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1. What are the adopted building codes for Coconino County?

Please click here to view: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2391/Building-Codes-Ordinances-Design-Criteri

2. What are the minimum uniformly distributed live loads for Coconino County?

The minimum uniformly distributed live loads for Coconino County are:

• Attics made usable when the attic truss is a bonus room (habitable space), the floor Live Load shall be a minimum of forty (40) pounds per square foot (psf).
• Decks and Exterior Balconies – forty (60) psf.
• Sleeping Rooms – thirty (30) psf.
• Habitable Space – forty (40) psf.
• Storage Rooms – thirty (30) psf.

3. What are the snow load requirements for Coconino County?

Please click here to view: https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8134/Design-Criteria-?bidId=

4. What is the design criteria for Coconino County?

Please click here to view: https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8134/Design-Criteria-?bidId=

5. When do I need a building permit?

The list below indicates when a building permit is not required:

• One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Additionally these structures shall have a maximum wall height of eight (8) feet and a maximum overall building height of fifteen (15) feet. All property setbacks and distances between buildings shall be complied with.
• Fences not over 7 feet tall, Check with Planning and Zoning for zoning requirements.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Check with Planning and Zoning for zoning requirements.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Sidewalk and driveways. Check with Community Development Engineering Division for other requirements.
• Paint, paper, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
• Swings and other playground equipment.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not requires additional support.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by the IRC 2012 Section R311.4.
• One-Story detached agricultural Hoop Greenhouse. An agricultural greenhouse is a structure for horticulture (growing plants for food and flowers) and it is mainly a glazed or translucent structure such as a hoop greenhouse. Additionally, these structures shall have a maximum wall height of eight (8) feet and a maximum overall building height of fifteen (15) feet. All property setbacks and distances between buildings shall be complied with.

6. Are there local sustainable building professionals that can help me with my project?

Yes. The Sustainable Building Program maintains a Resource Directory of current builders and other service providers that have experience with sustainable building.

7. I live within the Sedona Fire District. Are there special codes I need to be aware of if building?

The Sedona Fire District, to include Oak Creek Canyon, has adopted the 2018 Wildland and Urban Interface Codes as amended by the Sedona Fire District.  Class 1 ignition resistant construction and fire suppression systems are required, in addition to compliance of the Wildland and Urban Interface Codes.  For additional information, please contact Chief Fire Marshal Dori Booth (928)282-6800. The Sedona Fire Marshal will be conducting concurrent plan reviews with Coconino County to ensure code compliance.     

Please visit the Sedona Fire District’s website at:  https://www.sedonafire.org/fire-prevention/plan-development-review/

Sedona Fire District Amendments to the Wildland and Urban Interface Codes can be located here:  https://www.sedonafire.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SFD-2018-Wildland-Urban-Interface-Amendments.pdf

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1. What is a floodplain?

A floodplain is the part of the land where water collects, pools, and flows during stormwater runoff events. Such areas are classified as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and are located in a 100-year flood zone.

The term “100-year flood” can be misleading. It is not the flood event which occurs only once in a 100-year time span. Rather, it is a flood discharge that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. The 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time

The 100-year flood zone is used by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as the standard for floodplain management to determine flood risk. For example, a structure located in a 100-year floodplain has a 26% chance of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30-year mortgage.

2. Is my property in a floodplain?

A Floodplain Status Report will provide this information.  An online request form is available.

3. What do the terms Base Flood Elevation & Regulatory Flood Elevation mean?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirement for building structures in flood hazard areas is that the floor of the lowest habitable enclosure must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The BFE is based on the floodplain delineation for the 100-year peak runoff event.

In order to minimize potential damage to residential structures in flood hazard areas, the  Coconino County Floodplain Regulations Ordinance requires an additional foot of freeboard above the BFE, which is referred as the Regulatory Flood Elevation (RFE).

4. What is an Elevation Certificate (EC)?

An  Elevation Certificate is an important tool that documents your building’s elevation. 

5. How do I get an Elevation Certificate (EC) for my building?

There are several ways to obtain an Elevation Certificate (EC):

• Contact the  Coconino County Engineering Division (928-679-8850). A copy of the EC might be on file.
• Ask the sellers. When buying a property, ask the sellers to give you their EC. If they don’t have an EC, ask if they can provide one before settlement.
• Ask the developer or builder. In a high-risk area, the developer or builder might have been required to get an EC at the time of construction.
• Check the property deed. ECs sometimes are included with the property deed.
• Hire a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or certified architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. For a fee, these professionals can complete an EC for you. To find a professional surveyor:
  • Check with the  Arizona Board of Technical Registration, or
  • Use an online search engine, or
  • Contact the State NFIP coordinator Brian Cosson.

6. I would like to install a driveway and/or culvert to access my property. Do I need an encroachment permit?

It depends . . .

• 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.

7. Utility locating and marking is required by law. How do I request it?

Before you dig, contact Arizona Blue Stake 811 or 1 (800) 782-5348, or online at Arizona Blue Stake. Notification is required 48 hours before any digging begins.

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1. What uses am I allowed to conduct on my property?

Permitted and conditional uses (those requiring a public hearing process before initiation) are specific to your property’s zoning classification. To find the zone of your property, use the Coconino County Parcel Viewer and turn on the County Zoning Layer. The Zoning Ordinance lists permitted and conditional uses by zone in Chapter 2: Zoning Districts, specifically in the land use Tables 2-6 (page 39), 2-9 (page 49), and 2-12 (page 67).

2. What is the County Comprehensive Plan?

Refer to the Comprehensive Plan information page..

The Final Draft of the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan was adopted on December 15, 2015.

3. What is a Zoning Violation and how do I report one?

This brochure explains how Zoning Violations are enforced.

Visit the Online Portal to submit a concern or code enforcement request. You must register, log in, then click on "Contact Us," and finally "Report a Concern" and follow the prompts from there. Requests cannot be anonymous or they will not be responded to. A staff member will receive your request through the portal and be in touch with you to follow up. Paper forms are no longer accepted.”

4. How do I request a Zone Change?

This brochure explains the Zone Change process.

5. What is a Pre-Application meeting and how do I schedule one?

This brochure explains the Pre-Application Meeting process. To schedule a pre-application meeting, please visit this page and follow the instructions.

6. What is a Variance Request and how do I get one?

This brochure explains the Variance Request process.

7. What is a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and how do I get one?

This brochure explains the Conditional Use Permitting process.

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1. Can I reuse gray water in Coconino County?

In general, the County allows for gray water reuse, but all systems need to meet Arizona’s Dept. of Environmental Qualities requirements, as well as, the Gray water Guidelines from Coconino County Environmental Services. Coconino County Environmental Services Division reviews plans for waste water systems, including gray water. For more information and resources on gray water reuse, visit the water section on Sustainable Building Program’s website or contact Environmental Services for specific system information at (928) 679-8850.

2. Are composting toilets allowed in Coconino County?

Yes, they are a general permit that can be applied for in conjunction with a wastewater permit design.

3. Do I need to get a permit to make repairs to my septic system?

Yes. You can download the permit application from the Environmental Quality web page. (open the septic system application, under permit type, check the box for repair only) or contact our office for assistance (928) 679-8764.

4. How do I find out if a septic system on a property is permitted, the type and size of system, and if there are site plans or as-built drawings of the wastewater system?

Submit a Septic Information request. The form is available on the Environmental Quality web page under Transfer of Ownership. Fax, mail or bring the form into our office with payment for processing. There is an administrative fee for the septic information search. The fee is charged regardless of the file search results. File searches are processed in the order that they are received. Please allow 5-7 working days to process.

5. How often should I pump my septic tank?

How often you need to pump depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the household, and the amount and type of solids. Generally, a septic tank should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. However, some alternative systems that are more complex may need pumping more frequently. If you are unsure if your tank needs pumping, have it inspected and get a recommendation for how many years you can go between pumping. Write this schedule down on a maintenance chart or where you keep your maintenance records and stick to it!

6. If I install a gray water system do I still need a wastewater system?

Yes, a full size wastewater system must be installed to dispose of all wastewater produced during non-watering months.

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1. Are Tiny Houses legal in the County?

Tiny Houses meeting the Tiny House Permitting Policy are legal. Contact the Sustainable Building Program at (928) 679-8853 for more information regarding this policy.

2. Are there incentives for sustainable building?

Yes, a number of incentives are available for different sustainable features. The Sustainable Building Program maintains a listing of current Incentives for Sustainable Building including federal and state tax refunds, appliance rebates, and city incentives.

3. Can I harvest rainwater in Coconino County?

Yes, and the County encourages it as a way to address limited water supplies throughout the region. See Rainwater Harvesting & Calculator, Tips on Rainwater Harvesting for Domestic Use or contact the Sustainable Building Program at (928) 679-8882 for more information.

4. Are there local sustainable building professionals that can help me with my project?

Yes. The Sustainable Building Program maintains a Resource Directory of current builders and other service providers that have experience with sustainable building.