The Agricultural Exemption Application Packet is the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department's set of instructions and forms for asking that agricultural land be treated as exempt from the County's zoning authority. Its first step is a verification from the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, so it sits next to Maricopa County property tax topics, but the packet itself concerns zoning, not tax. Owners or their authorized agents use it for sites of five or more contiguous commercial acres. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the packet at the official URL.
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What is Agricultural Exemption Application Packet – Maricopa County, AZ?
The Agricultural Exemption Application Packet is the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department packet used to request an exemption of agricultural land from the County's zoning authority. It combines the process guide, the submittal checklist and the application forms.
The packet rests on Chapter 10, Section 1003 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance, as the county's Land Use page cites it. That section says the Ordinance does not regulate the use of land for railroad, mining, metallurgical, grazing or general agricultural purposes when the tract is five or more contiguous commercial acres in size. One commercial acre is 36,000 square feet. Property is not exempt from the Zoning Ordinance or the Building Safety Ordinance until the Department has approved an exemption for it.
The packet's index lists seven items:
- Process and timeframe.
- Information required for submittal.
- The Request for Real Property Agricultural Verification form, issued by the Maricopa County Assessor (form code FOR-003 V0).
- The Agricultural Exemption Property Owner Authorization Application Form.
- A typical commercial site plan, shown as an example only.
- Two Permit Center user guides, on registering an account and on applying for a permit or plan.
Mining uses have their own Mining Exemption packet. This packet covers agricultural uses only. Its footers are dated 12/12/25, and the application form page carries 12/2/24.
Who needs to file Agricultural Exemption Application Packet – Maricopa County, AZ?
The property owner, or the owner's authorized agent, files this packet to request an agricultural exemption for a site that is five or more contiguous commercial acres in size and used for agricultural purposes.
- Property owners sign the application form, including the Proposition 207 waiver.
- Authorized agents may file for the owner. The owner names the agent in the authorization section of the application form, and the agent's contact details go in the agent block.
- Leaseholders are not named as applicants, but when the property is part of a land lease, the lease agreement must be included.
The Assessor's verification comes first. The Real Property Agricultural Land Use Verification form must be completed and signed by a representative of the Maricopa County Assessor's Office. The packet also accepts documentation from the Arizona Department of Revenue for agricultural use.
Residential uses are excluded: the packet states that an application related to a residential use is not subject to ARS §11-1605, the statute behind its review timeframes. Sites under five contiguous commercial acres do not meet the size requirement the packet states. No exemption exists until the Department approves it.
When to file Agricultural Exemption Application Packet – Maricopa County, AZ
Start with the Assessor's Office, then file with the Planning and Development Department once the Assessor has completed and signed the verification form. The Assessor's research and any on-site inspection can take up to several weeks, so request it early.
After filing, the packet describes the review clock under ARS §11-1605. The Board of Supervisors' P-30 Licensing Timeframes Ordinance sets a 25-day administrative timeframe and a 75-day substantive timeframe. The applicant may authorize a 50% time increase at filing or at any later point. The packet's flow chart projects about one month for a single review cycle.
Later deadlines:
- If you do not give the information requested within 180 days (not working days), the application can be administratively denied.
- If you make no resubmittal for six months, the application is closed for inactivity.
- An appeal of the conditions of approval goes to the Hearing Officer under ARS § 11-832, within 30 calendar days of the approval date.
Documents you need
- Real Property Agricultural Land Use Verification form, completed and signed by the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, or documentation from the Arizona Department of Revenue for agricultural use.
- Agricultural Exemption Property Owner Authorization application form, completed and signed.
- Proof of ownership, such as a recorded deed; an unofficial copy is acceptable.
- Lease agreement, if the property is part of a land lease; it should state the lease terms and the proposed use of the leased land.
- Site plan on 11"x17" or 8 1/2"x14" paper, drawn to a recognizable scale with a north arrow, property lines, structures, streets and easements.
- Narrative report describing the requested uses, operations, construction timeframe or phasing if applicable, buildings, and the water, sewer, police and fire providers.
- Photographs from all four corners of the property looking inward, at least four, each labeled with view, direction and date.
- Copy of the Patent Easement Deed, if applicable; the packet says it may be obtained at the Bureau of Land Management, 1 N. Central, Phoenix, (602) 417-9200.
- Electronic copies of all application materials as Adobe PDF files, named with the packet's naming convention.
How to fill out Agricultural Exemption Application Packet – Maricopa County, AZ
Request the Assessor's verification first
Complete the Request for Real Property Agricultural Verification form and send it to the Assessor's Office. It must be signed by an Assessor representative before you submit to Planning and Development.
Complete the Assessor request form
Check Property Owner or Authorized Agent, then enter the request date, owner name, address, city, state, ZIP, telephone and email, plus the agent name and number if applicable. List each Parcel No., Use Code, Farm Number and Remarks, and leave the Assessor Use Only section blank.
Describe the request and property
Under REQUEST, enter the Title of Project, Description of Request, Existing Use of Property, Existing Zoning District and any Related Case Number. Under PROPERTY INFORMATION, give the address, general location with the nearest city or town, size in acres and square feet, the Section, Township and Range, and the Assessor's Parcel Number(s).
Enter agent and owner contacts
Fill in the OWNER'S AUTHORIZED AGENT INFORMATION block if an agent files for you, then the PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION block. Each asks for name, contact, address, city, state, ZIP, phone, fax and email.
Authorize your agent
If you use an agent, write the agent's name in the authorization statement. By signing as owner, you agree to abide by any conditions the County assigns to an approval.
Sign the waiver and verification
The property owner signs and dates the Proposition 207 waiver. The owner or authorized agent signs and dates the verification of application information. The 50% timeframe extension is signed by the owner only if you choose to authorize it.
Gather proof of ownership and lease
Include a recorded deed (an unofficial copy is acceptable). If the property is part of a land lease, add the lease agreement showing its terms and the proposed use of the leased land.
Prepare the site plan
Draw it on 11"x17" or 8 1/2"x14" paper at a recognizable scale, such as 1" = 20'. Show the north arrow, scale, property lines with dimensions, all existing and proposed structures, and streets and easements with recording numbers.
Write the narrative report
Describe the requested uses, business operations, construction timeframe or phasing if applicable, and current and proposed buildings. Name the utility providers for water, sewer, police and fire services.
Take and label the photographs
Photograph the site from all four corners looking inward, at least four photographs. Label each with its view, direction and date, or mark them on a site plan or key map.
Save and name your PDF files
Save each document as a PDF using the packet's naming convention, such as REAL-DETL-1, APPL-FORM-1, DEED-DETL-1, SITE-PLAN-1, NARR-RPTS-1, PHOT-DETL-1 and PEAS-DETL-1 for a patent easement deed.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry and signature, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Agricultural Exemption Application Packet – Maricopa County, AZ
The packet uses two channels: the Assessor's Office for the verification form, and the Maricopa County Permit Center for the exemption application.
- Assessor verification: send the request to Maricopa County Assessor's Office, Attn: Agricultural Verification, 301 W Jefferson, Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2196. Phone (602) 506-1068; email [email protected].
- Exemption application: submit electronically on the Permit Center at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home. Register with a unique email address, select Apply, and upload the files. Each file can be up to 250mb, cannot be secured or password protected, and needs a unique name. The packet also lists the electronic copies as PDF files on one jump drive.
- Fees: fees apply and are non-refundable. The packet says the filing fee is paid after the submittal is found complete, and the application form says fees are due at the time of application. The amounts are in Chapter 13 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (www.maricopa.gov/planning) or at 602.506.3301.
- Status: check the Citizens Access portal or ask your assigned planner.
Planning and Development is at 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the exemption application to Planning and Development before the Assessor has completed and signed the verification form.
- Filing an incomplete application: the Department will not accept it unless every listed item is included, and incomplete applications are not processed.
- Drawing a site plan without a written and graphic scale, a north arrow, dimensioned property lines or the distances of structures from them.
- Sending fewer than four photographs, or photographs not labeled with the view, direction and date.
- Applying for a site that is not five or more contiguous commercial acres, or assuming the property is exempt before the Department approves it.
- Not returning the planner's comment memo with a resubmittal, so the statutory timeframe cannot resume.
- Not answering a written or electronic request for information within 180 days, which can lead to administrative denial.
- Uploading password-protected files, reusing file names, or using names that differ from the packet's convention, such as NARR-RPTS-1.pdf for the narrative.
- Leaving the Proposition 207 waiver or the verification of application information unsigned.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Maricopa County Agricultural Exemption Application Packet?
It is the Planning and Development Department packet for requesting that agricultural land be exempt from the County's zoning authority. It includes the process guide, the submittal checklist, the Assessor's verification form and the owner authorization application.
Is the agricultural exemption a Maricopa County property tax exemption?
No. The packet concerns exemption from the County's zoning authority, not Maricopa County property tax. The Assessor's Office appears only because it must verify the agricultural land use classification before you file with Planning and Development.
How big must the site be for an agricultural exemption?
The site must be five or more contiguous commercial acres. The Zoning Ordinance note on the county page defines one commercial acre as 36,000 square feet. The property is not exempt until Planning and Development approves the exemption.
Do I need the Assessor's verification before applying?
Yes. The Real Property Agricultural Land Use Verification form must be completed and signed by the Assessor's Office before you submit to Planning and Development. Documentation from the Arizona Department of Revenue for agricultural use is also accepted.
How long does the agricultural exemption review take?
The packet projects about one month for one review cycle. Under ARS §11-1605 the county adopted a 25-day administrative timeframe and a 75-day substantive timeframe, and the clock stops while you owe a resubmittal. Residential applications are not subject to that statute.
Is there a fee for the agricultural exemption application?
Yes, fees apply and are non-refundable. Chapter 13 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance lists the amounts. Check www.maricopa.gov/planning or call Planning and Development at 602.506.3301 for current figures.
Where do I submit the agricultural exemption application?
Submit it electronically through the Maricopa County Permit Center at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home. The Assessor's verification form goes separately to the Assessor's Office at 301 W Jefferson, Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2196.
Can I appeal the conditions of approval?
Yes. The conditions of approval may be appealed to the Hearing Officer under ARS § 11-832. Send the appeal request to the Hearing Officer Liaison within 30 calendar days of the administrative or ministerial approval date.
Can I fill out the agricultural exemption packet online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file anything with Maricopa County; you submit through the Permit Center and the Assessor's Office.
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