Homesteading in Arizona
Explore 15 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Arizona.
Arizona uses a Prior Appropriation water rights system , allows county-level building code enforcement , and has constitutional carry. The effective property tax rate is 0.51%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Prior Appropriation
Prior appropriation for surface water. Groundwater managed under the 1980 Groundwater Management Act in designated Active Management Areas. Outside AMAs, groundwater use is less restricted.
Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 45-101 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: No (county-level)
No mandatory statewide residential building code. Counties and municipalities adopt codes locally; most have adopted some version of IRC.
Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 9-801; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-861
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless concealed and open carry for persons 21 and older (18 for open carry). Arizona was the third state to enact constitutional carry in 2010.
Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance suits if the operation has existed for at least two years. Includes protection for expansion or changes in type of operation.
Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 3-112
Counties in Arizona
15 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache County | 66,054 | $62,400 | $522 | 110 | Relatively Low |
| Cochise County | 125,504 | $183,000 | $1,312 | 130 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coconino County | 144,705 | $379,400 | $1,922 | 108 | Relatively Moderate |
| Gila County | 53,419 | $222,500 | $1,365 | 118 | Relatively Moderate |
| Graham County | 38,453 | $178,300 | $1,062 | 123 | Relatively Low |
| Greenlee County | 9,483 | $93,900 | $351 | 120 | Very Low |
| La Paz County | 16,681 | $117,500 | $762 | 118 | Relatively Moderate |
| Maricopa County | 4,430,871 | $371,400 | $1,883 | 120 | Very High |
| Mohave County | 214,229 | $233,700 | $1,196 | 108 | Relatively High |
| Navajo County | 107,110 | $165,600 | $1,082 | 110 | Relatively Moderate |
| Pima County | 1,042,393 | $258,300 | $2,161 | 128 | Relatively High |
| Pinal County | 433,338 | $268,900 | $1,554 | 123 | Relatively Moderate |
| Santa Cruz County | 47,838 | $196,700 | $1,318 | 133 | Relatively Moderate |
| Yavapai County | 237,830 | $354,300 | $1,671 | 113 | Relatively Moderate |
| Yuma County | 204,374 | $173,500 | $1,266 | 124 | Relatively Moderate |
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