Glendale building permit requirements

City of Glendale Development Services

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

10 permit types623-930-2800Contact the Development Services Center at 623-930-2800 for current hours

Department information

Address: 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301
Phone: 623-930-2800
Email
Office hours: Contact the Development Services Center at 623-930-2800 for current hours
Website: Official site

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.

2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices C and I, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices BB, BC, BF, BO and CF, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), including Appendices A and B, with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Fire Code (IFC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-52, effective January 9, 20262023 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with Glendale amendments — adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 20262024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC), as published by ICC — adopted by Ordinance O25-51 (voluntary compliance), effective January 9, 20262010 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines; Arizonans with Disabilities Act (A.R.S. §§ 41-1492.03)ICC A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and FacilitiesCity of Glendale Revised Sound Attenuation StandardsMaricopa Association of Governments Fireplace StandardFair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, March 6, 1991)

Permit types

Residential Building Permit (Single Family / Custom Home)

Required for new single-family dwellings and custom homes in Glendale. The applicant submits a completed Permit/Plan Review Application (Residential) along with two sets of construction documents to the Development Services Center at 5850 West Glendale Avenue. Plans are reviewed for compliance with the 2024 Glendale building codes (adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026). The permit is issued once plans are approved and permit fees are paid. Inspections are scheduled by calling before 5 a.m. for a same-day inspection.

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

Required for additions, remodels, room additions, patio enclosures, carport-to-garage conversions, patio covers, and detached structure additions on single-family residential properties in Glendale. The applicant submits a completed Permit/Plan Review Application (Residential 2026) with construction documents to the Development Services Center. Glendale publishes ready-to-use permit packets for common addition types (Patio Enclosure, Residential Addition / Room Addition, Carport to Garage Enclosure, Detached Structure Addition, Patio Cover Addition) on the Permit Packets page. Permit fees are valuation-based per Table 3A.

Electrical Permit

Electrical work in Glendale is governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026. Residential electrical permits are applied for using the Permit/Plan Review Application (Residential 2026). Glendale charges electrical permit fees on a per-item basis (base fee plus individual counts of circuits, fixtures, outlets, appliances, and sub-panels) rather than a valuation-based Table 3A fee. An electrical clearance inspection fee applies when required by the utility company to energize service.

Plumbing Permit

Plumbing work in Glendale is governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC, with Appendices C and E) as adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026. Residential plumbing permits are applied for using the Permit/Plan Review Application (Residential 2026). Glendale charges plumbing permit fees on a per-item basis (base fee plus individual fixture, sewer, water piping, and drainage counts).

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Mechanical and HVAC work in Glendale is governed by the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC, with Appendices A and B) as adopted by Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026. Residential mechanical permits are applied for using the Permit/Plan Review Application (Residential 2026). Glendale charges mechanical permit fees on a per-item basis (base fee plus counts of air handlers, furnaces, evaporative coolers, vents, etc.).

Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

A building permit is required for residential rooftop photovoltaic systems in Glendale. Photovoltaic work must comply with Glendale's currently adopted codes — the 2024 IRC and 2023 NEC (Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026). The applicant submits two complete sets of plans to the Development Services Center, including a site plan showing all buildings and the PV unit location, a three-line diagram, electrical one-line diagram, roof plan, cut sheets for all equipment, and specifications. The permit fee is valuation-based (Table 3A) calculated on the system's value including installation (before rebates).

Fence / Wall Permit

A building permit is required for fences and walls in Glendale, except fences other than swimming pool barriers and perimeter subdivision fences that are 7 feet (2134 mm) or less in height, which are exempt from permit requirements per Glendale's amended IBC Section 105.2. For fences/walls requiring a permit (over 7 feet, retaining walls of any height, and swimming pool barriers), the applicant submits a completed permit application. Fence and wall permit fees are charged per square foot of wall face area rather than on valuation.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary living unit on the same lot as a single-family detached dwelling, with a kitchenette or kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Glendale permits one attached ADU and one detached ADU per single-family lot (or up to two detached ADUs on lots one acre or more if one is deed-restricted as affordable housing). ADUs must not exceed 1,000 square feet. A Zoning Clearance Letter from the Planning Division is required before submitting construction documents. All ADUs must have separate utility meters (including a separate city water meter from the main dwelling).

Demolition Permit

A demolition permit is required for the demolition of structures in Glendale. The fee is a flat rate per structure for residential demolition, and a higher flat rate for commercial demolition. The applicant submits a completed permit application to the Development Services Center.

Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit

A commercial building permit is required for new commercial construction, commercial remodels and tenant improvements, and multifamily residential projects. Plans are submitted to the Development Services Center and may be submitted electronically via Glendale's electronic plan submittal system. The permit fee is valuation-based per Table 3A; a minimum commercial permit fee of $114.35 applies. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued upon successful final inspection.

Tips & gotchas

Glendale adopted the full 2024 I-Code suite (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, IPMC, ISPSC) plus 2023 NEC via Ordinance O25-51, effective January 9, 2026. Always confirm you are designing to the 2024 editions.
The official city domain is glendaleaz.gov (.gov, not .com). All official permit documents, forms, and codes are published at glendaleaz.gov.
Call for inspections before 5 a.m. on the day you need the inspection for same-day scheduling.
Glendale's fee schedule (effective May 10, 2019) uses a per-item model for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits — not valuation-based. Only building permits (new construction, additions, pools) use the valuation-based Table 3A.
Fences 7 feet or less (other than pool barriers and perimeter subdivision fences) do NOT require a permit in Glendale per the IBC Section 105.2 amendment in Ordinance O25-51.
ADU applicants must obtain a Zoning Clearance Letter from the Planning Division BEFORE submitting construction plans or a permit application.
All ADUs must have a separate city water meter — this requires a new water tap in the street/right-of-way by a specially licensed contractor, with additional permits.
Expedited plan review is available at 300% of the normal plan review fee (50% of normal review time), subject to Building Safety Official approval.
If your permit expires (no inspection for 6 months), a renewal is available for a fee. If more than one year lapses without activity, new plans and full permit fees are required.
Glendale's Building Safety Department number (Development Services Center) is 623-930-2800.
Glendale published a 2024 Code Adoption Implementation notice and a grace period for transitioning from prior codes to the 2024 editions — check the Building Safety page for details.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Glendale building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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