planning & Development Services (ADEQ-delegated). 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Navajo County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Placement and occupancy of a single recreational vehicle outside an approved RV park in unincorporated Navajo County. The county article regulates RV placement outside approved RV parks and provides for temporary placement; it does not regulate RVs within approved RV parks, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks, or County Parks. A single RV is allowed only in A-General, Rural (RU), Single-Family (R1), or qualifying Special Development zoning districts. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Navajo County, Arizona?

Land in Navajo County runs about $325 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Navajo County?

Navajo County gets about 10.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 41% of years. On water rights, Navajo County lies in the Joseph City Irrigation Non-Expansion Area — Irrigation of new acreage is prohibited; no AMA-style Assured Water Supply requirement; domestic exempt wells (≤35 gpm) still allowed..

How remote is Navajo County?

A typical private-land location has about 6,523 people within 15 miles and 280,381 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Navajo compares in Arizona

Compare side-by-side →See all 15 Arizona counties ranked →