Bolthole Index

Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Nogales, Arizona

For land inside Nogales, Arizona, start with City Community Development for building and zoning review; we could not confirm a complete rule stating which residential projects require a building permit.1 The city regulates subdivision and floodplain development, while Santa Cruz County handles conventional septic permits and ADEQ handles other onsite-system categories.2345

At a glance

Building permit
City development review is documented; ask Community Development which residential work requires a permit16
Zoning
Nogales has its own Zoning and Development Standards Code7
Septic
Santa Cruz County handles conventional systems; ADEQ handles other categories45
Floodplain
City standards apply, with county floodplain staff serving Nogales38
Subdivision
City subdivision platting procedures apply inside Nogales2
Owner-builder
A state contractor-licensing exemption may apply, but it does not remove local building review9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Nogales Community Development

Pre-application guidance, site-plan review, zoning applications, subdivisions and building-related project intake inside Nogales

520-287-6571

777 North Grand Avenue Nogales, AZ 85621

Septic permits

Santa Cruz County Environmental Health

Conventional septic-system plan review and inspections for properties in Santa Cruz County, including applicable systems inside Nogales

520-375-7900

Floodplain permits

Santa Cruz County Flood Control District and Floodplain Administration

Flood-hazard information and development procedures for flood-prone property inside Nogales

520-375-7685

2150 N. Congress Dr, Ste 206 Nogales, AZ 85621

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Nogales, Arizona?

Nogales publishes a municipal development-review framework covering review authority, administration, enforcement, site plans, access, subdivision platting and fees, but the available material does not establish a complete general rule for which new homes or alterations require a building permit.1 Start with City of Nogales Community Development before designing or ordering a structure; the office recommends a pre-application process after the initial project conversation.6

Arizona's owner-builder exemption is an exemption from contractor licensing for qualifying owner-occupied work, not an exemption from a local building permit.9 We could not confirm a Nogales-specific owner-builder rule, inspection schedule or certificate-of-occupancy requirement, so ask Community Development about all three for the proposed work.6

Who handles building permits and zoning in Nogales?

City of Nogales Community Development is the first stop for a parcel inside city limits. The Planning Division publishes pre-application, site-plan review, conditional-use, rezoning, variance, special-use, subdivision-plat and lot-split materials.6 Call 520-287-6571 or visit 777 North Grand Avenue, Nogales, AZ 85621.6

Santa Cruz County's Building Department and Planning office administer rules for unincorporated land, not ordinary city building and zoning review.107 A Nogales mailing address does not by itself settle jurisdiction, so confirm that the parcel is inside city limits with Community Development before relying on the city code.6

Does Nogales have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and tiny homes?

Nogales administers its own Zoning and Development Standards Code inside city limits, separate from Santa Cruz County's rules for unincorporated land.7 The city code includes municipal review authority, administration and enforcement, while its development standards cover site plans and access.1

We could not confirm current district-specific minimum lot sizes, setbacks, lot coverage, building heights or minimum dwelling sizes from the available material. Ask Community Development for the parcel's zoning district and dimensional table before making an offer.6 We also could not confirm a comprehensive Nogales rule for RV living, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or accessory dwellings; the statewide long-term-rental law for spaces in RV or mobile-home parks does not answer whether you may live in an RV on a private Nogales lot.11

How do septic permits work inside Nogales?

For a conventional septic system serving residential or commercial property inside Nogales, Santa Cruz County manages the septic permit; other onsite wastewater permit categories go directly to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.45 A construction authorization is required where a conventional onsite system is used.12

Santa Cruz County Environmental Health reviews plans and inspects every new septic system installed in the county, and it also inspects major repairs.13 Call 520-375-7900 before commissioning a site design.13 Only 14.7% of Santa Cruz County soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so a site evaluation may materially affect the design and budget.14 We could not confirm when a Nogales property must connect to city sewer instead of using septic; ask City Community Development and the utility provider for the parcel.6

Building a home in Nogales: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is inside Nogales and ask Community Development for its zoning district, allowed residential use and dimensional standards.6
  2. Use the city's recommended pre-application process and identify every building, site-plan, access and grading approval the project needs.61
  3. Confirm whether city sewer serves the parcel; if a conventional onsite system is allowed, obtain the septic construction authorization through Santa Cruz County Environmental Health.1213
  4. Check flood status before fixing the house location because Nogales development standards include floodplain, grading and drainage provisions.3
  5. Submit the city applications Community Development identifies and confirm the required inspection sequence before construction begins.6

What should you check before buying land in Nogales?

Check municipal jurisdiction, the zoning district, legal access, sewer availability and flood status before treating a Nogales parcel as buildable. City development review covers site plans and access, and the code separately identifies floodplain, grading and drainage standards.13 Santa Cruz County floodplain staff publish procedures for flood-prone property in the City of Nogales and can be reached at 520-375-7685.8

If septic is necessary, resolve feasibility early because only 14.7% of Santa Cruz County soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field.14 Santa Cruz County's effective property tax rate is about 0.6%, and the median annual property tax bill is about $1,387; both figures are county-level context rather than a quote for a particular parcel.1516

Watch-outs

  • Do not use Santa Cruz County's unincorporated building or zoning standards for a parcel inside Nogales; the city administers its own development code.7
  • A city building review does not replace septic approval: conventional septic systems go through Santa Cruz County, while other onsite-system categories go to ADEQ.45
  • We could not confirm a comprehensive Nogales rule for RV living or tiny homes on private land; ask Community Development before buying for either use.6

Sources

  1. Development Standards Code Update - 2024 (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  2. Development Standards Code Update - 2024 (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  3. Development Standards Code Update - 2024 (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility (Septic System) (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  5. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  6. City of Nogales Community Development (nogalesaz.gov)
  7. Community Development, quoted and re-checked
  8. Santa Cruz County Flood Control District and Floodplain Administration (santacruzcountyaz.gov)
  9. Persons not required to be licensed; penalties; applicability (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  11. 33-2101 - Application; duration of stay; exclusions; notice and pleading requirements (Arizona statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility (Septic System) (Nogales), quoted and re-checked
  13. Santa Cruz County Environmental Health (santacruzcountyaz.gov)
  14. 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
  15. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Nogales

Nogales’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Improvements or repairs to property falling within the Development Standards Code inside Nogales city limits.

    • A permit is required before commencing the improvement or repair.
    • The provision expressly excludes work 'specifically excluded below' in the Code.
    • Applicants renting, leasing, or holding an option must submit the owner's approval when applying for improvements or repairs.
    “All owners of property falling within the purview of this Code are required to obtain a building permit from the Building official prior to commencing any improvement upon, or repair to, such property unless specifically excluded below.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building work inside Nogales city limits.

    • The adopted-code list includes the 2012 International Building Code and Appendix A, 2012 International Residential Code and Appendix L, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Fuel and Gas Code, 2012 International Code for Existing Buildings, 2012 International Plumbing Code, 2011 National Electric Code, 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
    • Ordinance No. O2015-11-005, section 2, is dated November 4, 2015.
    “The following nationally published codes are hereby adopted by reference as if fully set forth herein as the building and safety codes and standards of the city, three copies of which are on file with the City Clerk:”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Public-right-of-way improvements inside Nogales city limits.

    • The rule is limited to improvements in the public right-of-way.
    • Construction may not commence until a permit has issued.
    • After discontinued work, advance notice to the Building official is required before work resumes.
    “All improvements in the public right-of-way shall be constructed subject to the inspection and the approval of the City Engineer. Construction shall not be commenced until a permit has been issued for such construction and if work has been discontinued for any reason, it shall not be resumed until after notifying the Building official in advance.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of buildings, structures, and changes or extensions of land use inside Nogales city limits.

    • The Building official makes a final inspection within ten working days after notice that the work is complete and ready for use or occupancy.
    • The Building official issues an Occupancy Permit if construction conforms to the Code.
    • A temporary permit may be issued for up to six months for a conforming, safe, suitable part of a building, structure, or use before full completion.

    temporary occupancy permit maximum period: <= 6 months (Only for a conforming part considered safe and suitable for use or occupancy before completion of the entire building, structure, or use.)

    “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of, any building or structure, or any change or extension of a use of land for which an Occupancy Permit has not been issued therefore by the Building official.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Nogales city limits.

    • The City page identifies the update as the City's Zoning and Development Standards Code.
    • The table of contents was approved by City Council on November 6, 2024.
    “The City of Nogales, Arizona updated the Development Standard Code (DSC). The updated Zoning and Development Standards Code complies with Federal laws, State Statutes, and City Code, and is consistent with the Nogales General Plan, adopted by City Council on August 5, 2020.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Nogales city limits.

    • Height limits are established separately for each district.
    • The listed exceptions include specified non-human-occupancy structures in any district, specified appurtenances in commercial or industrial districts, and specified industrial structures where the process customarily requires greater height.
    “In addition to height limits established for each district, no structure shall intercept a plane making an angle of sixty (60) degrees from the horizontal toward the interior of the lot and originating at the front property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats inside Nogales city limits.

    • The Development Review Committee reviews subdivision plats.
    • Applications for Committee review must be filed with the Department of Planning.
    • Approvals require unanimous vote of members present after corrections and requirements have been met.
    “The Development Review Committee of the City of Nogales is hereby established. This committee shall review site plans and subdivision plats.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development subject to floodplain controls inside Nogales city limits.

    • The approved Development Standards Code includes Article 3.109, Floodplain Regulations; detailed thresholds and permit conditions were not extracted.
    “3.109 | Floodplain Regulations 3.110 | Grading and Drainage 3.111 | Access Standards”
  • Permit processPartial

    City development review inside Nogales city limits.

    • The listed code sections cover review authority, administration and enforcement, site plan, access, subdivision platting, and fee schedule; detailed application steps and all permit types were not extracted.
    “1.103 | Review Authority 1.104 | Administration and Enforcement”

Rules another office applies inside Nogales

Nogales does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Conventional residential and commercial septic systems located inside Nogales city limits, to the extent Santa Cruz County's delegated service applies.

    • Santa Cruz County manages conventional septic-system permits; other OWTF permits are obtained directly from ADEQ.
    “Santa Cruz County manages Conventional Septic Systems permits for residential and commercial properties, while all other permits must be obtained directly from ADEQ.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State (with conditions) — OWTF permitting applicable inside Nogales city limits for permit categories not managed by Santa Cruz County.
      “The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has the authority to issue permits for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (OWTFs) and has delegated this responsibility to each of the 15 counties.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Conventional septic systems serving residential or commercial property inside Nogales city limits where an OWTF is used.

    • Santa Cruz County manages conventional septic permits; permit category and authority can vary for nonconventional systems.
    “Copy of Construction Authorization Septic Permit, including: The approved Site Plan and Floor Plan”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Onsite wastewater treatment for locations inside Nogales city limits without access to a sewer connection.

    • OWTFs require permitting; ADEQ delegates many permits to counties, and Santa Cruz County manages conventional residential and commercial systems.
    “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities (OWTFs) are commonly known as septic systems and are widespread throughout Arizona.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Nogales or Santa Cruz County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing inside Nogales city limits.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Nogales city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside Nogales city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential and agricultural districts inside Nogales city limits.
  • Setbacks — Residential and agricultural districts inside Nogales city limits.
12 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Nogales publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Santa Cruz County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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