Benson building permits

Requirements

• Building permit required for new single-family, duplex, and multi-family dwelling construction within Benson city limits
• Plans must comply with the 2024 IRC (or 2015 IRC for applications filed before May 13, 2026) as adopted and amended by the City of Benson via Ordinance 645 / Resolution 11-2026
• One detached site plan (separate from the construction plan set) at 1"=20' scale (8.5x14 or 11x17 paper), showing lot dimensions, Tax Parcel ID, setbacks, street/driveway details, structure square footages, easements, and utility routing
• Two complete sets of construction plans (11x17 at 1/8" scale computer-drawn, or 18x24 at 1/4" scale) plus a soils report at time of submittal; engineered design required for structural components retaining 4+ feet of earth; post-tension slabs (or equal) required due to unstable soil conditions City-wide
• Signed A.R.S. Title 32 form required as part of the online application submittal
• Hydrant system must be operational and subdivision roads paved (ingress/egress) before permit issuance; ADEQ Certificate of Completion required for water/sewer (model homes may receive Public Works sign-off without it if not yet connected)
• HOA review verification required prior to submittal if the project is within an HOA-governed area
• Permit valid 180 days from issue date; expires if no inspection progress for 6 consecutive months; one no-charge 6-month extension available within the initial 12-month period if significant progress (generally past framing) has been made

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Demolition Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net; all plans and supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format (image files are not accepted)
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form (may be digitally signed) required with every building permit application; a fillable PDF is provided by the Building Department
• RequiredDetached Site PlanPer the Residential Building Permit Requirements (March 2018): lot dimensions, Tax Parcel ID, setback distances, street/driveway location, utility routing, and existing/proposed/future structure square footages
• RequiredConstruction Drawings, Structural Calculations, and Soils ReportTwo complete sets, engineered design required for structural components retaining 4+ feet of earth; soils report required at time of submittal

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required for room additions, remodels, and accessory structures (garages, storage sheds, etc.), whether stick-built or pre-built (e.g., prefabricated sheds)
• Site plan and construction plans required per the same submittal standards as new residential construction (detached site plan at 1"=20' scale; two sets of construction plans)
• Pre-built accessory structures require setbacks, anchoring/tie-down, and foundation inspections in addition to any applicable electrical/plumbing rough-ins
• Stick-built accessory structures follow the full framing/lath/sheetrock/final inspection sequence
• HOA review verification required prior to submittal if applicable

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every building permit application
• RequiredSite PlanShowing existing structure, addition/accessory structure footprint, and setbacks

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required for new electrical service, panel work, and other hard-wired electrical installations
• Governed by the 2023 NEC as adopted by the City of Benson (2014 NEC for applications submitted before May 13, 2026)
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form
• New Meter Request supplemental form required for new water, gas, or sewer tap connections tied to electrical service work where applicable

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Electrical Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required for a new dedicated 120V or 240V circuit installed for an EV charging station; a permit is generally NOT required if a UL-listed cord-and-plug charger is plugged into an existing 120V receptacle with no new wiring (consistent with neighboring Cochise/Pima County practice; not independently confirmed in a Benson-specific document)
• Governed by the 2023 NEC as adopted by the City of Benson (2014 NEC for applications submitted before May 13, 2026)
• No dedicated EV/EVSE fee line exists on the City Code's Chapter 16 fee schedule; billed under the same valuation-based Building Permit Fee table as all other electrical/trade work
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Electrical Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format; no separate EV-specific application form is published
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Plumbing permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems, fixtures, water heaters, and gas piping
• Governed by the 2024 IPC as adopted by the City of Benson (2015 IPC for applications submitted before May 13, 2026)
• Gas piping work is separately inspected under the Fire/Plumbing inspection categories (Gas Piping, 200# Test) per the Required Inspections List
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Plumbing Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Mechanical permit required for installation, replacement, or relocation of HVAC equipment, furnaces, and ventilation systems
• Governed by the 2024 IMC as adopted by the City of Benson (2015 IMC for applications submitted before May 13, 2026)
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Mechanical Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required for re-roofing work within Benson city limits
• Roof deck inspection required prior to final roof covering placement, per the City's Required Inspections List
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building/electrical permit required for residential rooftop solar photovoltaic installation
• Governed by the 2023 NEC (or 2014 NEC for applications filed before May 13, 2026) as adopted by the City of Benson for electrical interconnection work
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form and construction submittals (site plan, roof/racking layout, electrical diagram)

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Electrical Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format; construction submittals may include site plans, construction documents, specification/cut sheets, calculations, and engineering reports
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required before demolishing a structure within Benson city limits
• Use the online Building/Demolition Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal) — the same application covers Building Permits, Demolition Permits, Grubbing or Grading Permits, and Right-of-Way Construction Permits
• Signed A.R.S. Title 32 form required as part of the application
• ADEQ Asbestos NESHAP form (supplied on the Building Department's Document Center) must be submitted where applicable to the demolition scope

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Demolition Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every demolition permit application
• OptionalADEQ Asbestos NESHAP FormAvailable from the City of Benson Building Department Document Center; required where asbestos abatement/NESHAP notification applies

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Installation permit required for manufactured homes, mobile homes, and factory-built buildings placed within Benson city limits
• The City enforces installation standards under A.R.S. § 41-4004(A)(4) and Arizona Administrative Code R4-34-102, R4-34-204, R4-34-606, and R4-34-801, per its Inspection Services Agreement with ADOH
• Installer must affix a State Insignia of Approval per A.A.C. R4-34-802(A) and pay the ADOH-established fee under A.A.C. R4-34-501
• City inspectors performing installation inspections must have at least one year of experience as a building code inspector or manufactured housing installation inspector and complete required ADOH training
• Manufactured Home and Factory Built Building Application (supplemental form) must be submitted with the permit application
• Setback, tie-down, and supports inspections are required per the City's Required Inspections List (Manufactured Homes category)

Required documents

• RequiredManufactured Home and Factory Built Building ApplicationSupplemental form available on the City of Benson Building Department Document Center
• RequiredOnline Building Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A building permit from the Building Inspector is required to erect, re-erect, construct, repair, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign as defined in Zoning Regulations Section Fifteen, except for sign types specifically exempted
• Exempt from a building permit: nameplate signs, home occupation signs, real estate/political/contractor/developer signs, non-illuminated wall signs not exceeding 50 square feet, repairs or repainting not exceeding $200.00 in value, and window signs
• Application for a sign building permit must be accompanied by, at minimum, a site plan, construction plans, and written consent of the landowner
• Permitted sign type, size, and height vary by zoning district (Residential, B-1 Neighborhood Business, B-2 General Business, Industrial, Rural Transitional) per Zoning Regulations Section Fifteen; e.g., B-1 districts authorize 50 sq ft of signage per building frontage (up to 75 sq ft aggregate based on frontage), B-2 districts authorize 75 sq ft (up to 150-200 sq ft aggregate depending on location), and Industrial districts authorize 100 sq ft (up to 300 sq ft aggregate)
• Signs are additionally constructed/maintained per the Uniform Sign Code, Uniform Building Code, and National Electric Code as referenced in Section Fifteen; current structural/electrical work in the City is otherwise governed by the 2024 IBC/IRC and 2023 NEC as adopted by Ordinance 645 (2015 editions for applications filed before May 13, 2026) — no separate re-adoption of Section Fifteen's sign-specific code references was found alongside Ordinance 645
• The Building Official may revoke a sign permit found to be in violation of its terms, and may approve a one-time extension (up to one year) of a sign's required removal date upon application and proof of need
• A sign advertising a business no longer conducted, or products no longer sold, at that location must be removed by the owner/agent within 10 days of the business terminating; the City may remove it 30 days after written notice to the property owner, billing removal costs to the owner
• For businesses fronting an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) right-of-way (e.g., along I-10), a State of Arizona sign permit does not eliminate the need for a separate City of Benson sign permit

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format; no distinct standalone 'sign permit application' form was found separate from the general Building Permit Application — signage is applied for as a building permit per Zoning Regulations Section Fifteen
• RequiredSite Plan, Construction Plans, and Written Landowner ConsentMinimum submittal required per Zoning Regulations Section Fifteen ('Sign Permits, Fees, and Removal')
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every building permit application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A permit is required for installation, alteration, or repair of fire sprinkler (automatic fire suppression) systems and fire alarm/detection systems, governed by the 2024 IFC as adopted by the City of Benson via Ordinance 645 (2015 IFC for applications filed before May 13, 2026)
• The City of Benson maintains its own Fire Department; it is not routed to an outside Cochise County rural fire district for plan review or inspection within city limits (confirmed via the City's live Fire Department page and City Code Chapter 4-3, Public Safety)
• Fire inspection requests, including the annual business walk-through, are directed to the Fire Department at fireinspections@bensonaz.gov (per the live Building Department page)
• Apply via the online iWorQ Building Permit Application portal with a signed A.R.S. Title 32 form
• For new commercial development, the City's Commercial Checklist requires dedicated 'Fire Department Submittal Requirements': approved site and building plans showing hydrant and riser-room locations (8.5x11 sheets), plus a Hydrant Flow Test Report; the Commercial Project Closeout Checklist likewise requires formal Fire Marshal acceptance of hydrant installation/flow testing and sign-off on Fire Department requirements before project closeout
• The City's Required Inspections List includes a dedicated 'Fire' inspection category covering Plumbing, Gas Piping, 200# Test, Fire Alarm, and Fire Suppression as distinct inspection items

Required documents

• RequiredOnline Building/Fire Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Submitted via bensonbuilding.portal.iworq.net in PDF format; no separate standalone fire-sprinkler- or fire-alarm-specific application form was found distinct from the general Building Permit Application
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every permit application
• RequiredApproved Site/Building Plans (hydrant + riser room location) and Hydrant Flow Test ReportRequired for new commercial development per the City's Commercial Checklist, 'Fire Department Submittal Requirements' section

Fee schedule

Requirements

• It is unlawful to commence excavation for, or the erection, alteration, enlargement, extension, or moving of, any building or structure, or to change/extend the use of any lot, or to change the use or type of occupancy of any building or structure, until a Zoning Compliance Certificate has been issued by the Zoning Administrator (Zoning Regulations, Section Twenty)
• Application for a Zoning Compliance Certificate must be filed on standard forms, accompanied by duplicate scaled plans showing property dimensions/boundaries, existing building dimensions/uses, street/alley/easement widths and alignment, the size/height/position of buildings proposed to be erected or altered, and the proposed use(s) of buildings/structures/land including dwelling-unit counts
• The Zoning Administrator must issue or refuse the Zoning Compliance Certificate within ten (10) days after filing; a refusal must be stated in writing with reasons, and copies of the marked/signed plans are retained by both the applicant and the Building Inspector
• It is unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of, any building or structure, or any changed/extended use of land, for which a Zoning Compliance Certificate has not been issued
• Occupancy Permit: within ten (10) days after receiving notice that the building, structure, or premises (or part thereof) is complete and ready for use, the Building Inspector must perform a final inspection and issue the Occupancy Permit if construction conforms to the Zoning Regulations
• A Temporary Occupancy Permit may be issued by the Building Inspector for a completed part of a building/structure/use prior to completion of the whole, provided that part is safe and suitable for use; it remains in force until the entire building/structure/use is completed, inspected, and a full Occupancy Permit is issued
• An inspection fee must be paid to the City Clerk before a Zoning Compliance Certificate or Occupancy Permit is issued, per a fee schedule established by Council and posted in the office of the Building Inspector

Required documents

• RequiredZoning Compliance Certificate ApplicationStandard form provided by the Zoning Administrator, accompanied by duplicate scaled plans (Zoning Regulations, Section Twenty); no standalone downloadable PDF version distinct from the Building/Commercial Development Application was found on the City's Document Center as of this review — apply through the Planning & Zoning or Building Department application channels and confirm the correct form with staff
• OptionalOnline Building Permit Application (iWorQ Citizen Portal)Used where the occupancy/use change accompanies new construction, an addition, or a tenant improvement
• RequiredA.R.S. Title 32 FormSigned form required with every building permit application

Fee schedule