Scottsdale building permit requirements

City of Scottsdale Planning and Development Services

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

12 permit types480-312-2500Mon 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tue 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wed 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (no new transactions after 4 p.m.); Sat–Sun Closed

Department information

Address: 7447 E. Indian School Road, Suite #105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-2500
Email: OneStopShopStaff@ScottsdaleAZ.gov
Office hours: Mon 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tue 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wed 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (no new transactions after 4 p.m.); Sat–Sun Closed
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.

2021 International Building Code (IBC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023 (per City Council adoption)2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 7, 20232021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Fire Code (IFC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 20232021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 7, 20232021 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective July 1, 2023 (mandatory)2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023

Permit types

Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Addition / Remodel)

A building permit is required for all construction work in Scottsdale including new single-family custom homes, additions, patio covers, carport enclosures, walls and fences, retaining walls, and accessory buildings greater than 200 sq. ft. Smaller residential remodels and additions under 500 sq. ft. (single story, no second-floor additions) may qualify for a Small Scope Review (SSR). All permit applications are submitted through the Scottsdale SPUR planning and permitting portal. Fees are square-footage-based, not valuation-based.

Electrical Permit

An electrical permit is required to install, alter, reconstruct or repair electrical wiring on any building, structure, swimming pool, or mechanical equipment in Scottsdale. Electrical work must comply with the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) with Scottsdale amendments, effective January 1, 2023. Most single-family residential electrical work qualifies as a 'Minimum Permit' — no plan review is required and the permit can be obtained online through Scottsdale SPUR. Minimum permit examples include: electrical re-wire, service upgrade or change out (400 AMP max.), relocate panel box, raise electrical mast, replace main breaker, temporary power pole, and residential load controller.

Plumbing Permit

A plumbing permit is required to install, alter, reconstruct, or repair any plumbing system, gas system, lawn sprinkler supply, or water heater replacement in Scottsdale. Plumbing work must comply with the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Scottsdale amendments, effective January 1, 2023. Most single-family residential plumbing work qualifies as a Minimum Permit — no plan review required, apply online. Minimum permit plumbing examples include: water heater replacement (gas or electric), replace water lines, repair broken water lines, plumbing for water softener or hot water re-circulator, sewer line repair, and connecting a new irrigation system.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

A mechanical permit is required to install, alter, reconstruct or repair any furnace, refrigeration or other air conditioning equipment or system in Scottsdale, except portable or window units. Mechanical work must comply with the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with Scottsdale amendments, effective January 1, 2023. Most single-family residential mechanical work qualifies as a Minimum Permit — no plan review required. Minimum permit HVAC examples include: HVAC change out, ceiling fan (new installation).

Residential Solar PV Permit

A residential solar permit is required for roof-mounted solar panel installations in Scottsdale. Roof-mounted solar panels that comply with Scottsdale's placement guidelines qualify for a Small Scope Review (SSR) rather than full plan review. All permits are applied for through the Scottsdale SPUR portal. Scottsdale publishes Solar Panel Placement Guidelines for Commercial Buildings and a 2021 Residential Solar-Ready Requirements document on its building codes page.

Swimming Pool / Spa Permit

A permit is required for the installation of swimming pools and spas in Scottsdale. Pool and spa work must comply with the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with Scottsdale amendments. Apply through the Scottsdale SPUR portal using the Application & Checklist for Swimming Pool & Spa (available on the Planning and Development Forms page). Pools include a Planning Inspection Fee in addition to the base fee and square-footage-based fee. Demolition of a residential pool requires a separate demolition permit ($121).

Fence / Wall Permit

A building permit is required for fences and walls in Scottsdale (except walls three feet or less, which do not require a permit, though a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review). Retaining walls require a separate permit. Fence walls are permitted under the residential building permit fee schedule using a linear-footage-based fee. A neighbor authorization form is available where a fence or wall is proposed on a shared property line.

Water Heater Permit

A plumbing permit is required for water heater replacement (gas or electric) in Scottsdale. Water heater replacements qualify as a Minimum Permit — no plan review required, apply and pay online through Scottsdale SPUR. The dedicated 'Water Heaters (except solar)' fee line in the miscellaneous fee schedule is $63.

Demolition Permit

Demolition permits are required for the demolition of any commercial and residential structures when the work proposed is not in conjunction with new construction. Demolition permits are NOT required for residential pools or for residential detached structures smaller than 200 sq. ft. To apply, submit the completed demolition application and supporting documents to the One Stop Shop permit services counter for review by a plans examiner. A pre-application meeting is required for demolition not in conjunction with new construction. For demolition concurrent with new construction, include the demo scope on the construction documents; a separate demolition permit is not required unless the demolition must occur before final plan approval of the new construction.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Scottsdale adopted Ordinance 4687 on September 30, 2025 to comply with Arizona state law HB2928, allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family residential lots. Three types are permitted: Attached ADU, Detached ADU, and Restricted-Affordable Detached ADU. ADUs must contain their own kitchen and sanitary facilities and may be rented separately from the main house. Key limits: up to two ADUs per single-family lot (up to three on lots one acre or more if one is affordable); first ADU limited to 1,000 sq. ft. or 75% of main dwelling (whichever is less); second/third ADU limited to 500 sq. ft. The property owner must reside on-premises for any ADU that is rented, leased, or offered as a short-term rental. Apply through the Scottsdale SPUR portal or contact the One Stop Shop.

Sign Permit

A sign permit is required for permanent signs in Scottsdale. Sign permit fees are based on the square footage of each sign, with a single base fee per permit application regardless of the number of signs. Temporary banners have a separate flat fee. Apply through the Scottsdale SPUR portal using the Sign Permit Application.

Commercial / Multi-Family Building Permit

Major commercial developments and multi-family residential projects in Scottsdale must go through the planning process before a permit is issued. Following planning entitlement, permit options are made available in the Scottsdale SPUR portal. Scottsdale reviews plans across five disciplines: Planning, Building, Engineering, Stormwater, and Fire. The 2021 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is mandatory for new commercial construction (effective July 1, 2023). Commercial permit fees are square-footage-based: $237 base fee + $0.94/sq. ft. (A/C area) + $0.54/sq. ft. (covered non-A/C area) + $195 Certificate of Occupancy + $379 GIS fee. Plan review is billed separately at $0.54/sq. ft. (A/C) + $0.34/sq. ft. (non-A/C). Apply through Scottsdale SPUR; commercial applications may also use the Application for Commercial/Multi-Family Permit.

Tips & gotchas

Scottsdale's permitting portal is Scottsdale SPUR (launched January 6, 2026) — all new permit applications must be submitted through SPUR. Projects initiated before Jan. 6, 2026 in the legacy eServices portal continue in eServices.
Scottsdale adopted the 2021 I-Codes effective January 1, 2023 (IRC effective January 7, 2023) with the 2020 NEC — not the more recent 2024 editions. Confirm your plans are designed to the 2021 code set.
The 2021 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is MANDATORY for new commercial construction in Scottsdale effective July 1, 2023 — this is unusual compared to many Arizona cities that have not yet mandated the IgCC.
Scottsdale uses a square-footage-based permit fee structure (not valuation-based): fees are $0.94/sq. ft. for livable A/C area, plus a $237 base fee. A simple valuation estimate is not sufficient for fee planning.
Most single-family residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work qualifies as a 'Minimum Permit' ($121 per discipline or $379 for all three combined) with no plan review required.
Work completed without a permit is fined double the permit fee.
Detached structures under 200 sq. ft. do not require a building permit, but a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review.
Demolition permits are not required for residential pools (use pool demolition permit at $121) or detached residential structures under 200 sq. ft.
Scottsdale Ordinance 4687 (effective September 30, 2025) significantly updated ADU rules — ADUs can now be rented as short-term rentals (with owner on-premises) and up to two ADUs per lot are permitted.
The One Stop Shop (7447 E. Indian School Road) is closed on Wednesdays until 9 a.m. and accepts no new monetary transactions after 4 p.m. any day.
Scottsdale's inspection hours vary by season: summer (April–October) 6 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; winter (November–March) 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Contact your area inspector between 6–6:30 a.m. (summer) or 7–7:30 a.m. (winter) for an estimated arrival time.
Projects in FEMA (A) flood zones or Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) zoning cannot use the Small Scope Review track and must go through full plan review.

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

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