South Tucson building inspections

Verified

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

Verified 2026-08-16 · Source

How to schedule

Inspections are requested through the building department below.

Address: South Tucson City Hall, 1601 S. 6th Ave., South Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: 520-792-2424
Email: submittals@southtucsonaz.gov
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Permit applications are submitted through the City's Online Permit Portal (live effective March 2, 2026), in person, or by mail/shipment to City Hall; applications require 2 digital copies of a site plan and a floor plan. Inspections are conducted Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 a.m., with requests submitted the business day before.
Website: Official site

Inspection sequence

Applies to: Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Alterations, Tenant Improvements)

1
Foundation/Footing
Before concrete pour, per approved plans and adopted 2018 IBC
2
Framing
Structural framing and connections per approved plans; applicable construction documentation (evaluation reports, manufacturer specs, truss profiles/layout) must be on site
3
Rough Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Rough-in of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems before concealment (2018 IMC/IPC/IFGC, 2017 NEC as adopted); temporary power and underground water/sewer inspections should be combined with other inspections to avoid an additional-inspection charge
4
Final / Certificate of Occupancy Clearance
All work complete per approved plans and all permit conditions satisfied; fire district/fire department/State Fire Marshal approval (and Pima County Health Department approval for food businesses) must be submitted at least 48 hours before a CofO is requested; no occupancy, furniture placement, or stocking is permitted before inspector approval

Applies to: Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels)

1
Foundation/Footing
Before concrete pour
2
Framing
Structural framing and connections per approved plans and adopted 2018 IRC/IBC
3
Rough Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Rough-in of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems before concealment
4
Final
All work complete per approved plans; for platted subdivisions, the driveway-side sidewalk must be complete before final approval

Applies to: Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy

1
Rough-In (Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing)
Where the tenant improvement or renovation scope requires it, before concealment. Inspections are conducted only Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 a.m., with requests submitted the business day before.
2
Final Inspection
All work specified on the City-approved construction documents complete. Outside approvals (fire department/district/State Fire Marshal, and Pima County Health for food businesses) must already be on file with submittals@southtucsonaz.gov before this inspection.
3
Certificate of Occupancy issued
Issued to the space after the final inspection is passed; certifies the building was inspected for safety and is suitable for tenancy, complying with the applicable building codes and other development regulations when issued

Applies to: Demolition Permit

1
Pre-Demolition Utility Verification
Verifies electrical, fuel, water, and waste connections are capped/disconnected at the property line before demolition proceeds
2
Final
Structure removed, utilities remain secured, site left safe; permit closed

Applies to: Electrical Permit (including Reconnect)

1
Rough-In
Wiring, box placement, and panel connections before walls are closed
2
Final / Reconnect Clearance
Devices installed and panel labeled per 2017 NEC; for reconnects, inspector verifies no active electrical/life-safety issues before clearing power

Applies to: EV Charger / EVSE Permit

1
Rough-In
Wiring, box placement, and panel connections before walls are closed
2
Final
Charging equipment installed and circuit verified per 2017 NEC

Applies to: Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit

1
Rough-In
Sprinkler piping and alarm wiring verified before concealment. Inspections in South Tucson are conducted only Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 a.m., with requests submitted the business day before.
2
Final / Acceptance Test
System acceptance verified against the 2018 IFC as adopted and amended by the City. For commercial projects, fire department or State Fire Marshal approval must be emailed to submittals@southtucsonaz.gov before final inspection and at least 48 hours before a Certificate of Occupancy is requested.

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit

1
Rough-In
Ductwork and equipment placement before walls closed
2
Final
Equipment operational; load/sizing calculations verified against installed unit per adopted 2018 IMC

Applies to: Plumbing Permit

1
Rough-In / Pressure Test
Gas piping pressure test before concealment; water piping rough-in verified before walls closed
2
Final
Fixtures/water heater connected and verified, no leaks, per adopted 2018 IPC/IFGC

Final inspection only: Sign Permit

Re-inspection fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels)

Other inspections (outside business hours, reinspection, inspections with no fee specified, additional plan review from changes) · City Code Section 4-56(3). Show full citation

Other inspections (outside business hours, reinspection, inspections with no fee specified, additional plan review from changes) · City Code Section 4-56(3). Outside normal business hours carries a two-hour minimum; inspections with no specified fee and additional plan review carry a one-half-hour minimum. Housing code compliance inspections are $95.70 each.

$59.40 each, or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction if greater

Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Alterations, Tenant Improvements)

Other inspections (outside business hours, reinspection, inspections with no fee specified, additional plan review from changes) · City Code Section 4-56(3). Show full citation

$59.40 each, or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction if greater

Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm PermitOther inspection fees that can attach · City Code Sec. 4-56(3), 'Other inspections and fees' table

$59.40 per hour (or total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greater) for inspections outside normal business hours (2-hour minimum), reinspections, inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated (half-hour minimum), and additional plan review required by changes/additions/revisions (half-hour minimum); actual costs for outside consultants used for plan checking and/or inspections

Change of Use / Certificate of OccupancyAdditional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plans · City Code Sec. 4-56(3); the same rate applies to reinspections and to inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated

$59.40 (minimum charge one-half hour), or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greater

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-08-16.

City of South Tucson Planning, Zoning and Development Services Department (Development Services Division) — official building department

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

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

South Tucson building permits

South Tucson building permits Commercial Building Permit (New Construction, Alterations, Tenant Improvements)Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels)Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy Demolition Permit Electrical Permit (including Reconnect)EV Charger / EVSE Permit Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Plumbing Permit Sign Permit

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