Town of Pinetop/Lakeside

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to frequently asked questions that the Community Development Department receives. Questions have been grouped by the categories listed below. If you do not find a response to the question that you have, please forward your question to the department using this email form.

Legal Non-Conforming Uses	Conditional Uses
Subdivisions	Variances
Zoning	Site/Plot Plans
Business License	Addresses

Legal Non-Conforming Uses

What is a legal non-conforming use?
Any use of land, building or structure, lawfully established and lawfully existing at the time these regulations or amendments thereto become effective, may, be continued, even though such use does not conform with these regulations or amendments thereto for the zoning district in which it is located.

How do you determine if a use is legal nonconforming?
Staff researches legal nonconforming files located in the Department to verify, or find information on the use on the property. If we have no previous record of substantiation, the owner is required to provide independent third party documentation that the use is nonconforming. A site plan, indicating all uses and structures with setbacks, is also required.

Conditional Uses

What is a conditional use permit?
Conditional use permits are authorizations by the Town, after public hearing, to allow a nonconforming use of land or structures within the Town. Conditional use permits shall only be granted for uses expressly authorized by the Town zoning regulations.

What are conditional uses?
Conditional uses are those uses that are neither absolutely permitted as a right nor prohibited by law, which must be applied for and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The regulations attempt to allow flexibility while providing for the protection of the general health and safety of the community.

How do I get a conditional use permit?
An application must be filled out and submitted to the Community Development Department along with any other requested information. Following receipt of the application, the request will be scheduled for a public hearing before the appropriate Town board. A fee of $100.00 is also required.

Can a conditional use permit be revoked or terminated?
Yes.

Subdivisions

What is a subdivision?
A subdivision means improved or unimproved land or lands divided or proposed to be divided for the purpose of sale, lease, or for cemetery purposes, whether immediate or future, into four or more parcels or fractional interests.

What is a minor land division?
A minor land division means a division of land into two or three lots not resulting in a subdivision. A minor land division shall include a land split.

What is a land split?
See minor land division.

Variances

What is a variance?
A variance is the granting of relief from or a modification of some provision of a zoning ordinance due to special circumstances by a public agency vested with the power to authorize it. In Arizona that agency is the local Board of Adjustment.

How do I get a variance?
An application must be filled out and submitted to the Community Development Department along with any other requested information. Following receipt of the application, the request will be scheduled for a public hearing before the appropriate Town board. A fee of $100.00 is also required.

Zoning

How do I get a property rezoned?
An application must be filled out and submitted to the Community Development Department along with any other requested information. Following receipt of the application, the request will be scheduled for a public hearing before the appropriate Town board. A fee of $100.00 is also required. For proposed zoning changes all property owners of record within a radius of three hundred (300) feet shall be notified of any proposed zoning changes.

Site/Plot Plan

What is a site/plot plan?
A site/plot plan is a drawing of your lot showing the size and shape of the property and everything on it, both existing and proposed, drawn to scale and showing distances to property lines and between other elements such as buildings, fences, garage, or other accessory structures. North arrow, street name and address, legal description of property, and location of water, gas, electric, and sewer should also be shown on the drawing along with any easements affecting the property. Topography showing relative slope of the ground surface should be indicated either by contour lines or by spot grades related to elevation of a known point.

What is a Planned Unit Development?
A PUD is a planned unit development. The purpose of the PUD is to provide for the development of subdivisions and other land use projects containing various dwelling types, necessary commercial center, off-street parking areas, open space areas for recreation, and to preserve a rural atmosphere.

RV/Travel Trailer

Can I park my RV on my property?
If a manufactured home, travel trailer, aircraft, boat, camping trailer, truck camper or motor home is located or stored outside of a garage or carport, it shall be placed in the rear yard of the lot, except that placement in other than the rear yard for loading and unloading purposes may be permitted for a period of time not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours. At no time shall the above be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes.

Business License

Do I need a business license?
Yes. If you are conducting any business within the Town boundaries, a business license is required.

What is the cost of a business license/how long is it good for?
The business license cost ten (10) dollars and is valid for two (2) years from the date of issue. If a temporary business is being conducted, the cost is ten (10) dollars but is only good for the specific dates requested.

Addresses

How do I get an address assigned to my property?
New addresses are not assigned until an applicant comes into the office to obtain a building permit. Addresses in approved subdivisions are assigned as part of the subdivision process. A legal description, an assessor's parcel number and a plot plan showing the location of the building are required. An address will then be assigned. No addresses will be assigned to a vacant parcel.

Community Development Department
1360 N. Niels Hansen Lane
Lakeside, Arizona 85929
pesparza@ci.pinetop-lakeside.az.us
(928) 368-8883