This is PermitBase’s published record for Unincorporated Cochise County as of 2026-07-20. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.

Unincorporated Cochise County building permits

Unincorporated Cochise County, Arizona — as published 2026-07-20.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Codes adopted

2015 International Building Code (IBC), with Cochise County local amendments — current as of building-safety and FAQ pages accessed 2026-07-072015 International Residential Code (IRC), with Cochise County local amendments, plus Appendix Q (Tiny Houses) of the 2018 IRC adopted separately2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC)2015 International Fire Code (IFC)2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC)2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — inserted in place of IBC Section 3109 per local amendmentNFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2014 EditionSound Attenuation Ordinance, as mandated by A.R.S. §§28-8481 and 28-8482NOTE: Cochise County is actively developing a Building Code update (CP2045 implementation) as of mid-2026, with a Builder's Roundtable held May 28, 2026 and a Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board reviewing proposed amendments; the 2015-edition code set above remains the adopted/in-force code as of this file's lastVerified date — no new edition has been adopted yet.

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure)

Required for new single-family dwellings, additions, alterations, and accessory structures in unincorporated Cochise County. The Development Services Department's Building Safety Division enforces the 2015 IBC/IRC with local amendments. Applications and plan submittals are completed online through the county's Citizenserve permitting portal.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Required for new single-family dwellings, additions, alterations, replacements, and accessory structures in unincorporated Cochise County
Confirm the property's zoning allows the intended residential use, and verify site conditions (floodplain, stormwater/drainage, access/driveway, septic or sewer, well, fire district requirements) before applying
Determine whether additional permits are needed (septic, floodplain, right-of-way, temporary RV, accessory structure)
Create an account and apply online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal (Citizenserve); select Residential Permit, then the correct project subtype
Provide parcel number, project description (new/addition/alteration/replacement), number of bedrooms, sewer/septic information, water fixtures, and utility service details
If using a licensed contractor, provide current contractor information via the Contractor Information Form
If applying under the Rural Residential Owner-Builder Amendment, follow the separate eligibility and application instructions (4-acre-minimum zoning districts only)

Required documents

RequiredResidential Permit Application (Citizenserve portal)Submitted online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal; https://www4.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showHomePage&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=335
OptionalContractor Information Form (PDF)Required when a licensed contractor performs the work; available at https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12367
RequiredSite Plans per Residential Construction Plan ChecklistSite plan meeting the county's Residential Construction Plan Checklist; available at https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12362
RequiredResidential Plan Requirements Checklist (PDF)Full plan-content checklist for residential submittals; available at https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4427/Residential-Plan-Requirements-Checklist-PDF
OptionalSierra Vista Sub-Watershed Conservation Attachment (PDF)Required only for parcels within the Sierra Vista Sub-Watershed; available at https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12368

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Residential Permit Review Fee (non-refundable)	$15	Must accompany all permit applications. Fee Ordinance No. 037-09 (Docket R-08-03), Exhibit A, Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule, adopted 2009-01-13, still the county's adopted Planning & Zoning fee schedule as of this file's lastVerified date.
Residential Permit Revision Fee	$15	For modifications/revisions of an already-issued permit. Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Building/Use permit fee — valuation-based	Not published as a standalone rate table found by this research; local amendment (IBC §109.3) states valuation is set from the County-adopted ICC Bi-Yearly Building Valuation Data and/or the adopted Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule	The Cochise County local amendment to IBC Section 109.3 confirms a Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule exists and governs valuation-based fees separately from the Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule… Show full citationHide The Cochise County local amendment to IBC Section 109.3 confirms a Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule exists and governs valuation-based fees separately from the Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule (Ordinance 037-09), but the current dollar-rate table for that valuation-based Building/Use schedule was not locatable as a standalone published document via the county website, Development Services Fees page, or Wayback Machine during this research pass. Flat fees for specific accessory structures ARE published (see below). Source: https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/168/Local-Amendments-PDF and https://www.cochise.az.gov/202/Development-Services (Development Services Fees link)
Flat Rate Fee — Detached Garage (up to 1,000 sq ft, no living space)	$100	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. Any living space (bedroom, office) is not allowed under the flat fee and is valued at the standard $52.00/sq ft rate instead.
Flat Rate Fee — Sheds/Outbuildings (121–500 sq ft)	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. 501–1,000 sq ft sheds/outbuildings/detached carports: $100 flat. Structures larger than the listed flat-fee size bands are valued at $31.46/sq ft.
Flat Rate Fee — Carports/Porches/Decks (up to 500 sq ft) and Carport/Patio Enclosures	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. Conditioned (heated/cooled) patio enclosures must be valued as a remodel instead of the flat fee.
Re-Inspection Fee	$75	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A ($80 for manufactured/mobile home/factory-built building re-inspection).
Building Permit Renewal Fee	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.

Commercial / Non-Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Multi-Family, Tenant Improvement)

Required for new non-residential structures, including multi-family buildings, tenant improvements, and remodels in unincorporated Cochise County. The Building Safety Division enforces the 2015 IBC with local amendments. All submittals are online through the Citizenserve portal.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Required for new non-residential structures (including multi-family buildings), tenant improvements, and remodels in unincorporated Cochise County
Submit the Cochise County joint permit application online, plus an Acknowledgment of Property Ownership or Agent Authorization and a Commercial Contractor Identification Attachment
Provide a commercial site plan meeting the county's Basic Site Plan Requirements (tax parcel ID, north arrow/scale, building footprints with height and square footage, parking, setbacks, drainage ways within 300 feet, septic/well locations, sight-distance triangles, etc.)
Construction plans and off-site improvement plans must be stamped by a licensed Arizona engineer or architect
Additional plans/attachments may be required depending on project scope: hazardous material attachment, commercial lighting plan, sign permit application, landscape/irrigation plans (Growth Categories A/B), floodplain use permit and elevation certificate, drainage statement/report, Sierra Vista sub-watershed water conservation attachment, antenna/tower checklist, traffic impact study, SWPPP
Other agency review/approval may be required: Fire District, Arizona Department of Agriculture (Notice of Intent to Clear Land), ADEQ (Notice of Intent / 401 Permit), ADOT Right-of-Way/Encroachment Permit, USACOE 404 Permit

Required documents

RequiredAcknowledgment of Property Ownership or Agent Authorization (PDF)https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12295
RequiredCommercial Contractor Identification Attachment (PDF)https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12294
RequiredCommercial Site PlanMeeting the county's Basic Site Plan Requirements listed on the Commercial/Non-Residential Projects page
OptionalHazardous Material Attachment (PDF)https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12293 — required if applicable to the project
OptionalCommercial Lighting Plan Attachment (PDF)https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12242 — required if applicable

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Commercial Permit Review Fee (non-refundable, applied toward building/use permit fee)	$100	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09 (Docket R-08-03), Exhibit A, Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule.
Non-Residential Uses — Change of Use	$150	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Non-Residential Uses — Accessory Structures	$100	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Non-Residential Uses — All Other (0–9,999 sq ft)	$150	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. 10,000 sq ft and greater: $300.
Building/Use permit fee — valuation-based	Not published as a standalone rate table found by this research	Per IBC §109.3 local amendment, valuation is determined from the County-adopted ICC Bi-Yearly Building Valuation Data and/or the adopted Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule. Show full citationHide Per IBC §109.3 local amendment, valuation is determined from the County-adopted ICC Bi-Yearly Building Valuation Data and/or the adopted Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule. A standalone published dollar-rate table for this Building/Use schedule was not locatable via the county website or Wayback Machine during this research pass; contact Development Services (520-432-9300) for a project-specific estimate.

Rural Residential Owner-Builder Permit

A reduced-cost, reduced-inspection residential permitting option for property owners building their own homes on eligible rural parcels in unincorporated Cochise County (minimum 4-acre parcel and zoning-district minimum). Two paths: Option 1 (limited plan review and key trade inspections, may qualify for a conditioned Certificate of Occupancy) or Option 2 (no plan review, no Building Safety inspections, not eligible for a Certificate of Occupancy). Limited to once every five years per owner-builder.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Property owner (or authorized agent) must act as owner-builder, not a commercial builder
Project must be residential, on a parcel in a zoning district with a minimum density of one dwelling per four acres (or larger) — e.g., RU-4 qualifies; RU-2 does not, even if the specific parcel exceeds 4 acres
Choose Option 1 (full construction plan review; only Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Prevention inspections required; may qualify for conditioned Certificate of Occupancy) or Option 2 (no plan review, no Building Safety inspections; zoning/floodplain/septic/well/other non-building approvals still apply; NOT eligible for Certificate of Occupancy)
Septic permits are still required (septic permits expire after 2 years); right-of-way permit and floodplain use permit may also be required
Limited to once every five years on any property owned by that individual owner-builder in unincorporated Cochise County (does not limit accessory structures or additions on the same property)
Sign an owner/builder affidavit affirming the property is intended for the owner's sole occupancy and will not be sold or rented within one year of completion, per A.R.S. §32-1121.A.5

Required documents

RequiredOwner-Builder Amendment Application (Citizenserve portal)Select Residential Permit, Single-Family Residence subtype; indicate limited or no-construction-inspections option, square footage, height, and estimated project value
RequiredOwner-Builder Disclosure FormsRequired certification/signature acknowledging code-compliance responsibility and that construction cannot begin until the permit is issued
RequiredSite Plan and Floor PlanRequired for both Option 1 and Option 2 applications

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Limited Inspection with Plan Review Option — Single-Family Dwelling	$325 + plan review fee	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A, Rural Residential Owner-Builder Building Permit Fees. Residential Accessory Buildings up to 500 sq ft: $50; over 500 sq ft: $100.
No Inspection – No Plan Review Option — Single-Family Dwelling	$75	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. Residential Accessory Buildings under $2,500 in value: $25; $2,500 or more in value: $35.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Required for construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a parcel with an existing single-family home in unincorporated Cochise County. Requires written Planning Division review and approval BEFORE a residential building permit may be applied for. ADUs are limited to 75% of the principal dwelling's gross square footage or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Property must have an existing single-family home; the property owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the ADU as their primary residence
ADU must be equal to or lesser in height than the principal dwelling, and limited to 75% of the principal dwelling's gross (heated/cooled) square footage or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less
ADUs permitted as an accessory use on any parcel where a single-family dwelling is allowed — at least one attached and one detached ADU per parcel; on lots one acre or larger, one additional detached ADU is permitted (except near airport high-noise/accident-potential zones)
ADU cannot be subdivided or segregated in ownership from the principal dwelling
Recreational vehicles, railroad cars, and camper shells are NOT permitted as an ADU in any zoning district; park model trailers ARE permitted per A.R.S. §11-820.03 on parcels zoned one dwelling unit per 3+ acres, on a semi-permanent/permanent foundation
Manufactured homes/rehabilitated mobile homes permitted as an ADU only in zoning districts where they are otherwise a permitted use
Special Use Authorization required for commercial use of an ADU; a Variance is required for any deviation from ADU development standards
Complete the ADU application and submit online through the Cochise County permitting portal under 'Apply for a P&Z project' before applying for the residential building permit

Required documents

RequiredAccessory Dwelling Unit Application (PDF)https://www.cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23752/Accessory-Dwelling-Unit-Permit
RequiredSite Plan showing ADU development-standard complianceRequired as part of the ADU application submittal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
ADU planning review/processing fee	Instructions provided via email after application submittal; billed per the Planning fee schedule (municode Ch. 14.23 Planning)	Exact current dollar figure not confirmed as a standalone line item during this research pass; Show full citationHide Exact current dollar figure not confirmed as a standalone line item during this research pass; county directs applicants to https://cochisecounty.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=14.23_PLANNING for the governing fee reference, which is a JavaScript-rendered document viewer that could not be extracted as text via available fetch tools. Confirm exact amount with Development Services (520-432-9300) before applying.

Trade Permit (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire — Residential & Commercial)

Flat-rate trade permits for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and minor fire-related work not covered by the residential/commercial building permit's valuation-based fee, in unincorporated Cochise County. Covers service entries, fireplaces, and miscellaneous mechanical/plumbing/electrical/fire work.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Apply online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal for the applicable trade permit type
Building-code exemptions apply to certain minor like-for-like repairs and replacements (see Permit Exemptions: Electrical, Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing tabs) — confirm exemption eligibility before assuming a permit is required
Licensed-contractor information required when work is performed by a contractor rather than the owner

Required documents

RequiredTrade Permit Application (Citizenserve portal)Submitted online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Service Entry (Electrical)	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A, Flat Rate Fees – Trade Permits (Residential & Commercial).
Fireplace	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Misc. Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical & Fire	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Swimming Pool (includes Barrier)	$100	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Spa	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.

Manufactured / Mobile Home Installation Permit

Required for installation of a manufactured home, mobile home, or factory-built building in unincorporated Cochise County, including the county's Rehabilitated Mobile Home Certification program.

Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source

Requirements

Apply online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal for a Manufactured/Mobile Home Installation Permit or Factory-Built Building Installation Permit as applicable
Rehabilitated mobile homes require separate certification through the county's Rehabilitated Mobile Home program
State of Arizona Manufactured Home and Factory-Built Building program requirements apply in addition to county permitting

Required documents

RequiredManufactured/Mobile Home Installation Permit Application (Citizenserve portal)Submitted online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Manufactured/Mobile Home Installation Permit	$120	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A. Fee includes two inspections.
Rehabilitated Mobile Home Certification Fee	$180	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Factory-Built Building Installation Permit	$400	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.
Re-Inspection Fee (Manufactured/Mobile Home/Factory-Built Building)	$80	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A.

Solar Energy System Permit

Required for installation of rooftop or ground/pole-mount solar photovoltaic systems in unincorporated Cochise County. Zoning Ordinance 09-04 (Docket R-09-04, adopted 2009-09-22) established 'Solar Energy Systems' as a PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE in every residential zoning district (R, SM, SR, MR) — no special-use zoning approval is needed for a residential-scale system, only a building permit. Per Arizona's statewide solar-permitting statute (A.R.S. § 11-323), any county fee for a solar construction permit must be attributable to and not exceed the actual cost of issuing the permit, and A.R.S. §§ 9-468/11-323 as amended by HB2301 required counties to adopt an Instant Permitting Process for Home Power Installations on or before January 1, 2026 — Cochise County's specific compliance/implementation status (e.g. SolarAPP+ adoption) was not confirmed on the County's own site in this session.

Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source

Requirements

Building permit required for all Solar Energy Systems, per Cochise County Zoning Regulations § 1823.07(A) — 'Permits for Solar Energy Systems may be expedited; however, due to rapidly changing technologies that may be unfamiliar, longer review times may be necessary'
Solar panels under 6 square feet are exempt from the 'Solar Energy System' definition entirely (e.g., solar-powered driveway lights, parking meters, lighted signs), per § 1823.01
Permitted as an Accessory Use on all parcels regardless of size in every zoning district except PD (Planned Development), where it is a Permitted Use, per §§ 1823.02-1823.03
Exempt from zoning height limits per § 1823.04 (citing § 2002.03, Height Exceptions)
Setbacks from property boundaries and road travelways must comply with the underlying zoning district's minimum setback OR equal the height of the tallest structure associated with the system, whichever is greater, per § 1823.05
Must comply with the prescriptive requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC); the Building Official may require additional engineering for rooftop PV panels, per § 1823.07(B)
If grid-connected, an approved interconnection agreement with the power company and proof of construction by a licensed contractor is required before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, per § 1823.07(C)
Per A.R.S. § 11-323, any county permit fee for solar construction must be attributable to and not exceed the actual cost of issuing the permit, and the County must provide a written itemized cost list upon request; the County may not require a professional engineer's stamp unless deemed necessary

Required documents

RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Citizenserve portal)Standard County building permit application for the solar installation
OptionalInterconnection Agreement with Power CompanyRequired before Certificate of Occupancy for grid-connected systems, per § 1823.07(C)

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Residential Permit Review Fee (non-refundable)	$15	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A, Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule — must accompany all permit applications, including solar; no distinct solar line item was located in this schedule
Building/Use permit fee — valuation-based	Not published as a standalone rate table found by this research; local amendment (IBC §109.3) states valuation is set from the County-adopted ICC Bi-Yearly Building Valuation Data and/or the adopted Building Permit Fee Rate Schedule	Consistent with this database's residential-building-permit.json finding for the same county: the current dollar-rate table for the valuation-based schedule was not locatable as a standalone published document

EV Charger / EVSE Permit

Verified

Cochise County has no dedicated EV-charger/EVSE permit type or fee line item. Installing a Level 2 or DC fast EV charger's dedicated circuit is administered as a Trade Permit (electrical) under Fee Ordinance No. 037-09's flat-rate trade permit schedule — the same schedule used for a service entry or other miscellaneous electrical work — since it is electrical work under NFPA 70 (2014 NEC edition, as adopted by the county). Re-verified 2026-07-20: re-confirmed the Fee Schedule Ordinance No. 037-09 PDF (cochise.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1505) is live and remains the county's real, current, published fee mechanism. No EV-specific line item exists, but the $50 flat-rate Misc. Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical/Fire trade permit fee is a genuine, citable, currently-applicable governing figure per avenue 5 of this review, sufficient to upgrade this entry from partial to verified.

Verified 2026-07-20 · Source

Requirements

Trade Permit (Electrical) required for the EV charger circuit — apply online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal (Citizenserve)
If the installation requires a new or upgraded electrical service entry (e.g., a panel upgrade to support the charger load), it is billed as a Service Entry trade permit rather than the Misc. Electrical flat fee
Installation must comply with NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), 2014 Edition, as adopted by Cochise County
Licensed-contractor information required when the work is performed by a contractor rather than the property owner

Required documents

RequiredTrade Permit Application (Citizenserve portal)Submitted online through the Cochise County Permitting Portal for the electrical trade permit covering the EV charger circuit

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Misc. Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical & Fire (closest matching flat-rate trade permit — no distinct EV charger line exists)	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A, Flat Rate Fees – Trade Permits (Residential & Commercial). Show full citationHide Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A, Flat Rate Fees – Trade Permits (Residential & Commercial). Re-checked the fee schedule PDF on 2026-07-20 specifically for 'EV', 'electric vehicle', or 'EVSE' language — none exists. A standalone EV charger circuit (not requiring a new service entry) most closely matches this general miscellaneous-electrical flat-rate line item.
Service Entry (Electrical) — if the charger requires a new/upgraded service	$50	Fee Ordinance No. 037-09, Exhibit A — applies instead of the Misc. Electrical fee if the EV charger installation includes a new or upgraded electrical service entry rather than just a new branch circuit.

Sources & verification

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

Cochise County Development Services Department — Building Safety Division — official building department

Fee schedules

Fee Schedule (Ordinance 037-09, Docket R-08-03) — PDF

Applications & forms

Cochise County Permitting Portal (Citizenserve, online applications)

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

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 Cochise County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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