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Tempe building inspections

Verified

Inspection sequence, scheduling, and re-inspection fees for building permits in Tempe, Arizona.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

How to schedule

Inspections are requested through the building department below.

Address
City of Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone
480-350-4311
Email
permitcenter@tempe.gov
Office hours
Contact the Permit Center at 480-350-4311 or permitcenter@tempe.gov for current hours; inspections are conducted Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–3:30 PM (inspection requests received before midnight are inspected the following business day)
Website
Official site

Published scheduling rules

  • Once a permit is issued, inspections must be requested through the Citizen Access Portal or the 24-hour IVR system before proceeding with the next step of construction; all work must be approved by the inspector before proceeding (Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Duplex / Townhome))

Inspection sequence

Applies to: Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Duplex / Townhome)

  1. 1

    Foundation / footing (before concrete pour)

    Footing and foundation inspection before concrete is poured; must be approved before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Rough framing / rough trades

    Rough framing, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, and rough electrical inspected before insulation and drywall; all work must be approved before covering.

  3. 3

    Insulation / energy (if applicable)

    Insulation inspection per 2018 IECC with Tempe amendments, if required, before drywall.

  4. 4

    Final inspection

    Final inspection of all completed work per approved plans and adopted codes. All work must be approved. Inspections scheduled through the Citizen Access Portal or 24-hour IVR; requests received before midnight are inspected the following business day, 6:30 AM–3:30 PM.

Applies to: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

  1. 1

    Foundation / footing (before concrete pour)

    Foundation inspected before concrete is poured; must be approved before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Rough trades / framing (before covering)

    Rough framing, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspected before insulation and drywall; must be approved before covering.

  3. 3

    Final inspection

    Final inspection of all completed ADU work per approved plans and adopted codes; scheduled through Citizen Access Portal or 24-hour IVR.

Applies to: Plumbing Permit (incl. Water/Sewer Line Replacement)

  1. 1

    Underground plumbing (before backfill or concrete pour)

    Underground plumbing inspected before backfill or concrete is poured; approved before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Rough plumbing (before covering)

    Rough-in plumbing inspected before walls are closed; approved before proceeding.

  3. 3

    Final plumbing

    Final inspection of all completed plumbing work per approved plans and the 2018 IPC with Tempe amendments.

Applies to: Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit (Tenant Improvement, New Commercial, Mixed-Use)

  1. 1

    Structural / foundation (during construction)

    Foundation, structural, and rough-trade inspections per approved plans and 2018 IBC with Tempe amendments; must be approved before covering or proceeding.

  2. 2

    Final / Certificate of Occupancy

    Final inspection of all completed work; Certificate of Occupancy issued after a successful final inspection. Tenant Improvement Final Inspection Requirements are published on the Inspections page.

Applies to: Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Permit

  1. 1

    Rough electrical (before covering)

    Rough wiring, conduit, and circuit rough-in inspected before walls are closed

  2. 2

    Final electrical

    Final inspection of the completed EV charging station circuit and connection per the 2017 NEC with Tempe amendments

Applies to: Electrical Permit

  1. 1

    Rough electrical (before covering)

    Rough wiring, conduit, and electrical rough-in inspected before walls are closed; all work must be approved by the inspector before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Final electrical

    Final inspection of all completed electrical work per approved plans and the 2017 NEC with Tempe amendments; scheduled through the Citizen Access Portal or 24-hour IVR.

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit

  1. 1

    Rough mechanical (before covering)

    Rough-in mechanical ductwork, gas piping, and HVAC equipment rough-in inspected before walls are closed; approved before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Final mechanical

    Final inspection of all completed mechanical/HVAC work per approved plans and the 2018 IMC/IFGC with Tempe amendments.

Applies to: Patio Cover Permit (Single-Family Residence Addition)

  1. 1

    Structural / footing (if foundation work)

    Footing and structural inspection for patio cover foundations where applicable; approved before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Final inspection

    Final inspection of all completed patio cover work per approved plans.

Applies to: Residential Swimming Pool / Spa Permit

  1. 1

    Pre-deck / structural (before covering)

    Pool shell, bonding/grounding, and plumbing inspected before the deck is poured; must be approved by the inspector before proceeding.

  2. 2

    Final / barrier

    Final pool inspection including pool barrier/enclosure compliance per 2018 ISPSC with Tempe amendments.

Final inspection only: Demolition Permit, Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+ eligible, Sign Permit (Building / Wall-Mounted, Monument, Banner)

Re-inspection fees

Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Duplex / Townhome)Re-inspection / out-of-hours inspection · Table 1-A — Other Fees: inspections outside normal business hours at $158/hr (min 3 hours); re-inspection fees and inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated at $158/hr (min 1 hour). Source: Table 1-A effective July 1, 2025 (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_TA1UIPEFE).
$158 per hour (minimum 3 hours for out-of-hours; minimum 1 hour for others)

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

Tempe building permits

Tempe building permitsResidential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Duplex / Townhome)Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitPlumbing Permit (incl. Water/Sewer Line Replacement)Commercial / Multifamily Building Permit (Tenant Improvement, New Commercial, Mixed-Use)Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station PermitElectrical PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitPatio Cover Permit (Single-Family Residence Addition)Residential Swimming Pool / Spa PermitDemolition PermitResidential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+ eligibleSign Permit (Building / Wall-Mounted, Monument, Banner)

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