Accessory Structures in Yavapai County, AZ (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yavapai County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Accessory dwelling units are a permitted use on any unincorporated Yavapai County lot zoned for a single-family home. Section 537 caps a first ADU at 1,000 square feet, allows a second detached ADU up to 1,500 square feet on lots of an acre or more, and holds ADUs to the same height limits and a 5-foot minimum setback.
Yavapai County ADU Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Planning & Zoning Ordinance § 537(A), (B)(1)
A. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a permitted use on any lot or parcel in zoning districts where a single-family dwelling is allowed... 1. Density and Size. a. One attached and one detached ADU are allowed as a permitted use on a single lot or parcel subject to this Section. The gross floor area of each ADU shall not exceed 1,000 square feet of interior habitable area. b. One additional de...
ADU Owner Occupancy
An ADU built after Yavapai County's 2024 zoning update can't be run as an unhosted vacation rental. Section 537(B)(7)(d) requires the property owner to reside on-site if the ADU is used as a vacation or short-term rental and its Certificate of Occupancy was issued on or after September 14, 2024.
Yavapai County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsYavapai County Planning & Zoning Ordinance § 537(B)(7)(d)
d. The owner of the property where an ADU is used as a vacation or short-term rental must reside on the property if a Certificate of Occupancy or similar final approval for the ADU was issued by the County on or after September 14, 2024.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Yavapai County lets an ADU, or the main house next to it, be leased out as long-term rental housing, but Section 537(B)(7) draws a firm line against nonresidential use: an ADU used as a vacation or short-term rental still can't host any Special Event that would otherwise need a permit under County Resolution No. 1752.
Yavapai County ADU Rental Restrictions
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Planning & Zoning Ordinance § 537(B)(7)(a), (c)
a. An ADU or the single-family dwelling located on the same lot or parcel may be used or advertised as separately leased long-term rental housing... c. An ADU, whether or not it is used as a vacation or short-term rental, may not have nonresidential uses, including but not limited to those uses for a Special Event that would otherwise require a permit or license pursuant to Yavapai County Resol...
Shed & Carport Rules
Unincorporated Yavapai County waives a building permit for a detached, non-habitable storage shed as long as it stays under 400 square feet, tops out at 12 feet from natural grade, and sits with its finished floor no more than 18 inches above grade. Bigger sheds, or ones with plumbing or wiring, still need a permit.
Yavapai County Shed Permit Exemption
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Ordinance No. 2025-4 § R105.2(1) (International Residential Code, 2024 Edition, as amended)
R105.2: Work exempt from a permit. A permit shall not be required for the types of work in each of the separate classes of permits as listed below. These exemptions do not apply to commercial projects. Building permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following: 1. One-story, NON-HABITABLE detached accessory buildings on residential properties used as tool and storage sheds, gar...
Tiny Homes
In unincorporated Yavapai County, a small detached tiny home is regulated as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Planning and Zoning Ordinance Section 537. One attached and one detached ADU are permitted per lot, each capped at 1,000 square feet of interior habitable area, with a second detached unit up to 1,500 square feet allowed on lots of one acre or more.
Yavapai County Tiny Home & ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsYavapai County Planning and Zoning Ordinance § 537 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
1. Density and Size. a. One attached and one detached ADU are allowed as a permitted use on a single lot or parcel subject to this Section. The gross floor area of each ADU shall not exceed 1,000 square feet of interior habitable area. b. One additional detached ADU is allowed as a permitted use on a lot or parcel that is one acre or more in size. The gross floor area of this additional ADU sha...
Accessory Structures by City in Yavapai County
1 cities in Yavapai County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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