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. Pre-Application materials can be dropped off at the Planning and Development drop-off bin located outside the front door or submitted electronically.

To submit electronically generate Adobe PDF’s of the application form, narrative and site plan and send via e-mail to Rachel.Applegate@maricopa.gov. Staff will generate a tracking number with e-mail notification to the applicant with the balance owed with instructions to contact the Planning and Development Cashier to process payment. Once payment has been made the Pre-Application materials will be routed and a Pre-Application meeting will be scheduled. All Pre-Application meetings are currently being held via Gotomeeting.

  1. Administrative Applications
  2. Board of Adjustment Applications
  3. 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."

Development Master Plan Minor Amendments

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 Major or Minor DMP Amendment.

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.

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):

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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."

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.

Special Use Permit Minor Amendment 

Minor amendments to a Special Use Permit (SUP) may be processed administratively at the discretion of Maricopa County Planning and Development Department.

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.

Zone Change Minor Amendment

Minor amendments to a Zone Change may be processed administratively at the discretion of Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. 

Potential Zones

See if your parcel is in a high noise or accident potential zone by using PlanNet.