Environmental Rules in Coconino County, AZ (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Coconino County's zoning ordinance requires a preliminary storm drainage report for any permit that goes to public hearing, and layers on numeric low-impact-development standards for utility-scale energy projects. Section 5.1.C.1.J covers general drainage submittals; Section 3.19.E.4 sets the county's most detailed stormwater control requirements.
Coconino County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsCoconino County Zoning Ordinance § 3.19.E.4; § 5.1.C.1.J
The project shall be planned with low impact development stormwater management techniques, as outlined in the Drainage Design Criteria Manual, to capture and infiltrate stormwater and rainwater. Biomass Energy Installations shall obtain a stormwater control permit for the facility, including materials stockpiles, from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Additional stormwater contro...
Erosion Control
Coconino County's Landscaping chapter doubles as its erosion-control standard: Section 4.4.C.1.C requires any site where vegetation is damaged, removed, or overrun by weeds to be revegetated with native or drought-tolerant plants dense enough to stop soil erosion within one growing season. Single-family and duplex lots are exempt.
Coconino County Erosion & Revegetation Rules
Some RestrictionsCoconino County Zoning Ordinance § 4.4.A; § 4.4.C.1.C
The purpose of this Section is to establish Landscaping standards and guidelines in order to maintain, enhance, and protect native landscapes and the environmental qualities of the County... address wildfire safety concerns, control Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants, and provide erosion and stormwater runoff control. ... All portions of a Site where existing vegetative cover is damaged or remov...
Coastal Development
Coconino County is landlocked high country, so 'coastal' rules mean floodplain and watercourse protection. Under ARS §48-3613, you cannot obstruct a watercourse or develop in a mapped floodplain without written authorization from the county Flood Control District.
Coconino County Floodplain & Watercourse Rules
Heavy RestrictionsA.R.S. § 48-3613(A)
a person shall not engage in any development which will divert, retard or obstruct the flow of waters in any watercourse without securing written authorization from the board
Defensible Space
Unincorporated Coconino County requires defensible space around structures inside the Wildland/Urban Interface whenever a project needs a landscape plan. The Zoning Ordinance sets three fire safety zones by distance from buildings and spells out specific clearing, pruning, and spacing rules for each, with the whole defensible-space area needing upkeep at least once a year.
Coconino County Wildfire Defensible Space Rules
Some RestrictionsCoconino County Zoning Ordinance § 4.4.E.1(A)
All subdivisions and developments requiring a landscape plan located within the Wildland/Urban Interface shall incorporate Fire safety management practices into the design and maintenance of Landscaping. Fire safety standards identify three zones at different distances from buildings and structures, and describe the landscape design and maintenance that should occur in these zones. All Defensib...
All Coconino County ordinances
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