The Arizona REALTORS® has once again demonstrated its steadfast commitment to protecting private property rights and ensuring regulatory clarity for its members and the communities they serve. In response to concerns raised by the Arizona REALTORS®, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has issued a critical directive to Coconino County regarding on-site wastewater (septic) permitting practices, bringing much-needed resolution to a longstanding issue affecting property transactions and development.

At the heart of the issue was Coconino County’s practice of requiring county staff to conduct site and soil investigations as part of the septic permitting process. Contrary to this policy, Arizona law does not mandate that only county staff can perform these tasks and this requirement often resulted in unnecessary costs and delays. Non-governmental professionals can competently conduct these investigations and can often do so less expensively and much faster. Recognizing the negative impact this practice was having on both property rights and economic activity in the region, the Arizona REALTORS® asked ADEQ to review Coconino County’s policy.

Thanks to the Arizona REALTORS® direct advocacy, ADEQ has now issued a formal and immediate directive requiring Coconino County to cease the practice of mandating county staff-conducted site and soil investigations. ADEQ’s communication to the County also requires local officials to acknowledge the directive and outline the steps they are taking to ensure compliance. This includes informing all local stakeholders (property owners, developers, and industry professionals) about the change and reaffirming the correct procedures moving forward. 

This move restores consistency with statewide environmental regulations and aligns Coconino County’s permitting process with ADEQ standards. It is a significant win for members of the Arizona REALTORS® and for anyone seeking to build or transfer property in Coconino County. Our mission has always been to promote homeownership and protect private property rights, and we are proud to have worked with ADEQ to restore accountability to this process.

The Arizona REALTORS® applauds its President-elect Lisa Paffrath for bringing this issue to light as well as ADEQ’s responsiveness and commitment to regulatory integrity. The swift action taken by ADEQ, at the urging of the Arizona REALTORS®, not only resolves an immediate concern but also sets a strong precedent for interagency cooperation and advocacy driven policy change.