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1. Am in the right zoning to participate in Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

This program is available to property owners of parcels that are at least 4-acres in size with the following zoning designations:

• RU (RU-4, RU-10, RU-18, or RU-36 only)
• SM (SM-174, SM-10, SM-18, or SM-36 only)
• SR (SR-174, SR-10, SR-18, or SR-36 only)

 You can check your property's zoning on the County's interactive web map ArcGIS Cochise County INFOMap. Search by address or parcel number/APN (Format: 123459876). 

2. Do I need any other permits if I participate in the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

Yes, you will be required to obtain a septic system, or alternative waste treatment, permit. While these are issued and inspected by the County Health Department, you may still apply for a septic permit through our online permitting system: Register and apply for a permit online. Please contact the County Health Department if you have specific questions regarding a septic or alternative system to treat waste. Phone: 520-432-9441

You may be required to get a right-of-way permit if your property is accessed from a county road. You can determine whether your property is on a County-maintained road on the County’s interactive web map INFO Map: ArcGIS Cochise County INFOMap. While right-of-way permits are issued and inspected by the County Engineering and Natural Resource Department, you may still apply for a right-of-way permit through our online permitting system: Register and apply for a permit online. Please contact the County Engineering and Natural Resource Department if you have specific questions regarding a right-of-way permit. Phone: 520-432-9310

You may be required to get a floodplain use permit. Floodplain Use Permits are issued by the Flood Control District of Cochise County and are required for any type of development that is within a designated floodplain, before you build or alter the property. You can determine whether your property is within a designated floodplain on the County’s interactive web map INFO Map: ArcGIS Cochise County INFOMap. Please contact the County Engineering and Natural Resource Department if you have specific questions regarding a floodplain use permit. 520-432-9310

3. Are there inspections required for the “no construction plan review with no building code inspection” option of the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

Yes. While no building plan inspections are required, other inspections are required by the County to verify compliance with statewide codes and zoning regulations. The number and timing of these inspections will vary.

4. How do I get electric service to my property?

Electric service is provided by Sulfur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc (SSVEC), Arizona Public Service (APS), or Columbus Electric Cooperative (CEC) depending on your location within the County. Learn more about which provider provides service to your home or business: Electric Service Provider Map

To find out more information about the process, your responsibilities, and/or to establish new electric service, please contact the responsible agency. Here are a few links to get you started: 

• SSVEC website
• APS website
• CEC website

5. How do I get potable water to my property?

• Check to see whether your property is served by a community water system on the County’s interactive web map INFO Map: ArcGIS Cochise County INFOMap.
• Check to see if there is already a well onsite. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) regulates and permits all groundwater wells in Arizona. ADWR maintains a list of registered wells. You can search online here: https://new.azwater.gov/permitting-wells/well-record-search
• Consider drilling a well, if you are not served by a water system and a well currently does not exist. The Development Services Department, in conjunction with the ADWR, approves well sites for parcels that are five acres or less. Well sites are for new wells, wells to be deepened or repaired. Learn more about Cochise County Wells Program. Be advised, prior to drilling a new well, or deepening or modifying an existing well, a Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed with ADWR. This application is available online through the ADWR website.  A licensed well drilling contractor must perform the work. 
• Consider a haul water/cistern system for low, or intermittent, water use.

6. Am I allowed to use an alternative system to treat waste?

Yes, but it will be in addition to a standard septic system.  If an alternative system, such as composting toilets, is necessary due to limiting conditions, like high groundwater, the evaluator will recommend that you design a system to compensate for this limiting condition. An application for an alternative system may be reviewed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality or the County Health Department depending on the system chosen. Please contact the County Health Department if you have specific questions regarding a septic or alternative system to treat waste. Phone: 520-432-9441

7. Can property owners participate in the Cochise County Owner Builder Program more than once? And does it apply to accessory structures?

An owner-builder may participate in the program once every five years for residential dwellings on all properties within the unincorporated area of Cochise County owned by that individual. This limitation does not apply to (non-habitable) accessory structures or additions on the same property.

8. Can I build a tiny home on my property using the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

Yes, the County has adopted Appendix Q (Tiny Homes) of the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). Here is a link to those requirements: Appendix Q. By local amendment, tiny homes must be at least 296 square feet in size. Here is a PDF showing minimum space requirements for tiny homes (PDF).

9. Can I build an accessory dwelling or guest house on my property using the Owner Builder Program?

Accessory dwellings are allowed within certain zoning districts.  They must be equal to or lesser in height than the existing principal dwelling and they are limited in size to a maximum of 50% of the livable square footage of the principal dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. Also, accessory living structures must comply with all development standards as the principal structure. For more information, please see the Accessory Living Quarters Page.

Be advised:

• This amendment is limited to use by an owner-builder once in every five years for Residential Dwellings on all properties within the unincorporated area of Cochise County owned by that individual.
• Accessory dwellings may not be subdivided in ownership from the principal structure.
• Special use authorization is required for long-term rental of the accessory structure separate from the primary residence.
• No sale or rental of the accessory dwelling is allowed within one year of construction completion.

10. Can I get a Certificate of Occupancy if I constructed my house using the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

Cochise County may issue a conditioned Certificate of Occupancy for participants that select the “full construction plan review with limited building code inspection” option only. Program participants that select the “no construction plan review with no building code inspection” are not eligible to receive a Certificate of Occupancy.

11. Can I live in an RV on my property while I am constructing my house using the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

You may live in an RV while your house is being constructed with an approved temporary use permit.

12. Can I sell or rent my house if I participate in the Cochise County Owner Builder Program?

You may not do either within the first year following the completion of construction. After the one year is over you may sell or rent your home.

13. What information do you need on my site plan?

Plans may be hand drawn but must be clearly legible. Please illustrate or include all the following information:

• Tax parcel ID number, north arrow and scale (if a scale is used)
• Property lines and all dimensions (from Assessors’ Parcel map) – include entire parcel
• If parcel is a new split, show parent parcel and your parcel’s location – with dimensions
• All easements – label type (road right of way, utility, drainage, etc.) and width
• Location of utility lines (electric, gas, water, etc.)
• Roads adjoining the property: name of road, surface material, distance from property line to edge of actual road
• Driveways: location, surface material, distance to closest property line
• Show direction of drainage on the property
• Any construction related to a wash, such as a bridge, culvert, dip crossing, or fill, either on the parcel or off-site. Note whether temporary or permanent.
• Location, depth, and width of all drainageways or washes
• Distance from proposed structures to any drainageway or wash
• Distance from structures to all property lines and roads, and distance between residences on the subject parcel

14. How long is my owner builder permit good for?

Any work associated with the permit must begin within 180 days after the permit is issued. The permit is considered "active" as long as work authorized by the permit is not suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days. The Building Official may grant an extension. All requests for extensions must be in writing.