Water
Arizona applies prior appropriation to surface water. Groundwater is regulated most strictly inside Active Management Areas under the 1980 Groundwater Code: Prescott, Phoenix, Pinal, Tucson, Santa Cruz, and newer areas including Douglas, Willcox and Ranegras Plain. Inside an AMA, irrigated acreage is capped and developers must prove a 100-year assured water supply before selling lots.
Exempt wells can pump up to 35 gallons a minute. A notice of intent must be filed with the Arizona Department of Water Resources before drilling, and a licensed driller is required. Inside AMAs, new exempt wells are barred within service areas of providers with a designation of assured water supply.
Building codes
Arizona has no single statewide residential code; codes are adopted locally, and counties generally require building permits for construction. Requirements in some rural counties are minimal, which we confirm directly with the county for each site.
Climate and growing season
Arizona spans zones 5b to 10a. Willcox has a frost-free season of about 192 days and Prescott about 150. Heat, not cold, is the summer challenge, so shade, cooling and water efficiency drive the design.
Hazards
Drought and wildfire are the most frequent billion-dollar events in NOAA's records for Arizona, with severe storms and flooding also significant. Extreme heat is a serious hazard that the state plans for. Below-grade quarters stay cool naturally, which is a real advantage here.
Our view
Outside the AMAs, Arizona can be one of the most flexible states for a compound. We start every Arizona search with the AMA map and a well assessment, and design the estate to use as little water as possible.
This guide is general information, current to October 2026, and not legal, tax or water-rights advice. Water and building rules change and vary by county and basin. We verify every requirement for a specific parcel with the responsible agency before purchase.