How do I apply for a residential building permit in Tempe?

All applications must be submitted online through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx). A registered account is required. Plans must conform to the Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines. The Plan Review Fee (65% of the building permit fee) is paid at application; the building permit fee is paid at issuance. Source: Tempe Permit Center page (tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/permit-center).

How long does residential plan review take in Tempe?

Tempe publishes target turn-around times. Residential single-family/duplex/townhome projects under $500,000 target 5–10 working days for the initial plan review; $500,001–$1,000,000 projects target 10–12 working days. These are targets, not guarantees. Source: Tempe Target Turn-Around Times, revised August 26, 2025 (tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=114647).

Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Duplex / Townhome) in Tempe, Arizona

Required for new construction of single-family residences, duplexes, and townhomes in Tempe. Residential plan review applies to all new construction, additions, and renovations meeting the adopted codes and Tempe amendments. All plan submittals must be made electronically through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal in accordance with the Electronic Plan Review Submittal Guidelines. A registered account is required. Once a permit is issued, building inspections must be requested before proceeding to the next construction phase.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

Submit all plans and applications electronically through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx); a registered account is required
Plans must be submitted in accordance with the Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines
Plans must comply with all Tempe adopted building codes (2018 I-Codes with Tempe amendments, 2017 NEC with Tempe amendments)
Contractor Affidavit (State of AZ legal requirement per AZ Department of Revenue) required
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

Required documents

Req
Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines
Required guidelines for all electronic plan submittals; available on the Tempe Building Safety Plan Review – Residential page
Req
Contractor Affidavit
State of Arizona legal requirement per AZ Department of Revenue; available on the Applications + Forms page and the Citizen Access Portal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (Table 1-A, effective July 1, 2025)	$1–$500: $97; $501–$2,000: $97.86 for the first $500 plus $6.67 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000; $2,001–$25,000: $197.78 for the first $2,000 plus $30.61 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000; $25,001–$50,000: $901.36 for the first $25,000 plus $22.06 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000; $50,001–$100,000: $1,453.41 for the first $50,000 plus $15.31 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000; $100,001–$500,000: $2,218.67 for the first $100,000 plus $12.23 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000; $500,001–$1,000,000: $7,115.86 for the first $500,000 plus $10.41 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000; $1,000,001 and up: $12,308.85 for the first $1,000,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof	Tempe Table 1-A — Building Permit Fees, effective July 1, 2025 (annual CPI-adjusted by Tempe City Council). The construction valuation is the total value of all proposed work including finish work, roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping, material and labor. Valuation is the greater of the applicant's declared estimate or the department's Building Valuation Data table. Source: Community Development Service Fees cover sheet (showpublisheddocument/108212/638527562929230000) and Table 1-A (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_TA1UIPEFE).
Plan Review Fee	65% of the Building Permit Fee	Plan Review Fees are paid at application submission, separately from and in addition to the Building Permit Fee (paid at permit issuance). The Plan Review Fee covers the initial review and two subsequent re-submittals; additional reviews (4th and beyond) or an expired application may trigger additional fees at $190 per hour (minimum 1 hour). Source: Community Development Service Fees, revised July 1, 2023 (showpublisheddocument/108212/638527562929230000).
Re-inspection / out-of-hours inspection	$158 per hour (minimum 3 hours for out-of-hours; minimum 1 hour for others)	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).

Review timeline

5–15 business days

Tempe’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Foundation / footing (before concrete pour)
Footing and foundation inspection before concrete is poured; must be approved before proceeding.
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
Insulation / energy (if applicable)
Insulation inspection per 2018 IECC with Tempe amendments, if required, before drywall.
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.

Tips

All plan submittals must be electronic — submitted through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx). A registered account is required.
The construction valuation for fee calculation is the greater of your declared estimate or the City's Building Valuation Data table; fee surprises occur when reviewers recalculate a higher valuation — a supplemental plan review fee will be assessed at permit issuance.
Plan Review Fee (65% of permit fee) is collected at application; Building Permit Fee is collected at issuance — budget for both before submitting.
Inspections scheduled before midnight are inspected the following business day, 6:30 AM–3:30 PM. For an estimated arrival time, call 480-350-8341 between 6:00–6:30 AM the morning of your inspection.
Tempe still uses the 2018 I-Codes and 2017 NEC as of June 2026 — verify before designing that no new code cycle adoption has been announced.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a residential building permit in Tempe?: All applications must be submitted online through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx). A registered account is required. Plans must conform to the Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines. The Plan Review Fee (65% of the building permit fee) is paid at application; the building permit fee is paid at issuance. Source: Tempe Permit Center page (tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/permit-center).
How long does residential plan review take in Tempe?: Tempe publishes target turn-around times. Residential single-family/duplex/townhome projects under $500,000 target 5–10 working days for the initial plan review; $500,001–$1,000,000 projects target 10–12 working days. These are targets, not guarantees. Source: Tempe Target Turn-Around Times, revised August 26, 2025 (tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=114647).

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.

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