Living in Apache county Arizona off grid living (Sierra Vista, Kingman: inspectors, codes)

[Queen akasha]

I was wondering what it's like for people recently living in this county off grid?
What are different aspects you had to go through to live off grid?
What was it like when trying to get permits for different things for off grid living?
Any an all info on all aspects are welcome

[grmi66]

Have you ever been to Apache county?

[Queen akasha]

No not myself but my husband has been there

[Greenvalleyfan]

Expensive aspect off the grid in Arizona is water. A well can be cost prohibitive. That, in my opinion would be your biggest obstacle. Second, would be electricity. Without power to your off grid property you will need a generator. And, it goes on and on. If you get my point.

[enigmadsm]

Apache county lies over the Coconino Aquifer. Typically the wells are around 450ft deep. Most land purchased in Apache county will be void of any services...so the well, septic, and power is up to you.

Fortunately, many sites successfully pass the perc test, and many of the wells hit water without issue. Internet might as well be non-existent...
some have luck with Star Link for internet but the current wait time is 15 months.
power will be most likely combo of generator and solar.

It is very rural/remote.

Both navajo and apache are pretty friendly toward the off grid lifestyle and restrictions. Apache will monitor your property for any unpermitted changes though so that is something to be cautious of.

[Noble Stranger]

Where did you hear about Apache county monitoring your property? I’ve never heard this before and am not sure how they would even manage that seeing as how vast of a county Apache is and a lot of it is very off grid.(Apache county is the 7th largest county in the United States) That would mean the county is paying people to drive around endlessly in hopes they MIGHT find somebody doing something. Apache county doesn’t even always send out a building inspector so I find it hard to believe or even see how they could possibly monitor your property for unpermitted work. That probably applies more to people within city limits. People don’t go off grid in city limits…..

[Noble Stranger]

Have you purchased a property already or are you still looking? That would dictate some of the advice. With that being said I'll try to get right into it. Here are some quick things to know.

1. Apache county is LARGE as in the SIXTH largest county in the entire county
2. Apache county is VERY off grid friendly and a large portion of its residents live outside of city limits
3. The county website has tons of helpful resources like a parcel viewer, gis map and a water well database( ADWR)
4. It is VERY windy in most places throughout the county
5. The county varies in geography, everything from mountainous areas to vast valleys
6. Be AWARE of FLOOD ZONES! Ensure your property isn't in a flood zone or if it is at least be aware of that fact as flash floods are NO JOKE and can be DEADLY
7. Wells can vary greatly in depth from 200' - 650'+
8. You may find a property with power relatively close by or even right at/on your property
9. If you don't have nearby power solar is really your only option, however, you could also probably use a windmill.
10. Water delivery is an option you don't HAVE to have a well.
11. Rain water harvesting would be a great idea regardless of how you source your water.
12. You do legally need a permit for MOST work done in Apache county( the biggest building you can legally build without a permit is 200sq feet)
13. Apache county DOES NOT have an owner opt out for building codes as Cochise county does
15. There are several people on youtube you can find in Apache county and nearby counties doing the off-grid lifestyle, maybe check out some of their videos. Some channels are Frugal Off Grid Arizona(He's actually written 2 books about his off grid journey), and there's an older guy whose channel is Affordable Desert Living
16. Apache county doesn't always send out building inspectors especially depending on how off grid you are
17. I have NEVER heard of Apache county MONITORING anybody's property for CHANGES, not sure how they'd even manage that in such a large county. Sure if you're right in the city code enforcement will be around but not if you're miles outside of town.This would of course also depend on neighbors.

[ketchikanite]

Originally Posted by Noble Stranger

Where did you hear about Apache county monitoring your property? I’ve never heard this before and am not sure how they would even manage that seeing as how vast of a county Apache is and a lot of it is very off grid.(Apache county is the 7th largest county in the United States) That would mean the county is paying people to drive around endlessly in hopes they MIGHT find somebody doing something. Apache county doesn’t even always send out a building inspector so I find it hard to believe or even see how they could possibly monitor your property for unpermitted work. That probably applies more to people within city limits. People don’t go off grid in city limits…..

Satellite imagery. More governmental agencies are using it.

[Hschlick84]

Not worth the hassle, just live in a small city like Kingman or Sierra Vista. At least you have the basic necessities.

[Ex New Yorker]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

Not worth the hassle, just live in a small city like Kingman or Sierra Vista. At least you have the basic necessities.