County Building Permits
Apache County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Apache County, Arizona. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Apache County, excluding incorporated municipalities (St. Johns, Springerville, Eagar) and tribal lands (Navajo Nation, Fort Apache Indian Reservation).
- Department
- Apache County Community Development, Building Safety Division
- Address
- 75 W. Cleveland, St. Johns, AZ 85936
- Phone
- (928) 337-4517
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person and paper submittal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Obtain septic approval or construction authorization from Apache County Environmental Services if an on-site wastewater system is planned.
- Obtain a 911 address from the county.
- Prepare construction plans and site information according to county standards.
- Submit the building permit application with all required documents to Community Development.
- County staff reviews the application for completeness.
- Pay permit fees after county approval.
- Post the permit and address on-site before beginning construction.
- Request inspections for each required phase at least 24 hours in advance.
- Complete all inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
Typical processing time: Processing times vary; applicants should contact Building Safety Division for specific timelines.
Source: Apache County Community Development, Building Safety Division
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Apache County.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Construction plans and specifications
- Site plan or property sketch
- Proof of septic approval or wastewater authorization (if applicable)
- Applicant and property-owner identification and contact information
- Project cost estimate or valuation
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Apache County Community Development, Building Safety Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (928) 337-4517 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance.
Additional Resources
- Verify contractor license: Arizona Registrar of Contractors License Search
- Building Permit Application
- Manufactured Home Permit Application
- Solar Permit Requirements
- License lookup guide: Arizona Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Arizona Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Arizona hub: Arizona Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Apache County Community Development, Building Safety Division before applying.
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