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1. What are the adopted building codes for Coconino County?

The adopted codes for Coconino County are:

• 2018 International Building Code
• 2018 International Residential Code
• 2018 International Mechanical Code
• 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2018 International Plumbing Code
• 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
• 2018 International Existing Building Code
• 2018 International Swimming pool and Spa Code
• 2017 National Electric Code
• 2019-10 Ordinance

2. What are the minimum uniformly distributed live loads for Coconino County?

The minimum uniformly distributed live loads for Coconino County are:

• Attics made usable when the attic truss is a bonus room (habitable space), the floor Live Load shall be a minimum of forty (40) pounds per square foot (psf).
• Decks and Exterior Balconies – forty (60) psf.
• Sleeping Rooms – thirty (30) psf.
• Habitable Space – forty (40) psf.
• Storage Rooms – thirty (30) psf.

3. What are the snow load requirements for Coconino County?

Snow Loads for roof that have rafters, shall be considered as a non-reducible ground snow load on the roof. 

The list below indicates the snow load requirements for Coconino County:

Building Area	Elevation (feet)	Ground Snow Load (psf)	Truss Flat Roof Snow Load (psf)a	Rafter Flat Roof Snow Load (psf)
Coconino County	Above 8000	Design according to accepted engineering practice
North Rim	8500	Design according to accepted engineering practice
Coconino County	7500 to 8000	75	58	75
Forest Lakes	7500	75	58	75
Hart Prairie	7750	75	58	75
Jacob Lake	7920	75	58	75
Kendrick Park	7880	75	58	75
Coconino County	6500 to 7500	60	46	60
Baderville	7300	60	46	60
Clear Creek Pines	7000	60	46	60
Doney Park	7000	60	46	60
Flagstaff	7000	60	46	60
Fort Valley	7300	60	46	60
Happy Jack	7490	60	46	60
Kachina Village	6775	60	46	60
Mormon Lake	7100	60	46	60
Mountainaire	6775	60	46	60
Parks	7000	60	46	60
Pinewood	6600	60	46	60
Starlight Pines	7000	60	46	60
Tusayan	6600	60	46	60
Valle	6000	60	46	60
Coconino County	5500 to 6000	45	35	45
Leupp Road		45	35	45
Coconino County	4000 to 5500	30	23	30
Alpine Ranchos	4800	30	23	30
Ash Fork	5200	30	23	30
Cameron	4200	30	23	30
Fredonia	4700	30	23	30
Leupp	4800	30	23	30
Oak Creek Canyon	4500	30	23	30
Seligman	5200	30	23	30
Tuba City	5000	30	23	30
Twin Arrows	4850	30	23	30
Winslow	4800	30	23	30
Coconino County	Below 4000	20	20	20
Greenhaven	3650	20	20	20
Marble Canyon	3600	20	20	20
a. Flat Roof Snow Load is determined from the following equation from ASCE 7-16:51-54. pf = 0.7 x Ce x Ct x Is x pg where: pg is the Ground Snow Load pf is the flat roof snow load Ce is the exposure factor Ct is the thermal factor Is is the importance factor For Single Family Dwellings partially exposed in roughness category C, with roof ceiling R-values over 25, and of normal importance pf = 0.7 x 1.0 x 1.1 x 1.0 x pg pf = 0.77 x pg

4. What is the design criteria for Coconino County?

The design criteria for Coconino County is:

• Ground Snow Load – see snow load question, above.
• Wind Speed: 115 Ultimate Design Speed (mph).
• Seismic Design Category – C
• Any building site at an elevation of 8000 feet or more above sea level
• Weathering – Moderate
• Climate Zone – Varies – see snow load question, above.
• Frost Line – Elevation (ft)              Frost Line Depth (in)

        3000 to 4500                                        12

        4500 to 5700                                        24

        5700 to 7100                                        30

        7100 to 8500                                        30

• Termite –Moderate to Heavy
• Ice Barrier Underlayment Required:

        3000 to 4500            No

        4500 to 5700            Yes

         5700 to 7100           Yes

         7100 to 8500           Yes

• Flood Hazard – The Flood Plain Administrator is the Director of Coconino County Community Development.
• For complete design criteria, go to the Building and Safety page and look at the Design Criteria Document

5. When do I need a building permit?

The list below indicates when a building permit is not required:

• One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Additionally these structures shall have a maximum wall height of eight (8) feet and a maximum overall building height of fifteen (15) feet. All property setbacks and distances between buildings shall be complied with.
• Fences not over 7 feet tall, Check with Planning and Zoning for zoning requirements.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Check with Planning and Zoning for zoning requirements.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Sidewalk and driveways. Check with Community Development Engineering Division for other requirements.
• Paint, paper, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
• Swings and other playground equipment.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not requires additional support.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by the IRC 2012 Section R311.4.
• One-Story detached agricultural Hoop Greenhouse. An agricultural greenhouse is a structure for horticulture (growing plants for food and flowers) and it is mainly a glazed or translucent structure such as a hoop greenhouse. Additionally, these structures shall have a maximum wall height of eight (8) feet and a maximum overall building height of fifteen (15) feet. All property setbacks and distances between buildings shall be complied with.

6. Are there local sustainable building professionals that can help me with my project?

Yes. The Sustainable Building Program maintains a Resource Directory of current builders and other service providers that have experience with sustainable building.