Pinal County, AZ Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Pinal County, AZ, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Units allowed, under 1 acre
- 1 attached + 1 detached ADU
- Units allowed, 1 acre or more
- Up to 2 detached ADUs
- Size cap, small lots
- 75% of house or 1,000 sq ft
- Size cap, larger lots
- 75% of house or 1,500 sq ft
- Minimum ADU size
- 200 square feet
- Setbacks
- 5 ft side/rear, 7 ft from main house
Summary
Unincorporated Pinal County allows one attached and one detached ADU on lots under an acre, plus a second detached unit on lots an acre or larger. Community Development caps the size at 75 percent of the main house's floor area, up to 1,000 or 1,500 square feet depending on lot size, under Development Services Code 2.150.240.
"Accessory dwelling unit" or "ADU" means a self-contained living unit that is on the same lot or parcel as a single-family dwelling of greater square footage than the accessory dwelling unit, that includes its own sleeping and sanitation facilities and that may include its own kitchen facilities. ... One attached and one detached ADU as a permitted use for a lot or parcel that is less than one acre in size; and ... One additional detached ADU as a permitted use on a lot or parcel that is one acre or more in size. ... For lots or parcels less than one acre in size, ADUs shall be no larger than 75 percent of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling on the same lot or parcel or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Full Breakdown
240 lets a single-family lot carry a primary dwelling plus one attached and one detached accessory dwelling unit if the parcel is under one acre, or two detached ADUs on top of the primary house if the parcel is one acre or larger. The code defines an ADU as a self-contained living unit on the same lot as a larger single-family dwelling, with its own sleeping and sanitation facilities and, optionally, its own kitchen. Size is capped by lot size: on parcels under an acre an ADU cannot exceed 75 percent of the main house's gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less; on parcels an acre or larger the cap rises to 75 percent of the main house's gross livable area or 1,500 square feet, whichever is less.
Every ADU must sit at least five feet from the rear and side property lines and, if detached, at least seven feet from the main house, and must be a minimum of 200 square feet. An ADU shares the same street access and utility meters as the primary dwelling and cannot be addressed as a separate property, though it must carry its own unit house number. 03 allows, and no ADU may be built over a utility easement without the utility's written consent. Septic-served ADUs must have an adequately sized system approved before construction. The rule does not apply on tribal land or in high-noise or accident-potential zones near military or FAA-licensed airports.
Violations & Fines
Building an oversized, unpermitted or improperly sited ADU violates Title 2 of the Development Services Code. Under PCDSC section 2.160.130 that is a Class 2 misdemeanor prosecuted under A.R.S. section 11-808, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Board of Supervisors can instead pursue a civil penalty under section 2.160.140 of up to $750 for an individual or $10,000 for an enterprise, and the county can withhold a zoning clearance or building permit until the ADU is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two ADUs on my Pinal County property?
How big can an accessory dwelling unit be?
Can I use a mobile home or RV as an ADU?
Does my ADU need its own utility meter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinal County
How Pinal County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Pinal County to another location·View the Arizona accessory structures overview
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