Coconino County, AZ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before construction, alteration, relocation, or change in use
- Reviewing office
- Community Development Director or designee
- Fee basis
- Set by Board of Supervisors resolution (§1.9)
- Max fine
- $750/day individual, $10,000/day entity (§5.14.C.4.A)
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance § 1.12.A
Summary
Coconino County requires a Building Permit or Engineering Permit before any construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or change in use of a building or structure in the unincorporated area. The Community Development Director completes plan review first, and no permit or Certificate of Occupancy issues until every zoning, floodplain, and use-permit condition is verified as met.
1. The adopted Building Code and the Engineering Design and Construction Manual set the minimum standards for all construction within the County. As such a Building Permit or Engineering Permit as required by the Building Code and Engineering Design and Construction Manual shall be obtained prior to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or change in use of any propety, building or other structure. Plan review, by the Community Development Director or designee, is required for all uses and/or developments prior to the issuance of a building and/or grading permit. 2. Except as limited by A.R.S. § 11-321(E) and Section 1.6.A.3 of this Ordinance, no building permit or other permit (Sign permit, lighting permit, etc.) required by this Ordinance or other County regulations may be lawfully issued, nor shall a Certificate of Occupancy be granted until the Community Development Director or designee has given authorization indicating all requirements of this Ordinance, all conditions and stipulations of approval, and any other specific project-related requirements have been met.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
1 of the Coconino County Zoning Ordinance ties the county's Building Code and Engineering Design and Construction Manual together: a Building Permit or Engineering Permit is required before construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, or a change in use of any building, structure, or property in the unincorporated county. Plan review by the Community Development Director, or a designee, has to happen before the county issues a building or grading permit. 3. 6 layers on a Floodplain Permit for any structure inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.
B, though the Community Development Director decides which additional interest-holders, tenants, easement holders, or lienholders, also have to sign. 9 and must accompany the application. A, with civil or criminal fines running up to $750 per day for an individual or $10,000 per day for a business entity, plus withholding of all future building and zoning permits on the property until it is corrected.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit is enforced as a zoning violation under Section 5.14.C.4.A. The county can withhold all future building and zoning permits for the property, and a Hearing Officer can impose civil or criminal fines up to $750 per day for an individual or $10,000 per day for a business entity, plus up to four months imprisonment in extreme cases. Unresolved daily penalties above $1,500 (residential) or $3,000 (commercial) go to the County Attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remodel my house in unincorporated Coconino County?
Who has to sign a Coconino County building permit application?
What happens if I build without a Coconino County permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coconino County
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