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Agricultural Use Exemption (in lieu of Building Permit) in Unincorporated Apache County, Arizona

A structure built and used for farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or stock/poultry raising is exempt from Apache County's building codes under A.R.S. §11-865(1). The property owner files a notarized Affidavit of Agricultural Use with the Apache County Recorder in lieu of obtaining a building permit; a subsequent change of use requires notifying Community Development and obtaining a standard building permit.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Structure must be constructed and used for farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or stock/poultry raising to qualify under A.R.S. §11-865(1)
  • Affidavit must be notarized and filed with the Apache County Recorder to notify future buyers that no building permit was obtained
  • Owner must notify the Community Development Department if the use of the improvement later changes, and may then be required to obtain a standard building permit and comply with the building codes
  • Submit signed affidavit, proof of ownership, and a site map/site plan showing all structures and setbacks from property lines and other structures

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Agricultural ExemptionBuilding Safety Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1; matches the fee stated on the Affidavit of Agricultural Use submittal requirements sheet
$50

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Agricultural Use Exemption (in lieu of Building Permit) permit actually take in Unincorporated Apache County?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    See the full Unincorporated Apache County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

    Tips

    • The Director of Community Development has discretion to require additional information or plans, or to waive some of the plan/drawing requirements, on a case-by-case basis.
    • Filing the affidavit with the County Recorder puts future buyers on notice that no building permit was obtained for the structure — factor this into any future sale or refinance of the property.
    • If the agricultural use of the structure changes later, the owner must notify Community Development and may then need to retroactively obtain a standard building permit and bring the structure into code compliance.

    Frequently asked questions

    Unincorporated Apache County requires an agricultural use exemption (in lieu of building permit) for: Structure must be constructed and used for farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or stock/poultry raising to qualify under A.R.S. §11-865(1); Affidavit must be notarized and filed with the Apache County Recorder to notify future buyers that no building permit was obtained; Owner must notify the Community Development Department if the use of the improvement later changes, and may then be required to obtain a standard building permit and comply with the building codes; Submit signed affidavit, proof of ownership, and a site map/site plan showing all structures and setbacks from property lines and other structures. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Apache County Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 928-337-7527 before starting work.

    In Unincorporated Apache County, the published Building Agricultural Exemption is: $50. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Unincorporated Apache County does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Apache County Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 928-337-7527 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Affidavit of Agricultural Use; Site Map / Site Plan; Proof of Ownership. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through Apache County Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 75 West Cleveland Street, PO Box 238, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Phone: 928-337-7527. Office hours: Mon–Fri (hours not published on county site; call 928-337-7527 to confirm). Official information: https://www.apachecountyaz.gov/building-safety.

    Unincorporated Apache County, Arizona has adopted: 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted by Apache County; governs all residential (one- and two-family dwelling) construction per the county's Building Safety Ordinances page and Requirements for One- and Two-Family Dwellings sheet; 2015 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by Apache County; governs commercial, multi-family, and non-residential construction; 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted by Apache County for all plumbing work; 2015 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted by Apache County; 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted by Apache County; National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted by Apache County; the county's published Building Safety Ordinances list names it '2014 International Electric Code' but the county's own Building Safety FAQ (question 11) states the applicable edition is the 2011 NEC for all non-residential/general construction electrical work. Both sources are county-published; this discrepancy is disclosed rather than resolved by guessing — treat 2011 NEC as the FAQ's more specific statement pending direct confirmation from the Building Safety Division at 928-337-7527.. Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Apache County overview page for the full list.

    Yes, if the structure is used for farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or stock/poultry raising, it qualifies for exemption under A.R.S. §11-865(1). You must file a notarized Affidavit of Agricultural Use with the Apache County Recorder ($50 fee) along with proof of ownership and a site plan. Source: Affidavit of Agricultural Use (https://www.apachecountyaz.gov/building-safety)

    Sources & verification

    Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.

    Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Unincorporated Apache County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

    Other permits in Unincorporated Apache County

    Residential Building Permit (New Construction, One- and Two-Family Dwelling)Commercial / Multi-Family Building PermitManufactured Home Installation PermitElectrical PermitSolar PV PermitEV Charger / EVSE Permit

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