Overview

• Short-term rentals are allowed in Concho, but they operate within Apache County’s zoning framework and are generally subject to land use permits. The zoning term most closely aligned with short-term rentals is “guest accommodations,” which is defined as any property containing eight or fewer units used for sleeping accommodations on a transient basis (any stay less than thirty consecutive days). Whether you can operate an STR depends on your zoning district, and in most residential zones “guest accommodations” require a conditional use permit. In the Greer area specifically, “nightly single-family cabin rentals” are a permitted use that requires a County Business License. State-level Arizona rules for STRs (e.g., registration, taxation, safety) still apply but are not detailed here. In short: STRs are possible, but they are not permitted by right in most residential zones; expect a conditional use permit (CUP) and a business license if you are in the Greer area. [See source: Apache County Zoning Ordinance (current as of Aug 5, 2019)]

1. Whether Short-Term Rentals are Allowed in Concho, AZ

• Allowed generally? Yes, under Apache County zoning. The closest regulatory category is “guest accommodations” (transient lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days). Allowed in your specific zone? Only if your zoning district expressly permits “guest accommodations,” and in most residential zones it is a conditional use (C). In the Greer area, “nightly single-family cabin rentals” are permitted in GA-2, GR-1, and GC, and allowed in GCR, subject to the County Business License requirement. Overall, expect to obtain a conditional use permit in most residential zones and a County Business License when operating nightly cabin rentals in the Greer area. [See source: Apache County Zoning Ordinance]

2. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market Step 1: Determine your property’s zoning district using Apache County’s official zoning map (contact the Community Development Department). Step 2: Confirm whether “guest accommodations” is a permitted (P) or conditional use (C) in your zone using the ordinance’s use tables. If your parcel lies within the R-O (Reserve Overlay) zone, development may be restricted due to floodplain or environmental constraints; confirm feasibility before proceeding. Step 3: For nightly single-family cabin rentals in the Greer area, obtain the Apache County Business License (nightly cabin rentals specifically require this license per ordinance). Step 4: If “guest accommodations” is a conditional use in your zone, file a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application with Apache County Planning & Zoning and follow the approval process. CUPs are heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission and decided by the Board of Supervisors, with notices and hearings as required. Step 5: Comply with development standards for your zone (lot coverage, setbacks, height, building separation, parking, lighting), and prepare a site plan showing structures, access, parking, and landscaping. Step 6: If your STR operates in the Greer Commercial Resort (GCR) zone in conjunction with a resort/hotel/motel, ensure that any ancillary retail/services are operated in conjunction with that facility, as required by ordinance. Step 7: Ensure all required safety, building, and fire inspections are completed and obtain Certificate of Occupancy as applicable. Note: The zoning ordinance references the International Building Code and International Residential Code in several places (e.g., building separation standards); confirm current adopted codes and inspection requirements with the Building Official. Step 8: Verify other obligations (Arizona transaction privilege tax, county bed tax, transient lodging tax) and state registration/safety requirements if applicable. [See source: Apache County Zoning Ordinance]

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Zoning verification and parcel information
• Site plan (to scale) showing structures, setbacks, parking, access, lighting, landscaping, and screening
• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application and supporting materials (required in most residential zones)
• Apache County Business License (required for nightly single-family cabin rentals in the Greer area)
• Building permits and inspections as applicable; Certificate of Occupancy
• Compliance with Apache County development standards for your zone (setbacks, height, lot coverage, building separation, parking, lighting)
• Compliance with special requirements for the Greer zones (e.g., building height limits, doubling of setbacks when abutting certain residential/agricultural zones, highway setbacks, density caps in GCR)
• Evidence of compliance with any applicable federal, state, or local health, fire, and safety requirements

4. Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (County/Zone) and When a CUP is Required County-wide definition

• Guest accommodations: Any property containing eight or fewer units used for sleeping accommodations on a transient basis (stay less than 30 days). This includes lodging houses, rooming houses, guest houses, apartments, cabins, and bed-and-breakfast facilities. [Article 2, Definitions; Article 4]

Where “guest accommodations” are permitted or conditional (County-wide use table excerpts)

• A-G (Agricultural General): Hotels, motels, and lodging are conditional uses (Article 4, Section 403.E)
• Rural Residential (R-18, R-9, R-5): Guest accommodation is a conditional use (C) in each (Article 4, Section 414)
• Rural Farmstead (RF-2, RF-1): Guest accommodation is a conditional use (C) in each (Article 4, Section 414)
• Rural Estate (RE-2, RE-1): Guest accommodation is a conditional use (C) in each (Article 4, Section 414)
• Single Family (SF-36, SF-18, SF-10): Guest accommodation is a conditional use (C) in each (Article 4, Section 414)
• Commercial (CN, C1, C2): “Hotels” and “Motels” are conditional uses; “Resorts” are also conditional; “Resorts” require CUP (Article 4, Section 424)
• Industrial (LI, HI): Hotels/Motels are conditional uses (Article 4, Section 434)
• R-O (Reserve Overlay): New structural development for human occupancy is generally prohibited unless a CUP is granted and a Flood Hazard Development Permit is obtained (Article 5)

Greer-specific nightly cabin rental rules (Applies to the Greer area)

• Nightly Single-Family Cabin Rentals are permitted in GA-2, GR-1, and GC, and allowed in GCR, but require a County Business License (Article 7, Section 605 footnote 3)
• Additional development standards (examples)
  • GA-2: Max two stories, 35 ft height; setbacks front/rear equal to building height plus 10 ft; side setbacks 10 ft (+ additional for height >14 ft); guest houses allowed (one per lot); lot coverage max 20%; open space min 60% (Article 7, Section 604)
  • GR-1: Max two stories, 28 ft height; side setbacks 10 ft (+ additional for height); guest houses limited to one story, max 18 ft, lesser of 50% of principal or 1,250 sf; lot coverage max 20%; open space min 50% (Article 7, Section 604)
  • GC and GCR: GC and GCR have specific height caps (30 ft), open space minimums (GC 40%, GCR 30%), and density caps in GCR (e.g., eight housekeeping units per acre or 20 non-housekeeping units per acre, with building-level caps) (Article 7, Section 604)
  • Bordering zone setbacks: When GC or GCR abuts GA-2 or GR-1, common boundary setbacks are doubled (with certain road exemptions) (Article 7, Section 604.E.3)
  • Highway setbacks: Structures cannot be erected closer than 50 ft from the right-of-way of State Highways 373 or 260 (Article 7, Section 604.E.4)
• When CUP is required in Greer: Uses designated “C” in the Greer use table require a conditional use permit. Hotels, motels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts are allowed in GCR but not in GR-1 or GC (Article 7, Section 605)

Key operational and development standards (County-wide examples)

• Building height (A-G): two stories or 35 ft max (Article 4, Section 404.F)
• Setbacks (A-G): side 10 ft (single-story; add 1 ft per additional foot of height above 14 ft); front/rear equal to building height plus 10 ft (Article 4, Section 404.B)
• Building separation (A-G): 15 ft (single story) or 20 ft (multiple story) (Article 4, Section 404.C)
• Accessory building setbacks (County-wide): 10 ft from all property lines and other buildings for single-story; 15 ft for two-story (Article 4, Section 404.B.3; echoed in other sections)
• Parking and lighting: subject to Articles 6 and 7; ensure full compliance with signage, lighting, and parking standards (Article 4; Article 7)
• Guest ranches: minimum 10 acres; only one principal dwelling or service area with kitchen facilities; a “guest ranch” is defined as a 10+ acre facility built to house paying guests for short durations without timeshares (Article 2; Article 4, Section 403.A.6)
• Temporary uses: permitted administratively for mass gatherings, temporary storage of unoccupied manufactured dwellings, roadside stands, etc., at the Director’s discretion (Article 4, Section 403.A.9)

5. Contact Information for the Local Authority in Charge of STRs (Apache County)

• Apache County Community Development Department (Planning & Zoning)
  • Address: Apache County Annex, 70 W. 3rd Street, St. Johns, AZ 85936
  • Website: www.apachecountyaz.gov (see Departments -> Community Development / Planning & Zoning)
  • Email/Phone: Contact the department for Planning & Zoning staff assistance (planning and zoning phone, email, and meeting schedules are listed on the county website)
• Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors: Review CUPs and zoning amendments (Article 11 of the ordinance outlines commission and board procedures)

6. Links to Source Pages

• Mashvisor overview for Concho/Arizona STRs (high-level info; not a regulatory source): www.mashvisor.com/explore/short-term-airbnb-regulations/arizona/concho
• Apache County Zoning Ordinance (full text, last amended Aug 5, 2019): tb2cdn.schoolwebmasters.com/accnt_591117/site_591118/Documents/Apache-County-Zoning-Ordinance-amended.pdf

Notes and investor guidance

• Confirm your parcel’s exact zoning district first. If “guest accommodations” is conditional, plan for a CUP—timelines, public notice, and hearings apply.
• In the Greer area, nightly cabin rentals must obtain a County Business License and comply with specific height, density, and setback rules that differ from the County’s standard residential standards.
• For properties in or near the R-O Overlay (floodplain/environmental constraints), expect strict limitations and the need for both a CUP and a Flood Hazard Development Permit.
• Align operations with current building codes (IBC/IRC references appear in the ordinance) and health/safety standards. Verify inspections and certificate of occupancy requirements with the Building Official.
• Because STRs are transient lodging, ensure you understand and comply with Arizona state-level taxation and any registration/safety requirements.

This guide summarizes Apache County’s zoning rules most relevant to STRs in Concho and the Greer area. Always verify current adopted codes and exact zoning with Apache County before investing.