Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit in Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff requires a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit for: A Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit is required for interior build-out, remodel, or alteration of an existing commercial tenant space, reviewed under the 2018 Suite of Codes as adopted by City of Flagstaff Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16; Application for Commercial Building/Grading Permit is used, with 'Tenant Improvements' checked as the project category on the accompanying Owner Authorization Form (distinct from 'New Build'); Tenant Improvement Plans checklist requires: Standard Code Summary Block on the cover sheet, a vicinity map at minimum, and BOTH the existing floor plan and the proposed floor plan with each room labeled for its intended use; Construction plans must be sealed by an Arizona registrant per A.R.S. 32-143 if the project is over 3,000 sq ft, has 20 or more occupants, or has structural members greater than 20 feet; Floor/wall/roof framing plans and structural calculations are required only if the TI scope adds a mezzanine/second floor, changes wall framing (with approved fire-rated assemblies when required), or makes structural changes/additions/repairs; a foundation plan is required only if adding structural support; Elevation drawings are required only if the TI project includes exterior work; Restaurants, medical marijuana facilities, pools, and similar uses require separate approval documentation from the Coconino County Health Department; Plan re-submittals (changes to already-approved TI plans) require a description of proposed changes, a field copy of the 'Approved Plans,' and — if adding new work — a new application and permit rather than a resubmittal; Fire sprinkler and fire alarm system TI work (e.g., adding/relocating sprinkler heads or alarm devices) requires a separate Fire Prevention Permit from the Flagstaff Fire Department, billed by sprinkler-head-count or device-count tiers distinct from this Building Permit; Apply through the Citizen Access Portal, or submit directly to the Building Safety & Code Compliance Section (211 W Aspen Avenue). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Flagstaff Building Safety Section (Planning & Development Services, Community Development Division) at 928-213-2000 before starting work.

There is no separate published TI fee schedule. The City applies the same valuation-based Building Permit Fee methodology used for other Building Permits (Gross Area x Square Foot Construction Cost x 0.01 permit fee multiplier, plus a 65% plan review fee, per Resolution 2017-21), even though the underlying ICC Building Valuation Data notes it isn't strictly intended for alterations to existing buildings.

Flagstaff's published plan-review target for a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit is 10–35 business days.

You'll need: Application for Commercial Building/Grading Permit (PDF); Tenant Improvement Plans (Existing + Proposed Floor Plans). Depending on your project, Flagstaff may also ask for: Plan Resubmittal Form (PDF). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Flagstaff requires 2 inspection(s) for a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit, in order: Rough-In (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing), Final. Schedule each through City of Flagstaff Building Safety Section (Planning & Development Services, Community Development Division) (928-213-2000).

Apply through City of Flagstaff Building Safety Section (Planning & Development Services, Community Development Division) at 211 W Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Phone: 928-213-2000, email: BuildingPermits@flagstaffaz.gov. Office hours: City Hall is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Commercial permit attachments too large for the portal: Commercial.BuildingPermits@flagstaffaz.gov. Inter-departmental submittals: FrontCounter@flagstaffaz.gov.. Official information: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/494/Building-Safety.

Flagstaff, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has no mandatory statewide building code edition — cities and counties each adopt and amend their own codes (per Arizona Revised Statutes framework for municipal building regulation; no state building-code-adoption agency parallel to Montana's DLI exists). The City of Flagstaff independently administers its own Building Safety program within city limits, separate from Coconino County's building department, which handles unincorporated county areas. Source: City of Flagstaff Building Safety page (flagstaff.az.gov/494/Building-Safety) and Building Permits page.; 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by City of Flagstaff Resolution 2019-26 and Ordinance 2019-16 on June 18, 2019, effective July 19, 2019 (the '2018 Suite of Codes'). Source: City of Flagstaff 2019 Adopted Building Codes (PDF); 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019 (Arizona/Flagstaff uses the IPC, not the Uniform Plumbing Code); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; 2018 International Solar Energy Provisions (ISEP) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; a compilation of solar energy provisions from the IBC, IRC, IECC, IMC, IPC, IFC, and ISPSC; 2017 NFPA 70 / National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16, effective July 19, 2019; ICC A117.1-2017, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities — adopted per Resolution 2019-26 / Ordinance 2019-16; 1997 Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, and 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings (ICBO) — retained as adopted codes per Flagstaff City Code Title 4, Chapter 4-01; All codes amended locally by Flagstaff City Code Title 4, Building Regulations (Chapters 4-01 through 4-11), on file with the City Clerk. Source: Flagstaff City Code Title 4 Building Regulations amendments document (2019 Amendments to the Adopted Codes, PDF, rev. 05/14/2019); Statewide overlay: Arizona Revised Statutes Section 9-468 sets mandatory statewide standards for solar photovoltaic and solar water heating construction permits (limits on required plan documentation, prohibits requiring a PE stamp absent a written justification, and caps solar permit fees at actual cost of issuance) — binding on the City of Flagstaff as a municipality. Source: azleg.gov ARS 9-468; Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 9-835 and 9-836 set statutory residential building-permit plan-review timeframes (Administrative Completeness Review and Substantive Review stages) that the City of Flagstaff's published review timeframes implement. Source: City of Flagstaff Residential Building Permits Plan Review Process and Timeframes (PDF). Local amendments apply — see the Flagstaff overview page for the full list.

Yes. The City's Commercial Plan Review document defines 'Commercial Tenant Improvement Plans' as its own review track with a faster overall timeframe (10 working days Administrative Completeness Review + 25 working days Substantive Review = 35 working days overall) than full new commercial construction ('Commercial Building /Civil Plan Review,' 15 + 50 = 65 working days overall), plus its own distinct submittal checklist requiring both existing and proposed floor plans. Source: City of Flagstaff Commercial Plan Review (PDF).