You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Unincorporated Navajo County building permits
Unincorporated Navajo County, Arizona — as published 2026-07-07.
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Codes adopted
Arizona has NO statewide mandatory building code floor for general construction — code adoption is a per-city/county authority under state enabling statutes (A.R.S. Title 11). Navajo County independently adopts and administers its own construction codes for unincorporated areas through Planning & Development Services / Building & Safety; it does NOT extend onto Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or other tribal trust land, which has its own separate tribal permitting authority outside county jurisdiction. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions to the International Building Codes (amended 3-15-22).2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2018 International Building Code (IBC), adopted by Navajo County, EXCEPT: IRC Chapter 11 (Energy Efficiency); IRC Appendix E (Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings); IRC § E3902; and IRC Appendices A, D, I, J, K, M, O, Q, R, S are all excluded from adoption. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions to the International Building Codes (amended 3-15-22), p.5 'Adopted Codes'.2018 International Plumbing Code — inspections are based on the 2017 IPC and cross-referenced with the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code per the Addenda's Plumbing section. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions (amended 3-15-22), p.17.2018 International Mechanical Code, adopted alongside the 2018 IRC/IBC electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code family. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions (amended 3-15-22), p.5.2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) — electrical inspections are based on the 2018 IRC/IBC and referenced with the 2017 NEC. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions (amended 3-15-22), pp.5, 17.Prior code baseline: Navajo County adopted the 2015 IBC/IRC effective June 11, 2019 (replacing a 2006 IBC edition, after the county's ISO Public Protection Classification rating was threatened with a downgrade for an out-of-date code); the county subsequently updated to the current 2018 IRC/IBC family reflected in the March 2022 Addenda & Additions. Source: White Mountain Independent, 'Navajo County updates building code' (wmicentral.com).Building official has discretion to require an Arizona-registered architect/engineer stamp for any commercial-use structure, and for steel, log, or post/pole-and-beam construction, at the discretion of the Technical Advisory Board and Board of Supervisors. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions (amended 3-15-22), p.6.Commercial buildings exceeding 3,000 sq ft of floor area intended for continuous occupancy of more than 20 persons must be designed and stamped by an engineer registered by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration, per A.R.S. § 32-144. Source: Navajo County Construction Permit Application Instructions (revised January 2, 2025).Where a conflict exists between codes adopted by Navajo County or the State of Arizona and the Addenda and Additions, the more restrictive provision governs; the Navajo County Technical Advisory Board acts as the Board of Appeals. Source: Navajo County Addenda & Additions (amended 3-15-22), p.5.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure)
Required for new single-family dwellings, townhouses, additions, remodels, garages, and accessory structures in the unincorporated areas of Navajo County (outside the incorporated cities/towns of Show Low, Winslow, Holbrook, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake, and Taylor, and outside Navajo Nation/Hopi tribal trust land). Reviewed against the 2018 IRC/IBC (with local exclusions) and the county's Addenda & Additions by Navajo County Planning & Development Services / Building & Safety.
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Required for new single-family/townhouse construction, additions, remodels, garages, and accessory structures exceeding 200 sq ft (or any size if it has utilities or sleeping quarters) in unincorporated Navajo County
- Proof of a Navajo County Assessor's Parcel Number required to process any permit application
- Two (2) sets of building plans required at minimum: floor plan, building cross-section, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, two (2) elevations, plus any required engineering specifications
- Detailed, accurate site plan required showing setbacks, utilities, septic system (including reserve area), well(s), driveways, and existing buildings on all four sides, with driving directions to the parcel
- Proof of ownership (property parcel number) required
- Proof of an approved septic system, OR a Letter of Release from a Sanitary District, required before a building permit is issued
- All permits must first pass a flood hazard evaluation before permission to build is granted
- Submit application and required documents at any Navajo County Building Department location (Show Low, Holbrook, or Heber/Overgaard); applications are reviewed by both Flood Control and the Building Department
- Payment for issued permits must be made by check or money order only
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form (revised January 2, 2025), completed by owner or authorized agent
- RequiredBuilding Plans (2 sets)Floor plan, building cross-section, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, two elevations, and structural engineering specifications as required
- RequiredDetailed Site PlanAccurate lot delineation, all four sides' setbacks, distances between proposed/existing structures, septic system/reserve area, meter loop, water source, roadways, driveways, north arrow, parcel owner name/number, and driving directions; must be submitted on suitable material such as 11x17-inch paper
- RequiredProof of Ownership (Assessor's Parcel Number)Required to process any permit application
- RequiredSeptic System Approval or Sanitary District Letter of ReleaseRequired before issuance of a building, manufactured home, or meter-loop permit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit fee | Fees vary in accordance with IBC/UBC Building Valuation Data and IRC 2018 Charts and Formulas, as adopted by Navajo County Board of Supervisors Resolution 9-2022 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025). No flat published table; valuation-based per adopted ICC/UBC data — contact 928-532-6040 for a project-specific calculation. |
| Plan Review/Check fee | 35% of the total building permit fee | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Plan Revision, Minor (Residential) | $200.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Plan Revision, Major (all permits) | 35% of total building permit fee | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Reactivation of Expired Permit | 10% of original permit fee | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025); applies once a permit is administratively closed after 6 months of no inspection activity |
| Inspection fee (no fee specifically indicated elsewhere) | $75.00 per hour, 1-hour or 2-hour minimum depending on category | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Greater than Two Plan Reviews | $150.00 per sheet, per review | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
Manufactured / Mobile Home Installation Permit
Required for the placement and installation of manufactured/mobile homes in unincorporated Navajo County. Older mobile homes (built before June 15, 1976) must be brought up to current code and safety requirements before an installation permit is issued.
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Construction Permit Application completed by owner or agent, plus a completed Manufactured Home Supplement Form
- Copies of ownership documents (titles relating to the manufactured home) required
- Manufacturer construction documents verifying roof load required
- Disclaimer Form may be allowed for some models
- Floor plan required
- Detailed site plan showing proposed home location, setbacks, utilities, septic, driveways, and existing buildings, with accurate dimensions
- Verification of septic system required
- Mobile homes built prior to June 15, 1976 must be brought up to current code and safety requirements before a permit is issued
- Proof of ownership (Assessor's Parcel Number) required
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form, completed by owner or agent
- RequiredManufactured Home Supplement FormSupplemental form specific to manufactured/mobile home placement
- RequiredOwnership Documents / TitlesDocumentation of ownership of the manufactured home itself
- RequiredManufacturer Construction Documents (Roof Load Verification)Verifies the home's roof load rating meets the applicable local design snow-load criteria for its specific area of the county
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufactured Home permit | $102.00 | Navajo County Building Information FAQs (navajocountyaz.gov/faq.aspx?TID=23); this specific flat figure was not independently found restated on the 7/15/2025 fee schedule PDF, which lists a 'Manufactured Home' line without a printed dollar amount alongside 'Factory Built Buildings (FBB)' under the same valuation-based Building Permit fee structure as new dwellings. The $102.00 figure is sourced directly from the county's own published FAQ page. |
Septic System Permit (Conventional and Alternative)
Required for on-site wastewater disposal systems in unincorporated Navajo County. Conventional systems are reviewed directly by the county; alternative systems (composting toilet, pressure distribution, engineered pad, aerobic, and others) are administered by Navajo County under a delegation agreement with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Conventional system: Construction Permit Application, ADEQ General Permit 4.02 Notice of Intent to Discharge, GP 4.02 Checklist, GP 4.02 Calculation Worksheet, ADEQ Site Investigation Report Form, Bill of Materials, Trench Detail, and a copy of the Onsite Findings Report (NCERA Form 310)
- Soil suitability for a conventional system requires a percolation rate of 10-120 minutes-per-inch (MPI), or a Soil Absorption Rating (SAR) of .2 or higher, with a 5-foot minimum separation from groundwater or an impermeable confining layer
- If percolation is slower than 120 MPI or SAR is below .2, an alternative on-site disposal system may be permitted through ADEQ, and Navajo County does permit several alternative system types
- Alternative system: Construction Permit Application, ADEQ GP 4.03 Notice of Intent to Discharge, Engineered System Design Plans, list of equipment/materials, Operation and Maintenance Plan, ADEQ Site Investigation Report Form, and NCERA Form 310
- Detailed site plan required including driving directions to the parcel
- No building, manufactured home, or meter-loop permit will be issued elsewhere until the septic system is approved and documented
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form, completed by owner or agent
- RequiredADEQ General Permit Notice of Intent to Discharge (GP 4.02 conventional / GP 4.03 alternative)Completed by the property owner per the applicable ADEQ general permit category
- RequiredADEQ Site Investigation Report FormSite evaluation covering geological, hydrological, topographical, climatic, and soil analysis factors per Arizona Department of Environmental Quality APP Rules
- RequiredOnsite Findings Report (NCERA Form 310)Copy required for both conventional and alternative septic system applications
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Septic System Plans Review | Fees will vary in accordance with the Delegation Agreement between Navajo County and AZDOH | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Septic System — Residential Conventional System Installation | $150.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Septic System — Residential and Commercial Installation (general) | $500.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025); the fee schedule's exact scope distinction between this line and the $150 conventional-installation line was not further broken out in the source table — both are cited as published |
| Septic System — Residential Alternative System Installation | $800.00 starting fee; varies depending on system complexity | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
Commercial Building Permit
Required for new commercial construction in unincorporated Navajo County. Buildings exceeding 3,000 sq ft intended for continuous occupancy of more than 20 persons must be engineer-stamped per A.R.S. § 32-144. Reviewed against the 2018 IBC and the county's Addenda & Additions.
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Required for new commercial buildings in unincorporated Navajo County
- Per A.R.S. § 32-144: any building/structure exceeding 3,000 sq ft of floor area, intended for continuous occupancy of more than 20 persons, must be approved and stamped by an engineer registered by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration
- Three (3) sets of building plans required at minimum: floor plan, building cross-section, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, plumbing plan, two (2) elevations, plus engineering specifications
- Grading and/or drainage plans may also be required
- Fire sprinkler design required where applicable
- Detailed site plan required showing setbacks, utilities, septic, driveways, and existing buildings
- Proof of ownership (Assessor's Parcel Number) required
- Building official may require an Arizona-registered architect/engineer stamp for any commercial-use structure, and for steel, log, or post/pole-and-beam construction, at the discretion of the Technical Advisory Board and Board of Supervisors
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form, completed by owner or agent
- RequiredBuilding Plans (3 sets)Floor plan, building cross-section, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, plumbing plan, two elevations, and structural engineering specifications
- OptionalFire Sprinkler DesignRequired where applicable to the commercial occupancy/use
- RequiredDetailed Site PlanSetbacks, utilities, septic, driveways, and existing buildings within property boundaries, accurately dimensioned
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit fee | Fees vary in accordance with IBC/UBC Building Valuation Data and IRC 2018 Charts and Formulas, as adopted by Navajo County Board of Supervisors Resolution 9-2022 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Plan Review/Check fee | 35% of the total building permit fee | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Plan Revision, Minor (Non-Residential) | $300.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
| Expedited / Outside Review | $500.00 plus cost of consultant | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
Guest House Permit
A dedicated permit type for guest houses (secondary dwelling units) in unincorporated Navajo County, carrying its own flat fee separate from the standard valuation-based Building Permit fee.
Reviewed 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Construction Permit Application required, completed by owner or agent
- Same site plan, ownership proof, and septic verification requirements as a standard residential building permit
- Subject to the same design/climatic criteria (wind, seismic, snow load) applicable to the specific area of the county
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form, completed by owner or agent
- RequiredDetailed Site PlanShowing the guest house location, setbacks, septic, utilities, and existing structures on the parcel
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guest House Permit | $400.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
Sign Permit
Required for erecting or affixing signs in unincorporated Navajo County, reviewed by the County Engineering Department alongside Planning & Development Services.
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Construction Permit Application required, completed by owner or agent
- Two (2) scaled drawings of the sign's plans and specifications, including dimensions, materials, copy, and size, as deemed necessary by the County Engineering Department
- For wall signs: dimensions of the building wall the sign will be affixed to, and location/size of existing wall signs, must also be included
- Outdoor advertising signs additionally require a registered-surveyor-prepared survey showing: all outdoor advertising signs within 1,000 ft on the same side of the street and 500 ft on the opposite side; structures within 20 ft; residential districts and institutional signs within 500 ft; and applicable zoning setbacks
- Detailed site plan required showing the sign location, setbacks, utilities, septic, driveways, and existing buildings
- Proof of ownership (Assessor's Parcel Number) required
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationNavajo County Planning & Development Services application form, completed by owner or agent
- RequiredScaled Sign Drawings (2 copies)Dimensions, materials, copy, and size of the proposed sign; for outdoor advertising signs, an additional registered-surveyor survey per the county's distance/setback requirements
- RequiredDetailed Site PlanSign location relative to setbacks, utilities, driveways, and existing buildings
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit (via standard Construction Permit Application / Plan Review process) | Not separately itemized on the 7/15/2025 fee schedule as a distinct flat sign fee | The Navajo County Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) does not list a dedicated per-square-foot or flat sign-permit fee line (unlike, e.g., the City of Show Low's Sign Permit fee table). Sign permits appear to be processed via the standard Construction Permit Application and are therefore presumed subject to the general Plan Review fee structure (35% of building permit fee) absent a published sign-specific fee — this presumption is flagged, not fabricated as a confirmed number. |
Solar System Permit
VerifiedNavajo County publishes a distinct flat 'Solar System' fee for residential PV installation, separate from its general valuation-based Building Permit fee table — directly confirmed by reading the county's own Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025). Utility-scale/commercial solar (renewable energy generation facilities) is a completely separate, much more expensive Special Use Permit process, not to be confused with a standard residential rooftop or ground-mount PV installation.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Solar System Permit required for residential PV installation in unincorporated Navajo County
- Apply through the same Construction Permit Application process used for other building permits (Navajo County Planning & Development Services, Building & Safety Division)
- Utility-scale/commercial renewable energy generation facilities (solar farms) require a separate Special Use Permit for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities — NOT this residential permit — costing $600.00 plus $50.00/acre with a fee cap of $25,000.00
- Per statewide A.R.S. § 11-323 (Solar construction permits; standards), the county's required plan content is limited to system location/roof plan/elevation, panel mounting details, and a one-line/three-line electrical diagram (waived if a qualified online automated permitting platform is used), and the county may not require a professional engineer's stamp absent a written justification
- Per A.R.S. § 11-323 as amended by HB2301 (57th Legislature, 2025), Arizona counties including Navajo were required to adopt an instant/automated permitting process for residential solar with a 2-business-day turnaround by January 1, 2026 — no evidence was found that Navajo County has implemented a qualifying online automated permitting platform as of this review
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationSame general construction permit application form used for other Navajo County building permits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar System — Residential Installation | $150.00 flat | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) — directly confirmed by reading the county's published fee schedule PDF page 1, 'Solar System | For Residential Installation | $150.00.' |
| Special Use Permit for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities (utility-scale/commercial solar farms only — not a residential installation) | $600.00 + $50.00/acre, fee capped at $25,000.00 | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) — a distinct, much larger process for commercial-scale generation facilities, not applicable to a standard residential rooftop or accessory ground-mount PV system. |
EV Charger / Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit
VerifiedNavajo County publishes no distinct fee line item for EV charger / EVSE installation on its Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) — directly confirmed by reading the county's own published fee schedule PDF, which lists only a single 'Building Permit' line covering 'New Dwelling, Remodel, Commercial, Addition, Garage, Accessory Buildings, Towers, Tower Additions' at a valuation-based rate; the county's Building Information page likewise lists no separate electrical permit category. A residential or commercial EV charging station installation (new circuit/panel work) is therefore permitted as ordinary electrical construction work under the county's general valuation-based Building Permit — there is no county-published confirmation specifically naming EV chargers, so this is an inference from the absence of any other applicable permit type, not an explicit county statement.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- No standalone EV charger/EVSE permit type or fee line item is published by Navajo County Planning & Development Services
- EV charging station circuit and equipment installation is treated as ordinary electrical work under the general Building Permit (Navajo County Planning & Development Services, Building & Safety Division)
- Apply through the same Construction Permit Application process used for other building/electrical work
- Fee is calculated on the valuation-based IBC/UBC Building Valuation Data-IRC 2018 Charts and Formulas (Resolution 9-2022), the same table used for all other construction, since no separate electrical permit fee schedule exists
- Plan review is charged at 35% of the total building permit fee, per the county fee schedule
Required documents
- RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationSame general construction permit application form used for other Navajo County building/electrical permits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EV Charger / EVSE Installation (no distinct line item — billed as general Building Permit) | Valuation-based, per IBC/UBC Building Valuation Data-IRC 2018 Charts and Formulas (Resolution 9-2022) — the same table used for all other construction and electrical work | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) — directly re-chased and re-confirmed in full; no 'EV Charger', 'EVSE', or 'Electric Vehicle Charging Station' line item exists, and no separate Electrical Permit line item exists either. Only the general valuation-based Building Permit line applies. |
| Plan Review/Check | 35% of the total building permit fee | Navajo County Planning and Development Fee Schedule (updated 7/15/2025) |
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 Navajo County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.