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Fence / Wall Permit in Scottsdale, Arizona

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.

Verified 2026-07-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Fences and walls over 3 feet in height require a building permit; walls 3 feet or less do not require a permit (but a site plan is required for courtesy plan review)
  • Apply through Scottsdale SPUR portal
  • Provide site plan showing fence/wall location and neighbor authorization if on a shared property line

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Fence walls — permit feePermit Fee Schedule – Single Family Residential, Resolution No. 13661 (FY 2026/27, effective July 1, 2026). Source: scottsdaleaz.gov/planning-development/fees.
$237 base fee + $0.27/linear foot
Retaining Walls — permit feePermit Fee Schedule – Single Family Residential, Resolution No. 13661.
$237 base fee + $2.49/linear foot
Plan review fee (fence/retaining wall)Plan Review Fee Schedule – SFR, Exhibit A, Resolution No. 13661 (FY 2026/27, effective July 1, 2026; rate unchanged from FY 2025/26 Resolution No. 13391 — re-verified against the live FY26/27 PDF 2026-07-16).
$121/hour + $0.18/linear foot (fence or retaining wall only)

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Scottsdale building department
~3–10 business days

How long did your Fence / Wall 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

    Final inspection

    Fence or wall inspected when construction is complete.

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

Tips

  • Walls three feet or less in height do not require a permit, but a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review.
  • Retaining walls carry a higher per-linear-foot fee ($2.49/lf) than standard fence walls ($0.27/lf).
  • A neighbor authorization form is available if the fence is on a shared property line.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for fences over 3 feet in height. Walls 3 feet or less are exempt from the permit requirement, but a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review. Fence wall permit fees are $237 base + $0.27 per linear foot. Source: City of Scottsdale Permit Services page and Permit Fee Schedule – SFR, Resolution No. 13661.

In Scottsdale, the published Fence walls — permit fee is: $237 base fee + $0.27/linear foot. Additional published fees: Retaining Walls — permit fee — $237 base fee + $2.49/linear foot; Plan review fee (fence/retaining wall) — $121/hour + $0.18/linear foot (fence or retaining wall only). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a fence / wall permit in Scottsdale typically runs 3–10 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 (fence/wall scope). Depending on your project, Scottsdale may also ask for: Fence/Wall on Property Line, Neighbor Authorization. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Scottsdale requires 1 inspection(s) for a fence / wall permit, in order: Final inspection. 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.

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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Fence / Wall Permit in other cities

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