- Home
- Your Government
- Departments (A-E)
- Community Development
- Sustainable Building Program
- Resources for Sustainable Building
Resources for Sustainable Building
Draft Sustainable Development Educational Booklet for the Residential Checklist
Sustainable Building Service Provider Directory
Final Tiny House Permitting Policy
Incentives for Sustainable Building
Sustainable Site Planning - Minimize negative impacts on sites by conserving and protecting natural systems including soils, plants, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. Maximize open space, accessibility, stormwater retention, community and transportation connectivity, and renewable energy opportunities.
- Passive Solar Design
- Northern Arizona receives over 340 days of sunshine/year.
- With a relatively cold climate and so much sunshine, Flagstaff is an ideal place to take advantage of passive solar energy.
- By orienting your home according to the sun and using specific landscaping strategies, energy consumption for both heating and cooling can be greatly reduced.
- Below are sun angle diagrams that can assist in site planning for solar gain in northern Arizona:
Site Planning
- Passive Solar Design Policy New!
- Erosion Control
- Stormwater
- Low Impact Development
- Invasive Species Management Brochure and Species-specific Management Guide New!
- Xeriscaping, Native Landscape and Pollinator Habitat New!
- Eco-Friendly Herbicides and Eco-Friendly Termite Control
- Firewise Communities® Firewise Information: New!
Building Materials - There are many methods and materials available to improve the quality, durability, and energy efficiency of your home, as well as, reduce its impact on the environment. The County does not recommend any method over another, but we have provided some resources to help you better understand the different materials that are available.
- Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs)
- Concrete Blocks, Forms and Others
- Strawbale Construction
- Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
- Earthbuilding
- Greenhouse Design
- Trombé Wall Diagram
- Windows
- Insulation
Energy (Conservation, Renewable)
- Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center New!
- Weatherization Tips and APS $99 Energy Audit
- Energy Efficient Appliances and CCSBP newsletter on Heating Efficiency
- No-Cost & Low-Cost Tips for Saving Energy and Water
- What are Renewable Energy Resources & How do They Work
- Renewable Energy Ready Home
- Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes website
- FAQs for Renewable Energy Permitting in Coconino County
- Roof Top Installation Substantive Policy New!
- Coconino County Accessory Wind Energy Ordinance
- Heating with Wood (CCSBP newsletter)
Water Conservation & Reuse - Northern Arizona has an arid climate with limited water resources. The depletion of groundwater is an especially critical issue. Of all the resources we use, water is one we truly cannot live without. It is therefore important to incorporate water conservation measures into building design.
- Rainwater Harvesting & Calculator
- Tips on Rainwater Harvesting for Domestic Use
- Gray Water Reuse and System Design Resources
- Gray Water Reuse in Coconino County
- Gray Water Rules
Indoor Environmental Quality - Carpets, paints, particle board, detergents, insulation, sealants and household cleaners can contain toxins that are emitted into the indoor air of a home or building.
Other concerns with indoor environmental quality can include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, pet dander, mold, dust and pollens. Minimizing toxins and maximizing ventilation strategies are effective approaches to incorporating good indoor environmental quality in new and existing buildings.
- Carbon Monoxide
- CCSBP newsletter on Radon and EPA Radon website
- EPA's Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality
Waste Reduction - Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
- Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan Template New!
- Construction Waste Recycling Resources New!
- What & Where of Recycling
- Composting
Other Resources
Permitting Information