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Electrical Permit in Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona

Required for new electrical outlet/fixture installation, photovoltaic systems or generators, and other electrical work not exempted under Pima County's 'Do I Need a Permit?' Electrical table, governed by the 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as adopted with Pima County amendments (Ordinance 2025-15, Exhibit C), effective January 1, 2026. Applications submitted electronically through the Development Services Permit Gateway.

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permit required for new electric outlet or fixture installation and for photovoltaic systems or generators
  • Not required for temporary decorative holiday lighting; wiring/devices operating below 25 volts and 50 volt-amps; repair/replacement of current-carrying parts of a switch, contactor, control device, or overcurrent device of the same capacity in the same location; repair/replacement of fixed motors/transformers of the same type/rating in the same location; or like-for-like replacement of existing outlets/fixtures
  • Minor electrical work (service upgrade, electrical reconnect, addition of up to five circuits, residential photovoltaic installations, etc.) is a distinct fee tier from moderate (re-wiring of a single-family dwelling) and major (re-wiring of commercial/industrial facility) work
  • Apply through the Development Services Permit Gateway at permits.pima.gov

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Minor electrical work (service upgrade, electrical reconnect, addition of up to 5 circuits, residential photovoltaic installations, etc.)Pima County Development Services Department Fees schedule, effective July 1, 2026, Table 3, item 23
$27
Moderate electrical work (re-wiring of single family dwelling or equivalent)Table 3, item 24
$248
Major electrical work (re-wiring of commercial/industrial facility or equivalent)Table 3, item 25
$1,238
Base fee for all permits requiring an inspectionTable 3, item 1
$69

Review timeline

Plan reviewUnincorporated Pima County’s published plan-review target
1–1 business days

How long did your Electrical Permit permit actually take in Unincorporated Pima County?

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

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Rough-In

    Wiring, box placement, and service connections verified before wall closure

  2. 2

    Final

    Devices installed, panel labeled, protections verified per 2023 NEC

See the full Unincorporated Pima County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Electric reconnects and other minor electrical permits carry a 1-business-day operational review goal per Pima County's Review Turn-Around Times page.
  • Like-for-like replacement of an existing electric outlet or fixture does not require a permit; installing a new outlet or fixture does.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Photovoltaic systems and generators are explicitly listed as requiring a permit on the Pima County 'Do I Need a Permit?' Electrical table. See also the dedicated Solar & Wind Systems permit type. Source: Pima County Development Services 'Do I Need a Permit?' page.

In Unincorporated Pima County, the published Minor electrical work (service upgrade, electrical reconnect, addition of up to 5 circuits, residential photovoltaic installations, etc.) is: $27. Additional published fees: Moderate electrical work (re-wiring of single family dwelling or equivalent) — $248; Major electrical work (re-wiring of commercial/industrial facility or equivalent) — $1,238; Base fee for all permits requiring an inspection — $69. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Unincorporated Pima County's published plan-review target for an electrical permit is 1–1 business days.

You'll need: Development Services Permit Gateway Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Pima County requires 2 inspection(s) for an electrical permit, in order: Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through Pima County Development Services Department (520-724-9000).

Apply through Pima County Development Services Department at Public Works Building, 201 N. Stone Ave., 1st Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: 520-724-9000, email: Email Development Services (contact form at pima.gov). Office hours: Lobby hours Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm; closed holidays. Official information: https://www.pima.gov/970/Development-Services.

Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has no mandatory statewide building code floor for counties; each Arizona county and municipality adopts its own building codes and amendments by ordinance. Pima County Development Services Department administers permitting for unincorporated Pima County (outside the City of Tucson and other incorporated towns) under Pima County Code Title 15 (Buildings and Construction). Source: Pima County Code of Ordinances Title 15, Chapter 15.04 (codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pimacounty); 2024 International Building Code (IBC), published by the International Code Council in 2023, adopted by reference with local amendments attached to and incorporated into Ordinance 2025-15 as Exhibit A. Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A); 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), as amended by Exhibit B attached to Ordinance 2025-15. Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(7); 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), as amended by Exhibit C attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (Pima County Code Chapter 15.08). Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(5); 2024 International Mechanical Code, as amended by Exhibit D attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (Pima County Code Chapter 15.16). Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(4); 2024 International Plumbing Code, as amended by Exhibit E attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (Pima County Code Chapter 15.20). Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(3); 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, as amended by Exhibit F attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (Pima County Code Chapter 15.18). Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(2); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, as amended by Exhibit G attached to Ordinance 2018-30 (Pima County Code Chapter 15.14). Per WebSearch of Pima County Development Services announcements, a 2024 IECC update with local amendments was pending Board of Supervisors approval targeting July 1, 2026; the 2018 IECC was the last-confirmed adopted edition as of this review. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(6); 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, as amended by Exhibit H attached to Ordinance 2025-15. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(1); 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as amended by Exhibit I attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (the 2018 edition continues to apply only to areas designated Rural Forest Village under the Pima County Comprehensive Plan and areas encircled thereby). Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(9); 2024 International Existing Building Code, as amended by Exhibit J attached to Ordinance 2025-15. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(10); 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, as amended by Exhibit K attached to Ordinance 2025-15. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(11); 1998 American National Standard Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Code (ICC/ANSI A117.1), specific chapters/sections only, as amended by Ordinance 2002-2 Exhibit A and Ordinances 2002-66 and 2002-72. Source: Pima County Code Sec. 15.04.020(A)(8); The 2024 IRC (including Pima County amendments) and the county's Inclusive Home Design Ordinance requirements apply specifically to new Accessory Dwelling Units per the county's ADU guidance memo (revised 12/30/2025).. Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Pima County overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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.

Other permits in Unincorporated Pima County

Residential Building Permit (Custom Homes / New Construction)Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Tenant Improvement)Plumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitSolar & Wind Energy Systems PermitDemolition PermitFence, Wall, and Retaining Wall PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitElectric Vehicle Charger PermitSign PermitChange of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit

Electrical Permit in other cities

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