Surprise building permit requirements

City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

9 permit types623-222-3000Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City-observed holidays

Department information

Address: 16000 N. Civic Center Plz., Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: 623-222-3000
Email: Community.Development@surpriseaz.gov
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City-observed holidays
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.

2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Appendices C, H, and O, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Appendices AC, BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BL, BM, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, and CH, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Fire Code (IFC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 20262017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026

Permit types

Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Custom Home)

Required for new single-family dwellings and custom residences in Surprise. Applications are submitted online through the Permits & Applications Portal (Clariti/Oncamino); after initial approval, plans are uploaded and reviewed via ProjectDox. Permit fees are valuation-based: a flat $100 base fee plus $6 per each $1,000 of valuation up to $999,999.99 (then $5 per $1,000 beyond the first $1 million), plus an administrative processing fee of 0.50% of valuation (for the first $1 million). Plan review is 65% of the permit fee. Custom homes submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2024 I-Codes as locally amended.

Residential Addition / Alteration Permit

Required for additions and alterations to existing single-family dwellings in Surprise, including room additions, garage conversions, patio covers, carports, and interior remodels. Permit exemptions include: one-story detached accessory structures ≤200 sq ft; fences ≤6 ft high; decks ≤200 sq ft at ≤30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling; re-roofing with the same material type (max 2 layers asphalt over existing asphalt). Applications are submitted online through the Permits & Applications Portal (Clariti/Oncamino) with plans uploaded via ProjectDox. Patio covers, awnings, and carports use a fee based on 50% of the ICC valuation per square foot rather than full valuation.

Electrical Permit

Required for electrical work in Surprise beyond the code-permitted exemptions. Surprise adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with local amendments, effective January 1, 2026. Permit-exempt electrical work under the Surprise local amendment to IRC R105.2 includes: replacement of receptacles or light fixtures in a dwelling that does not change the wiring (where the electric box is rated for the fixture weight); installation or replacement of a ceiling fan/light on an 'approved for fan support' box installed with a valid prior permit; installation or replacement of solar attic fans; installation or replacement of an electric circuit to a landscape timer. All other electrical work requires a permit submitted via the Permits & Applications Portal and ProjectDox.

Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater)

Required for plumbing work in Surprise beyond the code-permitted exemptions. Surprise adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with local amendments, effective January 1, 2026. Permit-exempt plumbing work under the Surprise local amendment to IRC R105.2 includes: replacement of existing water heaters of the same size, type, and method of operation that were previously installed with a valid permit; hot water re-circulators; water softeners and soft water loops; solar pool/spa heating equipment installation or replacement; water filtration/purification systems; water lines for landscape irrigation. All other plumbing work, including new water heater installations (not in-kind replacements), new fixtures, or line replacements, requires a permit.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Required for mechanical and HVAC work in Surprise beyond the code-permitted exemptions. Surprise adopted the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with local amendments, effective January 1, 2026. Permit-exempt mechanical work under the Surprise local amendment to IRC R105.2 includes: replacement of air-conditioning/heating equipment of equal or lesser size, same method of operation, placed in the same location as the existing equipment; replacement of gas AC, direct-vent equipment, or furnaces of equal or lesser BTU capacity placed in the same location. Work requiring a permit includes: new HVAC systems, ductwork modifications, equipment in new locations, and increases in capacity.

Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

A building permit is required for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in Surprise. Surprise publishes a distinct three-part fee structure for solar PV permits: a Solar Admin Fee, Solar Plan Review Fee, and Solar Permit Fee. Applications are submitted through the Permits & Applications Portal (Clariti/Oncamino) with plans uploaded via ProjectDox. Plan review for residential solar takes approximately 4 working days for the first review. Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2 exempts solar attic fans from permits, but PV panel systems require a permit.

Swimming Pool Permit

A building permit is required for the installation of a swimming pool in Surprise (except prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep, which are permit-exempt under the Surprise local amendment to IRC R105.2). Surprise's pool barrier ordinance requires all residential pools to comply with barrier requirements — all openings from the house to the pool area must meet the barrier requirements (48-inch minimum fence height, self-closing/self-latching gates). Applications are submitted through the Permits & Applications Portal. Note: per IBC local amendment, the IBC Section 3109 (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs) is deleted; swimming pools are governed by Maricopa County Environmental Services Department standards in addition to Surprise building permit requirements.

Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit

Required for non-residential construction, tenant improvements, additions, remodels, and multifamily residential construction in Surprise. All commercial projects must comply with the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Surprise local amendments (Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026). Under Arizona law (ARS § 9-462.13) and Surprise's local amendment to IBC 101.2, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes that are prohibited by state law from being required to comply with a commercial building code may instead comply with the 2024 IRC as adopted and amended by Surprise. Applications are submitted online through the Permits & Applications Portal (Clariti/Oncamino) with plans uploaded via ProjectDox.

Roofing Permit

A roofing permit is required for most roofing work in Surprise except for specific exemptions in the Surprise local amendments. Under IRC R105.2 local amendment, re-roofing with the same type of material as the original roofing is permit-exempt provided that no more than two layers of asphalt shingles are applied over an existing asphalt shingle roof. All other roofing work — including change of roofing material type, structural roof work, or roofing that exceeds the two-layer asphalt limit — requires a building permit submitted through the Permits & Applications Portal.

Tips & gotchas

Surprise adopted the 2024 I-Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IPC, IECC, IEBC, IFC) and the 2023 NEC — effective January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 2025-14. Projects submitted before January 1, 2026 are reviewed under the prior 2018 codes.
The Surprise fee schedule (Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026) was adopted most recently on May 19, 2026 — this is the CURRENT adopted schedule.
All permit applications are submitted online through the Clariti/Oncamino Permits & Applications Portal (app.oncamino.com/surprise-az). Plans are uploaded separately via ProjectDox only after the Portal submission is approved. There is no paper-only or in-person-only submittal process.
Surprise's fence permit threshold is 6 feet — lower than the standard IRC default of 7 feet. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit.
In-kind replacement of water heaters, HVAC equipment, and gas furnaces/AC by licensed contractors is permit-exempt under Surprise's local amendments — provided the replacement is the same size, type, and method of operation, placed in the same location, and the original was installed with a valid permit.
Re-roofing with the same material type is permit-exempt — but changing roofing material type requires a permit.
Decks up to 200 sq ft at no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling and not serving a required exit door, are permit-exempt under the Surprise local amendment.
Solar PV permits use a fixed three-part fee ($300 total) rather than the standard valuation-based fee; this is a distinct and advantageous flat fee for solar installers.
One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft are permit-exempt under Surprise's local amendment (increased from the standard 120 sq ft).
Surprise's IBC local amendment deletes IBC Section 3109 (Swimming Pools); swimming pools are governed by Maricopa County Environmental Services Department standards in addition to the building permit requirements. The pool barrier ordinance is strictly enforced — no waiver program exists.
Permit extensions cost $115 for the first extension and $155 for the second and subsequent extensions. Permits expire 24 months from issuance if a final inspection has not been approved.
After-hours inspections require an After Hours Inspection Form, are subject to availability, and cost $100/hour with a $200 minimum (weekends/holidays/3rd shift: $300 minimum).
Scam alert: the City has reported fraudulent invoices targeting permit applicants. All official City of Surprise emails come from @surpriseaz.gov addresses. Contact Community Development at 623-222-3000 to verify any suspicious invoice.

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

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