Off-grid site report
Pima County, AZ
32.0345, -111.9071 · 2,799 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pima County, AZ, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesPima County, AZ
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyPima County Planning administers countywide zoning for unincorporated areas only; occupancy rights for RVs, tents, or raw land depend on the specific zone, and steep parcels may trigger Hillside Development Overlay Zone rules. Incorporated cities/towns within the county use their own separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyPima County has adopted specific tiny-house rules: foundation-built tiny houses are allowed anywhere single-family homes are, chassis-based ones on foundations are limited to certain zones, and mobile-chassis tiny houses are treated as trailers allowed only in specific zones (RH, GR-1, SH, MU, CMH1, CMH2, IR). Temporary RVs/mobile homes are permitted for up to a year (plus possible 180-day extension) while a permanent home is under construction. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedPima County Development Services Department is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for building permits in unincorporated areas and has published a dedicated guide summarizing rules for off-grid living. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems, including composting toilets as an alternative component, are permitted under joint state (Arizona Administrative Code Aquifer Protection Permit Rules) and Pima County wastewater code requirements, with the county issuing Construction and Discharge Authorizations. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Pima County-specific greywater ordinance was found in official sources; this likely defaults to the Arizona state ADEQ tiered-permit framework, but that is not confirmed for the county specifically. Confirm directly with Pima County Development Services or PDEQ.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Pima County-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was located in official research; state baseline treats roof catchment as generally permitted and unregulated, but this is not confirmed at the county level. Ask Pima County Development Services to be sure.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWell drilling is a state function handled by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, which requires authority to drill (Notice of Intent to Drill) before construction; Pima County spans the Tucson, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Active Management Areas and its role is mainly siting relative to septic separation distances. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedPima County Development Services confirms disconnection from municipal utilities is an accepted pathway via its published off-grid living guide, though solar and wind systems still require their own permits for code and safety compliance. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,824 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 24 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,877 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sells Indian Hospital - 8.1 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
- none within range
- Grocery
Bashas' - 8.4 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 85634).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Pima County, AZ?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.