Bolthole Index

Gila County, Arizona

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Gila County, Arizona

44Index Score / 100
#8 of 15 in Arizona

Unincorporated Gila County, Arizona requires a building permit from the county's Building Safety Division to construct, alter, move or demolish a building, and the county zoning ordinance applies there too12. Septic permits come from the Gila County Wastewater Division under state delegation3. Inside Globe, the city's own code governs zoning4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in unincorporated areas for construction, alterations, moving, demolition, occupancy changes and listed system work1
Zoning
Yes, the county zoning ordinance applies in unincorporated areas; standards vary by district25
Septic
County-issued: Gila County Wastewater Division, under ADEQ delegation36
RV living
Not a dwelling in SFR or RR; temporary living while building needs an active home permit and Temporary Use Permit, and is not allowed in R1L78910
Tiny home
In SFR, a conventional or prefabricated dwelling must exceed 720 square feet; other districts may differ11
Owner-builder
Arizona lets an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor, but this does not waive the county permit1213
Well permit
A Notice of Intention to Drill is required outside an Active Management Area; a domestic well on 5 acres or less needs county or local health review first14
Land splits
Minor land divisions go through county Planning and Zoning; no lot may fall below its district minimum1516

Who to call

Building permits

Gila County Community Development, Building Safety Division (Globe Office)

Building plan review, permits and inspections for unincorporated Gila County, from the Globe office

928-402-4224

745 N. Rose Mofford Way, Globe, AZ 85501

Building permits

Gila County Community Development, Building Safety Division (Payson Office)

Building plan review, permits and inspections for unincorporated Gila County, from the Payson office

928-474-7110

608 E. Hwy 260, Payson, AZ 85541

Building permits

Gila County Community Development: Residential Permitting Timeline

The county's stated goal for how fast it completes the first residential plan review

Zoning

Gila County Community Development, Planning and Zoning Division

Zoning regulations, variances, rezoning and land divisions for unincorporated Gila County

928-402-4224

745 N. Rose Mofford Way, Globe, AZ 85501

Zoning

Gila County Planning and Zoning: Zoning Applications Forms and Process

How zoning applications are reviewed: administrative, Board of Adjustment, or Planning & Zoning Commission/Board of Supervisors

Septic permits

Gila County Wastewater Division

Septic system plan review, permits, inspections and soils testing in unincorporated Gila County

928-474-9276

Septic permits

Gila County Wastewater Division: Setback Requirements

Required setback distances between a septic system and wells, property lines, streams and other features

Floodplain permits

Gila County Flood Control District (Floodplain Administrator)

Floodplain use permits, flood hazard determinations and floodplain maps for Gila County

928-474-7116

610 E State Hwy 260, Payson, AZ 85541

Roads & driveways

Gila County Public Works, Engineering & Survey

Grading, drainage and right-of-way (driveway) permits on the county-maintained road system

928-402-4381

745 N Rose Mofford Way, Globe, AZ 85501

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Gila County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Gila County, Arizona?

Yes. In unincorporated Gila County, a building permit is required before you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, change its occupancy, or install or replace electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems1. Plans are reviewed for building, grading, floodplain, onsite wastewater and zoning compliance, and the permit issues only after every required approval and fee is in1. Building Safety enforces the county's adopted building codes17.

Inspections happen during construction: staff give the owner or contractor the required list before the permit issues, and the owner or contractor calls to schedule each one18. After the last inspection, the county issues a Certificate of Occupancy or final construction approval; the published rule does not say every project gets a separate certificate19. Arizona's owner-builder exemption covers contractor licensing only and does not remove the local permit13. A qualifying hoophouse or polyhouse used only to grow and store live plants is exempt from county building permits20. These rules cover unincorporated land; inside Globe, the city's own code applies, and its code requires a building permit for manufactured homes in its R1-MH overlay district21.

Who is the Gila County building department, and how do you reach them?

Gila County Community Development runs Building Safety out of two offices: Globe, at 745 N. Rose Mofford Way, phone 928-402-4224, and Payson, at 608 E. Hwy 260, phone 928-474-71102223. Building Safety reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects the work24. Phone payments by credit or debit card carry a 3% service fee; the published page does not list the underlying permit amounts25. The county's goal is to complete the first residential plan review within 15 days26.

Manufactured and factory-built homes also get a Building Safety installation inspection22. For the parcel's zoning district and any land-use approval, contact Planning and Zoning separately16. Septic permits are a different office, the Wastewater Division, even inside city limits3.

Does Gila County have zoning?

Yes. Gila County's zoning ordinance covers unincorporated land, and incorporated cities fall outside it25. Like the counties around it in Arizona, Gila County has county zoning27. Globe has its own zoning districts4.

Lot size, setbacks, coverage and height vary by district28. In residential density districts, yards are 20 feet front, 20 feet rear, 10 feet on the street side of a corner lot and 7 feet on an interior side (9 feet on one side when vehicles need access), and a dwelling must sit at least 6 feet from other buildings on its lot29. Buildings cannot exceed 37 feet unless the district says otherwise, though a variance can allow more30. In the SFR district, a conventional or prefabricated dwelling must exceed 720 square feet11. Mobile/manufactured home subdivision (MHS) lots need 6,000 square feet, with 10-foot front and rear setbacks and 8-foot side setbacks3132. Commercial C1 buildings are capped at 2 stories or 30 feet33.

County zoning does not regulate general agricultural use on a tract of 5 or more contiguous commercial acres34. Planning and Zoning handles variances and rezoning16.

How do septic permits work in Gila County?

Gila County's Wastewater Division reviews septic plans, issues permits and performs soils testing and inspections under authority delegated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality3563. Going off grid does not avoid sanitation review: an onsite wastewater system remains subject to county permitting and applicable ADEQ rules, and the available county material does not confirm that every composting toilet, graywater system, cesspool or other alternative is allowed36. Ask the Wastewater Division about the proposed system before buying equipment6.

A septic system and reserve area must keep required separation from wells, property lines and driveways, while steep downslopes or cut banks trigger additional spacing37. Site conditions are consequential in Gila County: only 1.8% of its soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, and 36% of its land is at a 15% slope or less, so allow for a site evaluation and the possibility of an engineered system3839. On a home sale, Arizona requires a certified inspection within six months before transfer, and the buyer must file a Notice of Transfer within 15 days after closing40.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Gila County?

In Gila County's SFR district, an RV may be stored but cannot serve as a permanent dwelling; in the RR district, one RV may be stored on a lot of at least 1 acre, but it cannot be occupied as a dwelling78. The R1L zone is stricter: an RV cannot be occupied there as either a permanent or temporary dwelling10. In other residential zoning districts, an RV may serve as temporary living quarters only with an approved Temporary Use Permit and an active building permit for construction of a permanent residence9.

A conventional or prefabricated dwelling in the SFR district must exceed 720 square feet, so a smaller tiny home does not qualify there; manufactured or modular homes face the same size threshold plus a permanent foundation or piers and an Assessor's Affidavit of Affixture1141. We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size in other districts, so ask Planning and Zoning about the parcel and proposed structure16. In single-family districts, one accessory dwelling is allowed by right on a qualifying lot of at least 5,000 square feet, with owner-occupancy, wastewater, parking, setback and height conditions42. A manufactured home is allowed for residential occupancy in the MHS district31.

Building a home in Gila County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district with Planning and Zoning before designing; setbacks, height and dwelling size depend on the district1628.
  2. If the project needs a variance, rezoning, conditional use permit or land division, start with the county's zoning planner; most zoning applications require a pre-application meeting43.
  3. Arrange the soil evaluation and septic design with the Wastewater Division, including county review of any off-grid sanitation proposal636.
  4. If a well is needed, file a Notice of Intention to Drill with the Arizona Department of Water Resources; a parcel of 5 acres or less needs county or local health review first14.
  5. Check floodplain and regulated-watercourse status with the Flood Control District and obtain a Floodplain Use Permit when required4445.
  6. Clear driveway placement with Public Works before fixing the site plan: sight distance and spacing near guardrails, bridges, arterial intersections and some property lines can restrict a new or changed access4647.
  7. Submit plans to Building Safety in Globe or Payson; the county's first-review goal is 15 days2426.
  8. Call county staff for every inspection on the required list, then obtain the Certificate of Occupancy or final construction approval when the inspections are complete1819.

Can you split or subdivide land in Gila County?

Planning and Zoning handles minor land divisions and subdivisions in unincorporated Gila County16. No lot may be created below the minimum square footage and dimensions of its zoning district, and no building permit issues in a new subdivision until the Board of Supervisors approves the final plat and accepts the improvements15. The county adopted revised subdivision regulations in 2018; a subdivision with fewer than 25 lots may get one access point only with a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and a reason two are not obtainable48.

Arizona law adds its own layer: dividing land into 6 or more lots or parcels for sale or lease requires notice to the state real estate commissioner unless an exception applies, such as every lot being 36 acres or more49. Splits into 5 or fewer parcels get a separate county review under state law50.

What should you check before you buy land in Gila County?

Water and wastewater feasibility come first: confirm whether the parcel has a well or needs a Notice of Intention to Drill, and remember that a parcel of 5 acres or less needs county or local health review before state approval of a domestic well14. Only 1.8% of Gila County soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, while 36% of county land is at a 15% slope or less, so price the site evaluation before assuming a standard septic system will work3839.

Ask the Flood Control District whether the parcel is in a mapped floodplain or along a regulated watercourse4445. Verify legal, buildable access before closing: Gila County can restrict a new or changed driveway for inadequate sight distance or spacing near guardrails, bridges, arterial intersections and certain property lines46. Public Works issues county grading, drainage and right-of-way permits, while access onto a state highway requires an ADOT permit that does not transfer to a new owner4751.

If you plan to rent the property short-term, unincorporated Gila County requires an annual county permit for each property, costing $250 for a new permit and $250 to renew, and rentals in an RV, travel trailer or tent are excluded52. The median property-tax bill is $1,331 at an effective rate of 0.5%, and a typical home-insurance premium is $1,099 a year535455.

Watch-outs

  • Zoning district matters more than county averages in Gila County: lot size, setbacks, building height and RV occupancy are all set district by district, so confirm your parcel's zoning district with Planning and Zoning before relying on any single district's numbers2816.
  • A septic drain field faces long odds on most Gila County soil: only 1.8% rates free of severe limits, and only 36% of the county's land is gentle enough (15% slope or less) to avoid the ordinance's larger downslope setback, so plan for a site evaluation and likely an engineered system383937.
  • An RV cannot be a dwelling in the RR district or a permanent dwelling in SFR, but residential districts other than R1L may allow temporary living during home construction with both an active building permit and an approved Temporary Use Permit87109.
  • A driveway location that looks workable on a listing can still fail county sight-distance or spacing standards, so clear new or changed access with Public Works before fixing the house site4647.
  • The SFR district requires a conventional or prefabricated dwelling to exceed 720 square feet, but we could not confirm a minimum dwelling size in other districts, a general camping rule outside the construction-related RV allowance or a mandatory water/sewer connection rule; ask Planning and Zoning about the parcel and proposed use1116.
  • Operating a vacation or short-term rental in unincorporated Gila County without the county's annual permit is unlawful, and HOA rules or deed restrictions may still bar the use52.

Sources

  1. Building Safety, quoted and re-checked
  2. Gila County Board of Supervisors agenda, December 18, 2018, quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility, quoted and re-checked
  4. Globe: Globe Code, Sec. 14-4-1, Establishment of zoning districts (Gila County), quoted and re-checked
  5. gilacountyaz.gov, quoted and re-checked
  6. Gila County Wastewater Division (gilacountyaz.gov)
  7. Gila County Zoning Ordinance, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  8. Gila County Zoning Ordinance text amendments and ordinance text, quoted and re-checked
  9. Gila County Zoning Ordinance, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  10. Gila County Zoning Ordinance, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  11. Gila County Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  12. Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability (2026 county census)
  13. Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. NOI Drill Card Application, quoted and re-checked
  15. Gila County Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  16. Gila County Community Development, Planning and Zoning Division (gilacountyaz.gov)
  17. Gila County Building Codes discussion, January 27, 2026, quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Safety, quoted and re-checked
  19. Gila County Permitting Guide, Residential & Commercial Guidelines, quoted and re-checked
  20. 11-324 - Building permits; hoophouses; polyhouses; exemption; existing zoning regulations; compliance; administrative review; definitions (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Globe: Globe Code, Sec. 14-5-16, Manufactured Home Overlay District (Gila County), quoted and re-checked
  22. Gila County Community Development, Building Safety Division (Globe Office) (gilacountyaz.gov)
  23. Gila County Community Development, Building Safety Division (Payson Office) (gilacountyaz.gov)
  24. Building Safety, quoted and re-checked
  25. Building Safety, quoted and re-checked
  26. Gila County Community Development: Residential Permitting Timeline (gilacountyaz.gov)
  27. Gila County Board of Supervisors agenda, December 18, 2018 (2026 county census)
  28. 11-831 - Review of land divisions; definitions (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Gila County Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  30. Gila County Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  31. Gila County Zoning Ordinance text amendments and ordinance text, quoted and re-checked
  32. Gila County Zoning Ordinance — Revised 03-15-2022, quoted and re-checked
  33. Gila County Zoning Ordinance — Revised 03-15-2022, quoted and re-checked
  34. Gila County Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona, Revised March 15, 2022, quoted and re-checked
  35. Gila County Community Development (2026 county census)
  36. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility, quoted and re-checked
  37. Gila County Wastewater Division: Setback Requirements (gilacountyaz.gov)
  38. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  39. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Inspection and Notice of Transfer, quoted and re-checked
  41. Gila County Zoning Ordinance - Revised 03-15-2022, quoted and re-checked
  42. Accessory Dwelling Units Final Staff Report and proposed ordinance text, quoted and re-checked
  43. Gila County Planning and Zoning: Zoning Applications Forms and Process (gilacountyaz.gov)
  44. Gila County Flood Control District (Floodplain Administrator) (gilacountyaz.gov)
  45. Gila County Hearing Officer compliance matter, quoted and re-checked
  46. Driveway variance request, Fossil Creek Farm, quoted and re-checked
  47. Gila County Public Works, Engineering & Survey (gilacountyaz.gov)
  48. Gila County Subdivision Regulations — Resolution 18-08-04 agenda, quoted and re-checked
  49. 32-2181 - Notice to commissioner of intention to subdivide lands; unlawful acting in concert; exceptions; deed restrictions; definition (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  50. 32-2101 - Definitions (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  51. Encroachment Permits Guideline & Procedures 2024 (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  52. Vacation Rental and Short-Term Rental Information FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  53. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  54. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  55. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Gila County has countywide zoning.

RuleGila CountyGraham CountyPinal CountyGreenlee CountyNavajo CountyYavapai CountyMaricopa County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Community Development Div.County Dept. of Health & Human ServicesCounty Air Quality & Env. HealthCounty Health Dept.County Planning & Development ServicesCounty Development ServicesCounty Env. Services Dept.

County locator

Gila County in Arizona

44
County map
Gila County highlighted among the Arizona counties · colored by Index score

How Gila County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency32100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability21100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$392kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$356Land / acre
18.6"Annual rain
27.9% of yrsSevere drought
31.3 / yr (+19.6)Mid-century 100°F days
42.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.54" (+7.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,099Home insurance / yr
3.3% / yrInsurance growth
2.04%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
16,642Radius comparison (15 mi)
11.4People / sq mi
58%Federal land
36%Land at 15% slope or less
1.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
42,612 acWorkable land screen
56.7%Wooded land
13.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
60.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Gila County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Town of Hayden · Town of Miami

Answers from the rulebook for Gila County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Gila County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, demolition, occupancy changes, and specified electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work in unincorporated Gila County.

    • A permit is required for the listed work before the work proceeds.
    • Plans are reviewed for building, grading, floodplain, onsite wastewater, and zoning compliance.
    • The permit is issued after all required departmental approvals and all fees have been received.
    • All permit fees are required to be paid prior to permit issuance.
    • The county page states that incorporated areas may have separate authorities and requirements.

    permit fee payment: required before permit issuance · plan review target: 15 business days (The county states this as its stated goal for building permit review.)

    “A permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to: construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure; erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system; or cause any such work to be done (Per section 105.1 of IRC).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work in unincorporated Gila County.
      “A permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to: construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure; erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system; or cause any such work to be done (Per section 105.1 of IRC).”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, demolition, occupancy, additions, alterations, and related building activity in the unincorporated areas of Gila County.

    • The adopted codes are implemented through permitting, inspections, and enforcement.
    • Ordinance No. 2017-02 replaced the prior 2014 ordinance in its entirety and applies to unincorporated areas.
    • The Building Safety Division performs plan review, issues permits, and inspects construction under the adopted codes.
    “The Building Safety Division regulates the construction, demolition, and occupancy of all buildings within the unincorporated areas of Gila County. We provide plan review, issue building permits and inspect new construction, additions, and alterations of buildings and structures per the adopted Building Codes.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New construction, additions, and alterations of buildings and structures regulated by Gila County in unincorporated areas.

    • Inspections occur during the construction phase of the approved project.
    • County staff provides the list of required inspections before permit issuance.
    • The owner or contractor must call county staff for the required inspections.
    • Manufactured-home and factory-built-building installations are also inspected for compliance with federal and state standards.
    “Required inspections will take place during the construction phase of the approved project”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New construction, additions, and alterations of buildings and structures in unincorporated Gila County during the construction phase of an approved project.
      “Required inspections will take place during the construction phase of the approved project Staff will provide a list of required inspections needed during construction to the owner or contractor prior to permit issuance It is the responsibility of the owner or contractor to call staff for the required inspections”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Approved building projects in unincorporated Gila County after required construction inspections are completed.

    • A Certificate of Occupancy or final construction approval is issued upon completion of all required inspections.
    • The guide describes the certificate as the final construction approval process; the source does not state that every project receives a separate certificate rather than another form of final approval.
    “Certificate of Occupancy or final construction approval is issued upon completion of all required inspections”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Completion of approved construction projects in unincorporated Gila County after all required inspections.
      “Certificate of Occupancy or final construction approval is issued upon completion of all required inspections”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning regulation in the unincorporated areas of Gila County, Arizona.

    • The cited ordinance applies to unincorporated areas of Gila County; incorporated municipalities are outside this county ordinance's stated scope.
    • Ordinance No. 2018-05 amended Section 103.1; the ordinance was previously amended in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2014-04.
    • The county zoning ordinance was first adopted in September 1959.
    “Ordinance No. 2018-05 which amends Section 103.1 of the Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County Arizona (last amended in its entirety as Ordinance No. 2014-04) regarding Structures and Uses - Compliance to District Requirements.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    The Gila County Zoning Ordinance for unincorporated areas, including use, density, residential, multifamily, and related zoning districts.

    • The cited official agenda identifies the ordinance sections and confirms adoption of text amendments; district-specific standards remain subject to the ordinance and zoning map.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning rules.
    “Gila County Zoning Ordinance (Last updated 03-15-2022)”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Conventional, prefabricated, or precut dwellings in the Single Family Rural (SFR) District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • Dwelling construction is limited to conventional, prefabricated, or precut type exceeding 720 square feet.
    • Mobile, manufactured, or modular homes are excepted only if manufactured and maintained in accordance with current HUD specifications, exceed 720 square feet of living space, are affixed to a permanent foundation or set on permanent piers, and have an Affidavit of Affixture issued by the Gila County Assessor.
    • Homes on piers must be skirted.

    minimum dwelling size: > 720 square feet (HUD-compliant mobile/manufactured/modular homes subject to the stated conditions)

    “exceeding seven hundred twenty (720) square feet”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Gasoline service stations in the C2 Commercial Two District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • Applies specifically to gasoline service stations in the C2 district.
    • Minimum frontage is also required.
    • The ordinance states that C2 yards are the same as the C1 District.

    minimum lot size: >= 22500 square feet · minimum frontage: >= 200 feet

    “Minimum lot size is twenty-two thousand five hundred (22,500) square feet, and minimum frontage is two hundred (200) feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Multifamily dwellings confined to a single lot in the R3 Residence Three District in unincorporated Gila County
      “Where multi-family dwelling units are confined to a single lot, There shall be a lot area of no less than six thousand (6,000) square feet. There shall be a minimum lot area of one thousand (1,000) square feet per dwelling unit.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential uses in Gila County zoning districts subject to density-district regulations in the unincorporated areas.

    • The standards apply where applicable to all density districts or residential use districts not combined with density districts, except as otherwise provided by a particular density district or the General Stipulations & Provisions-All Districts.
    • Interior side yard is seven feet, or nine feet on one interior side when vehicular access is needed under the Yard Deviations provisions.
    • Yard projections are prohibited except as enumerated in the ordinance.
    • Cornices, eaves, coolers, open balconies, open fire escapes, stairways, or fire towers may project up to five feet into a minimum yard, but no closer than two feet from a property line.
    • Sills, leaders, belt courses, similar ornamentals, and chimneys may project up to two feet into a minimum yard or court.
    • A bay window, oriel, entrance, or vestibule not more than ten feet wide may project up to three feet into a front or rear yard.
    • An attached open porch, carport, or balcony may project up to six feet into a front yard.
    • An attached open porch, carport, or balcony may project up to ten feet into a rear yard, provided it remains at least eight feet from a common rear property line.
    • No building or other structure may exceed thirty-seven feet in height unless otherwise stated in the Use District.

    front yard: 20 feet · rear yard: 20 feet · street side yard on corner lot: 10 feet · interior side yard: 7 feet (9 feet on one interior side yard if vehicular access is needed) · distance between buildings: >= 6 feet (No dwelling shall be closer than six feet to another building on the same lot) · detached accessory building rear setback: >= 7 feet (Must conform to front and side yard requirements for main buildings)

    “Except as enumerated to the contrary under any particular density district or the section of this Zoning Ordinance entitled “General Stipulations & Provisions-All Districts,” the following, where applicable, shall apply to all density districts or to any residential use in use districts not combined with density districts: [...] Minimum yard requirements in all density districts shall be as follows: a. Front Yard - Twenty (20) feet. b. Rear Yard - Twenty (20) feet. c. Street Side of Corner Lot - Ten (10) feet. d. Interior Side Yard - Seven (7) feet; nine (9) feet on one interior side yard if vehicular access is needed”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Buildings in the C1 Commercial One District in unincorporated Gila County.
      “Yards Required (Except as required under the section of this Zoning Ordinance entitled “General Stipulations & Provisions-All Districts” as follows: a. Front: A minimum of twenty (20) feet from any street. b. Side: None; provided, however, that no building shall be closer than twenty (20) feet to any residential district or any side street or intervening alley. c. Rear: A minimum of twenty (20) feet.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Mobile/manufactured home subdivision (MHS) District in the unincorporated areas governed by the Gila County Zoning Ordinance.
      “Minimum distance from any portion of the mobile/manufactured home and its accessory structures to the following lines shall be as specified a) Front - Ten (10) feet. b) Side - Eight (8) feet, with the following exception: five (5) feet to any canopy that is open on three sides, provided, however, that no mobile/manufactured home may be placed closer than sixteen (16) feet from any other mobile/manufactured home within the subdivision. c) Rear - Ten (10) feet. d) Exterior boundary of subdivision - Twenty (20) feet.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential density districts in unincorporated Gila County.
      “Yard Dimensions/Space Between Buildings: Minimum yard requirements in all density districts shall be as follows: a. Front Yard - Twenty (20) feet. b. Rear Yard - Twenty (20) feet. c. Street Side of Corner Lot - Ten (10) feet. d. Interior Side Yard - Seven (7) feet; nine (9) feet on one interior side yard if vehicular access is needed per the following sections entitled “Yard Deviations” and Projection into yards is prohibited, except as herein enumerated.” e. Distance Between Buildings - No dwelling shall be closer than six (6) feet to any other building on the same lot.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildings in the C1 Commercial One District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • The limit is stated as total gross building area relative to total lot area.

    maximum building coverage: <= 50 percent of total lot area

    “Building Density: The total gross area of all buildings shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total area of the lot.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings and other structures in zoning districts covered by the Gila County Zoning Ordinance for unincorporated areas.

    • The 37-foot limit applies unless the applicable Use District states otherwise.
    • A structure may exceed the height requirement only with approval of a variance under Section 101.3.G.

    general maximum height: <= 37 feet (Use District may state otherwise; variance may be approved)

    “No building or other structure shall be erected or altered so as to exceed thirty-seven (37) feet in height unless otherwise stated in the Use District in which the building or other structure is located, whether such height be designated as stories, number of feet, or otherwise. A building or structure may exceed the height requirement subject to approval of a Variance according to the provisions of Section 101.3.G.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Buildings in the R3 Residence Three District in unincorporated Gila County
      “A Conditional Use Permit shall be required for buildings exceeding three (3) stories or thirty-six (36) feet in height.”
    • Specified — Buildings in the C1 Commercial One District in unincorporated Gila County.
      “Building Height: No building shall exceed a height of two stories or thirty (30) feet.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Occupancy of a recreational vehicle as a dwelling unit in the Gila County RR Rural Residential Use District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • The cited rule is district-specific; other Gila County zoning districts may have different recreational-vehicle provisions.
    • The RR district permits storage of one recreational vehicle, but not occupancy as a dwelling unit.
    • The RR district requires a lot area of at least one acre.
    • The cited ordinance text does not state an effective date.

    stored recreational vehicles: 1 vehicle (Storage is allowed, but occupancy as a dwelling unit is prohibited.) · minimum lot area: >= 1 acre

    “No recreational vehicle may be occupied as a dwelling unit. [...] Storage of one (1) recreational vehicle. [...] There shall be a lot area of not less than one (1) acre.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in the unincorporated Gila County Single Family Rural District (SFR).
      “There shall be no more than one (1) travel trailer or recreational vehicle stored on the same lot. Recreational vehicles shall not be used as permanent dwellings.”
    • Prohibited — Permanent or temporary recreational-vehicle dwelling occupancy in the unincorporated Gila County Residence One Limited (R1L) zone.
      “No mobile/manufactured home or recreational vehicle may be occupied as a permanent or temporary dwelling unit in the Residence One Limited zone.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary living or camping in a recreational vehicle in unincorporated Gila County residential zoning districts other than R1L, where an active building permit exists for construction of a permanent residence.

    • An approved Temporary Use Permit is required.
    • The residential district must not be R1L.
    • An active building permit to construct a permanent residence must have been issued.
    • Temporary-use permits are issued subject to conditions and an expiration date.
    • The ordinance requires adequate on-site sanitary facilities conforming to State and County Health Department requirements, solid-waste disposal, adequate parking, and any required County or State Health Department or Sheriff's Office permits or licenses.
    • A Temporary Use Permit may be revoked without notice for violated conditions or nuisance; the Planning and Zoning Commission may extend or modify limitations by conditional use.

    temporary RV security/construction use: <= 6 months in any 12-month period (The ordinance separately states the residential temporary-living example requires an approved Temporary Use Permit and active building permit.)

    “In all residential zoning districts except R1L, with an approved Temporary Use Permit, a recreational vehicles can be used as temporary living quarters where an active building permit to construct a permanent residence has been issued.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Site-built tiny-home dwelling occupancy in the SFR (Single Family Rural) District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • The district limits dwelling construction to conventional, prefabricated, or precut types exceeding 720 square feet.
    • The stated exceptions are mobile/manufactured or modular homes manufactured and maintained under current HUD specifications, exceeding 720 square feet of living space, affixed to a permanent foundation or set on permanent piers, and supported by an Affidavit of Affixture issued by the Gila County Assessor; homes on piers must be skirted.
    • One single-family dwelling is permitted on any lot or parcel.
    • Recreational vehicles may not be used as permanent dwellings.
    • All provisions of the Density Districts-General Regulations section apply.
    • A separate building-code/building-permit determination may apply.

    minimum conventional dwelling size: > 720 square feet (The text states that conventional, prefabricated, or precut dwelling construction must exceed this amount.)

    “Construction of Dwelling: Shall be limited to conventional, prefabricated or precut type exceeding seven hundred twenty (720) square feet, with the following exceptions: Mobile/manufactured or modular homes manufactured and maintained in accordance with current HUD specifications, exceeding seven hundred twenty (720) square feet of living space, affixed to a permanent foundation or set on permanent piers, and for which an Affidavit of Affixture has been issued by the Office of the Gila County Assessor.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Residential placement and occupancy of mobile/manufactured homes in the Gila County MHS Mobile/Manufactured Home Subdivision District in unincorporated Gila County.

    • The MHS district is for individually owned lots and is subject to district development standards.
    • Minimum mobile/manufactured-home lot area is 6,000 square feet and minimum lot width is 60 feet.
    • There may be no more than one mobile/manufactured home per lot.
    • Maximum height is one story or 14 feet.
    • Front, side, rear, and subdivision-boundary setbacks are 10 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, and 20 feet respectively, subject to the stated canopy and inter-home exceptions.
    • Each lot must have utilities; two 8-by-20-foot parking spaces are required per lot, plus one guest space per five homes.
    • The cited ordinance text does not state an effective date.

    minimum lot area: >= 6000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 60 feet · mobile/manufactured homes per lot: 1 home · maximum height: <= 14 feet (One story maximum.) · front setback: >= 10 feet · side setback: >= 8 feet (Five feet to a canopy open on three sides, but no closer than 16 feet from another mobile/manufactured home within the subdivision.) · rear setback: >= 10 feet · exterior subdivision-boundary setback: >= 20 feet

    “This District provides for the exclusive placement and occupancy of mobile/manufactured homes for residential purposes on individually owned lots. The district standards promote developments of single-family residential character oriented toward permanent occupancy of medium density, five and one-half (5.5) units per acre or less.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in all single-family residential districts in unincorporated Gila County under Ordinance No. 2015-04.

    • One accessory dwelling unit is permitted by right on an individual lot in all single-family residential districts.
    • The ADU may not exceed the primary dwelling's floor area.
    • Minimum lot area is 5,000 square feet.
    • The primary use must already be established before permitting the ADU.
    • The property owner must reside in the primary or accessory unit.
    • The Planning and Zoning Commission may approve deviations through a conditional use permit if the applicant demonstrates no adverse effect on the character of the single-family district.
    • The ADU must comply with applicable setback and lot-occupancy regulations; a detached ADU must be at least 10 feet from the principal building unless attached.
    • Adequate off-street parking and wastewater facilities are required; maximum detached-ADU height is 30 feet; floodplain requirements apply.
    • Park models are not permitted in single-family districts that do not allow manufactured homes. In other qualifying districts, park models must meet the listed installation, skirting, wastewater, permitting, setback, floodplain, smoke-detector, and design requirements; a park model may be an ADU only and cannot be a primary residence.
    • The cited ordinance materials do not state an effective date.

    ADUs per individual lot: 1 unit · ADU floor area: not greater than primary dwelling · minimum lot area: >= 5000 square feet · minimum detached-ADU separation: >= 10 feet (Unless attached to the principal building.) · maximum detached-ADU height: <= 30 feet

    “Information/Discussion/Action to adopt Ordinance No. 2015-04, an amendment to the Gila County Planning and Zoning Ordinance, to allow for the establishment of accessory dwelling units in all single family residential districts and to delete references to guest houses. (Bob Gould) Adopted”
  • Septic permitRequired

    On-site wastewater treatment facilities and septic systems in Gila County.

    • Applications must be submitted to the county where the property is located.
    • Gila County issues permits under delegated ADEQ authority.
    • Specific permit requirements, system type, design, and applicable exceptions were not fully established from the pages opened.
    “ADEQ has authority for issuing permits for OWTFs and has delegated this authority to each of the 15 counties, which issue permits on behalf of ADEQ. Please submit your permit application to the county in which your property is located.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using an onsite wastewater treatment facility or septic system in Gila County.

    • Off-grid sanitation is subject to onsite wastewater permitting and applicable ADEQ rules.
    • Gila County administers delegated onsite wastewater rules and provides septic-system permits.
    • The official sources opened do not establish that every type of composting toilet, graywater system, cesspool, or other alternative sanitation method is allowed.
    “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (OWTFs) are commonly known as septic systems and are widespread throughout Arizona. Today, there are estimated to be more than 600,000 systems in the State providing wastewater treatment for locations that do not have a sewer connection.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Use or occupation of land or improvements for grazing or general agricultural purposes in unincorporated Gila County.

    • The tract must contain five or more contiguous commercial acres.
    • General agricultural purposes do not include cultivation of cannabis or marijuana.
    • For grazing classification, 50% or more of the income from the land must derive from use or rental for grazing.
    • For general agricultural classification, 50% or more of the income from the land must derive from use or rental for production of agricultural products.

    minimum tract size: >= 5 contiguous commercial acres · income threshold for grazing or agricultural classification: >= 50 percent (grazing income for grazing classification; agricultural-product income for general agricultural classification)

    “five (5) or more contiguous commercial acres.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development governed by Gila County Subdivision Regulations.

    • Resolution 18-08-04 adopted revised Gila County Subdivision Regulations by reference and repealed previously adopted Subdivision Regulations No. 81502, Resolutions Nos. 02-09-09, 09-03-09, and 09-05-03, and all subsequent amendments.
    • The 2002 adoption and 2009 amendment dates describe the previously adopted regulations referenced in the agenda; they are not treated as the governing version after the 2018 replacement.
    • The 2018 agenda states that the Board of Supervisors may approve one access point for a subdivision with less than 25 lots upon Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation when two access points are not obtainable due to topography, financial infeasibility, or unwillingness of a neighboring landowner to allow access.
    • The source states that two access points will always be preferred and that the developer will be informed during the pre-development meeting of the minimum width of the access road if only one access point is requested.

    one-access-point exception: less than 25 lots (Requires Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and circumstances preventing two access points)

    “Convene a public hearing to hear citizens who may wish to comment on the Gila County Subdivision Regulations; and adopt Resolution No. 18-08-04, which allows the adoption of the Gila County Subdivision Regulations (by reference) and repeals previously adopted Gila County Subdivision Regulations No. 81502; related Resolutions Nos. 02-09-09, 09-03-09 and 09-05-03; and all subsequent amendments to the Subdivision Regulations. (Scott Buzan) Adopted”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Minor land divisions, small subdivisions, and subdivisions in unincorporated Gila County.
      “No lot shall hereafter be created, whether by minor land division, record of survey, small subdivision or subdivision, that contains less than the minimum number of square feet or minimum lot dimensions established for the zoning district or density district in which it is located.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New driveways or driveways with changed access governed by the Gila County Roadway Design Standards Manual.

    • A new driveway or driveway with changed access is restricted within ten feet of a commercial property line, except for an eligible joint-use driveway with recorded access agreements.
    • Restricted within 25 feet of a guardrail ending.
    • Restricted within 100 feet of a bridge or other structure.
    • Restricted within the minimum spacing established in Table 5.1.
    • Restricted within 150 feet of the right-of-way line of an intersecting arterial street.
    • Restricted within 100 feet of an approved median opening location.
    • Restricted when adequate sight distance cannot be provided.
    • The nearest edge of a driveway flare or radius must be at least two feet from specified fire hydrants, utility poles, drop inlets or appurtenances, and traffic signal or light standards.
    • Parking or loading areas requiring backing maneuvers in a public right-of-way are restricted, except for single-family or duplex residential uses on local roads.
    • The County may designate access points if no point meets the standards, but designation is not a guarantee of access.
    • Residential variances may be made by the County Engineering Division for undue hardship if good traffic engineering practice can be maintained; commercial and industrial variances must be made by the Board of Supervisors.

    minimum distance from intersecting arterial right-of-way: >= 150 feet · minimum distance from bridge or other structure: >= 100 feet · minimum distance from guardrail ending: >= 25 feet · minimum distance from commercial property line: >= 10 feet (Except eligible joint-use driveways)

    “Within 25 feet of a guardrail ending; Within 100 feet of a bridge or other structure;”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development requiring a building permit on a parcel subject to Gila County floodplain requirements, including the cited compliance case.

    • The cited case required both a Floodplain Use Permit and an Arizona registrant surveyor-stamped elevation certificate.
    • The requirement was stated as part of bringing a property into compliance with the Gila County Zoning Ordinance.
    • The cited excerpt is parcel-specific and does not establish that every parcel in Gila County requires a Floodplain Use Permit.
    “This includes applying for and obtaining a Floodplain Use Permit and providing Gila County Floodplain Department with an Arizona registrant surveyor stamped elevation certificate.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Vacation rental and short-term rental use in unincorporated Gila County.

    • An annual County permit is required; operation without a County-issued permit is unlawful effective May 31, 2024.
    • A new permit costs $250 and renewal costs $250 annually.
    • A separate application and all fees are required for each property or unit.
    • Permits expire one year from approval.
    • Permitted examples include single-family houses, one-to-four-unit houses, condominiums, townhouses, cooperatives, individual rooms, guest houses, casitas, and mother-in-law quarters.
    • Structures not approved as dwelling units, unsafe structures, apartment complexes of five or more units, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, motorhomes, and temporary structures such as tents are excluded.
    • The use must comply with the underlying residential zoning district, applicable building, health, fire, wastewater, and other County rules.
    • HOA rules and deed restrictions may limit or prohibit the use.

    new permit fee: 250 USD · annual renewal fee: 250 USD · rental duration threshold: < 30 consecutive days

    “This Ordinance requires owners of Vacation Rentals and Short-Term Rentals within unincorporated Gila County to obtain an annual permit for their rental property”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County permitting payments handled by Gila County Community Development, including building-related submissions.

    • The cited page states a 3% service fee for credit/debit card payments by phone.
    • The page does not state the underlying permit-fee amounts.

    credit/debit card service fee: 3 percent (Applies to payments made by credit/debit card by phone)

    “a 3% service fee is added to cover credit/debit card fees”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building plan review, permitting, and inspections in unincorporated Gila County.

    • Plans may be submitted by PDF email or in person at the Payson or Globe office.
    • Inspections are scheduled by calling the County; applicants are asked not to come into the office with an inspection request.
    • The Building Safety Division regulates construction, demolition, and occupancy of buildings within unincorporated areas.
    “We provide plan review, issue building permits and inspect new construction”

Arizona rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner who improves property or builds or improves structures or appurtenances and performs the work personally, through the owner's employees, or through duly licensed contractors, when the property is intended solely for the owner's occupancy and is not intended for public occupancy, sale, or rent.

    • The exemption is from Arizona contractor-licensing requirements under A.R.S. § 32-1121; it does not itself eliminate any local building-permit requirement.
    • The structure or appurtenance must be intended for occupancy solely by the owner.
    • The structure or appurtenance must not be intended for occupancy by members of the public as the owner's employees or business visitors.
    • The structure or appurtenance must not be intended for sale or rent.
    • Sale, rent, or an arrangement by which the owner receives compensation from occupancy or transfer is included in the statutory definition of sale or rent.
    • Sale or rent, or an offer of sale or rent, within one year after completion or issuance of a certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence that the project was undertaken for sale or rent.

    one-year post-completion evidence period: 1 year (Applies to the statutory prima facie evidence rule concerning sale or rent.)

    “who do the work themselves, with their own employees or with duly licensed contractors”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    Arizona onsite wastewater treatment facility permitting authority and administration.

    • ADEQ retains authority for issuing onsite wastewater treatment facility permits.
    • Permit administration is delegated to each of Arizona’s 15 counties, which issue permits on behalf of ADEQ.
    • Applications must be submitted to the county where the property is located.
    “ADEQ has authority for issuing permits for OWTFs and has delegated this authority to each of the 15 counties, which issue permits on behalf of ADEQ.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Property served by a conventional septic system or alternative onsite wastewater system when ownership of a home is transferred in Arizona, including Gila County.

    • The inspection program is triggered by resale of a home by an owner or with the assistance of a real estate professional.
    • The seller must retain a certified inspector.
    • The inspection must occur within six months from the inspection date to the property transfer date.
    • The buyer must submit a completed Notice of Transfer and pay the applicable fee within 15 calendar days after transfer.
    • For Gila County, the Notice of Transfer is submitted online through ADEQ's Onsite Wastewater Notice of Transfer portal because Gila County is not among the specifically listed counties using the alternate form.

    inspection timing: within six months before transfer · notice of transfer deadline: <= 15 calendar days

    “The seller of a property served by a conventional septic system or alternative system shall retain a certified inspector to perform the transfer of ownership inspection within six months from the date of the inspection to the date of when the property is transferred.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-production wells in Gila County under Arizona Department of Water Resources rules.

    • A Notice of Intention to Drill is required for any water-production well outside an Active Management Area.
    • An exempt water-production well in an Active Management Area may be authorized through the online NOI process.
    • A new non-exempt water-production well within an Active Management Area requires a well permit or groundwater withdrawal permit.
    • Modification, deepening, replacement, or abandonment generally requires a paper NOI.
    • A domestic well on a parcel of five or fewer acres must first be reviewed by the applicable county or local health authority before submission to ADWR.
    • ADWR approval does not override other local requirements or ordinances.

    exempt well maximum pump capacity: <= 35 gallons per minute · small-parcel domestic-well health review threshold: <= 5 acres

    “This site may be used to obtain online authorization to drill an exempt water production well that is located within an Active Management Area (AMA) or to drill any type of water production well in an area located outside an AMA.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    The Arizona Recreational Vehicle Long-Term Rental Space Act applies to a recreational-vehicle space rented in a recreational-vehicle park or mobile-home park by the same tenant for more than 180 consecutive days, and to park-model or park-trailer spaces rented by the same tenant for more than 180 consecutive days.

    • For an ordinary recreational-vehicle space, the space must be rented under a rental agreement.
    • For a park model or park trailer, the chapter applies without regard to whether a rental agreement is executed.
    • The chapter does not apply to mobile homes, manufactured homes or factory-built buildings.
    • The chapter does not apply to a property with one or two recreational-vehicle rental spaces.

    occupancy duration: > 180 consecutive days · same tenant: required · property recreational-vehicle rental spaces: <= 2 spaces (The chapter does not apply to a property with one or two recreational-vehicle rental spaces.)

    “This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations and remedies for a recreational vehicle space that is rented in a recreational vehicle park or”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy or use of a mobile home brought into Arizona, or movement of a mobile home from one Arizona mobile-home park to another Arizona mobile-home park.
      “unless it meets the standards adopted pursuant to this chapter and displays the proper state certificate.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Arizona county boards of supervisors adopting zoning for the county area outside incorporated municipalities, including unincorporated land.

    • The statutory definition of county area of jurisdiction is the part of the county outside the corporate limits of any municipality.
    • The zoning ordinance and rezonings and zoning-regulation amendments must be consistent with and conform to the adopted comprehensive plan.
    • The board must consider individual property rights and personal liberties before adopting a zoning ordinance.
    • The statute does not authorize dedications, exactions, fees, or other requirements not otherwise authorized by law.
    • The statute does not authorize regulation or restriction of railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing, or general agricultural uses on tracts of five or more contiguous commercial acres, subject to the statutory cannabis and marijuana qualification.
    “Pursuant to this article, the board of supervisors may adopt a zoning ordinance in order to conserve and promote the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Arizona county boards of supervisors requiring building permits and adopting building, related, and fire-prevention codes for construction in unincorporated areas, including residential construction.

    • Except in cities and towns with an ordinance relating to building permits, the board of supervisors shall require a permit for construction or additions exceeding $1,000 within its jurisdiction.
    • A county building code under section 11-861 applies to unincorporated areas of the county so zoned, and the board may exempt areas zoned rural or unclassified.
    • Building codes may be adopted by reference only after notice and hearings before the county planning and zoning commission and board of supervisors.
    • Authorized building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes must be adopted by a qualifying national code organization or by the largest city in the county; if a city code is adopted, the county must adopt notified changes within 90 days or terminate the adopted city code.
    • A fire-prevention code may be adopted in unincorporated areas where a fire district has not adopted a nationally recognized fire code; it remains effective until a fire district is established and adopts an applicable code.
    • The board may adopt a current wildland-urban interface code using written public-participation procedures.
    • Certain single-family and two-family residential sprinkler requirements are restricted, subject to the statutory exception for codes adopted before December 31, 2009.
    • A county may not deny a building permit based on the proposed capable and authorized utility provider, and may not require a transaction privilege tax or business license as a permit condition.
    • A county may recover reasonable costs associated with reviewing and issuing a building permit.

    building permit construction-cost threshold: > 1000 USD (The requirement does not apply in cities and towns that have an ordinance relating to issuance of building permits.) · city-code change adoption deadline: 90 days (If the county adopts a city code and does not adopt the same notified change within 90 days, it must terminate the adopted city code.) · preexisting sprinkler-code exception date: 2009-12-31 (The statutory sprinkler restriction does not apply to a code or ordinance requiring sprinklers in a residence that was adopted before December 31, 2009.)

    “In any county that has adopted zoning pursuant to this chapter, the board of supervisors may adopt and enforce, for the unincorporated areas of the county so zoned, a building code and other related codes to regulate the quality, type of material and workmanship of all aspects of construction of buildings or structures, except that the board may authorize that areas zoned rural or unclassified may be exempt from the provisions of the code adopted.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility connection requirements for development in Gila County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Gila County, Arizona

Is Gila County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Gila County scores 44/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure and thin water margin (18.6″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Gila County, Arizona?

Gila County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Gila County Community Development Division. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Gila County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Gila County is prohibited: Occupancy of a recreational vehicle as a dwelling unit in the Gila County RR Rural Residential Use District in unincorporated Gila County. The cited rule is district-specific; other Gila County zoning districts may have different recreational-vehicle provisions. The RR district permits storage of one recreational vehicle, but not occupancy as a dwelling unit. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Gila County, Arizona?

Land in Gila County runs about $356 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Gila County?

Gila County gets about 18.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 27.9% of years.

How remote is Gila County?

A typical private-land location has about 16,642 people within 15 miles and 6,042,062 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Gila compares in Arizona

Compare side-by-side →See all 15 Arizona counties ranked →