12/12/2025
FYI - A.D.U.'s in Yavapai County County
Effective December 20, 2025, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) will replace guest homes in the Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Ordinance.
Permit applications must be dated December 20, 2025 or later to qualify for ADU allowances. A separate permit will be required for each ADU.
General Allowances:
1. ADUs will be allowed on any lot that allows for a single-family dwelling.
* Primary use of the lot must be established with the primary single-family residence (SFR) before ADUs will be permitted.
* Yavapai County does not have a minimum or maximum size limit for a primary SFR.
2. One attached ADU and one detached ADU will be allowed.
* Each ADU may have up to 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area (interior habitable area).
* Parcels of at least one acre may have one additional detached ADU with up to 1,500 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
LOTS LESS THAN ONE ACRE:
Maximum of 3 dwelling units per lot.
Options listed below - No substitutions.
(SFR = Single-Family Residence)
(Square footage = interior habitable area)
OPTION 1:
1 SFR only
OPTION 2:
1 SFR
+ 1 ATTACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
OPTION 3:
1 SFR
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
OPTION 4:
1 SFR
+ 1 ATTACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
LOTS ONE ACRE OR MORE:
Maximum of 4 dwelling units per lot.
Options listed below - No substitutions.
(SFR = Single-Family Residence)
(Square footage = interior habitable area)
OPTION 1:
1 SFR only
OPTION 2:
1 SFR
+ 1 ATTACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
OPTION 3:
1 SFR
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,500 sq. ft.)
OPTION 4:
1 SFR
+ 1 ATTACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,500 sq. ft.)
OPTION 5:
1 SFR
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,500 sq. ft.)
OPTION 6:
1 SFR
+ 1 ATTACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
+ 1 DETACHED ADU (up to 1,500 sq. ft.)
Additional ADU Standards:
1. Only one kitchen is allowed for a single-family residence. ADUs may also have one kitchen.
2. ADUs may be any construction type allowed on the lot (per the zoning district).
3. A minimum separation of five feet must be maintained between all detached buildings.
4. The front setback for an ADU must be at least the same as the required front setback for the primary single-family dwelling.
5. Side and rear setbacks must be a minimum of five feet.
6. Setbacks are measured from the property line or from the inside edge of any easement on the property that has been designated for ingress/egress access (even if a road is not currently built within the easement).
7. ADUs may not be built within a public utility easement (PUE) without obtaining permission from ALL utility providers that may use that easement.
8. Connection to an adequate sewer system OR to an onsite wastewater system is required. Existing or new onsite wastewater systems must be adequately sized BEFORE construction of the ADU may begin.
On December 20, 2025, details of the new ADU standards may be found in Section 537 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Planning & Zoning Ordinance
