Building permits in Navajo County — a northeastern Arizona county spanning the Mogollon Rim to the Navajo Nation — are issued by Planning & Zoning Department, Building Safety Division. Navajo County enforces the 2018 IBC/IRC with Navajo County amendments.
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Navajo County Online Services, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Navajo County project stays on track.
White Mountain communities, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, and the Navajo Nation reservation lands. Navajo County handles permitting for unincorporated areas only. Cities like Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, and Holbrook manage their own permits. Tribal lands (Navajo Nation, Hopi) have separate permitting authorities. Wildfire mitigation and well/septic are common considerations. All contractors must hold an active Arizona ROC license.
Jurisdiction note. Navajo County permits cover unincorporated areas only. Tribal lands and incorporated municipalities have separate permitting authorities.
What requires a building permit in Navajo County?
Under the 2018 IBC/IRC with Navajo County amendments, a permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, carports
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
- Replacement of existing same-type fixtures
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Navajo County?
The Building Safety Division within Planning & Zoning Department handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. All permits are managed through the Navajo County Online Services.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Planning & Zoning Department — 100 E Code Talkers Dr, South Highway 77, Holbrook, AZ 86025 |
| Phone | (928) 524-4250 |
| Online portal | Navajo County Online Services |
| Code cycle | 2018 IBC/IRC with Navajo County amendments |
| Review timeline | 10–20 business days depending on project scope |
| Contractor license | Arizona ROC license required |
Apply at the Navajo County Portal. Register an account on the Navajo County Online Services. Start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance), and pay the plan review fee at submittal. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Navajo County building permit cost
Navajo County permit fees are Valuation-based per county fee schedule. Plan review fee is Included in permit fee.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Technology / admin fee | Added to permit total |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Navajo County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Navajo County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each needs its own permit and an Arizona ROC-licensed contractor in the appropriate specialty classification.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by an ROC-licensed electrical contractor (C-11/R-11 classification).
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by an ROC-licensed plumbing contractor (C-37/R-37 classification).
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by an ROC-licensed mechanical contractor (C-39/R-39 classification).
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify your contractor's ROC license. Arizona licenses contractors through the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — a contractor's license is required for any work totaling $1,000+ (labor and materials) or any work that requires a building permit, regardless of cost. Arizona uses a classification system with 60+ license types across Residential (R-), Commercial (C-), and Dual (KB/CR) categories. Property owners may act as their own general contractor on an owner-occupied residence under A.R.S. § 32-1121(B), subject to restrictions. Verify contractor licensure at roc.az.gov.
How to get a building permit in Navajo County
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Contact Planning & Zoning Department at (928) 524-4250. Confirm zoning compliance and whether your project requires a permit.
Register on Navajo County Portal & apply
Create an account on the Navajo County Online Services. Start a new application and select the correct permit type.
Upload documents & pay plan review fee
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, ROC license, and proof of insurance. Pay plan review fee at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2018 IBC/IRC with Navajo County amendments. 10–20 business days depending on project scope. Resubmit revised plans if needed.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections via the Navajo County Online Services. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Navajo County
Schedule inspections through the Navajo County Online Services. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Navajo County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Navajo County — Planning & Zoning
- 💻 Navajo County Online Portal
- 📋 Navajo County Fee Schedule
- 🪪 AZ Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
Simplify Navajo County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Navajo County's Navajo County Online Services, valuation-based fees, and Arizona ROC requirements reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Navajo County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Planning & Zoning Department process, so your Navajo County submissions move faster.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Navajo County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Planning & Zoning Department, the Navajo County Online Services, and the 2018 IBC/IRC with Navajo County amendments.
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- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Navajo County building permit?
Get your Navajo County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the Navajo County Online Services — so you build, not wait.
More Arizona permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Planning & Zoning Department before filing. This is not legal advice.