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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Scottsdale, Arizona

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.

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Lot must have an existing single-family residential dwelling; ADU can only be on a single-family residential lot
  • First ADU: maximum of 1,000 sq. ft. or 75% of the existing main dwelling size, whichever is less
  • Second (and third, if on 1+ acre with one affordable unit) ADU: maximum 500 sq. ft.
  • Up to two ADUs per lot; up to three on lots one acre or more if at least one is affordable housing
  • Property owner must reside on the premises for any ADU that is rented, leased, or used as a short-term rental
  • ADU must have separately metered electrical and gas utility connections; water/sewer branch from existing tap on private property
  • ADU cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling; lot cannot be subdivided to exclusively accommodate an ADU
  • Detached ADU may not be in required front yard or side yard; in rear yard, minimum 5-foot side/rear setbacks apply
  • Minimum 10-foot separation between an ADU and the main dwelling or another ADU on the lot
  • Maximum 6 adults total (main dwelling + all ADUs combined)
  • Each ADU requires a separate exterior entrance and a unique address
  • Apply through Scottsdale SPUR portal; pre-application meeting available via eServices portal

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Single Family Detached Structure — permit fee (applies to detached ADU)Permit Fee Schedule – Single Family Residential, Resolution No. 13661 (FY 2026/27). Scottsdale does not publish a separate ADU-specific fee; detached ADUs are permitted as single-family detached structures. Attached ADUs are permitted under the addition/remodel fee structure. Source: scottsdaleaz.gov/planning-development/fees.
$237 base fee + $0.94/sq. ft. (livable area with A/C) + $0.54/sq. ft. (covered area non-A/C) + $195 Certificate of Occupancy + $379 GIS fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Scottsdale building department
~10–30 business days

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Scottsdale?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation inspection

    Footings completed with steel reinforcement in place before concrete is placed.

  2. 2

    Framing inspection

    All walls, fire blocking, electrical, plumbing and mechanical rough-in completed before work is covered.

  3. 3

    Final inspection / Certificate of Occupancy

    All work complete per approved plans; Certificate of Occupancy issued when all inspections pass.

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

Tips

  • Scottsdale adopted ADU rules under Ordinance 4687 (effective September 30, 2025) pursuant to AZ HB2928 — ADU rules changed significantly from prior guest house regulations.
  • ADUs may be rented as long-term or short-term rentals, but the property owner must reside on the premises.
  • Attached ADUs share the same setbacks as the main dwelling's zoning district; detached ADUs in the rear yard may be as close as 5 feet to side/rear property lines.
  • Maximum of 6 adults in total across the main dwelling and all ADUs on a lot.
  • ADU requires separate exterior entrance and unique street address.

Frequently asked questions

Scottsdale requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: Lot must have an existing single-family residential dwelling; ADU can only be on a single-family residential lot; First ADU: maximum of 1,000 sq. ft. or 75% of the existing main dwelling size, whichever is less; Second (and third, if on 1+ acre with one affordable unit) ADU: maximum 500 sq. ft.; Up to two ADUs per lot; up to three on lots one acre or more if at least one is affordable housing; Property owner must reside on the premises for any ADU that is rented, leased, or used as a short-term rental; ADU must have separately metered electrical and gas utility connections; water/sewer branch from existing tap on private property; ADU cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling; lot cannot be subdivided to exclusively accommodate an ADU; Detached ADU may not be in required front yard or side yard; in rear yard, minimum 5-foot side/rear setbacks apply; Minimum 10-foot separation between an ADU and the main dwelling or another ADU on the lot; Maximum 6 adults total (main dwelling + all ADUs combined); Each ADU requires a separate exterior entrance and a unique address; Apply through Scottsdale SPUR portal; pre-application meeting available via eServices portal. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Scottsdale Planning and Development Services at 480-312-2500 before starting work.

In Scottsdale, the published Single Family Detached Structure — permit fee (applies to detached ADU) is: $237 base fee + $0.94/sq. ft. (livable area with A/C) + $0.54/sq. ft. (covered area non-A/C) + $195 Certificate of Occupancy + $379 GIS fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit in Scottsdale typically runs 10–30 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Scottsdale Planning and Development Services at 480-312-2500.

You'll need: Application for Single Family Residential (ADU scope). Depending on your project, Scottsdale may also ask for: ADU FAQs (PDF). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Scottsdale requires 3 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Foundation inspection, Framing inspection, Final inspection / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through City of Scottsdale Planning and Development Services (480-312-2500).

Apply through City of Scottsdale Planning and Development Services at 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. Official information: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning-development.

Scottsdale, Arizona has adopted: 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, 2023; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 1, 2023; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Scottsdale amendments — effective January 7, 2023; 2021 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. Local amendments apply — see the Scottsdale overview page for the full list.

Yes. Scottsdale adopted Ordinance 4687 on September 30, 2025 implementing AZ HB2928, allowing ADUs on single-family residential lots. Up to two ADUs per lot are permitted (up to three on 1+ acre lots with an affordable unit). The first ADU is limited to 1,000 sq. ft. or 75% of the main house. Property owners who rent ADUs must reside on the premises. Source: City of Scottsdale ADU page, scottsdaleaz.gov/codes-and-ordinances/accessory-dwelling-units.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-16.

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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