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Commercial / Multi-Family Building Permit in Scottsdale, Arizona

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.

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Major commercial and multi-family projects must complete the planning/entitlement process before a permit is issued; start with the Pre-Application & Case Submittal process
  • Submit through Scottsdale SPUR portal
  • Plans reviewed across five disciplines: Planning, Building, Engineering, Stormwater, and Fire
  • Comply with the 2021 IBC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IgCC (mandatory for new commercial construction), 2021 IFGC, 2021 IMC, and 2020 NEC, all with Scottsdale amendments
  • 2021 IgCC (International Green Construction Code) is mandatory for new commercial construction as of July 1, 2023 — use the IgCC development review checklist and building plan review checklist

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Commercial Building Permit — base feeScottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026. Source: scottsdaleaz.gov (permit-fee-schedule---commercial.pdf).
$237
Commercial Building Permit — area with A/C (livable)Scottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026.
$0.94 per sq. ft.
Commercial Building Permit — covered area (non A/C)Scottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026.
$0.54 per sq. ft.
Certificate of OccupancyScottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026.
$195
GIS feeScottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026.
$379
Lowest Floor Certificate ReviewScottsdale Permit Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026. Applies to new commercial buildings subject to floodplain requirements.
$363
Commercial Plan Review — livable area with A/CScottsdale Plan Review Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026. Source: scottsdaleaz.gov (plan-review-fee-schedule---commercial.pdf).
$0.54 per sq. ft.
Commercial Plan Review — covered area (non A/C)Scottsdale Plan Review Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026.
$0.34 per sq. ft.
Green Compliance Review (IgCC) — Commercial and Multi-FamilyScottsdale Plan Review Fee Schedule – Commercial, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661, effective July 1, 2026. Applies to new commercial construction subject to the mandatory 2021 IgCC.
$0.10 per sq. ft. (maximum $600)

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Scottsdale building department
~15–60 business days

How long did your Commercial / Multi-Family Building 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

    When excavation for footings is complete with reinforcement in place, before concrete is placed.

  2. 2

    Framing / rough trades

    Walls, fire blocking, and all rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspected before work is covered.

  3. 3

    Final / 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

  • Major commercial and multi-family projects must complete planning entitlement before a permit can be issued — start early with a pre-application meeting.
  • The 2021 IgCC is mandatory for new commercial construction in Scottsdale (effective July 1, 2023); use the published IgCC checklists and Notes on Plans.
  • Scottsdale reviews commercial projects across five disciplines simultaneously: Planning, Building, Engineering, Stormwater, and Fire.
  • Customized Expedited Plan Review is available for commercial projects — contact Planning and Development for details.

Frequently asked questions

Scottsdale requires a commercial / multi-family building permit for: Major commercial and multi-family projects must complete the planning/entitlement process before a permit is issued; start with the Pre-Application & Case Submittal process; Submit through Scottsdale SPUR portal; Plans reviewed across five disciplines: Planning, Building, Engineering, Stormwater, and Fire; Comply with the 2021 IBC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IgCC (mandatory for new commercial construction), 2021 IFGC, 2021 IMC, and 2020 NEC, all with Scottsdale amendments; 2021 IgCC (International Green Construction Code) is mandatory for new commercial construction as of July 1, 2023 — use the IgCC development review checklist and building plan review checklist. 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 Commercial Building Permit — base fee is: $237. Additional published fees: Commercial Building Permit — area with A/C (livable) — $0.94 per sq. ft.; Commercial Building Permit — covered area (non A/C) — $0.54 per sq. ft.; Certificate of Occupancy — $195; GIS fee — $379; Lowest Floor Certificate Review — $363; Commercial Plan Review — livable area with A/C — $0.54 per sq. ft.; Commercial Plan Review — covered area (non A/C) — $0.34 per sq. ft.; Green Compliance Review (IgCC) — Commercial and Multi-Family — $0.10 per sq. ft. (maximum $600). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a commercial / multi-family building permit in Scottsdale typically runs 15–60 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 Commercial/Multi-Family Permit; 2021 IgCC Development Review Checklist; 2021 IgCC Building Plan Review Checklist. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Scottsdale requires 3 inspection(s) for a commercial / multi-family building permit, in order: Foundation inspection, Framing / rough trades, Final / 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.

Major commercial developments and multi-family residential projects must go through the planning process (pre-application, case submittal, entitlement) before a building permit is issued. Once entitlement is granted, permit options appear in Scottsdale SPUR. Smaller commercial tenant improvements may go directly to plan review. Source: City of Scottsdale Plan Review Services page, scottsdaleaz.gov.

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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