South Tucson building permits

Requirements

• Building permit required for construction of all new residential buildings, porches, additions, garages, and remodeling of existing structures
• It is the responsibility of the homeowner or property owner to submit plans and secure permits for this work (per the City's Permit Application & Submittal Checklist)
• Permit applications require 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan
• Detached accessory structures larger than 200 square feet (e.g., storage sheds) require a permit; walls/fences over 7 feet tall require a building permit and a structural engineered design
• Plans reviewed against the 2018 IRC/IBC as adopted and amended by the City of South Tucson (Ordinance No. 25-01); all submitted plans must be neat, legible, and well organized -- Planning and Development Services reviews plans but does not offer design services
• Rental properties are treated as commercial and require a licensed contractor; all contractors must hold both an Arizona Registrar of Contractors license in the applicable classification and an active City of South Tucson business license
• New construction or alterations/expansions/modifications to structures on flood-prone properties additionally require submission of a FEMA Elevation Certificate
• Work started or completed without a permit may still be permitted after the fact, but full standard requirements apply and work must stop immediately until approvals are obtained

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online via the Permit Management Portal (live since March 2, 2026), in person, or by mail/shipment to City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave., South Tucson, AZ 85713
• RequiredSite Plan (2 digital copies)Per the City's Site Plan Example template; shows lot lines, setbacks, and location of proposed/existing structures
• RequiredFloor Plan (2 digital copies)Per the City's Floorplan Example template
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsPer the City's Construction Drawing Examples; for commercial properties/structures, must be drawn by an Arizona Board of Technical Registration-licensed professional in the applicable discipline
• OptionalFEMA Elevation CertificateRequired for new construction or alterations/expansions/modifications to structures on flood-prone properties

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required for service reconnections, service upgrades, and panel replacements or repairs -- responsibility of the homeowner/property owner to submit plans and secure the permit
• Governed by the 2017 NEC as adopted and amended by the City of South Tucson
• Electrical Reconnect permits: PDSD inspectors will not clear power to a residence with active electrical or life-safety issues (improper grounding/bonding, hazardous/deteriorated wiring, unpermitted recent wiring, improperly installed 3-prong receptacles on an underground 2-wire system, missing smoke detectors in bedrooms/hallways, or dangerous structural conditions) -- a failed inspection denies release of power until corrections and re-inspection
• PDSD inspectors may still clear power despite noted non-life-safety housing violations (e.g., non-GFCI kitchen/bath receptacles, blocked windows/doors, missing plumbing fixtures) if the electrical system itself is safe, but the dwelling may not be legally occupied until corrections are made
• Apply via the City's Online Permit Portal

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online, in person, or by mail to City Hall
• OptionalElectrical Reconnect Guidelines acknowledgmentApplicant should pre-inspect the dwelling per the City's published Electrical Reconnect Guidelines before requesting a reconnect inspection to avoid a failed inspection

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for gas line pressure tests (new or replacement lines) and installation or replacement of water heaters -- responsibility of the homeowner/property owner to submit plans and secure the permit
• Governed by the 2018 IPC and 2018 IFGC as adopted and amended by the City of South Tucson
• If new work is involved (e.g., replacing gas piping), a detailed plan may be required to obtain the permit
• Apply via the City's Online Permit Portal

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online, in person, or by mail to City Hall
• OptionalGas Piping PlanDetailed plan required if new gas piping work is involved (e.g., new or replacement gas lines requiring pressure testing)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners (new or replacement), and evaporative coolers (new installations only) -- responsibility of the homeowner/property owner to submit plans and secure the permit
• Load and sizing calculations are required for BOTH new AND replacement HVAC equipment
• Replacement of an evaporative cooler with a like cooler is exempt from permitting (City of South Tucson amendment to IBC/IMC Section 105.2, Mechanical, item 8)
• Apply via the City's Online Permit Portal

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online, in person, or by mail to City Hall
• RequiredLoad and Sizing CalculationsRequired for both new and replacement HVAC equipment

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required before demolishing a commercial or residential structure within South Tucson city limits
• IBC Amendment Section 3303.1.1: at least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of demolition, the applicant must provide notice to adjacent property owners of the proposed demolition; confirmation of the notice may be submitted with the application
• Reviews required: Zoning, Engineering (as needed), Building Safety; possible concurrent Fire, Electrical, Mechanical, and/or Plumbing review
• Completed Contractor Form required, providing the contractor's/subcontractor's license number and South Tucson business license number
• 2 copies of a site plan required, showing the existing structure to be removed, existing utilities to be capped, and noting the square footage of the structure to be removed
• All utilities must be terminated/capped at the property line before demolition; an inspection is required to verify utilities have been capped off
• Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) Air Quality/asbestos (NESHAP) permit may be required (contact PDEQ at 740-3340 or per the demolition/renovation asbestos NESHAP exemption form)
• For closure of septic systems, PDEQ must be contacted separately
• Demolition permits are reported to the Pima County Assessor's office and may affect property taxes

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Demolition)Submitted via the Online Permit Portal, in person, or by mail; property owner's email address required, application must be signed and dated
• RequiredSite Plan (2 copies)Shows existing structure to be removed, existing utilities to be capped, and square footage of structure removed
• RequiredCompleted Contractor FormContractor's/subcontractor's Arizona Registrar of Contractors license number and South Tucson business license number
• OptionalConfirmation of Notice of DemolitionConfirms the required 15-day advance notice to adjacent property owners was provided
• OptionalPDEQ Demolition/Renovation Asbestos NESHAP Exemption formDocuments the treatment/exemption status of asbestos as submitted to Pima County Department of Environmental Quality

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building Permit required for the structural/roof-mount or ground-mount component, submitted through the City's Online Permit Portal, in person, or by mail to City Hall
• Electrical Permit required separately for the PV system's electrical connection, governed by the 2017 NEC as adopted and amended under Ordinance No. 25-01
• 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan required for application submittal
• No dedicated solar/photovoltaic application form, checklist, or valuation-fee table was found published by the City as of this research pass

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Online Permit Portal, in person, or by mail)
• RequiredElectrical Permit Application
• RequiredSite Plan and Floor Plan (2 digital copies)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical Permit required for the EV charging circuit, governed by the 2017 NEC as adopted and amended under Ordinance No. 25-01 — same process as this file's Electrical Permit entry
• Building Permit additionally required only if structural/mounting work is involved beyond the electrical circuit itself
• Apply via the City's Online Permit Portal, in person, or by mail to City Hall
• No dedicated EV/EVSE application form, checklist, or valuation-fee table was found published by the City as of this research pass

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online, in person, or by mail to City Hall; no dedicated EV/EVSE checkbox exists

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit required for new construction, alterations, modifications, or tenant improvements to commercial properties/structures (City of South Tucson Permits page, fetched live 2026-08-01)
• Construction plans must be drawn by professionals licensed and registered with the State of Arizona Board of Technical Registration, in the discipline applicable to the scope (architect, mechanical engineer, plumbing engineer, electrical engineer); the registrant must abide by their license specification
• All registered professionals conducting business within City limits must hold an active City of South Tucson business license, in addition to their state registration
• All commercial permits require the involvement of a licensed contractor (Arizona Registrar of Contractors license in the applicable classification PLUS an active City of South Tucson business license); note that rental properties are treated as commercial for this purpose
• Permit applications require 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan, submitted via the Online Permit Portal, in person, or by mail/shipment to City Hall, 1601 S 6th Ave, South Tucson, AZ 85713
• New construction or alterations/expansions/modifications to existing structures on flood-prone properties additionally require submission of a FEMA Elevation Certificate
• Only submittals found to be complete are accepted into the building review process; incomplete submittals are returned to the applicant (include a completed copy of the City's submittal checklist with the application)
• Plans are reviewed by staff across various departments for building code, zoning, floodplain, and fire-safety compliance (2018 IBC and companion codes as adopted and amended under Ordinance No. 25-01)
• A Certificate of Occupancy is required for new commercial buildings, tenant improvement of a newly occupied space, tenant improvements resulting in a change of square footage, and tenant improvements/renovations involving a change in occupancy type, occupancy classification, or requiring a greater degree of safety; fire district/fire department/State Fire Marshal approval (and Pima County Health Department approval for food-related businesses) must be submitted to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov prior to final inspection and at least 48 hours before a CofO is requested
• No area under an active permit may be occupied (including furniture placement or stocking) without inspector approval; violations may result in enforcement actions and/or removal of contents

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online via the Permit Management Portal (live since March 2, 2026), in person, or by mail/shipment to City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave., South Tucson, AZ 85713
• RequiredSite Plan (2 digital copies)Per the City's Site Plan Example template
• RequiredFloor Plan (2 digital copies)Per the City's Floorplan Example template
• RequiredConstruction Plans by an Arizona BTR-Registered ProfessionalRequired for ALL commercial work (new construction, alterations, modifications, tenant improvements); must be drawn by a State of Arizona Board of Technical Registration licensed/registered professional in the applicable discipline, who must also hold an active City of South Tucson business license
• RequiredCompleted Submittal ChecklistThe City's checklist form must be completed and included with the application; only complete submittals are accepted into review
• OptionalFEMA Elevation CertificateRequired for new construction or alterations/expansions/modifications to structures on flood-prone properties
• OptionalCertificate of Occupancy Application Package (when a new CofO is required)Complete code analysis for the proposed use, complete site plan, complete floor plan, and complete egress plan -- all prepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer; additional information may be required as determined by the Building Official

Fee schedule

Requirements

• City Code Sec. 19-66(a): 'No sign shall be erected, relocated, posted, painted or maintained, and no advertising structure shall be erected, relocated or maintained by any person without first having a written permit from the city. Electrical signs shall also require electrical permits.'
• Sec. 19-66(b): repainting or cleaning an advertising structure, changing the message of a sign by repainting or by changing letters on an interchangeable letterboard, changing paper advertising copy, changing rotating billboard copy, or rotating vehicle advertising signs is NOT an erection or alteration and does not require a sign permit. Any other change of structure, copy or message does require a permit. Notice of rotating billboard copy or vehicle advertising signs must still be furnished to the inspector.
• Sec. 19-66(c): the following are subject to Chapter 19 but require no permit and no permit fee — real estate private signs; a professional or semiprofessional nameplate not exceeding one (1) square foot; signs forming an integral part of a marquee or canopy stating only the occupant's name, nature of business and street address; a construction sign not exceeding one per street frontage and not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet stating only the architect, engineer, prime contractor and major subcontractors and the name, purpose and character of the structure (treated as a temporary sign, removed immediately on completion); and signs on buses and taxicabs.
• Sec. 19-67(a): the application is made on forms furnished by the city, by the owner or occupant of the premises on which the sign is to be placed, or by the owner, erector or user of the sign.
• Sec. 19-67(b): before issuance the applicant may be required to give the property owner's name and address and show the owner's permission (if the applicant is not the owner); give the name of the sign erector; submit plans of the subject property showing sign location, size, type, height and construction and the area of all existing signs; have plans prepared by a registered professional engineer or architect where the inspector deems it necessary in the interest of public safety; agree in writing to indemnify and hold the city harmless; and agree in writing that the city may enter the premises to inspect, and may remove and dispose of the sign at the permittee's cost if it is hazardous or violates the chapter.
• Sec. 19-67(c): applicants for political signs thirty-two (32) square feet or smaller are exempt from the engineer/architect-prepared-plans and indemnification requirements.
• Sec. 19-68(b): where plans and specifications are required, one-half (1/2) of the sign permit fee is additionally assessed.
• Sec. 19-68(c): where a sign is erected, placed or maintained, or work started on it, before obtaining a sign permit, a late fee equal to TWICE the amount of the sign permit fee applies. The late fee does not excuse full compliance and may be in addition to other charges or penalties. Sec. 19-68(d): no refund of the fee if a permit is revoked.
• Sec. 19-69: a sign permit is issued upon compliance with the chapter and payment of the required fees, and may be withheld from an applicant or premises if prior assessed charges are unpaid. No permit may be issued for a sign that would violate a proposed ordinance under written study by the council, for up to sixty (60) days after that proposal is reduced to written form.
• Sec. 19-70: a permit for installation of a sign expires if work is not started within sixty (60) days, or not completed within one hundred twenty (120) days after work is commenced; a new permit is then required.
• Sec. 19-72: where required, the applicant must notify the sign inspector when the sign is fully erected or completed.
• Sec. 19-91 through 19-92 and the zoning-district sign tables in Chapter 19, Article III set the permitted sign types, maximum numbers and maximum square-foot areas district by district (for example in the SR-1 single-family residence district: maximum two signs for the first fifty feet of street frontage plus one per additional twenty-five feet; maximum total sign area of one square foot per foot of street frontage; minimum twenty-foot setback from street property lines, twelve feet for a bulletin board).
• Sec. 19-54: the board of adjustment may grant variances as to the LOCATION of signs but may NOT grant variances as to maximum sign areas; a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) is paid on application for a variance.
• Sec. 19-51: the sign inspector enforces Chapter 19, may delegate to assistants and employees, may inspect signs at any reasonable time, and may inspect signs or advertising structures at the point of manufacture if in the city or its vicinity.
• All contractors performing work in the City must hold an Arizona Registrar of Contractors license in the applicable classification AND an active City of South Tucson business license.

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application — Sign (Online Permit Portal)'Sign' is one of the permit types listed by name on the City's Permit Management Portal (live effective March 2, 2026); applications may also be submitted in person or by mail to City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave. Sec. 19-67(a) requires the application to be made on forms furnished by the city.
• RequiredSite plan showing sign location, size, type, height and constructionRequired under Sec. 19-67(b)(2), and must also show the area of all existing signs on the property, plus any other information the sign inspector requires to show compliance
• OptionalOwner permission and sign erector's nameRequired under Sec. 19-67(b)(1) where the applicant is not the owner of the premises
• OptionalPlans prepared by a registered professional engineer or architectRequired under Sec. 19-67(b)(3) when deemed necessary in the interest of public safety by the sign inspector; expressly waived for political signs of 32 sq ft or smaller
• OptionalElectrical PermitRequired in addition for electrical signs, per Sec. 19-66(a). Electrical unit fees at City Code Sec. 4-57(b)(3)(g) charge $29.70 for signs, outline lighting and marquees, plus $5.50 for each additional branch circuit within the same sign, outline lighting or marquee.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• City Code Sec. 4-64 (Fire sprinkler plan review and permit fees): 'Same as building permit.' City Code Sec. 4-66 (Fire alarm plan review and permit fees): 'Same as building permit.' Both derive from Ord. No. 15-01, § 2, adopted 1-12-15. These are the City's own codified fee provisions for fire sprinkler and fire alarm work — the City does issue and price this work itself.
• The building permit fee referenced by Secs. 4-64 and 4-66 is the valuation table at Sec. 4-56(2), and the associated plan review fee is 65% of the building permit fee for commercial buildings or 50% for residential buildings (Group R-3 and U occupancies) under Sec. 4-56(1).
• The City adopts and enforces its own fire code: Ordinance No. 25-01 (adopted 4/15/2025) adopts the 2018 International Fire Code together with the City's own 'ST 2018 International Fire Code AMENDMENTS' document (Ordinance 25-01, Exhibit J, 12 pages).
• IFC Section 105 as amended by the City: 'It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to use a building or premises or engage in any activities for which a permit is determined to be required by the fire code official under this code, without first having obtained such permit.' The City's amendment DELETES IFC Sections 105.1.6 (Annual permit) and 105.1.6.1 (Annual permit records) in their entirety.
• IFC Section 105.6 as amended adds City-specific operational permits: Sec. 105.6.51 requires an annual operational permit for the operation of a State Licensed Facility (hospitals, group homes, nursing homes, child day care or preschool, behavioral health facilities, assisted living facilities); Sec. 105.6.52 requires a triennial operational permit for assisted living homes and assisted living centers; Sec. 105.6.53 requires an operational permit for special events involving street closure, blocking or restriction of public property, sale or consumption of alcohol, cooking or heating of food, set-up of temporary structures, or any event that is not a normal function of the location or zoning designation.
• The City's amendments materially change Chapter 9 sprinkler and alarm thresholds — IFC Section 903.2.3 (Group E automatic sprinkler requirement), Section 907 (fire alarm and detection systems, including a requirement that smoke alarms in dwelling units and sleeping units in Group R-2 occupancies be interconnected with the fire alarm system per Section 907.2.9.3), and a retroactive automatic sprinkler requirement appended to the amendments — so design to the City's amended text, not to unamended 2018 IFC.
• Administrative appeal (IFC Section 109.4 as added by the City): where a violation has been found and the applicant wishes to appeal on code interpretation or unreasonable hardship, an appeal may be filed with the fire code official within 14 calendar days of the determination, and the appeal will be heard by the fire code official or an authorized representative within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal. The fire code official may convene a hearing committee to advise on a particular appeal.
• Before a commercial Certificate of Occupancy is requested, approvals must be obtained from 'the fire district, fire department, or State Fire Marshal' and submitted to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov prior to final inspection and at least 48 hours before the Certificate of Occupancy is requested.
• New construction, alterations, modifications or tenant improvements to commercial properties require construction plans drawn by a professional licensed and registered with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration, who must also hold an active City of South Tucson business license. All contractors need both an Arizona ROC license in the applicable classification and an active City of South Tucson business license.
• Permit applications require 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan and may be submitted through the Online Permit Portal (live since March 2, 2026), in person, or by mail to City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave.
• Inspections are conducted only Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 a.m., with requests submitted the business day before.

Required documents

• RequiredCity of South Tucson Permit Application (Online Permit Portal)Submitted online, in person, or by mail to City Hall. There is no fire-specific permit type on the portal's published list (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical/HVAC, Sign, Demolition, Remodel) and no separate fire permit form is published by the City — fire sprinkler and fire alarm work is permitted and priced on the building permit track per City Code Secs. 4-64 and 4-66.
• RequiredSite Plan and Floor Plan (2 digital copies each)Standard City submittal requirement for all permit applications
• RequiredConstruction plans by an Arizona Board of Technical Registration professionalRequired for new construction, alterations, modifications or tenant improvements to commercial properties/structures; the registrant must abide by the license specification and hold an active City of South Tucson business license
• OptionalFire department / State Fire Marshal approval documentationRequired to be emailed to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov before a commercial Certificate of Occupancy is requested — at least 48 hours before, and before final inspection

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A Certificate of Occupancy may be issued, after all work specified on the City-approved construction documents is complete, for: new commercial and residential buildings; tenant improvement of a newly occupied space; tenant improvements resulting in a change of square footage; 'tenant improvement or renovations involving a change in the occupancy type, occupancy classification, or requires a greater degree of safety'; and other projects as determined by the Building Official.
• A Certificate of Occupancy is NOT required and will not be issued for minor improvements such as flooring or paint which do not include a change in layout or square footage, do not include a change in the occupancy type or classification, and do not impact accessibility or egress.
• The certificate is granted to a SPACE, not a business: if you occupy a space that has the same intended use as specified on the existing Certificate of Occupancy from the previous tenant, and you are making no changes to the space, no new certificate is needed — the previous CofO remains valid and is used for the new tenant. The City does not use tenant names on the certificate, only the type of business.
• APPLICATION DOCUMENTS, all of which 'must be prepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer': a complete code analysis for the proposed use of the building; a complete site plan; a complete floor plan; a complete egress plan. Additional information may be required as determined by the Building Official.
• Before requesting a commercial Certificate of Occupancy the applicant must obtain approvals from the fire district, fire department, or State Fire Marshal; complete all permit conditions; and, for food-related businesses, obtain approval from the Pima County Health Department. All approvals must be submitted to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov prior to a final inspection and at least forty-eight (48) hours before a Certificate of Occupancy is requested.
• City Code Sec. 4-19: 'All additions, alterations, repairs, character of use or occupancy in all buildings or structures within the jurisdiction of the city shall conform to the requirements of the building code of the city adopted in subsection (a) of this section and as amended, applicable to new and existing buildings, except as specifically provided for therein.'
• City Code Sec. 4-20 (Zoning code conformance): whenever a building permit is issued and a building inspection performed, the building must conform to the provisions of the City zoning code in addition to Chapter 4.
• Zoning Code Sec. 24-645 (Change of use): 'In the event an existing use is changed to a use which requires more off-street loading spaces than the former use, off-street loading spaces shall be provided for the new use before a certificate of occupancy is issued.' Related, Sec. 24-619 provides that where required off-street parking is diverted to another use in violation of the section, the certificate of occupancy for the use lacking the required parking spaces may be revoked by the city.
• Rental properties are treated as commercial property for permitting purposes, and all commercial permits require a licensed contractor.
• Construction plans for new construction, alterations, modifications or tenant improvements to commercial properties must be drawn by a professional licensed and registered with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration, who must also hold an active City of South Tucson business license; all contractors need both an Arizona ROC license and an active City of South Tucson business license.
• Permit applications are submitted through the Online Permit Portal (live effective March 2, 2026), in person, or by mail to City Hall, and require 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan. 'Remodel' is one of the permit types the portal lists by name.

Required documents

• RequiredComplete code analysis for the proposed use of the buildingMust be prepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer; submitted at the time of application for the Certificate of Occupancy
• RequiredComplete site planPrepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer
• RequiredComplete floor planPrepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer
• RequiredComplete egress planPrepared and stamped by a registered Arizona architect or engineer
• RequiredFire district / fire department / State Fire Marshal approvalEmailed to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov prior to final inspection and at least 48 hours before the Certificate of Occupancy is requested
• OptionalPima County Health Department approvalRequired for food-related businesses only, submitted with the other approvals to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov
• OptionalCity of South Tucson Permit Application — Remodel / Building (Online Permit Portal)For the underlying tenant improvement or renovation work; 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan required

Fee schedule