Phoenix building permit requirements

City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

11 permit types602-262-7811Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (City business hours), except major holidays

Department information

Address: 200 West Washington Street, 2nd/3rd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-262-7811
Email: pdd@phoenix.gov
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (City business hours), except major holidays
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 Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC) — adopted by Phoenix City Council June 18, 2025, effective August 1, 2025 (Ordinance G-7397)2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendix E, with Phoenix amendments (IBC Chapter 1 Administrative Provisions adopted)2024 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, NB, and NE, with Phoenix amendments2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E, with Phoenix amendments2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), including Appendices A, B, C, I and M, with Phoenix amendments2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), with Phoenix amendments2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — optional2022 ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators; 2023 ASME A17.3; 2022 ASME A17.6; 2023 ASME A18.1ADA: referenced ICC A117.1-2017 as scoped in the amended 2024 IBC, plus the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Permit types

Residential Building Permit (New Home / Custom Residence)

Required for new single-family dwellings and custom residences in Phoenix. The customer submits proposed building plans to the residential permit counter using the Residential Plan Submittal/Plan Review Checklist along with a completed Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application. All submittals must include two sets of plans and calculations and a plot plan showing the lot and the orientation of the house on the lot. Staff reviews the plans for compliance with adopted city codes, design review requirements and any approved site plan conditions of approval; if corrections are required the customer picks up the plans, corrects, and re-submits. The building permit is issued once plans are approved and permit fees are paid. Applications and inspections are handled through the SHAPE PHX customer portal.

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

Required when existing homes are remodeled or additions are made. Examples include garage/carport construction or conversion, porch enclosure, partial/interior demolition done as part of a remodel, patio cover, and a fence or wall. (Whole-structure demolition is permitted separately — see the Demolition Permit.) The customer submits two sets of building plans to the residential permit counter along with a completed Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application. If the proposed work is minor, an over-the-counter permit may be possible; otherwise review fees are collected and plans are routed for review. The permit is issued after plans are approved and fees are paid.

Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit

A commercial building permit is required for residential construction involving multi-family projects of three or more units, condominiums, and apartment buildings, as well as non-residential construction including new construction, remodels, additions, tenant improvements, and changes of use. The permit is issued when structures are designed in accordance with the building codes and all other applicable codes and ordinances. Commercial plan review, permitting, and inspections are handled through the SHAPE PHX portal (commercial functions available in SHAPE PHX effective April 27, 2026) and the Electronic Plan Review (EPR) program.

Electrical Permit

Electrical work in Phoenix is governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted with Phoenix amendments under the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397). Residential electrical work is permitted on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030), which enumerates electrical work types and carries a dedicated Electrical plan-review line. Permit fees follow the valuation-based Table A; a separate flat electrical fee table is not published.

Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater)

Plumbing work in Phoenix is governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC, including Appendices C and E) and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC, including Appendices A, B, C, I and M) as adopted with Phoenix amendments under the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397). Residential plumbing and water-heater work is permitted on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030), which carries a combined Mech/Plumb plan-review line. Permit fees follow the valuation-based Table A, with a $98 minimum for residential water heaters.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Mechanical and HVAC work in Phoenix is governed by the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as adopted with Phoenix amendments under the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397). Residential mechanical/HVAC work is permitted on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030), which carries a combined Mech/Plumb plan-review line and a Mechanical Energy Code Compliance submission option. Permit fees follow the valuation-based Table A; a separate flat mechanical fee table is not published.

Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+

The City of Phoenix accepts SolarAPP+ approved designs for application and permitting of residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects. SolarAPP+ is a third-party software program used to verify code compliance for residential PV. After obtaining a SolarAPP+ approval, the applicant applies for the permit through the SHAPE PHX online permit portal, enters the SolarAPP+ approval ID, emails the approved documents (three-line diagram and plot plan) to PDD, then schedules an inspection. Phoenix also offers fixed-fee PV permit options. Note: the Phoenix Fire Department requires a separate permit for photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems.

Residential Pool / Spa Permit

A permit is required for a residential pool or spa in Phoenix to ensure community health and safety. The process can be completed entirely online via email. The applicant emails the completed Pool/Spa Residential Permit Application and the plot plan (with the required property survey) to plotplan.submittals@phoenix.gov. Pool barrier requirements apply, and swimming pools are subject to a minimum permit fee plus an aquatics program surcharge.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) — also called a guest house, casita, or granny flat — is a separate, self-contained living area, either fully detached or attached to an existing home, with its own kitchen, bathroom, living area and sleeping quarters. In late 2024 the Phoenix City Council approved ordinance changes to comply with new state ADU laws. Where a lot has no more than one single-family detached primary dwelling, two ADUs are permitted in addition to the primary dwelling (a third may be permitted under certain circumstances). Phoenix offers a free pre-approved ADU Standard Plan Library; a plot/site plan is still required for permitting.

Fence and Retaining Wall Permit

Requirements for fences and walls in Phoenix are found in the Phoenix Building Construction Code and the Zoning Ordinance. A fence or wall is one of the common residential projects that requires a permit. Apply using the Fence Application (or the Retaining Wall Application for retaining walls). Permit fees follow the valuation-based Table A, with a $98 minimum for residential fences.

Demolition Permit

A demolition permit is required to demolish a structure in Phoenix. Single-family residential structures (including single-family accessory buildings) carry a flat demolition fee; all other structures are charged a base fee plus a per-square-foot amount. Larger demolition projects referenced in PBCC 105.3.1.1 also carry a demolition application fee. Apply using the Demolition Application.

Tips & gotchas

Phoenix is home-rule: it adopts and amends its own codes as the Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC). Phoenix transitioned to the 2024 PBCC effective August 1, 2025 (Ordinance G-7397) — do not assume neighboring AZ cities use the same editions.
Phoenix kept the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) even though most other adopted codes moved to the 2024 editions. Verify electrical work against the 2023 NEC.
Phoenix adopts BOTH the 2024 IPC and the 2024 UPC for plumbing — confirm which plumbing code governs your project with PDD.
Building permit fees are valuation-based (Table A): project valuation = building square footage times the per-occupancy square-foot construction cost. Phoenix takes those $/sf rates from the ICC Building Valuation Data (August 2025), a national ICC dataset it republishes — they are not Phoenix-authored figures. A separate plan review fee (typically 80–100% of the permit fee, minimum $195) applies where valuation exceeds $5,000.
Permits with project valuations of $1–$1,000 include a maximum of two inspections (including re-inspections); additional inspections are $195 each. Residential water heaters and fences have a $98 minimum permit fee.
Re-inspection fees: the initial inspection and the first re-inspection to verify corrections are included with the permit fee; calling an inspection before work is ready, no-access, or second/subsequent re-inspections are $195 each.
SHAPE PHX is the unified 24/7 customer portal for Commercial and Residential Plan Review, Photovoltaic Projects, Permitting and Inspections, Planning & Zoning, and Historic Preservation. New commercial plan review and inspection functions became available in SHAPE PHX effective April 27, 2026.
Residential solar uses SolarAPP+ (third-party automated code-compliance approval) with fixed-fee options from $293 (no plan review, 1 inspection) to $780 (plan review, 3 inspections). The Phoenix Fire Department requires a SEPARATE permit for PV and battery energy storage systems.
Swimming pools carry a $234 minimum permit fee plus a $30 aquatics program surcharge (Ordinance G-3114), and must meet pool barrier requirements.
Phoenix updated its ADU ordinance in late 2024 to comply with new Arizona state ADU laws: up to two ADUs on a typical single-family lot, each up to 75% of the main house's gross floor area (capped at 1,000 sq ft / 3,000 sq ft by lot size).
Payment types accepted: cash, check, credit card (Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover), and bank wire/ACH. PDD does NOT accept mobile payments, third-party checks, foreign currency, E-checks, or apps like PayPal.
Work done without a permit: investigation fee of $250 or the permit fee (whichever is greater, up to $2,500 per day), plus a permit fee of 2× the Table A fee (except residential demolition permits).
Remote video inspections are available for many residential projects.
Grading/drainage or hillside permits, if required, must be obtained before a building permit is issued.

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 Phoenix building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Get alerts for Phoenix

We'll notify you when permit requirements, fees, or codes change.

We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.