Skip to main content
PermitBase

Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in Phoenix, Arizona

Required in Phoenix whenever a building or structure's occupancy changes — including when no construction is proposed. Phoenix's amendment to 2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 111.1 provides that 'a change of occupancy of a building or structure or portion thereof shall not be made, until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy,' and Section 105.1 requires a permit from anyone who intends to 'change the occupancy of a building or structure.' Where no construction permit has been issued, Section 111.1.1 allows an application for a new certificate of occupancy for a change in use or new use of an existing building, on a form provided by the Planning & Development Department and with payment of a nonrefundable application and inspection fee. The PDD Fee Schedule prices this as a two-step 'Request for a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction' — plan review, then field inspection.

Verified 2026-08-15 · Source

When you need this permit

  • A building or structure shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part, and a change of occupancy shall not be made, until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy (2024 IBC Chapter 1 Administrative Provisions, Section 111.1, as amended by Phoenix Ordinance G-7397). Exception: certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits under Section 105.2.
  • Anyone who intends to change the occupancy of a building or structure must first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 105.1, as amended)
  • Where no construction permit has been issued, application may be made for the building official to consider issuing a new certificate of occupancy for a change in use or for new use of an existing building; the application must be on a PDD-provided form and include payment of a nonrefundable application and inspection fee, which is in addition to any plan review fee or subsequent permit fee required by Section 109 (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 111.1.1, as amended)
  • A Certificate of Occupancy is required for new commercial and residential structures, tenant improvement of a newly occupied space, tenant improvement or remodel that involves a change in the occupancy type, and other projects as determined (City of Phoenix PDD, Certificate of Occupancy page)
  • It is unlawful under 2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 114.1.6 (as amended) to occupy or use a building without first obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, to use a building for any activity other than that authorized by its Certificate of Occupancy, to change the occupancy, use, or character of use of a building without first obtaining a new Certificate of Occupancy for such new use, or to continue occupying a building in violation of, or after the expiration of, a temporary Certificate of Occupancy
  • The Certificate of Occupancy Existing Building Checklist (TRT 00340C) requires a floor layout drawing at architectural scale showing complete floor layout and equipment, the use of each room, dimensions of rooms/corridors/doors, and the occupancy classification of adjoining suites; and a site layout drawing at engineering scale with a project information block (address including suite number, square footage of tenant lease area), whether sprinklers, fire alarms, and emergency lighting are present, lot size and shape with dimensioned property lines, all buildings and structures with distances to property lines and other structures, streets/alleys/easements, a north arrow, and dimensioned parking spaces and driveway aisles
  • The Certificate of Occupancy Application to Establish Use (TRT 00340A) requires the business name and address, whether sprinklers, fire alarm, and emergency lights are present (with a copy of the Fire Department annual sprinkler and annual alarm inspection where they exist), and a square-footage breakdown by retail, office, manufacturing, kitchen, dining, warehouse, storage, and other
  • When required inspections are complete the inspector records a pass or fail; issues noted must be corrected and re-inspected before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Once all required inspections have passed and the information is documented, a CofO is generated automatically if the project requires one; projects that do not require a new CofO receive a green tag signifying compliance with certain code requirements.
  • To determine whether a property already has a Certificate of Occupancy, submit a Public Records Request (typically three to five business days to process) or search the City's Certificates of Occupancy and Completion search tool; where there is no CofO or permit history on file, contact the PDD Ombudsman team at pdd.ombudsman@phoenix.gov
  • A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued before completion of the entire permitted work provided the portion occupied is safe; application is on a PDD-supplied form with a nonrefundable inspection fee, and issuance is subject to the property owner and permit holder agreeing in writing to comply with all PDD stipulations. Its maximum duration is the expiration date of the underlying permit (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Sections 111.3 through 111.3.2, as amended).

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 3 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Request for a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction — Step 1, plan reviewPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465, approved 12/17/2025, effective 1/20/2026; Phoenix City Code Ch. 9, Appendix A.2), page 39, Building Safety Inspection Fees item 5.d. Figure read from a rendered image of page 39, not from extracted text.
$195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours)
Request for a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction — Step 2, field inspectionPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 39, item 5.d, Step 2.
$195 per hour for inspection services, minimum $390 (2 hours)
Certificate of Occupancy issued at the conclusion of all code-required constructionPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 39, item 5.a. All CofO fees are non-refundable.
No additional charge (included with the permit fee)
Temporary Certificate of OccupancyPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 39, item 5.b. Valid for up to 180 days, not to exceed the expiration date of the permit; no renewals or extensions allowed.
$780 per request
Partial Certificate of OccupancyPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 39, item 5.c.
$780 per request
General plan review where the change of use involves construction — all occupancy typesPDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, pages 30–31, Building Safety Plan Review Fees item 1.a. Applies to all permits in permit fee Table A where valuation exceeds $5,000 and a plan review is required.
Commercial with project valuations of $50,000 or less: 100% of the permit fee, minimum $195 (1 hour). Commercial over $50,000: 80% of the permit fee, minimum $195 (1 hour)
Fire Life Safety Plan Review (often triggered by a change of occupancy classification)PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465), Appendix A.2, page 31, Building Safety Plan Review Fees item 1.g.
$195 per hour, minimum $1,170 (6 hours)

Review timeline

Plan reviewPhoenix’s published plan-review target
60–60 business days

How long did your Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit permit actually take in Phoenix?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Change-in-Use Field Inspection

    Step 2 of a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction: a field inspection billed at $195 per hour for inspection services, minimum $390 (2 hours), per PDD Fee Schedule Appendix A.2 page 39 item 5.d.

  2. 2

    Certificate of Occupancy Issuance

    Once all required inspections have passed and the information is documented, a CofO is automatically generated if the project requires one; projects that do not require a new CofO receive a green tag signifying compliance with certain code requirements.

See the full Phoenix inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Phoenix charges the change-in-use path in TWO steps, each with its own 2-hour minimum: Step 1 plan review at $195/hour (minimum $390) and Step 2 field inspection at $195/hour (minimum $390). The realistic floor for a change of use with no construction is therefore $780, not $390.
  • A change of occupancy triggers a permit even with zero construction — 2024 IBC Chapter 1 Section 105.1, as amended by Phoenix, requires a permit from anyone who intends to 'change the occupancy of a building or structure,' and Section 114.1.6 makes it unlawful to change the occupancy, use, or character of use without first obtaining a new Certificate of Occupancy.
  • Do not confuse the two CofO packets. The Eligibility Questionnaire (TRT 00340Q) is only for an existing building taken 'as is' with NO change of occupancy from the originally approved use; a genuine change in use goes through the Change-in-Use CofO request in the fee schedule instead.
  • Before signing a lease, search the City's Certificates of Occupancy and Completion tool or file a Public Records Request (three to five business days) to find out what occupancy the space is actually certified for — if there is no CofO or permit history on file, contact the PDD Ombudsman team at pdd.ombudsman@phoenix.gov.
  • The CofO application asks whether sprinklers and a fire alarm exist and, if so, for copies of the Fire Department annual sprinkler and annual alarm inspections — have those in hand before applying, and expect a Fire Life Safety Plan Review (minimum $1,170 / 6 hours) if the new occupancy classification changes the fire and life-safety picture.
  • A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is $780 per request, lasts up to 180 days, cannot exceed the permit's expiration date, and cannot be renewed or extended — it is not a way to buy repeated extra time.
  • Phoenix also runs an Adaptive Reuse Program for repurposing existing buildings, with its own Assumed Risk Affidavit (TRT 00426) and policy (TRT 00426P) — worth checking before defaulting to a standard change-of-use submittal.

Frequently asked questions

Phoenix requires a change of use / change of occupancy permit for: A building or structure shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part, and a change of occupancy shall not be made, until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy (2024 IBC Chapter 1 Administrative Provisions, Section 111.1, as amended by Phoenix Ordinance G-7397). Exception: certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits under Section 105.2.; Anyone who intends to change the occupancy of a building or structure must first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 105.1, as amended); Where no construction permit has been issued, application may be made for the building official to consider issuing a new certificate of occupancy for a change in use or for new use of an existing building; the application must be on a PDD-provided form and include payment of a nonrefundable application and inspection fee, which is in addition to any plan review fee or subsequent permit fee required by Section 109 (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 111.1.1, as amended); A Certificate of Occupancy is required for new commercial and residential structures, tenant improvement of a newly occupied space, tenant improvement or remodel that involves a change in the occupancy type, and other projects as determined (City of Phoenix PDD, Certificate of Occupancy page); It is unlawful under 2024 IBC Chapter 1, Section 114.1.6 (as amended) to occupy or use a building without first obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, to use a building for any activity other than that authorized by its Certificate of Occupancy, to change the occupancy, use, or character of use of a building without first obtaining a new Certificate of Occupancy for such new use, or to continue occupying a building in violation of, or after the expiration of, a temporary Certificate of Occupancy; The Certificate of Occupancy Existing Building Checklist (TRT 00340C) requires a floor layout drawing at architectural scale showing complete floor layout and equipment, the use of each room, dimensions of rooms/corridors/doors, and the occupancy classification of adjoining suites; and a site layout drawing at engineering scale with a project information block (address including suite number, square footage of tenant lease area), whether sprinklers, fire alarms, and emergency lighting are present, lot size and shape with dimensioned property lines, all buildings and structures with distances to property lines and other structures, streets/alleys/easements, a north arrow, and dimensioned parking spaces and driveway aisles; The Certificate of Occupancy Application to Establish Use (TRT 00340A) requires the business name and address, whether sprinklers, fire alarm, and emergency lights are present (with a copy of the Fire Department annual sprinkler and annual alarm inspection where they exist), and a square-footage breakdown by retail, office, manufacturing, kitchen, dining, warehouse, storage, and other; When required inspections are complete the inspector records a pass or fail; issues noted must be corrected and re-inspected before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Once all required inspections have passed and the information is documented, a CofO is generated automatically if the project requires one; projects that do not require a new CofO receive a green tag signifying compliance with certain code requirements.; To determine whether a property already has a Certificate of Occupancy, submit a Public Records Request (typically three to five business days to process) or search the City's Certificates of Occupancy and Completion search tool; where there is no CofO or permit history on file, contact the PDD Ombudsman team at pdd.ombudsman@phoenix.gov; A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued before completion of the entire permitted work provided the portion occupied is safe; application is on a PDD-supplied form with a nonrefundable inspection fee, and issuance is subject to the property owner and permit holder agreeing in writing to comply with all PDD stipulations. Its maximum duration is the expiration date of the underlying permit (2024 IBC Chapter 1, Sections 111.3 through 111.3.2, as amended).. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department at 602-262-7811 before starting work.

In Phoenix, the published Request for a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction — Step 1, plan review is: $195 per hour, minimum $390 (2 hours). Additional published fees: Request for a Change-in-Use Certificate of Occupancy without Construction — Step 2, field inspection — $195 per hour for inspection services, minimum $390 (2 hours); Certificate of Occupancy issued at the conclusion of all code-required construction — No additional charge (included with the permit fee); Temporary Certificate of Occupancy — $780 per request; Partial Certificate of Occupancy — $780 per request; General plan review where the change of use involves construction — all occupancy types — Commercial with project valuations of $50,000 or less: 100% of the permit fee, minimum $195 (1 hour). Commercial over $50,000: 80% of the permit fee, minimum $195 (1 hour); Fire Life Safety Plan Review (often triggered by a change of occupancy classification) — $195 per hour, minimum $1,170 (6 hours). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Phoenix's published plan-review target for a change of use / change of occupancy permit is 60–60 business days.

You'll need: Certificate of Occupancy Customer Packet (TRT 00340); Certificate of Occupancy Application to Establish Use (TRT 00340A); Certificate of Occupancy Existing Building Checklist (TRT 00340C). Depending on your project, Phoenix may also ask for: Certificate of Occupancy Eligibility Questionnaire (TRT 00340Q); Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Application (TRT 00705). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Phoenix requires 2 inspection(s) for a change of use / change of occupancy permit, in order: Change-in-Use Field Inspection, Certificate of Occupancy Issuance. Schedule each through City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department (602-262-7811).

Apply through City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department at 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. Official information: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd.html.

Phoenix, Arizona has adopted: 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 amendments; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E, with Phoenix amendments; 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), including Appendices A, B, C, I and M, with Phoenix amendments; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), with Phoenix amendments; 2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — optional; 2022 ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators; 2023 ASME A17.3; 2022 ASME A17.6; 2023 ASME A18.1; ADA: referenced ICC A117.1-2017 as scoped in the amended 2024 IBC, plus the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Local amendments apply — see the Phoenix overview page for the full list.

Other permits in Phoenix

Residential Building Permit (New Home / Custom Residence)Residential Addition / Remodel PermitCommercial / Multifamily Building PermitElectrical PermitPlumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater)Mechanical / HVAC PermitResidential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+Residential Pool / Spa PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitFence and Retaining Wall PermitDemolition PermitElectric Vehicle Charger (EVSE) PermitSign PermitFire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm System Permit

Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in other cities

Apache Junction, ArizonaBuckeye, ArizonaCamp Verde, ArizonaCocopah Indian Tribe, ArizonaDewey-Humboldt, ArizonaDuncan, ArizonaEagar, ArizonaFort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona

Compare change of use / change of occupancy permit fees across Arizona →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Phoenix project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Phoenix — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →