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 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

Required documents

Fee schedule

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

Review timeline

~15–60 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Scottsdale building department

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.

Tips

Frequently asked questions

When does a commercial project need planning entitlement before a permit?
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 2026-06-29.

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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