Bolthole Index

Pima County, Arizona

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

29Index Score / 100
#13 of 15 in Arizona

Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona requires building permits for new construction, remodeling and manufactured-building placement unless an exemption applies; Pima County Development Services is the building office12. County zoning governs unincorporated parcels, while septic Construction and Discharge Authorizations come from Pima County even inside municipal boundaries345. Arizona's owner-builder exemption covers contractor licensing, not county building permits6.

At a glance

Building permit
Required unless a listed exemption applies; manufactured homes also need a state installation permit17
Zoning
Yes; county zoning applies to unincorporated land8
Septic
County-issued Construction and Discharge Authorizations9
Owner-builder exemption
Contractor-license exemption for qualifying work solely for your own occupancy; building permits still apply6
Tiny homes
Allowed up to 400 sq ft; allowed zone depends on construction type10
Accessory dwelling units
Allowed in all residential zones as of Jan. 1, 202611
Soils suitable for conventional septic
33.3% of the county's soils have no severe limits12

Who to call

Building permits

Pima County Development Services

Building permits, plan review and inspections for unincorporated Pima County

520-724-9999

115 N Church Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 231, Tucson, AZ 85701

Online permits →

Zoning

Pima County Development Services — Land Planning & Regulation

Countywide zoning administration and land-use planning for unincorporated Pima County

520-724-9999

115 N Church Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 231, Tucson, AZ 85701

Septic permits

Pima County Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Septic system Construction and Discharge Authorizations, inspections, and property-transfer septic inspections

520-724-7400

Floodplain permits

Pima County Regional Flood Control District

Floodplain determinations and floodplain use permitting for Pima County parcels

520-724-4600

Online permits →

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 Pima 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 Pima County, Arizona?

Unincorporated Pima County requires a building permit for new buildings or structures, remodeling, and manufactured-building placement or relocation unless exempt1. The county's exemption examples include non-retaining walls or fences up to 7 feet high and qualifying flat work up to 30 inches above adjacent grade, but Native Plant Preservation, Buffer Overlay Zone and floodplain requirements can still require approval13. Arizona exempts construction or operations incidental to specified agricultural activities from county building-code regulation; ask Development Services whether your farm structure qualifies before treating a rural home or barn as exempt142. Manufactured or mobile homes intended for occupancy need both a county Building Permit for electric service and sewer or septic connections and a state Mobile Home Installation permit for physical placement7. For a single-family dwelling, final inspection approval constitutes the Certificate of Occupancy; Pima County issues no separate certificate15. County Building Safety issues no occupancy certificate for manufactured or factory-built buildings, because the Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing regulates their interiors16.

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

Pima County Development Services issues building permits and runs plan review and inspections for unincorporated Pima County, with its public office at 115 N Church Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 231, Tucson, AZ 85701, phone 520-724-99992. The county's adopted building codes are available for inspection at its Development Services location on Stone Avenue, and currently list the 2024 Building Codes and 2023 National Electric Code, both effective January 1, 202617. Applications go through the online Pima County Permit Gateway rather than paper submittal; Development Services assigns an activity number, routes the project for review, and emails you if anything is incomplete or needs correction182. The county describes building, sewer-connection and transportation-impact fees as separate calculations19. The permit holder must call for inspections at the required construction stages, and the project is incomplete until required inspections pass20. Inspections can be done in the field or remotely depending on the project, but if you're building in Ajo, Why, Lukeville, Arivaca, Sasabe, or on Mt. Lemmon, on-site inspections in those areas are limited to one day a week, so plan your schedule around that21.

Does Pima County have zoning?

Every parcel in unincorporated Pima County has a zoning designation controlling uses, minimum lot size, setbacks, height and lot coverage3. Zoning still varies across the county as a whole: the Town of Marana and South Tucson each run their own zoning, and septic-system construction, replacement and transfers remain regulated by Pima County22234. The county's GIS zoning layer shows base zoning for incorporated and unincorporated areas, though overlay zones can further restrict use and the data may not be current2425. For unincorporated land: in CR-1 Single Residence, the minimum lot is 36,000 square feet with a 100-foot minimum width; front, side and rear setbacks are 30, 10 and 40 feet, and maximum height is 34 feet or two stories262728. In CR-3, buildable area is limited to 60% of the lot29. Accessory dwelling units are allowed in every residential zone as of January 1, 2026 unless an HOA or plat restriction says otherwise, capped at the smaller of 1,250 square feet or 75% of the main home's living area11. A guest house must share the main dwelling's access rather than add a driveway30.

How do septic permits work in Pima County?

Pima County regulates septic-system construction, replacement, ownership transfer, and closure, while system designs must also conform to Arizona aquifer-protection rules and Pima County Code Title 74. Before you can build or replace a system, Pima County must issue a Construction Authorization, and after the finished system passes a final field inspection, the county must issue a Discharge Authorization before it can be buried and used5. For a property transfer, the seller must have a qualified inspector check the system within six months before the sale and provide the report before closing; the buyer must submit a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days, with a $50 inspection-submittal fee but no fee for the notice31. Off the sewer grid, a septic system is how a Pima County home disposes of household wastewater, and gray water reuse is allowed only if the county brochure and Arizona Administrative Code conditions are followed32. Septic inspectors can be reached at 520-724-740033. Only 33.3% of Pima County's soils have no severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and the possibility of an alternative system12. For unincorporated projects connecting to public sewer, the sewer-connection process is embedded in the building permit; payment of the invoiced fees is required before approval, and certain connections need a separate Small Activity Construction Permit34.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Pima County?

In unincorporated Pima County, a tiny house up to 400 square feet is allowed as a single-family dwelling on a permanent foundation in any zone that allows detached single-family homes, while mobile-chassis tiny houses are trailers allowed only in RH, GR-1, SH, MU, CMH1, CMH2 and IR10. A chassis-built tiny house with suspension and axles removed and attached to a permanent foundation is instead treated as a factory-built building, with a different allowed-zone list10. For RV occupancy, in the county's RVC Rural Village Center Zone, a recreational vehicle can be used as temporary housing for up to one year while you build a residence on the same property, with a possible 180-day extension after application and presentation of a valid building permit for that residence, with neighbor notification by the zoning inspector35. The TH Trailer Homesite Zone allows seasonal or temporary travel-trailer, motor-home and camper occupancy, rather than establishing a countywide camping right36. Outside these specific zones, we could not confirm a general right to live in an RV on ordinary residential or rural-zoned land in Pima County, so confirm your parcel's zone and its rules with Pima County Development Services before you plan around it37.

What are the steps to build a home in Pima County?

  1. Confirm zoning and floodplain status with Development Services and the Regional Flood Control District33738.
  2. Check Native Plant Preservation and Buffer Overlay Zone requirements1.
  3. Arrange septic Construction Authorization before system construction, or follow the sewer-connection process embedded in the county building permit534.
  4. Choose a licensed contractor or confirm the owner-builder contractor-license exemption: work must be solely for your occupancy, without intended sale, rental or public occupancy6.
  5. Submit the building application through the online Pima County Permit Gateway18.
  6. Pay applicable building, sewer-connection and transportation-impact fees19.
  7. Call for inspections at the specified construction stages; required inspections must pass before the project is complete20. On-site inspections in Ajo, Why, Lukeville, Arivaca, Sasabe and Mt. Lemmon are limited to one day a week21.
  8. Obtain septic Discharge Authorization before burial and use5.
  9. Obtain final inspection approval for the single-family dwelling; that approval serves as its Certificate of Occupancy15.

What should you check before buying land in Pima County?

A Pima County well requires the appropriate Arizona Department of Water Resources filing and a drill card before work begins, performed by a licensed well driller39. Form 55-40 covers exempt wells with pumps of 35 gallons per minute or less and any water-production well outside an Active Management Area; a domestic well on a parcel of 5 acres or less needs county or local health-authority review before it goes to ADWR40. Non-exempt wells in an Active Management Area follow separate ADWR applications, and ADWR approval does not override local well-drilling rules, so confirm your parcel's location and pumping plans with ADWR4041. Pima County requires floodplain use permits for new structures or manufactured-home placement in regulated flood-prone areas of unincorporated land42. Dividing land into 6 or more residential lots of less than 36 acres each requires a county subdivision plat; tentative plat approval precedes a Site Construction Permit and requires written approval from servicing water, sewer and electrical utilities43. Pima County's median property tax bill is $2,248 a year, with an effective rate near 0.8%4445. About 27.5% of years bring severe drought, making the water-supply plan a practical buying consideration46.

Watch-outs

  • Pima County's own exemption list for building permits is described as examples only, and the county explicitly warns a permit may still be required even for listed project types, so confirm with Pima County Development Services before skipping a permit on a borderline project132.
  • Short-term rental land-use rules for Pima County are unconfirmed, so confirm current zoning treatment directly with Pima County Development Services before buying with that use in mind37.
  • Pima County's 100-square-foot minimum applies to hotel, motel and tourist-court units, excluding bathrooms, closets, kitchens and similar ancillary space; we could not confirm a general minimum home size, so ask Development Services before designing a very small home472.
  • Occupancy certificates follow the project type: new commercial and tenant-improvement work gets one automatically after all inspections pass, with fire-district and, for food, health approval first, and a home day-care for up to 10 children or adults needs a Certificate of Occupancy plus a State of Arizona license4849.
  • Inside Marana and South Tucson, building-permit authority is unconfirmed here, so call the town or city before assuming Pima County Development Services is the office2223.

Sources

  1. Do I Need a Permit?, quoted and re-checked
  2. Pima County Development Services (pima.gov)
  3. Land Planning & Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  5. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  6. A.R.S. § 32-1121 — Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability, quoted and re-checked
  7. Manufactured Homes, quoted and re-checked
  8. Land Planning & Regulation (2026 county census)
  9. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (2026 county census)
  10. Permitting Regulation for Tiny Houses, quoted and re-checked
  11. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), quoted and re-checked
  12. 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
  13. Do I Need a Permit?, quoted and re-checked
  14. A.R.S. § 11-865 — Exemptions; exception, quoted and re-checked
  15. pima.gov, quoted and re-checked
  16. Certificates of Occupancy & Existing Structures, quoted and re-checked
  17. pima.gov, quoted and re-checked
  18. Online Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Development Services Fees, quoted and re-checked
  20. How do I obtain a permit? - Pima County, quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Inspection Portal, quoted and re-checked
  22. Town of Marana: Chapter 17-4. Zoning (Pima County), quoted and re-checked
  23. South Tucson: Development Services and Permits (Pima County), quoted and re-checked
  24. Zoning - All Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  25. Land Planning & Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  26. codelibrary.amlegal.com, quoted and re-checked
  27. 18.21.030 Development standards—General, quoted and re-checked
  28. codelibrary.amlegal.com, quoted and re-checked
  29. codelibrary.amlegal.com, quoted and re-checked
  30. Guest Houses, quoted and re-checked
  31. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  32. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  33. Pima County Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (pima.gov)
  34. Sewer Connection Permits, quoted and re-checked
  35. Pima County Code § 18.41.030, RVC Rural Village Center Zone, quoted and re-checked
  36. Pima County Code § 18.11.010, TH Trailer Homesite Zone, quoted and re-checked
  37. Pima County Development Services — Land Planning & Regulation (pima.gov)
  38. Pima County Regional Flood Control District (pima.gov)
  39. Well Drilling in Arizona, quoted and re-checked
  40. azwater.gov, quoted and re-checked
  41. Well Permitting & Notice of Intention Forms, quoted and re-checked
  42. Permits - Pima County Regional Flood Control District, quoted and re-checked
  43. Process for Subdivision Platting, quoted and re-checked
  44. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  45. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  46. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  47. Pima County Code § 8.16.110, Dwelling units—Ventilation and maintenance, quoted and re-checked
  48. Certificates of Occupancy & Existing Structures, quoted and re-checked
  49. Child Care / Adult Care Home Service, quoted and re-checked

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, Pima County has countywide zoning.

RulePima CountySanta Cruz CountyPinal CountyCochise CountyMaricopa CountyGraham CountyGila County
Building permitRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsPima CountyCounty Env. Health Div.County Air Quality & Env. HealthCounty Health Dept.County Env. Services Dept.County Dept. of Health & Human ServicesCounty Community Development Div.

County locator

Pima County in Arizona

29
County map
Pima County highlighted among the Arizona counties · colored by Index score

How Pima County scores

Seclusion25100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency14100% ev.
Admin Boringness49100% ev.
Durability37100% ev.
Property Autonomy65100% ev.
Carry Cost83100% 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 →

$343kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$504Land / acre
11.4"Annual rain
27.5% of yrsSevere drought
86.8 / yr (+35.5)Mid-century 100°F days
66.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.04" (+7.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.11×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,052Home insurance / yr
2.4% / yrInsurance growth
1.26%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
95,886People within 30 min
2,058,552People within 2 hr
230,813Radius comparison (15 mi)
115.7People / sq mi
30.7%Federal land
75.5%Land at 15% slope or less
33.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
1,650,362 acWorkable land screen
5.5%Wooded land
6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
68.3°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Pima 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 Oro Valley

Answers from the rulebook for Pima County

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

Pima County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction of new buildings or structures, remodeling, and manufactured building placement or relocation within Pima County jurisdiction.

    • A building permit is required unless the project falls within an applicable exemption.
    • The county describes its exemption list as general examples and warns that a permit may still be required.
    • Native Plant Preservation Ordinance compliance may apply.
    • Buffer Overlay Zone Ordinance requirements may apply.
    • Floodplain location may require additional permitting.
    • Specific minor-work exceptions include, among others, attic insulation without remodeling, new carpet, flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade if not over a basement or story and not part of an accessible route, and non-retaining walls and fences no more than 7 feet high.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer separate building-permit rules.

    non-retaining wall or fence exemption height: <= 7 feet (The county's table lists this as permit-not-required work.) · flat work exemption height: <= 30 inches above adjacent grade (Must not be over a basement or story below and must not be part of an accessible route.)

    “Construction of new buildings/structures, remodeling and manufactured building placement or relocation require a building permit unless exempt in following list of example projects.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction of new buildings or structures, remodeling, and manufactured-building placement or relocation in unincorporated Pima County.
      “Construction of new buildings/structures, remodeling and manufactured building placement or relocation require a building permit unless exempt in following list of example projects.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Pima County building-code administration for the codes identified by the county as adopted by reference and available for inspection at Development Services.

    • The county page states that the listed codes are adopted by reference.
    • The county's building-permits resources page states that the current 2024 Building Codes and 2023 National Electric Code are effective January 1, 2026.
    • Local amendments are separately listed by the county and may modify the base codes.
    • The county page lists the International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Property Maintenance, Wildland-Urban Interface, and Existing Building Codes, plus the National Electrical Code and the 2012 City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code.

    building code edition: 2024 Building Codes · electrical code edition: 2023 National Electric Code · effective date: 2026-01-01

    “Note: The following Pima County Building Codes adopted by reference are available for Inspection at Development Services, located at 201 N Stone:”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Building-permit projects in Pima County for which permit conditions require inspections.

    • Inspection obligations depend on the permit and its conditions; the county directs applicants to check permit conditions and inspection status.
    • Traditional field inspections and remote inspections are available.
    • Remote inspection eligibility depends on permit documentation, size, complexity, and inspection type.
    • A complete remote inspection may not be feasible; the remote inspector may partially approve and schedule an on-site inspection.
    • On-site inspections are limited to one day per week in Ajo/Why/Lukeville, Arivaca/Sasabe, and Mt. Lemmon; those day limits do not apply to remote inspections.
    • A special charge may apply for custom field inspections.

    next-business-day scheduling cutoff: before 4 pm

    “Depending on size, complexity, and type of inspection, a complete remote inspection may not be feasible.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Permitted building construction in unincorporated Pima County.
      “It is the permit holders’ responsibility to call for inspections at specific times during the construction phase. Detailed inspection requirements are posted in the Building Inspection Portal. A project is not complete until it passes required inspections.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Child care home service and adult day care home service uses in Pima County zoning jurisdiction.

    • The use is a compensated child care home service for up to ten children or an adult day care home service for up to ten elderly or functionally impaired adults for part of a day.
    • The Pima County Zoning Code allows these uses in rural and residential zones except the TH Trailer Homesite Zone, subject to home-occupation standards.
    • The applicant must obtain a State of Arizona license for the child care or adult care home service.
    • Applications for 7 to 10 clients require neighborhood notification to properties within 300 feet; noticed owners have 15 days to file a written protest, and a protest sends the application to the Board of Adjustment.
    • A change of use requires a new permit.
    • Fees are assessed under Table 3, with different listed items for up to six clients and for 7 to 10 clients.

    maximum children or adults served: <= 10 persons (Applies to the respective child care home service or adult day care home service.) · neighborhood notification distance: 300 feet (Applies to applications for 7 to 10 clients.) · written protest period: 15 days (Applies after notice to properties within 300 feet.)

    “A Certificate of Occupancy is required for the Child Care or the Adult Care Home Service use”
    6 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — New construction and tenant-improvement work subject to Pima County building permitting.
      “associated with new construction or tenant improvement work.”
    • Not required — Buildings erected before Pima County adopted applicable building codes, where there has been no change of use and no construction work requiring a permit.
      “When a change of business name is requested for a building/tenant space holding a valid C of O or conforming to Section 4.1 of this document and not undertaking a change of occupancy or use, a new C of O shall not be required or provided.”
    • Not required — Manufactured and factory-built buildings regulated by the Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing.
      “shall not be issued for manufactured and factory built buildings.”
    • Limited — Single-family dwellings subject to Pima County permitting.
      “Per Pima County Code, final inspection approval of single family dwellings constitutes the Certificate of Occupancy. A separate Certificate is not issued.”
    • Required — New construction and tenant-improvement work subject to the cited Pima County Building & Site Development procedure.
      “A C of O shall be issued solely as the culmination of the building permitting process associated with new construction or tenant improvement work.”
    • Not required — Manufactured and factory-built buildings addressed by Pima County Building Safety.
      “A C of O shall not be issued for manufactured and factory built buildings. Pima County Building Safety has no authority over the interior of these buildings which are regulated by the Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Pima County zoning-code administration; the cited county page establishes county zoning ordinances but does not specify the boundary between unincorporated county jurisdiction and incorporated municipalities.

    • Specific zoning applicability, use permissions, and dimensional standards depend on the applicable zoning district and ordinance provisions.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer their own local zoning rules.
    “And to delve one level deeper, each property and parcel in the unincorporated County has a zoning designation that lists permitted uses and development standards, such as minimum lot size, building setbacks and height, and lot coverage.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Pima County, including county-administered zoning and potentially separate rules administered by incorporated municipalities and other local governments.

    • The aggregate conclusion does not mean Pima County administers every local ordinance.
    • Parcel-specific zoning, use permits, variances, setbacks, lot coverage, and other controls depend on the applicable local jurisdiction and zoning district.
    • The county page states that long-range planning works with local government and communities, while current planning uses zoning-code ordinances and related approvals.
    “zone_all displays the existing base zoning for all incorporated and unincorporated areas in Pima County. The zoning designations within this layer represent "base" zoning for each jurisdiction, as many of them employ overlay zones that further administer property use.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Published base zoning information for incorporated and unincorporated areas within Pima County.

    • The County GIS layer displays base zoning for all incorporated and unincorporated areas.
    • Overlay zones may further administer property use.
    • The County GIS metadata lists zoning codes including CB-1, CB-2, CI-1, CI-2, CI-3, CMH-1, CMH-2, CPI, CR-1 through CR-5, GC, GR-1, IR, MU, RH, RVC, SH, SP, SR, SR-2, TH, and TR, and identifies municipal jurisdiction codes such as MAR, ORO V, SAH, and TUC.
    • GIS metadata warns that some information may not be current and that accuracy may vary.
    “zone_all displays the existing base zoning for all incorporated and unincorporated areas in Pima County.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwelling units in Pima County hotels, motels, and tourist courts under Chapter 8.16.

    • Each unit must provide at least 100 square feet of floor area, excluding bathrooms, closets, kitchens, and similar ancillary facilities.
    • The unit must also be of sufficient size to afford ample circulation of air and freedom of movement.
    • Where windows are relied upon for ventilation, window area must equal at least 20 percent of the floor area.
    • At least 25 percent of the furnished window area must be capable of being opened unless other satisfactory ventilation is provided, and operable windows must be effectively screened.
    • The provision also requires compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes Title 36, Chapter 13, Article 2 relating to gas appliances.

    minimum floor area per unit: >= 100 square feet (exclusive of bathrooms, closets, kitchens and similar ancillary facilities) · window area when relied upon for ventilation: >= 20 percent of floor area · operable portion of furnished window area: >= 25 percent (unless other satisfactory means of ventilation are provided)

    “not less than one hundred square feet of floor area shall be provided for each unit, exclusive of bathrooms, closets, kitchens and similar ancillary facilities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Dwelling units in Pima County hotels, motels, and tourist courts regulated under Chapter 8.16.
      “Dwelling units shall be of sufficient size to afford ample circulation of air and freedom of movement but not less than one hundred square feet of floor area shall be provided for each unit, exclusive of bathrooms, closets, kitchens and similar ancillary facilities.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots and dwelling units in the county CR-1 Single Residence Zone in unincorporated Pima County.

    • Minimum area per dwelling unit is also 36,000 square feet.
    • Minimum lot width is 100 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 36000 square feet · minimum area per dwelling unit: >= 36000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 100 feet

    “Minimum lot area: Thirty-six thousand square feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Main building yard requirements in the county CR-1 Single Residence Zone in unincorporated Pima County.

    • The provision also states a minimum distance between main buildings of 20 feet, except as required for a rear dwelling under Section 18.09.020(D).

    front setback: >= 30 feet · side setback: >= 10 feet each · rear setback: >= 40 feet · minimum distance between main buildings: >= 20 feet (except as required in Section 18.09.020(D) for a rear dwelling)

    “Front: Thirty feet; Side: Ten feet each; Rear: Forty feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildable area in the county CR-3 Single Residence Zone in unincorporated Pima County.

    • The code uses the term buildable area and limits it to 60 percent of the lot.

    maximum buildable area: <= 60 percent of lot

    “Buildable area: Not to exceed sixty percent of the lot.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the county CR-1 Single Residence Zone in unincorporated Pima County.

    • The zone permits no more than two stories.

    maximum building height: <= 34 feet · maximum stories: <= 2 stories

    “Maximum height: Thirty-four feet; Maximum stories: Two.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicle occupancy as a temporary mobile home in the Pima County RVC Rural Village Center Zone during construction of a residence on the same property.

    • Occupancy is limited to one year during construction of a residence on the same property.
    • For this section, mobile home includes a mobile home, manufactured home and recreational vehicle.
    • An additional 180-day extension may be granted upon application after the property owner provides the zoning inspector with a valid building permit for construction of the residence on the same property.
    • The zoning inspector must notify adjoining property owners within 100 feet.
    • A written protest received within 15 days of mailing requires the board of adjustment to hear the case under Section 18.93.040; absent a timely protest, the zoning inspector issues the extension.

    initial temporary occupancy period: 1 year (during construction of a residence on the same property) · possible extension: 180 days (application and valid building permit required)

    “Temporary mobile home: For one year during construction of a residence on the same property.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Seasonal or temporary occupancy of travel trailers, motor homes and campers in the Pima County TH Trailer Homesite Zone.

    • The cited provision describes the purpose and scope of the TH zone; it does not establish unrestricted camping countywide.
    • The TH zone is to be located on or near interstate, state and federal highways, or in areas designated by duly adopted area or neighborhood plans.
    • Other zoning, building, wastewater, floodplain and health requirements may apply.
    “Purpose: To provide adequate areas for travel trailers, motor homes, and campers for seasonal or temporary occupancy, that will also provide certain necessary convenience services.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses, defined by Pima County as single-family dwellings of maximum 400 square feet, in unincorporated Pima County zones governed by the county zoning code.

    • Tiny houses on permanent foundations are permitted in zones allowing detached single-family dwellings.
    • Tiny houses on a chassis with suspension and axle components removed and permanently attached to a permanent foundation are treated as factory-built buildings and are allowable only in CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, TR, ML, SP, CB-1 and CB-2 zones.
    • Tiny houses on mobile chassis are considered trailers and are permitted only in RH, GR-1, SH, MU, CMH1, CMH2 and IR zones.
    • Tiny houses regulated by the State of Arizona are permitted in zones according to the Arizona-defined housing category.
    • Tiny houses must be built and inspected under 2018 IRC Appendix Q.
    • Off-site construction requires approval by a recognized agency or approved accredited tiny-house fabricator.

    maximum floor area: <= 400 square feet (single-family dwelling definition)

    “A tiny house is a single family dwelling of maximum 400 square feet”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Importing, installing or relocating manufactured or mobile homes for occupancy in Pima County.

    • Both a Pima County Building Permit and a State of Arizona Mobile Home Installation permit are required.
    • Pima County permits electric service and wastewater connection to public sewer or a septic system; the State of Arizona permits physical placement of the mobile home.
    • Any mobile home imported, installed or relocated in Pima County must provide certification of required State of Arizona rehabilitation when applicable.
    • For pre-June 15, 1976 mobile homes, state rehabilitation certification is required for units installed in manufactured-home parks and on individual lots.
    • Depending on project scope, prior approval from the Regional Flood Control District, Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality or Department of Transportation may be required.
    “Both a Pima County Building Permit and a State of Arizona Mobile Home Installation permit are required.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in Pima County residential zones, subject to county requirements and private HOA or plat-map restrictions.

    • As of January 1, 2026, ADUs are permitted on all residential zones in Pima County unless restricted by an HOA or plat map.
    • A parcel under one acre may have one attached ADU and one detached ADU.
    • A parcel of one acre or more may have one additional detached ADU, with restricted-affordable rent requirements for that additional unit.
    • The total ADU area is limited to the smaller of 1,250 square feet or 75% of the main dwelling's habitable living area.
    • Each ADU pays a transportation impact fee; the amount depends on whether it is detached site-built, attached or manufactured.
    • A separate unit address is required before applying for the ADU building permit.
    • ADUs must use the existing main driveway; additional driveways are not allowed.
    • The 2024 IRC, including Pima County amendments, and Inclusive Home Design requirements apply.
    • In zones allowing manufactured homes, a detached ADU may also be a manufactured home, RV, travel trailer, mobile home or modular home, subject to the same square-footage limits.

    ADU maximum area: <= 1250 square feet (or 75% of the main dwelling's habitable living area, whichever is smaller) · additional detached ADU threshold: >= 1 acre (additional unit has restricted-affordable rent requirements)

    “As of January 1, 2026, Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are permitted on all residential zones in Pima County Unless Restricted by Your HOA or Plat Map.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater treatment facilities in Pima County.

    • Pima County regulates construction, replacement, ownership transfer, and closure.
    • System designs must conform to Arizona Administrative Code Arizona State Aquifer Protection Permit rules and Pima County Code Title 7.
    “As these systems pose a risk for surface water and groundwater contamination, Pima County regulates the construction (including replacement), ownership transfer, and closure of septic systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, replacement, and use of onsite wastewater treatment facilities in Pima County.

    • Pima County must issue a Construction Authorization before construction or replacement.
    • Pima County must issue a Discharge Authorization after final field inspection and before the facility is buried and put into use.
    • A site investigation determines whether the system is conventional or alternative.
    • The design must conform to Arizona APP rules and Pima County Code Title 7.
    “Pima County must first issue a Construction Authorization for the facility before it can be constructed or replaced. Then, after the facility passes a final field inspection, Pima County must issue a Discharge Authorization before the facility can be buried and put into use.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite wastewater systems constructed, replaced, or transferred in Pima County.

    • A final field inspection is required before Discharge Authorization and before burial/use.
    • For property transfers, a qualified inspector must inspect within six months before transfer.
    • For a transfer, the seller provides the completed report to the buyer before closing; the transferee submits a Notice of Transfer within 15 calendar days after transfer.
    • The transfer inspection submission carries a $50 fee; Pima County does not require a $50 fee for the Notice of Transfer.

    transfer inspection lookback: 6 months before property transfer · notice of transfer deadline: 15 calendar days after property transfer · septic transfer inspection fee: 50 USD (No $50 fee is required for the Notice of Transfer submittal)

    “In accordance with the Arizona Administrative Code's Arizona State Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) Rules (PDF) and Pima County Code Title 7, any person selling or otherwise transferring ownership of a property served by an on-site wastewater treatment facility must retain a qualified Inspector to inspect the facility within six months before the property transfer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Household sanitation on property in Pima County that is not connected to a municipal sewer system.

    • Septic systems are used when a home is not connected to a municipal sewer system, but Pima County permits and authorizations are required.
    • Construction Authorization is required before construction or replacement; final field inspection and Discharge Authorization are required before burial and use.
    • Gray water reuse is available only if the stated brochure and Arizona Administrative Code conditions are followed.
    “Onsite wastewater treatment facilities, commonly known as septic systems, are used in Pima County to dispose of household liquid waste when a home is not connected to a municipal sewer system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Sewer connections for development in Pima County, including unincorporated county projects and projects reviewed by municipalities.

    • Applicant must provide the required project information to Pima County and pay the invoiced amount before receiving the sewer connection permit.
    • For municipalities, the building permit is released after the applicant provides sewer connection or onsite permit and the municipality validates the address, water meter size, and use against approved plans.
    • For unincorporated county projects, the sewer-connection process is embedded in the building permit.
    • A Small Activity Construction Permit is required for private sewer lines connecting to a manhole, a sewer pipe greater than 12 inches, a sewer pipe 12 inches or less in the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, sewer lines on Tribal Land or State/Federal Government property, or connections that have not undergone building or site-development review.
    • Fees are invoiced during review and payment is required before permit approval.

    small activity sewer lateral tap into public sewer 12 inches or less fee: 323 USD (fee table effective 04/23/2026; listed as $546 effective 04/23/2027) · small activity sewer lateral tap into public sewer greater than 12 inches fee: 223 USD (fee table effective 04/23/2026; listed as $296 effective 04/23/2027)

    “A Small Activity Construction Permit is required when a private sewer line is connecting to the following public sewer features: A manhole A sewer pipe greater than 12 inches in diameter A sewer pipe 12 inches or less in the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita Any sewer line within Tribal Land or State/Federal Government property or When the connection to the public sewer has not gone through a jurisdiction's building or site development review process.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Residential projects in Pima County's county subdivision jurisdiction where property is divided into six or more lots that are each less than 36 acres, and commercial or industrial projects where a plat is required as a rezoning condition.

    • Subdivisions regulated by municipalities are excepted from the county board's subdivision regulation jurisdiction.
    • Tentative Plat approval is a prerequisite for a Site Construction Permit.
    • A tentative plat may not be approved until the servicing water, sewer, and electrical utility provides written approval.
    • Electronic submittal is required for Tentative Plat and Final Plat projects.
    • The cited county process states that utilities, fire departments, ADOT, and other agencies may have separate regulatory roles; applicants are responsible for contacting them directly.

    residential lot count: >= 6 lots (Applies where property is divided into six or more lots.) · residential lot area: < 36 acres (Each lot must be less than 36 acres for the stated plat applicability.)

    “A subdivision plat is required for residential projects where property is divided into six or more lots, less than 36 acres each, and for commercial/industrial projects when required as a condition of rezoning. Tentative Plat approval is a pre-requisite for a Site Construction Permit.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Guest houses on residential or rural lots subject to the Pima County Zoning Code.

    • The guest house must use the same access serving the main dwelling.
    • No new driveway or other access point is allowed.
    • The guest house must meet the applicable zoning standards and use the custom home process.

    minimum lot size: >= 4000 square feet

    “Shall use the same access which serves the main dwelling (No new driveway or other access points allowed)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development and specified improvements on land in unincorporated Pima County within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, other regulatory floodplains, regulated riparian habitat areas, or erosion hazard areas.

    • A floodplain use permit is required before construction or development for any new structure, new manufactured home, replacement of an existing manufactured home or travel trailer, change of use of any portion of an existing structure, substantial improvement, or other improvement to a structure or manufactured home when material and labor exceed $7,500.
    • A floodplain use permit is also required for any other development within the listed regulated areas.
    • The activity is unlawful without first applying for and obtaining the permit from the Chief Engineer and complying with all permit conditions and Title 16.
    • A permit is not required for a structure less than 200 square feet, or for repair or alteration of an existing structure costing no more than $7,500, only if the improvements do not obstruct, divert, or retard floodwater flow; do not disturb or remove regulated riparian habitat; and comply with all other Title 16 provisions, including flood-venting and anchoring requirements.
    • Exempt structures constructed in violation of Title 16 may require a permit to bring them into compliance, and repairs or alterations may not be performed piecemeal to avoid the $7,500 threshold.
    • The ordinance applies only in areas prone to flooding with peak discharge of at least 100 cubic feet per second or areas prone to sheet flooding; other ordinances, including the Grading Ordinance, may apply elsewhere.
    • The District issues floodplain use permits in unincorporated portions of Pima County. Properties in the City of Tucson and the towns of Oro Valley, Marana, and Sahuarita may obtain permits through those jurisdictions' floodplain management offices.

    peak flood discharge threshold: >= 100 cubic feet per second (The ordinance also applies to areas prone to sheet flooding.) · improvement material and labor threshold: > 7500 USD (Repairs or alterations at or below $7,500 may be exempt if all listed conditions are satisfied.) · small-structure exemption size: < 200 square feet (The exemption does not remove other Title 16 requirements.) · ordinance effective date: 2010-06-03

    “A floodplain use permit shall be obtained for any new structure, new manufactured home, replacement of an existing manufactured home or travel trailer”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Pima County Development Services building permits and related development fees.

    • Building permit fees include building, sewer connection, and transportation impact fees.
    • The County provides separate residential and commercial project fee calculators.
    • Transportation right-of-way use permit fees are provided through a separate fee schedule.
    “Building permit fees are comprised of building, sewer connection, and transportation impact fees. These may be calculated in the following manner:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Online Pima County building permit applications.

    • Applicants must follow project-specific submittal criteria and prepare PDF documentation.
    • Applications are submitted through the Pima County Permit Gateway, which requires an account.
    • Paper copies and thumb drives or discs are not accepted.
    • Development Services assigns an activity number and routes the project for internal review.
    • Incomplete applications or required corrections generate an emailed notification.
    • After approval, the invoice may be paid online, in person, or through an APA account; the permit is emailed after payment.
    “Upon receipt of an application, Development Services shall generate an activity number, route the project for internal review, and applicant shall receive an emailed notification”

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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Owner-builders improving property or building or improving structures or appurtenances in Arizona, including Pima County, where the statutory conditions are met.
      “Owners of property who improve such property or who build or improve structures or appurtenances on such property and who do the work themselves”
  • Well permitLimited

    Well drilling, deepening, replacement, or modification in Pima County under Arizona Department of Water Resources rules.

    • A Notice of Intent to Drill is required before drilling a new well or deepening or modifying an existing well.
    • Form DWR 55-40 applies before drilling, deepening, replacing, or modifying a water-producing well outside an Active Management Area and before drilling, deepening, replacing, or modifying an exempt well inside an Active Management Area.
    • A different form is required for a non-exempt well inside an Active Management Area.
    • The proposed action may not begin until ADWR issues a drill card.
    • A licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work.
    • For domestic use on a parcel of 5 acres or less, the county environmental health department or local health authority must review the NOI before filing with ADWR.
    • The NOI filing fee is $150 within an AMA or Irrigation Non-Expansion Area; outside those areas it is $100 for solely domestic use with a pump capacity of not more than 35 gallons per minute, otherwise $150.
    • Authorization to drill is valid for one year; after that, a new NOI must be filed.

    exempt-well pump capacity threshold: <= 35 gallons per minute (in an AMA, and for the fee classification outside an AMA/INA) · domestic-use parcel health review threshold: <= 5 acres (county or local health authority review applies before NOI submission) · NOI filing fee in AMA or INA: 150 USD (plus review-related and legal-notice costs where applicable) · NOI filing fee outside AMA or INA for solely domestic use with pump capacity not more than 35 gpm: 100 USD (otherwise the fee is $150)

    “Form DWR 55-40 must be filed prior to drilling, deepening, replacing or modifying any well located outside of an Active Management Area (AMA) that will pump water, and prior to drilling, deepening, replacing or modifying an exempt well inside of an AMA.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Non-exempt wells within an Arizona Active Management Area, if the applicable Pima County parcel is within an AMA.
      “If you are drilling a NON-EXEMPT WELL within an Active Management Area (AMA), please use the following list:”
    • Limited — Wells in Pima County subject to Arizona Department of Water Resources requirements; the applicable pathway depends on whether the well is exempt, whether it is in an Active Management Area, and the proposed use.
      “This form is used for exempt (pumps 35 gallons per minute or less) [...] or for any water-production well outside of an AMA.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Construction of a hoophouse or polyhouse used exclusively for producing and storing live plants in Arizona counties.

    • The structure must not have a permanent anchoring system.
    • No temporary or permanent storage of solvents, fertilizers, gases, chemicals, or flammable materials is allowed.
    • The structure must not be wider than thirty-one feet and must have an unobstructed path of not more than one hundred fifty feet from any point to a door or fully accessible wall.
    • The covering must be no greater than twelve mils thick, comply with NFPA 701, and provide approximately four pounds of maximum impact resistance for egress.
    • Electrical or mechanical devices subject to county codes and backflow-prevention devices connected to potable water still require permits.
    • The structure must comply with county height, setback, and lot-coverage requirements for detached accessory buildings or structures.
    • A county may establish an administrative review process.

    maximum width: <= 31 feet · maximum unobstructed path to exit: <= 150 feet · maximum covering thickness: <= 12 mils

    “construction of a hoophouse or polyhouse is exempt from county building permit requirements”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — County building-code regulation in Arizona, including Pima County, for construction or operations incidental to the specified agricultural and rural-fire-prevention activities.
      “A. This article does not apply to: 1. [...] farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture or stock or poultry raising”
    • Conditional — County zoning ordinances authorized under A.R.S. chapter 11; use or occupation of land or improvements for general agricultural purposes on tracts of five or more contiguous commercial acres.
      “Prevent, restrict or otherwise regulate the use or occupation of land or improvements for [...] general agricultural purposes, if the tract concerned is five or more contiguous commercial acres.”
    • Conditional — Construction or operation incidental to irrigation and drainage ditches, farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, stock or poultry raising, and specified rural fire-prevention work under the building-code article referenced by A.R.S. § 11-865.
      “This article does not apply to: 1. Construction or operation incidental to [...] farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture or stock or poultry raising”
    • Available (with conditions) — Leasing agricultural lands under Arizona's statutory definition of subdivision or subdivided lands.
      “(c) Does not include: [...] (iii) The leasing of agricultural lands or apartments, offices, stores, hotels, motels, pads or similar space within an apartment building, industrial building, rental recreational vehicle community, rental manufactured home community, rental mobile home park or commercial building.”
  • 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.

  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Pima 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.

Water rights & wells in Pima County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arizona’s water agency.

Managed area

Groundwater is actively managed here, but a small household well is generally still available.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Small non-irrigation 'exempt' wells (pump capacity 35 gpm or less) are allowed statewide, including inside Active Management Areas and INAs, but must be registered with ADWR; outside any AMA/INA groundwater is essentially rule of capture. Inside an AMA a new subdivision or large use must show an Assured Water Supply.

Limit: exempt well = pump capacity 35 gpm or less (A.R.S. §45-454)

Arizona Dept of Water Resources — Exempt Well ↗
  • Tucson Active Management Areamajority of county

    New subdivisions and large groundwater uses must demonstrate an Assured Water Supply; small domestic exempt wells (≤35 gpm) still allowed but must be registered.

    Arizona Dept of Water Resources — AMA Overview ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arizona state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Pima County, Arizona

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

Pima County scores 29/100 on the Bolthole Index, a weak county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 11.4″ of rain a year, in severe drought 27.5% of years and about 95,886 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Pima County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Pima County (Development Services / Environmental Quality - Onsite Wastewater). 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.

How much does land cost in Pima County, Arizona?

Land in Pima County runs about $504 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pima County?

Pima County gets about 11.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 27.5% of years. On water rights, Pima County lies in the Tucson Active Management Area — New subdivisions and large groundwater uses must demonstrate an Assured Water Supply; small domestic exempt wells (≤35 gpm) still allowed but must be registered..

How remote is Pima County?

A representative private-land location has about 95,886 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,058,552 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Pima compares in Arizona

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