Coconino County, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RS zones max height
- 35 feet (Table 2-2)
- G/AR/RR zones max height
- 40 feet (Table 2-1)
- Height measured from
- natural grade to roof high point
- To exceed limit
- Variance required, no admin waiver
- Individual fine
- up to $750 per day
- Entity fine
- up to $10,000 per day
- Applies only in
- unincorporated Coconino County
Summary
Coconino County caps homes in its RS single-family zones at 35 feet under Table 2-2 of the Zoning Ordinance, measured from natural grade to the highest roof point. General, Agricultural Residential, and Rural Residential zones allow up to 40 feet under Table 2-1. Building above either limit without a Variance triggers zoning enforcement.
TABLE 2-2: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS No. Property Development Standards RS-6,000 RS-10,000 RS-18,000 RS-36,000 ... 12. Structure Height, maximum, in feet 35 35 35 35 ... STRUCTURE HEIGHT shall mean the vertical distance from the average line of the highest point and lowest points of the preexisting natural Grade of that portion of the lot covered by the Structure to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard roof or to the highest point of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
C, sets a 35-foot maximum Structure Height in every Single Family Residential zone: RS-6,000, RS-10,000, RS-18,000 and RS-36,000. The cap is identical across all four lot-size tiers even though minimum parcel size ranges from 6,000 to 36,000 square feet. Structure Height is defined in Chapter 6 as the vertical distance from the average line of the highest and lowest points of the preexisting natural grade covered by the structure to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the highest point of the highest gable of a pitched or hip roof.
Chimneys, antennas, and flagpoles that qualify as an 'Appurtenance' under the Chapter 6 definitions are excluded from that calculation. D sets a 40-foot maximum Structure Height for the General (G), Agricultural Residential (AR), and Rural Residential (RR) zones, which carry larger minimum lot sizes of 10, 1, and 1 acre respectively. A property owner who wants to exceed either cap must apply for relief through the Variance procedure; the Ordinance does not allow an administrative waiver of the numeric standard. Because Coconino County zoning governs only the unincorporated area, none of these limits apply inside Flagstaff, Sedona, Page, Williams, Fredonia, or Tusayan, each of which sets its own height standards, nor on the federal, tribal, or Northern Arizona University land that makes up most of the county's area.
Violations & Fines
Building above the 35-foot (RS zones) or 40-foot (G/AR/RR zones) cap without an approved Variance is a violation under Section 5.14.B, treated as a public nuisance per se, with each day counted as a separate offense. The Hearing Officer can impose civil fines up to $750 per day for an individual or $10,000 per day for a business, and in extreme circumstances the County may pursue up to four months imprisonment. Penalties above $1,500 on a residential lot go to the County Attorney's Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in unincorporated Coconino County?
Do chimneys and antennas count toward the height limit?
What happens if I build over the height limit without a variance?
Does this 35-foot limit apply inside Flagstaff or Sedona?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coconino County
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