Permit or Inspection free Counties

Mar 28, 2018 08:09:32

Hi I am relatively new to this forum. I started doing research about a month ago for off grid living and I stumbled across this site. I LOVE IT! Back on topic, I am looking to go off grid in a couple of years and build an earthbag home once I have the money saved up and done the adequate research.

The problem I am running into is that all the videos I watch on people building their houses never say how they get around having inspections or permits. I know there are some counties where you don't need a permit or can opt out of having inspections and submitting plans if you have rural land.

I have only found 1 county ConciseAZ where if you have 4+ acres and it is zoned as rural you can get a building permit and opt out of submitting plans and having inspections. https://www.cochise.az.gov/development-services/owner-builder-amendment

My question I suppose is does anyone know of any other counties in the southern Arizona or New Mexico area that have these type of laws.

Glenn Herbert · Mar 28, 2018 10:38:24

I believe Greenlee County in AZ falls under this category.

https://www.co.greenlee.az.us/pz/pdfs/Building%20Codes%20and%20Loading%20Standards.pdf

Mar 28, 2018 12:34:46

Kim Goodwin wrote:I believe Greenlee County in AZ falls under this category.

https://www.co.greenlee.az.us/pz/pdfs/Building%20Codes%20and%20Loading%20Standards.pdf

Thank you this will help expand my search radius when I start looking for land to buy.

May 10, 2020 16:27:12

For anyone else who finds this thread, check out Esmeralda County, Nevada. As of 2020, no building codes. Quite remote, but not that remote. ~45 minutes to a big-box grocery store and a hospital, etc.

Sep 18, 2020 10:28:23

I know I'm late to the game, but I just found this site and am browsing around...

Eureka County, NV has no building permits/codes/inspections
Socorro County, NM has no building permits/codes/inspections, but the state does... but it's not really enforced as long as you don't go telling them about it.
Apache County, AZ has codes/permits, but they are very very reasonable. They allow alternative buildings, and their code is listed on their website, and very easy to understand. You can owner-build.
Montana (the entire state) has no building permits/codes/inspections if you are in unincorporated areas. I have heard this debated on other sites, but I recently confirmed by contacting the state directly.
Gaille County, OH has no building permits/codes/inspections if you are in an unincorporated area. I just learned this today on Reddit from someone who lives there.
Border County, ID has no building permits/codes/inspections. Their official county website literally says something to the affect of, "if your roof collapses under the snow load, you'll build a better one next time."
Idaho in general has a lot of counties with no permits/codes/inspections required.

I'm always wanting to learn about more places, so if anyone else knows of any others, please let us know!

Sep 18, 2020 11:20:02

Texas does not require building permits outside the city limits.

Sep 07, 2024 20:45:31

isn't the entire state of Alaska no permits/building code? can someone confirm? i've heard several people say its a totally free state you can build whatever you like no permits or codes. can anyone confirm?

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