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Land Use, Subdivision and Planning Applications
Applications for Land Use Planning, Zoning and Subdivision of land. For additional information, call 602-506-3301 or email us.
Electronic Document Review (EDR) Overview
Electronic Document Review (EDR) is a new on-line planning application submittal process provided for certain Planning Services applications. EDR allows applicants to file planning application on-line and receive review comments electronically. EDR also allows you to submit and check the status of your application on-line 24/7.
Pre-Application Meeting
The Planning and Development Department has designed this Pre-Application service for clients who would like to meet with staff prior to a planning submittal to guide their efforts and resources.
- Administrative Applications
- Board of Adjustment Applications
- Planning & Zoning Commission Applications
Agricultural Exemption
Agricultural uses may be exempt from the County’s zoning authority. A Request for Real Property Agricultural Verification Form will need to be completed through the Assessor’s Office before submitting an Agricultural Exemption application to P&D. Please review the Agricultural Exemption packet for more information on the application process.
Chapter 13, Section 1304, of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) states "This Ordinance shall not prevent, restrict or otherwise regulate the use or occupation of land or improvements for railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing or general agricultural purposes, if the tract concerned is five or more contiguous commercial acres. Property is not exempt from the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and/or Building Safety Ordinance unless and until the Maricopa Planning and Development Department has issued a Certificate of Exemption for that property."
Group Home
A Group Home is defined as “A dwelling unit shared as their primary residence by minors, handicapped or elderly persons, living together as a single housekeeping unit, in a long term, family-like environment in which staff persons provide on-site care, training, or support for the residents. Such homes or services provided therein shall be licensed by, certified by, approved by, registered with, funded by or through, or under contract with the State.”
The Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) allows group homes uses within certain zoning districts. The Planning and Development Department has developed a process to ensure group homes operate in accordance with applicable zoning regulations and requirements. The Group Home process consists of several applications submitted to both Maricopa County Planning and Development and the State of Arizona. Initially, an applicant must obtain entitlement for the use through a Land Use application and then applicable building permits must be obtained.
- Group Home Application Packet (PDF)
- Group Home Building Permit Packet (Inspection or Alteration) (PDF)
- Group Homes and Care Facilities 2017-03 (PDF)
Home Occupation / Home Daycare
Home-based businesses are subject to certain conditions in the Rural and Single-Family Residential zoning districts. These home-based businesses are tracked by issuance of a Home Occupation Permit (HOP). The Ordinance makes allowance for legislative approval of a Special Use Permit, as a Cottage Industry, for those home-based businesses of an intensity greater than permitted for a HOP.
There are 2 types of home occupation definitions in the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF):
- Residential home occupations, which are allowed as an accessory use in any rural or residential zoning district, subject to the conditions outlined in the Use Regulations of Chapters 5 and 6 of the Ordinance. Garage/yard sales or home parties that are held for the sale of goods or services are not considered a home occupation, provided these sales do not exceed 6 days in one year.
- Cottage industries are permitted in rural and residential zoning districts, subject to obtaining a Special Use Permit approved by the Board of Supervisors (as outlined in Chapter 13 of the Ordinance).
Please refer to the application packets below for specific requirements.
- Home Occupation Application Packet (PDF)
- Home Daycare Application Packet (PDF)
- Home Occupation - Minimum Threshold - DD 2017-07 (PDF)
Legal Non-Conforming, Conditional Use Permit & POD
Learn about the legal non-conforming development uses, government action policies, as-built plan of development, and conditional use permits.
Mining Exemption
Mining uses may be exempt from the County’s zoning authority. Review the Mining Exemption packet for more information on the application process.
If approved, the Certificate of Exemption for Mining is an exemption from portions of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance, and the County’s Building Code Authority, for the use of the land for the approved mining activities. Any use not incidental to the approved mining operation will be required to comply with the current regulations imposed upon said land by the underlying zoning district. The primary use of land shall be the mining operation. If the mining operation use is abandoned or is not the primary use of the land, then the appropriate zoning regulations shall apply.
Chapter 13, Section 1304 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF), Exempted Uses states "This Ordinance shall not prevent, restrict or otherwise regulate the use or occupation of land or improvements for railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing or general agricultural purposes, if the tract concerned is five or more contiguous commercial acres. Property is not exempt from the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and/or Building Safety Ordinance unless and until the Maricopa Planning and Development Department has issued a Certificate of Exemption for that property."
Minor Development Master Plan Amendment
Changes to Development Master Plans (DMP) will require an amendment to be filed with the Planning and Development Department. All amendments will be classified as major or minor.
Minor amendments to a DMP may be processed administratively at the discretion of the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Formal determination of whether an amendment will be considered a minor or major amendment may be requested in writing to the Planning and Development Department.
Please see the DMP Guidelines below for additional information on the process and criteria for a Minor DMP Amendment.
- Minor Plan Amendment to a Development Master Plan Application (PDF)
- Plats
- Subdivision Regulations (PDF)
Plan of Development
A Plan of Development (POD) is a site plan which describes how a parcel of land is proposed to be improved. It includes outlines of all structures and site improvements, including but not limited to:
- Property lines
- Setbacks
- Driveways
- Landscaping
- Existing structures
- Proposed structures
- Utility connections
Typically, a POD does not involve any entitlements – that is, there is no requirement to obtain additional approvals for the type of development proposed (i.e., zoning, variance, etc.). The POD review focuses on reviewing the entire project layout for basic design and compatibility and to ensure that a project meets applicable regulations and policies.
Approval of a Plan of Development must occur before any development of property requiring a plan of development can occur. Please see the application packet below for additional information.
- Plan of Development Application Packet (PDF)
- Plan of Development - Major Amendment Application Packet (PDF)
- Plan of Development - Minor Amendment Application Packet (PDF)
- Plan of Development - Modification of Conditions Application Packet (PDF)
Status Report
Status Reports may be required at set dates as a condition of approval of certain development applications (typically Special Use Permits) by the Board of Supervisors.
Status Reports should be submitted to the Planning & Development Department at least one (1) month before the review deadline.
Temporary Use Permit
Certain uses are not allowed on a property but may be necessary or desirable for a limited period of time and these uses can be carefully regulated through the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit.
A Temporary Use Permit is required for any of the following:
- Temporary housing during construction of a dwelling
- Temporary events
- Non-residential use of a mobile home
- Temporary caretaker's quarters
- Underage occupancy within the Senior Citizen Overlay Zoning District
- Temporary construction office/yard complex
- Temporary model home sales complex
- Temporary seasonal sales
- Other temporary uses as determined by the zoning inspector
Procedures for a Temporary Use Permit are provided in Section 1302 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF).
Use Compatibility & Consistency Determination
Any proposed land use not specifically identified as consistent and compatible with the high noise or accident potential of the military airport or ancillary military facility pursuant to Article 1010.6.1 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance - Military Airport and Ancillary Military Facility Overlay Zone shall, as a pre-condition to filing an application for a Military Compatibility Permit and Plan of Development, require an individual Use Compatibility and Consistency Determination (UCCD) by Luke Air Force Base.
Potential Zones
See if your parcel is in a high noise or accident potential zone by using PlanNet.
Variance / Interpretation
An applicant may request a variance from the standards and regulations of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) as allowed in Section 303.2.2, "when, owing to peculiar conditions, a strict interpretation would work an unnecessary hardship, if in granting such Variance the general intent and purposes of the Zoning Ordinance will be preserved. Under no circumstances shall there be granted a Variance to allow a use of property not permitted by the regulations for the zoning district in which such property is located or where such Variance is specifically prohibited within this Ordinance."
The Board of Adjustment determines requests on Variances and Interpretations and meets on a regular schedule to consider such requests. An application must be filed with the Planning and Zoning Department to request a variance.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Zone change requests, not in compliance with the adopted Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan (PDF), require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) prior to, or in concert with, entitlement requests.
A pre-application meeting is required prior to submitting a CPA application. Please see the applicable document links below.
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Application Packet (PDF)
- Pre-Application Meeting - Application Packet (PDF)
Development Master Plan (DMP)
The Development Master Plan process is intended for those projects encompassing more than 640 acres and include both residential and other uses. A pre-application meeting is required prior to submittal of a DMP application.
The Development Master Plan (DMP) process is intended for those projects encompassing more than 640 acres and include both residential and other uses. A pre-application meetingis required prior to submitting a DMP application.
Military Compatibility Permit (MCP)
The purpose of the Military Airport and Ancillary Military Facility Overlay Zoning District is to adopt and enforce zoning regulations for property in the high noise or accident potential zone to assure development compatible with the high noise or accident potential generated by military airport and ancillary military facility operations that have or may have an adverse effect on public health and safety in compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes §28-8461 and §28-8481 as ordered by the Superior Court of Arizona in the case of Arizona State, et al. v. Maricopa County, et al. (case number CV 2008-091301).
In all cases where there is or may be a conflict between this Military Airport and Ancillary Military Facility Overlay Zone and the underlying zone, the terms of this Military Airport and Ancillary Military Facility Overlay Zone shall control.
A Use Compatibility and Consistency Determination (UCCD) application and a pre-application meeting are required prior to submitting a Military Compatibility Permit application.
A pre-application meeting is required prior to submitting a Military Compatibility Permit application.
Potential Zones
See if your parcel is in a high noise or accident potential zone by using PlanNet.
- Military Compatibility Permit Application Packet (PDF)
- Pre-Application Meeting - Application Packet (PDF)
- Use Compatibility and Consistency Determination Application Packet (PDF)
Plats
Approval of subdivisions occurs in 2 stages: Preliminary Plat and Final Plat. Find additional details on plats.
Special Use Permit
Section 1301 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) allows for the consideration and permitting of special uses that do not generally fall under standard zoning districts.
The Special Use Permit (SUP) process is similar to that of a Zone Change request, with two key exceptions:
- The underlying zoning is not affected by the Special Use Permit.
- The Special Use Permit is generally not permanent in nature; rather it is granted for a specific timeframe subject to periodic status report reviews by the Department.
A pre-application meeting is required prior to submitting a Special Use Permit application.
- Special Use Permit Application Packet (PDF)
- Special Use Permit - Major Amendment Packet (PDF)
- Special Use Permit - Minor Amendment (PDF)
- Special Use Permit - Modification of Conditions (PDF)
- Pre-Application Meeting - Application Packet (PDF)
Text Amendment
The public has the opportunity to request an amendment to the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) or other regulatory documents through the Text Amendment Process. These requests are often generated by staff to ensure the Zoning Ordinance remains a dynamic document that meets the ever-changing needs of the county.
Text Amendment Packet (PDF)
Zone Change / Rezoning
Maricopa County regulates the type and size of buildings that can be erected and activities undertaken in specific areas of the county based on their zoning district. There is a formal process in which land owners or their agents can request a change of zoning.
A pre-application meeting is required prior to submittal of a Zone Change application.
- Pre-Application Packet (PDF)
- Zone Change Application Packet (PDF)
- Zone Change with Overlay Application Packet (PDF)
- Zone Change - Major Amendment Application Packet (PDF)
- Zone Change - Minor Amendment Application Packet (PDF)
- Zone Change - Modification of Conditions Application Packet (PDF)
- Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (PDF)