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Residential Addition / Alteration Permit in Surprise, Arizona

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.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Submit permit request through the Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az; upload plans via ProjectDox after initial approval
  • All work must comply with the 2024 IRC / IBC and Surprise local amendments (Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026)
  • Fences not over 6 feet high are permit-exempt under Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2; fences over 6 feet require a permit
  • Decks ≤200 sq ft, ≤30 inches above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required exit door are permit-exempt under Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2
  • Re-roofing with the same type of material (and no more than two layers of asphalt shingles over existing asphalt shingles) does not require a permit

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building/Fire Permit Fee — valuation-basedCitywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
Base: $100 per permit. Valuation $1.00–$999,999.99: $6.00 per each $1,000 of valuation. Patio covers/awnings/carports: 50% of cost per square foot of ICC valuation (per square foot of ICC valuation).
Building Permit Administrative Processing FeeCitywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
0.50% of valuation (for valuation up to $999,999.99)
Plan Review FeeCitywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
65% of the permit fee
Re-inspectionCitywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
$100 per hour ($200.00 minimum)

Review timeline

Plan reviewSurprise’s published plan-review target
8–16 business days

How long did your Residential Addition / Alteration Permit permit actually take in Surprise?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Rough Framing and Trades (where applicable)

    Rough framing, rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspected before insulation and drywall, as applicable to the scope of work.

  2. 2

    Final

    All permitted work complete per approved plans; final inspection before Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy.

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

Tips

  • Fences over 6 feet require a building permit in Surprise; the Surprise local amendment reduced the permit-free threshold from 7 feet (standard code) to 6 feet.
  • Patio covers, awnings, and carports use a reduced fee: 50% of the ICC valuation per square foot, rather than the full valuation-based fee.
  • One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft do not require a permit.
  • A patio cover handout with specific requirements is available on the Permits & Applications page.

Frequently asked questions

Re-roofing with the same type of material as the original does not require a permit, provided no more than two layers of asphalt shingles are applied over an existing asphalt shingle roof. Roofing that changes the material type or exceeds these limits requires a permit. Source: City of Surprise Local Amendments to the 2024 IRC, Section R105.2, Ordinance 2025-14.

In Surprise, the published Building/Fire Permit Fee — valuation-based is: Base: $100 per permit. Valuation $1.00–$999,999.99: $6.00 per each $1,000 of valuation. Patio covers/awnings/carports: 50% of cost per square foot of ICC valuation (per square foot of ICC valuation).. Additional published fees: Building Permit Administrative Processing Fee — 0.50% of valuation (for valuation up to $999,999.99); Plan Review Fee — 65% of the permit fee; Re-inspection — $100 per hour ($200.00 minimum). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Surprise's published plan-review target for a residential addition / alteration permit is 8–16 business days.

You'll need: Permits & Applications Portal submission (Clariti/Oncamino); Construction documents via ProjectDox. Depending on your project, Surprise may also ask for: Patio Cover Handout (PDF). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Surprise requires 2 inspection(s) for a residential addition / alteration permit, in order: Rough Framing and Trades (where applicable), Final. Schedule each through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division (623-222-3000).

Apply through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 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. Official information: https://surpriseaz.gov/community-development.

Surprise, Arizona has adopted: 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, 2026; 2024 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, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026. Local amendments apply — see the Surprise overview page for the full list.

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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