Demolition Permit in Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona
VerifiedRequired for demolition of any structure regulated by the Building Code in unincorporated Pima County, per Development Services Standard Operating Procedure 230.7 (effective February 25, 2008; last revised December 19, 2017 to include pool demolitions). May be issued as a dedicated 'Demo' permit or incorporated into a general remodel permit containing 'demo' in the permit description.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Verification that the demolition will not adversely affect other structures
- Verification that all utilities (electrical, fuel, water, waste) are secured/disconnected prior to demolition
- If the structure is on septic: the system may remain capped, or be abandoned by pumping, crushing the tank, and filling with sand
- PDEQ asbestos (NESHAP) permit required if the building has more than 4 dwelling units, or is commercial and demolition includes load-bearing members
- PDEQ fugitive dust permit required if more than 1 acre of surface is stripped, more than 300 linear feet of trench is cut, or blasting is conducted
- Floodplain sites require Regional Flood Control District (RFCD) review
- Pool demolition: pool equipment and service connections removed, pool drained, pool drains broken out, and a 4-inch hole drilled/jackhammered at the lowest point (typically at the drains)
Required documents
- Required
Development Services Permit Gateway Application (Demolition)
Electronic submittal through permits.pima.gov; may be a dedicated demo permit or part of a remodel permit noted 'demo'
- Optional
PDEQ Asbestos (NESHAP) Permit
Required if the building has more than 4 dwelling units, or is commercial with load-bearing member demolition
- Optional
PDEQ Fugitive Dust Permit
Required if over 1 acre of surface stripped, over 300 ft of trench cut, or blasting conducted
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition permit fee | Base building permit fee (Table 3, valuation/scope-based) plus one hour of reinspection fee ('9050 Investigative Inspections') | Pima County Development Services Standard Operating Procedure 230.7, Section 7.1; pool demolitions are fee-only and do not carry the added reinspection hour |
| Reinspection fee (added for non-pool demolitions) | $69 per hour | Pima County Development Services Department Fees schedule, effective July 1, 2026, Table 3, item 4, applied per SOP 230.7 |
| Base fee for all permits requiring an inspection | $69 | Table 3, item 1 |
Review timeline
5–5 business days
Unincorporated Pima County’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Pre-Demolition Utility Verification
Inspector verifies electrical, fuel, water, and waste connections are disconnected and secured before demolition proceeds; partial approval recorded, with a note to recall the inspection once the structure is demolished and the site cleaned
- 2
Septic Compliance (if applicable)
If the permit requires septic tank pumping/crushing/sand fill, compliance is confirmed in the field
- 3
Final
Structure removed, utilities remain secured, site left safe and clean; permit closed
- 3
Pool Demolition Final (if applicable)
Called after pool equipment removed and drainage holes created; approved and permit closed upon verification
Tips
- A dedicated 'Demo' permit is not always required — demolition scope can be incorporated into a general remodel permit if the word 'demo' appears in the permit description.
- Contact Pima County DEQ regarding asbestos (NESHAP) and fugitive dust permit thresholds before starting demolition work, since both are county-administered but separate from the Development Services building demolition permit.
- Pool demolitions are charged permit fees only, without the added one-hour reinspection fee that applies to standard structure demolitions.
- A building demolition permit is reviewed as a 'building project up to 20,000 square feet,' which carries the county's published 5-business-day operational review turn-around goal per the A.R.S. 11-1606 Review Turn-Around Times table; floodplain sites are instead subject to Regional Flood Control District timelines.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a separate permit to demolish a swimming pool in unincorporated Pima County?
- Yes, pool demolition requires a permit and a specific inspection sequence (equipment removal, drain verification, and a drilled/jackhammered drainage hole), but pool demolitions are fee-only and are not assessed the additional one-hour reinspection fee that applies to standard building demolitions. Source: Pima County Development Services Standard Operating Procedure 230.7.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- Pima County Development Services Department — official building department
- Standard Operating Procedure 230.7 - Demolitions (PDF) | Pima County Development Services
- Building Permits Resources | Pima County
- Do I Need a Permit? (Building table, item 05) | Pima County
- Review Turn-Around Times (Operational Review Turn-Around Times for Building Permits table, A.R.S. 11-1606 compliance) | Pima County
- Development Services Fees (Table 3, effective July 1, 2026) | Pima County
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 Unincorporated Pima County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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