Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit in Surprise, Arizona
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.
Verified 2026-06-29 · Source
When you need this permit
- Submit permit through Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az with plans uploaded via ProjectDox
- All work must comply with the 2024 IBC and Surprise local amendments (Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026)
- Triplexes and fourplexes protected by ARS § 9-462.13 may comply with the 2024 IRC rather than IBC
- Commercial projects designed under the 2018 codes that cannot be submitted before January 1, 2026 may file a code modification request for up to 90 days after the effective date of the new codes
Required documents
- Req
Permits & Applications Portal submission (Clariti/Oncamino)
Initial permit request at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az
- Req
Construction documents via ProjectDox
Full commercial plan set (architectural, structural, MEP, civil, fire protection, landscape as applicable) uploaded via ProjectDox
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building/Fire Permit Fee — valuation-based | Base: $100 per permit. Valuation $1.00–$999,999.99: $6.00 per each $1,000 of valuation. Valuation $1,000,000+: $5.00 per each $1,000 beyond the first $1,000,000. | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
| Building Permit Administrative Processing Fee | 0.50% of valuation (up to $999,999.99); 0.052% of valuation beyond the first $1,000,000. | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the permit fee | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
| Deferred Permit Submittal | $165.00 per deferral | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) | $500 for first 30 days; $1,000 for each subsequent 30-day period. Issued in 30-day increments only. | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. Excludes phased multifamily projects when approved by the Community Development Director. |
| Print/Reproduction of Certificate of Occupancy Only | $75.00 per address | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
Review timeline
16–40 business days
Surprise’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Structural
Structural, foundation, and underground inspections per approved plans.
- 2
Rough Trades
Rough electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and framing inspected before walls are closed.
- 3
Final / Certificate of Occupancy
All code-required work complete per approved plans; Certificate of Occupancy issued at conclusion.
Tips
- The first plan review for commercial new construction and tenant improvements takes 16 working days per the Standard Development Review Timelines; additional reviews take 8 days.
- Commercial solar photovoltaic projects use the residential addition/alteration review time (8 days first review) per the Standard Development Review Timelines.
- Commercial projects in the 2018 code that cannot be submitted before January 1, 2026 may file a code modification request for up to 90 days after the effective date.
Frequently asked questions
- Are duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes permitted as commercial in Surprise?
- Triplexes and fourplexes protected by Arizona state law (ARS § 9-462.13) from being required to comply with a commercial building code may comply with the 2024 International Residential Code as adopted and amended by Surprise, rather than the IBC. Contact Community Development at 623-222-3000 to confirm the applicable code for your project. Source: City of Surprise Local Amendments to the 2024 IBC, Ordinance 2025-14.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division — official building department
- Permits & Applications | City of Surprise
- Citywide Fee Schedule (Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026) — PDF
- Standard Development Review Timelines — PDF
- Local Amendments to the 2024 International Codes and 2023 NEC (Ordinance 2025-14, effective 1/1/2026) — PDF
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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