Off-grid site report
Cochise County, AZ
31.5550, -110.2802 · 4,574 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cochise 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 rulesCochise County, AZ
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyCochise County has countywide zoning; about 90% of unincorporated land is RU (Rural), which permits residential use on large lots and allows other uses as Special Uses via public hearing. Incorporated towns have separate codes not covered here. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Generally allowedThe county has adopted Appendix Q of the 2018 IRC for tiny homes with a local minimum size, and offers an Owner-Builder Amendment allowing reduced review for eligible rural construction. RVs are allowed only temporarily under a temporary use permit, not as permanent dwellings. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBuilding permits are required per state law for most new construction above a state-set value threshold, and the county's Development Services Department administers permitting and code compliance, including an owner-builder self-build path requiring a signed affidavit under state statute. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Cochise County Health Department under a Sanitary Code based on state ADHS/ADEQ delegation. Composting toilets may be approved as alternative systems under certain site conditions, but kitchen wastewater generally still needs an approved septic-type disposal system. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedGreywater reuse is allowed statewide under Arizona ADEQ's Type 1 General Permit best practices, and Cochise County has supplementary local rules including a special overlay zone near Sierra Vista. Kitchen wastewater is excluded and must go to septic. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Cochise County ordinance specifically restricting rooftop rainwater harvesting was found; it appears to follow the general state baseline with no permit required. Whether plumbing code adds requirements for indoor potable use is not confirmed, so check with Development Services.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyWells on parcels five acres or smaller need Environmental Health Department review; larger parcels are reviewed by ADWR only, and setback rules apply from property lines and septic components. The new Douglas Groundwater Basin Active Management Area, established December 2022, adds extra ADWR rules for wells in that area.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo official Cochise County source mandates grid power or municipal water/sewer hookup for unincorporated rural parcels; the dominant RU zoning and owner-builder program reflect an established pattern of self-sufficient rural living. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,846 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 12 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 3 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,520 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 6 to Nov 28
- Design low
- 26 °F
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Canyon Vista Medical Center - 3.0 mi
- Fire station
Fry Fire District Station 1 - 1.0 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 1.1 mi
- Grocery
Safeway - 0.3 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 85671).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Cochise 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.