ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Cottonwood, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Cottonwood.
An accessory dwelling unit is a habitable structure; the accessory-structure exemption applies only to one-story, grade-level, detached, non-habitable structures of 200 sq ft or less and 12 ft or less in height, so an ADU is not exempt and requires a permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | An accessory dwelling unit is a habitable structure; the … |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 (Building), item 1 (as amended) |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended by City of Cottonwood |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Cottonwood building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Cottonwood's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood | — | Yes | An accessory dwelling unit is a habitable structure; the … |
| Scottsdale | 74 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit plus zoning approval to build a… |
| Surprise | 79 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (casita, garage apart… |
| Glendale | 85 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Tempe | 94 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Mesa | 95 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
See every Arizona city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Cottonwood
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Cottonwood can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.