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Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in Unincorporated Apache County, Arizona

Apache County requires a permit for a change of occupancy. Zoning Ordinance Article 13, Section 1304 (Building Permits) provides that 'any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit,' referring to IRC Section R105.2 for exemptions. The Building Safety Division administers the permit; the Community Development Director separately reviews all building permits for compliance with zones, setbacks and flood plain determinations (Article 9, Section 901.4(a)). Where the new use is not permitted outright in the zoning district, the change also requires a Conditional Use Permit or a Zone Change from the Board of Supervisors. On completion, the validated permit becomes the Certificate of Occupancy/Completion.

Verified 2026-08-15 · Source

When you need this permit

  • A permit must be obtained from the building official before changing the occupancy of a building or structure (Apache County Zoning Ordinance Article 13, Section 1304); see IRC Section R105.2 for exemptions
  • The Community Development Director reviews all building permits for compliance with zones, setbacks, and flood plain determinations (Article 9, Section 901.4(a))
  • If the proposed use is not allowed by right in the zone, a Conditional Use Permit is required; if the zone itself must change, a Zone Change is required (Apache County Community Development New Fee Schedule; Zoning Ordinance Article 11)
  • The Director may permit in a zone any use not described in the Ordinance but deemed to be of the same character and in general keeping with the uses authorized in that zone, but no permit may issue until adjacent property owners are notified by mail of the intent to issue a permit and are given the opportunity to request reconsideration (Article 9, Section 901.6)
  • Building permits are issued contingent upon receipt of a permit from the County Health Department or a letter from an applicable sanitary district (Requirements for Building Permits; Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan)
  • Two (2) complete sets of plans must be provided; commercial and multi-family plans must be on a minimum of 18" x 24" paper at a minimum scale of 1/4" per foot, and plans that do not meet the exemption requirements of A.R.S. Section 32-144 must be designed and sealed by an architect or engineer licensed in Arizona (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan)
  • Commercial architectural plans must include a floor plan for each story with architectural details for fire resistive construction and penetrations, an exiting plan including all components of egress, window/door schedules, firewall locations and types, and proposed uses, plus a legend breaking down square footage, allowable area calculations, occupancy, building type, occupant load calculations, and required versus provided plumbing fixture calculations (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan)
  • Accessibility must be addressed on the architectural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and site plans as appropriate, including maximum slopes and cross slopes of accessible routes and disabled parking (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan)
  • If the property was acquired within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the building permit application, a copy of the recorded deed or sales transaction is required
  • Inspections are required for all phases of any construction accompanying the change of use; at least two (2) working days' notice is required for commercial inspections (one working day for residential)
  • No occupancy is allowed prior to approved completion — the Certificate of Occupancy is issued on approval of the final inspection (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan)
  • Where a fire district serves the property, the county's own guidance directs applicants to obtain the fire district's letter of approval and submit it with the permit application (Greer Fire Department Requirements, published by Apache County on its Building Safety page)

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Commercial Remodel InspectionsApache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1. Read from a 200 dpi page render of the county's published resolution. This is the line a commercial change of occupancy involving alteration work is charged against.
$250.00, includes 3 inspections
Residential Remodel InspectionsApache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1 (read from render)
$150.00, includes 3 inspections
Plan ReviewApache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1 (read from render)
$50.00 per hour, minimum 1 hour
Plan Review Revision FeeApache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1 (read from render)
$50.00 per hour
Building Permit Fee (where the change of occupancy involves construction)Apache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1 (read from render). The 2019 resolution references the ICC valuation table rather than reprinting a local dollar table; the county's earlier Table No. 1-A (July 1, 2015) is still live on the county's PDF library and is treated as superseded. Confirm the current amount with Building Safety at 928-337-7527.
Based on the August 2016 International Code Council (ICC) Building Valuation Data Table
Conditional Use PermitApache County Community Development New Fee Schedule — Planning and Zoning Department (BoS 12/1/2009, amended 8/7/2017), read from render. Applies where the new use is not permitted by right in the zone. An Amendment to a CUP is also $500.00.
$500.00
Zone ChangeApache County Community Development New Fee Schedule — Planning and Zoning Department, read from render
$600.00
Temporary use permitApache County Community Development New Fee Schedule — Planning and Zoning Department, read from render
$300.00
Administrative ReviewApache County Community Development New Fee Schedule — Planning and Zoning Department, read from render
$300.00
Certificate of OccupancyThe Apache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations (Resolution 2019-1) was rendered and read in full and contains no certificate of occupancy line. The county's Building Permit Application carries the printed statement 'WHEN VALIDATED BELOW THIS BECOMES A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION,' so the certificate is issued on the building permit rather than charged separately. Recorded as unpublished rather than as a zero.
No separate fee published
Expired Permit Renewal FeeApache County Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1 (read from render)
10% of the original permit fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewUnincorporated Apache County’s published plan-review target
15–15 business days

How long did your Change of Use / Change of Occupancy 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

  1. 1

    Plan Review

    Building Safety reviews the submitted plans, including the code-analysis legend (occupancy, building type, allowable area, occupant load and plumbing fixture counts) that drives a change-of-occupancy determination. Plan review is charged at $50.00 per hour with a one-hour minimum; additional review required by changes or revisions is charged at the same rate.

  2. 2

    Construction Inspections (if alteration work is performed)

    Inspections are required for all phases of construction. The county's commercial requirements list foundation, footing, stem wall (before grouting), floor framing, framing/electrical/plumbing rough-in, and final. At least two (2) working days' notice is required for commercial inspections; call 928-337-7527. Per IBC Section 114, failure to request and complete required inspections can result in a stop work order or revocation of the building permit.

  3. 3

    Final Inspection / Certificate of Occupancy

    On approved completion a Certificate of Occupancy is issued; the county states plainly that no occupancy is allowed prior to approved completion. The validated permit card itself becomes the Certificate of Occupancy/Completion, signed by the Building Official.

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

Tips

  • The legal hook in Apache County is Zoning Ordinance Section 1304, which puts 'change the occupancy of a building or structure' in the same sentence as construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move and demolish. There is no separate change-of-use application — you file the county's standard Building Permit Application and describe the work.
  • The county's Building Permit Application has no change-of-use checkbox. Its printed categories are New Const., Remodel, Solar, Addition, Manu.Hm, Gas, Electrical, Plumbing, Demo. and a write-in Other. Use Remodel or Other and spell out the occupancy change in the 'Work to be done' field so it is reviewed as one.
  • Get the code-analysis legend right before you submit. The county's commercial requirements sheet asks for a breakdown of square footage, allowable area calculations, occupancy, building type, occupant load calculations and required-versus-provided plumbing fixture counts — that legend is the change-of-occupancy review, and an incomplete one is the usual reason for a second plan review at $50.00 per hour.
  • Apache County still administers the 2015 code cycle (2015 IRC, 2015 IBC, 2015 IPC, with the FAQ naming the 2011 NEC). Occupancy and existing-building arguments built on a current ICC edition will not match what the plans examiner is enforcing.
  • Two published turnaround figures conflict. The Building Safety FAQ commits to 15 business days; the commercial requirements sheet says three weeks or more. For a commercial change of occupancy, plan against the longer figure.
  • If the new use is not permitted by right in the zone, you are not on a counter-transaction path at all: a Conditional Use Permit is $500.00 and a Zone Change is $600.00, both Board of Supervisors decisions on a hearing calendar. Confirm the zoning first with Community Development at 928-337-7526.
  • Where an independent fire district serves the property, obtain the district's letter of approval before you submit. Apache County publishes exactly that instruction for the Greer Fire District on its own Building Safety page, and the county's building permit fee schedule contains no fire review or fire permit line of its own.

Frequently asked questions

Unincorporated Apache County requires a change of use / change of occupancy permit for: A permit must be obtained from the building official before changing the occupancy of a building or structure (Apache County Zoning Ordinance Article 13, Section 1304); see IRC Section R105.2 for exemptions; The Community Development Director reviews all building permits for compliance with zones, setbacks, and flood plain determinations (Article 9, Section 901.4(a)); If the proposed use is not allowed by right in the zone, a Conditional Use Permit is required; if the zone itself must change, a Zone Change is required (Apache County Community Development New Fee Schedule; Zoning Ordinance Article 11); The Director may permit in a zone any use not described in the Ordinance but deemed to be of the same character and in general keeping with the uses authorized in that zone, but no permit may issue until adjacent property owners are notified by mail of the intent to issue a permit and are given the opportunity to request reconsideration (Article 9, Section 901.6); Building permits are issued contingent upon receipt of a permit from the County Health Department or a letter from an applicable sanitary district (Requirements for Building Permits; Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan); Two (2) complete sets of plans must be provided; commercial and multi-family plans must be on a minimum of 18" x 24" paper at a minimum scale of 1/4" per foot, and plans that do not meet the exemption requirements of A.R.S. Section 32-144 must be designed and sealed by an architect or engineer licensed in Arizona (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan); Commercial architectural plans must include a floor plan for each story with architectural details for fire resistive construction and penetrations, an exiting plan including all components of egress, window/door schedules, firewall locations and types, and proposed uses, plus a legend breaking down square footage, allowable area calculations, occupancy, building type, occupant load calculations, and required versus provided plumbing fixture calculations (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan); Accessibility must be addressed on the architectural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and site plans as appropriate, including maximum slopes and cross slopes of accessible routes and disabled parking (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan); If the property was acquired within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the building permit application, a copy of the recorded deed or sales transaction is required; Inspections are required for all phases of any construction accompanying the change of use; at least two (2) working days' notice is required for commercial inspections (one working day for residential); No occupancy is allowed prior to approved completion — the Certificate of Occupancy is issued on approval of the final inspection (Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan); Where a fire district serves the property, the county's own guidance directs applicants to obtain the fire district's letter of approval and submit it with the permit application (Greer Fire Department Requirements, published by Apache County on its Building Safety page). If your project isn't listed, confirm with Apache County Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 928-337-7527 before starting work.

The Building Safety Department Schedule of Fees and Valuations (Resolution 2019-1) charges $250.00 for Commercial Remodel Inspections including 3 inspections, or $150.00 for Residential Remodel Inspections including 3 inspections, plus plan review at $50.00 per hour with a one-hour minimum. Where the change of occupancy involves construction, the building permit fee is based on the August 2016 ICC Building Valuation Data Table. No separate certificate of occupancy fee is published — the county's permit card states that when validated it becomes the Certificate of Occupancy/Completion. If the new use is not permitted by right, a Conditional Use Permit is $500.00 and a Zone Change is $600.00. Sources: Apache County Building Safety Schedule of Fees and Valuations, Resolution 2019-1; Apache County Community Development New Fee Schedule (Planning and Zoning Department).

The county's Building Safety FAQ (question 14) states that once all required submittals are in, the county has 15 business days to complete the plan review and issue the building permit, though it is typically completed in less than a week and on smaller projects in less than two business days. Two other county sheets state different figures — the commercial and multi-family requirements sheet says approval is normally received within three weeks or more after submission, and the residential requirements sheet says within 2 weeks. Those figures are disclosed rather than reconciled; for a commercial change of occupancy, plan against the longer statement. Sources: Apache County Building Safety FAQ; Requirements for Commercial/Multi Family Plan; Requirements for Building Permits.

You'll need: Apache County Building Permit Application; Two (2) Complete Sets of Plans; Code Analysis Legend; Exiting / Egress Plan and Fire-Resistive Construction Details; County Health Department Permit or Sanitary District Letter. Depending on your project, Unincorporated Apache County may also ask for: Fire District Letter of Approval; Conditional Use Permit Application; Recorded Deed or Sales Transaction. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Apache County requires 3 inspection(s) for a change of use / change of occupancy permit, in order: Plan Review, Construction Inspections (if alteration work is performed), Final Inspection / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through Apache County Community Development Department — Building Safety Division (928-337-7527).

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. Apache County Zoning Ordinance Article 13, Section 1304 provides that any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit, referring to Section R105.2 of the building code for exemptions. There is no separate change-of-use form; the county's standard Building Permit Application is used. Source: Apache County Zoning Ordinance, amended 12/3/2019, Article 13, Section 1304 (printed page 104).

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 PermitAgricultural Use Exemption (in lieu of Building Permit)Sign Permit

Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in other cities

Apache Junction, ArizonaBuckeye, ArizonaCamp Verde, ArizonaCocopah Indian Tribe, ArizonaDewey-Humboldt, ArizonaDuncan, ArizonaEagar, ArizonaFort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona

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