The Sustainable Building Program provides resources on sustainable building products, methods, and practices; a resource directory of regional businesses that provide local sustainable building services and supplies; as well as, a comprehensive listing of tax incentives for sustainable development and renewable energy. 

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                 Sun Angles
    Summer Solstice           Winter Solstice
  • Passive Solar Design Policy  
• Erosion Control
• Stormwater
• Low Impact Development
• Invasive Species Management Brochure and Species-specific Management Guide 
• Northern Arizona Invasive Plant website 
• Xeriscaping, Native Landscape and Pollinator Habitat 
• Eco-Friendly Herbicides,  Eco-Friendly Termite Control, and Integrated Pest Management 
• Wildlife-Friendly Fencing 
• Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition's Residential Lighting Tips
• Firewise Communities® Firewise Information: 
  • Firewise Communities® Firewise Landscape/Construction Guide
  • Firewise Communities® How to Have a Firewise Home
  • Arizona Cooperative Extension's Firewise Plant List for Arizona areas >3000' elevation

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.

• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
• Concrete Blocks, Forms and Others
• Strawbale Construction
  • Coconino County Substantive Policy on Residential Strawbale Construction
  • Supplemental Guidelines for Residential Strawbale Construction
  • 2018 International Residential Code Appendix S for 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 
• Weatherization Tips and APS $99 Energy Audit
• National Association of Home Builders TechNote on Building Air Tightness
• DOE's Retrofit Techniques & Technologies: Air Sealing 
• 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 
• 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

 Aesthetics 

• Aesthetic Sustainability Elements for Buildings  

Waste Reduction - Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle 
 

• Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan Template 
• Construction Waste Recycling Resources 
• What & Where of Recycling
• Coconino County Building Materials Reuse Facebook group page (for giving away, trading, selling building materials) 
• Composting

Other Resources

• Camping & RV Park Sustainability Tips 
• List of Books on Sustainable Building Topics at the Flagstaff City- Coconino County Public Library   

 Permitting Information

• Coconino County
• City of Flagstaff