Clifton building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Clifton, Arizona.
Last verified 2026-07-07 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 510 North Coronado Boulevard, P.O. Box 1415, Clifton, Arizona 85533
- Phone
- 928-865-4146
- Office hours
- Town Hall hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed Friday - Sunday). Building permit and demolition permit applications are submitted by emailing codeenforcement@cliftonaz.gov or bringing them to the Code Enforcement Officer at Clifton Town Hall; no online permitting portal is published.
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Clifton — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Arizona has no statewide building code for non-state buildings; codes are adopted locally. According to the International Code Council, codes are adopted locally in Arizona and are predominantly the I-codes, with different cities and counties choosing their own editions and local amendments. The Arizona State Fire Code (adopting the 2018 IFC) applies only to state and county buildings, public and private schools, and non-residential occupancies in areas without a locally adopted fire code — it does not establish a statewide residential or commercial building code floor. Each city and county adopts its own code editions independently, resulting in different I-Code years and amendment sets across jurisdictions. There is no state-mandated minimum edition; enforcement is entirely local. Always confirm the adopted edition and any local amendments with the specific jurisdiction before submitting plans.
- Arizona has NO statewide mandatory building code floor for general construction — code adoption is a per-city/county authority under state enabling statutes (A.R.S. Title 9 for municipalities). The Town of Clifton is the county seat of Greenlee County and is a fully independent incorporated town that runs its own building-permit program directly out of Town Hall (Code Enforcement/Building Department, with a Building Official function and a Planning and Zoning Administrator) rather than deferring to Greenlee County. Greenlee County's own Planning and Zoning Department states its jurisdiction covers 'unincorporated areas of the County' only, and its Permit Application lists only Duncan and unincorporated county addresses as within its purview — Clifton, as an incorporated town, is expressly outside county permitting jurisdiction. Confirmed by the Town's own Code Enforcement/Building page, Town of Clifton Code of Ordinances Title XV, Chapter 151 (Building Provisions), its Building Permit Application and Residential Permit Checklist forms, and the Greenlee County Planning and Zoning page. Source: Town of Clifton Code Enforcement/Building page (cliftonaz.com/code-enforcement/building); Clifton, Arizona Code of Ordinances, Chapter 151 (codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/clifton); Greenlee County Planning and Zoning page (greenlee.az.gov/ova_dep/planning-and-zoning/).
- International Building Code, 2009 Edition, together with all appendices, published by the International Code Council, Inc., adopted by reference as the Building Code of the Town (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.01, enacted by Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). The Town's own Residential Permit Checklist independently confirms: 'The Town of Clifton is currently using the 2009 ICB [IBC] Codes' — no later code-update ordinance was found published superseding this 2009 adoption, so Clifton (like sibling Greenlee County town Duncan) runs on an older ICC cycle than larger Arizona cities. Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.01; Town of Clifton Building Permit Residential Checklist.
- International Residential Code, 2009 Edition, adopted by reference as the Residential Code of the Town, governing all R-3 occupancies (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.09, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.09.
- International Plumbing Code, 2009 Edition, adopted by reference as the Plumbing Code of the Town (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.05, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.05.
- International Mechanical Code, 2009 Edition, adopted by reference as the Mechanical Code of the Town, governing heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other heat-producing appliances (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.07, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.07.
- International Existing Building Code, 2009 Edition, adopted by reference governing repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition, and relocation of existing buildings including historic buildings (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.10, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.10.
- Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, adopted by reference for regulating buildings or structures that endanger life, health, or safety (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.08, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.08.
- Arizonans with Disabilities Act (A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 9, Article 3, and implementing rules), together with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.) accessibility guidelines, adopted by reference (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.06, Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.06.
- The Building Official/administrative authority for all matters pertaining to building, plumbing, electrical, or any other inspections under Chapter 151 is vested in the office of the Building Inspector, or such other person as the Town Manager may appoint (Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.04, carried from 1990 Code § 7-7). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.04.
- Uniform Technical Standards for public-works construction are separately adopted (§ 151.11, Ord. 01-2019, passed 2-14-2018): the Maricopa Association of Governments Uniform Standard Specifications and Details for Public Works Construction (2018 Revision to the 2015 Edition); the Arizona Department of Water Resources Flood Mitigation Section State Standard for Stormwater Detention/Retention; the Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Engineering Design Standards (2016 Edition); the Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Standard Specifications and Details for Construction (2016 Edition); and the Tucson Water Standard Specifications and Details (2017 Edition). The Town Engineer may approve deviations that meet or exceed these standards. Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances § 151.11.
- Zoning Code (Chapter 156) is adopted by reference; the Town's Planning and Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are published separately as downloadable PDFs rather than fully reproduced in the amlegal-hosted Code of Ordinances (§ 156.01 directs the public to contact the Town Clerk to view a copy). Whenever a building permit is issued, the building must conform to the Zoning Ordinance in addition to Chapter 151 (§ 151.02). Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances §§ 151.02, 156.01; Town of Clifton Planning and Zoning Ordinance and Map (cliftonaz.com/code-enforcement/building downloads).
- Flood Damage Prevention (Chapter 154, most recently amended by Ord. 02-2019, passed 3-14-2019, building on Ord. 01-2007, passed 9-13-2007) establishes a Floodplain Administrator (the Town Manager or designee) and requires a Development Permit before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area. Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances §§ 154.035, 154.037.
- Historic Preservation (Chapter 152, Ord. 01-96, passed 3-14-1996) establishes a Historic Preservation Commission and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior alteration, demolition, new construction, or moving of a landmark or property within a designated Historic District (including the Historic Chase Creek district) — required in addition to, not in lieu of, any building permit. Source: Clifton Code of Ordinances §§ 152.04-152.08.
Permit types & fees
Building Permit / Certificate of Occupancy
The Town of Clifton's general-purpose building permit, required for construction, alteration, repair, moving, or occupancy-change of a structure within Town limits. Reviewed against the 2009 International Building Code, International Residential Code (R-3 occupancies), and related 2009-edition ICC codes (Chapter 151) by the Building Official function housed in the Code Enforcement/Building Department, with sequential sign-offs from the Planning and Zoning Administrator, Flood Plain Administrator (if applicable), Town Manager (if in the Historic District), and Code Enforcement Officer. Applied for using the combined 'Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application' form.
Building Demolition Permit
Required before demolishing any structure within Town of Clifton limits. Reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Administrator against the Official Zoning Map, and routed through the same Flood Plain Development Permit track as the general Building Permit if the structure is in the 100-year flood plain. Applied for using the Town's dedicated 'Building Demolition Application' form.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
The Town of Clifton has no dedicated solar/photovoltaic permit type -- confirmed directly against the Town's Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application, Building Permit Residential Checklist, and both its current (8/10/2025) and FY2026-proposed fee schedules, none of which contain a solar/PV line item. A rooftop or ground-mount solar PV installation in Clifton would be processed through the Town's single general-purpose Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application, since Code of Ordinances § 151.04 vests ALL building, plumbing, AND electrical inspection authority in one Building Inspector function -- there is no separate standalone electrical-permit type documented for Clifton the way there is in larger Arizona jurisdictions. The fee, like every other Clifton building permit, would be determined by the applicant's own Contractor's Estimate or itemized Cost of Materials plus Estimated Labor Cost total (no published valuation-based fee table).
Flood Plain Development Permit
Required before construction or development begins, including placement of manufactured homes, within any special flood hazard area in Clifton, per Code of Ordinances Chapter 154 (Flood Damage Prevention, most recently amended by Ord. 02-2019, passed 3-14-2019). Administered by the Floodplain Administrator (the Town Manager or designee), and represented as its own review track on the combined Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application and the Building Demolition Application.
Historic District / Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness
Required before any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction, or moving of a designated landmark or property within a Historic District in Clifton (including the Historic Chase Creek district), per Code of Ordinances Chapter 152 (Historic Preservation, Ord. 01-96, passed 3-14-1996). Reviewed by the Town's Historic Preservation Commission; required in addition to, not in lieu of, any building permit otherwise required.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE Permit
The Town of Clifton has no dedicated EV charger/EVSE permit type -- confirmed directly against the Town's Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application, Building Permit Residential Checklist, and both its current (8/10/2025) and FY2026-proposed fee schedules, none of which contain an EV/EVSE-specific line, mirroring the same gap already documented for the solar-pv-permit entry in this file. Clifton has no separate electrical-permit type in this dataset -- electrical scope, including an EVSE circuit, is folded into the Town's single general-purpose Building Permit / Certificate of Occupancy process, reviewed under the 2009-edition ICC codes (Chapter 151).
Sign Permit
The Town of Clifton has no standalone sign-permit application, checklist, or dedicated fee line -- confirmed against the Town's Code Enforcement/Building page, both its current (8/10/2025) Rates and Fees schedule and FY2026-proposed misc-fee schedule (neither contains a sign-permit line item), and the Business License Info page (no sign-permit cross-reference). Advertising signs ARE substantively regulated, however, under the Town's own Zoning Ordinance Section 1.12.270 (Chapter 1.12, Supplementary Requirements and Procedures Applicable Within Zones): signs in residential zones are restricted to real-estate and home-occupation signage only, all signs must observe the same building setback as the zone in which they are located, free-standing/accessory signs must meet town maintenance standards, and -- the one place the ordinance names an actual permit -- any nonaccessory sign located within 660 feet of a federal or state highway right-of-way must first be approved by the State Highway Department before the Town's zoning administrator will issue a permit for it. No fee, application form, or review-timeline figure for that highway-proximity sign permit was found published anywhere. A sign physically attached to a building would additionally be swept into the Town's general Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application (Planning and Zoning Administrator zoning-conformance sign-off), and a sign in the Clifton Townsite Historic District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (which explicitly asks for a scale drawing of proposed signage) before any sign work -- both already documented elsewhere in this file.
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit
The Town of Clifton has no dedicated fire sprinkler or fire alarm permit type, application, checklist, or fee -- confirmed against the Town's Code Enforcement/Building page, Fire Department page, Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application, and both its current (8/10/2025) Rates and Fees schedule and FY2026-proposed misc-fee schedule, none of which contain a fire-sprinkler, fire-alarm, or fire-plan-review line item. This file's own exhaustively-researched codesAdopted list (2009 IBC/IRC/IPC/IMC/IEBC, 1997 UCADB, ADA) contains no separately adopted Fire Code (e.g., International Fire Code or NFPA) for Clifton. Fire protection in Clifton is provided by the Town's own Volunteer Fire Department (Fire Chief Richard Varela; Fire Dispatch 928-865-4145) -- NOT a separate rural fire district -- confirmed directly on the Town's own Fire Department page. A fire sprinkler or alarm system installation would be processed as part of the electrical/mechanical scope of the Town's single general-purpose Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application, since Code of Ordinances Section 151.04 vests the Building Inspector with combined building, plumbing, electrical, and 'any other' inspection authority Town-wide. Separately, the Fire Department's own page describes an informal, request-based 'Fire inspection for your business' process -- coordinated between the Code Enforcement Officer (928-322-7913) and the Fire Chief -- with no published fee, checklist, or plan-review timeline.
Certificate of Occupancy / Change of Use
The Town of Clifton has no separate Certificate of Occupancy or Change of Use permit product distinct from this file's general 'building-permit' entry -- confirmed directly from the Town's own combined 'Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application,' whose scope field includes a 'NOT APPLICABLE (application is for certificate of occupancy only)' option, showing a certificate-of-occupancy-only submission is processed on the identical form used for any other building permit, reviewed by the same Building Official/Building Inspector function. A change of occupancy is separately addressed as an adopted-code matter, not a distinct town permit type: Code of Ordinances Section 151.10 adopts the 2009 International Existing Building Code by reference to govern 'repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition, and relocation of existing buildings including historic buildings' -- so a change-of-use/occupancy project is reviewed under 2009 IEBC provisions as part of the same Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application already documented in this file, not through any separate application, checklist, or fee schedule.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- No data reported
- Trailing 12 months
- No data reported
- Year to date (2026 YTD)
- No data reported
- Full year 2025
- 0units
0 buildings · $0 valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Arizona building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Clifton is the county seat of Greenlee County and is a fully independent Arizona town — it runs its own building-permit program directly out of Town Hall's Code Enforcement/Building Department (Building Official function vested in the Building Inspector per § 151.04) rather than deferring to Greenlee County. Greenlee County's own Planning and Zoning Department states its jurisdiction covers 'unincorporated areas of the County' only. This confirms the AZBO-directory 'thin listing' flag was about sparse directory data, not a genuine non-independence finding — Clifton has a comprehensive, well-documented, independently codified building program.
- Clifton's adopted building code is the 2009 IBC/IRC/IPC/IMC/IEBC (Ord. 04-2010, passed 7-8-2010) — independently confirmed by both the Code of Ordinances and the Town's own Residential Permit Checklist ('The Town of Clifton is currently using the 2009 ICB Codes'). No later code-update ordinance was found published, matching the similarly dated (2006-era) code adopted by sibling Greenlee County town Duncan — both Greenlee County towns run well behind the 2024 ICC cycle used by larger AZ cities like Buckeye.
- NO building-permit fee dollar table is published anywhere — neither the current (effective 8/10/2025) 'Schedule of Miscellaneous Rates and Fees' nor the FY2026 proposed misc-fee schedule include a building-permit line item (both cover public-records, park, RV Park, and business-license fees instead). The application form itself has the applicant enter a Contractor's Estimate / Cost of Materials / Labor Cost total with the note 'The total costs will determine permit fee,' but no published percentage or valuation-table formula was located. This is a confirmed, exhaustively-chased gap.
- NO review-timeframe figure (per A.R.S. § 9-835) is published for the Building Permit, Demolition Permit, or Flood Plain Development Permit — not on the Town's website, in its Code of Ordinances, or on its Taxes and Fees page. A.R.S. § 9-835 requires municipalities to establish and register their own time frames per license type; it supplies no universal statutory default itself. This mirrors the confirmed gap in sibling town Duncan. The ONE exception is the Historic Preservation Certificate of Appropriateness, which DOES have a codified 21-day Commission review window (§ 152.08) — a genuinely verified figure, not an estimate.
- There is no online permitting portal or application-tracking system — all applications are submitted by emailing codeenforcement@cliftonaz.gov or bringing them to the Code Enforcement Officer at Clifton Town Hall (510 North Coronado Boulevard, Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
- A single combined 'Building Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application' form routes through up to four sequential review/sign-off blocks depending on the project: Planning and Zoning Administrator (zoning conformance), Flood Plain Administrator (if in the 100-year flood plain), Town Manager (if in the Clifton Townsite Historic District — requires a prior Certificate of Appropriateness), and Code Enforcement Officer (new-address-plaque/sewer-tap requirements) — with final approval by the Building Inspector.
- The current Building Demolition Application form in circulation (metadata shows last printed 11/5/2025) contains stale legacy boilerplate referencing the '1994 Edition of the Uniform Building Code' and an old 'Chapter 14' flood-numbering scheme. The Town's currently codified adopted building code is the 2009 IBC (Chapter 151, per Ord. 04-2010) and Flood Damage Prevention is now codified at Chapter 154 (most recently amended by Ord. 02-2019, passed 3-14-2019) — treat the demolition form's own code-edition and chapter citations as outdated relative to the live Code of Ordinances.
- Clifton has a designated Historic District (the Clifton Townsite Historic District, encompassing the Historic Chase Creek area promoted on the Town's own tourism pages) with a functioning Historic Preservation Commission (Chapter 152, Ord. 01-96) — this is a more developed historic-district apparatus than sibling town Duncan, which only has an ambiguous Historic District line on a combined permit form with no standalone ordinance chapter found. Clifton's Historic Preservation chapter is fully codified with defined application procedures, review criteria, hardship provisions, and appeals.
- Out-of-state contractors on projects valued at $50,000 or more must obtain an A.R.S. § 42-5007 Department of Revenue bonding-compliance certificate before a building permit can be issued — called out explicitly on the Town's own application form.
- A flat $110.00 Address Plaque fee applies to new structures with no existing address plaque, bundled with a required new sewer-tap application tying the line into the main sewer line — this is a genuine, specific dollar figure confirmed directly from the Town's application form, in contrast to the unpublished general building-permit fee.