PermitBasepermitbase.app
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit — Tucson, Arizona · Requirements sheet
Verified 2026-08-01 · Source: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Permits/Commercial-Permits
PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency. Requirements change and vary by project — confirm current details with the building department before you submit.
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit in Tucson, Arizona
Required for tenant improvements and alterations to existing commercial spaces in Tucson — build-outs of shell buildings, remodels, and reconfigurations of existing tenant suites. Tucson treats TIs as a distinct commercial track: the Commercial Permits page lists tenant improvements as their own permit category, the FY27 fee schedule prices commercial alterations by International Existing Building Code (IEBC) alteration level (Section 4-02.8), the Permit Review Lanes assign 'Commercial TI Limited Scope' its own Fast Lane (10-business-day) slot separate from Commercial Addition/Alteration (Standard Lane, 20 business days), and first-generation TIs must reference the approved shell building permit. Applications are submitted through Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online.
Verified 2026-08-01 · Source
When you need this permit
- A commercial permit is required for tenant improvements (City of Tucson Commercial Permits page); all commercial structural permits require plans prepared by a licensed architect or engineer sealed and signed by an Arizona registrant, with a minimum of 3/32-inch type
- A licensed contractor must perform all commercial construction work (A.R.S. Section 32-1121) Contractor
- Application submitted online through Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online; only complete submittals are accepted into building review
- For a first tenant improvement in a shell building, the approved shell building permit number must be referenced in the plan set (Commercial Submittal Requirements checklist)
- A copy of the contract signed by both contractor and client identifying the value of all work must be provided as the basis for the permit fee valuation (FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8.1); without it, valuation is assigned as a percentage of total building valuation by IEBC alteration level
- Plans must show the full scope per the Commercial Submittal Requirements checklist, including a cover-sheet code analysis (construction type, occupancy classifications, occupant loads, exiting, sprinklers/alarms), fully dimensioned floor plan with means of egress and fire-resistant construction, and accessibility compliance details (ICC A117.1-2017 as currently adopted)
- Energy compliance certificates (COMcheck) for envelope, mechanical, and interior lighting where systems are altered, plus electrical/mechanical/plumbing plans and schedules for the altered systems
- Tucson Fire Department plan review applies to commercial alterations (charged at 2.5% of the building permit fee); separate TFD permits are required for fire alarm and fire sprinkler work
- Review lane depends on scope: 'Commercial TI Limited Scope' is in the Fast Lane (10-business-day goal); larger TIs fall under Commercial Addition/Alteration in the Standard Lane (20-business-day goal); review begins when staff initializes the submittal (up to 3 business days)
- Electronic drawing standards apply: PDF format, black and white, flattened, constant title block, reserved 3" x 5" stamp space, separate PDF per document type
Required documents
Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.
Not ready yet — 0 of 4 required documents checked.
This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →
Fee schedule
Building Permit Fee — by valuationFY27 Fee Schedule Sections 4-02.4 and 4-02.8; valuation is the signed contract value for all work performed. If contract documentation is not available, valuation is assigned as a percentage of total building valuation per the ICC valuation table by IEBC alteration level (see next entries).
Same FY27 Construction Valuation Table as new construction: $89.45 base up to $2,000, scaling to $8,525.05 + $5.45 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000
Default TI valuation — Commercial Level 1 Alteration (IEBC)FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8.5; Level 1 = removal and replacement of existing materials, equipment, or fixtures. Used only when a signed contract identifying work value is not provided.
5% of standard building valuation
Default TI valuation — Commercial Level 2 Alteration (IEBC)FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8.6; Level 2 = re-configuration of space, addition or elimination of any door or window, re-configuration or extension of any system, or installation of additional equipment
20% of standard building valuation
Default TI valuation — Commercial Level 3 Alteration (IEBC)FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8.7; Level 3 = alterations where the work area exceeds 50% of the building area
35% of standard building valuation
Building Staff Review Fee (plan review) — CommercialFY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.2.2
65% of the building permit fee
Fire Review Fee — Commercial Alterations (Tucson Fire Department)FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-06.3.2 (lower than the 3% rate for new commercial buildings and additions)
2.5% of the building permit fee
Fire Inspection Fee — Commercial Alterations (Tucson Fire Department)FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-06.3.3
2% of the building permit fee
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)FY27 Fee Schedule Sections 4-02.10.2 and 4-02.10.3
$730.28 (valid 30 days); renewal $280.88 (valid 30 days)
Certificate of Occupancy for an address without a permit issued in the prior 360 daysFY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.10.1; staff review charged at the standard hourly rate as necessary — relevant for occupancy-only changes with no construction
$150.00
Review timeline
Plan reviewTucson’s published plan-review target
10–20 business days
Inspection process
- 1
Rough-in / Cover-up Inspections
All permitted work must be inspected prior to covering it up (City of Tucson Building Inspections page) — for a TI this means wall, ceiling, and trade rough-in work must be inspected before drywall or ceiling closure. Most commercial work must be inspected in person; Remote Video Inspection is generally allowed only for follow-up corrections requested by the inspector.
- 2
Fire Inspections (Tucson Fire Department)
TFD inspection of fire/life-safety work in commercial alterations, funded by the 2% fire inspection fee (FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-06.3.3); fire alarm and sprinkler modifications are separately permitted and inspected through TFD
- 3
Final Inspection / Certificate of Occupancy
Final inspection of all work per approved plans; a new or updated Certificate of Occupancy documents the completed tenant space (Certificate of Occupancy applications run through TDC Online; a TCO is available while punch-list items are completed)
See the full Tucson inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →
Tips
- Tucson prices TIs off your real contract value: provide the signed contractor-client contract with the application, because without it PDSD assigns a default valuation of 5%/20%/35% of the whole building's standard valuation depending on IEBC alteration level — which can be dramatically higher than the actual job cost for a small suite in a large building.
- PDSD does not publish the criteria for the Fast Lane 'Commercial TI Limited Scope' category (disclosed gap) — the category is confirmed on the Permit Review Lanes page but its scope threshold is not defined there; use the TDC Online Navigator decision tree or ask PDSD which lane your TI lands in before committing to a schedule.
- Purely trade-scope work in an existing commercial space (items on the Trade Permit list such as like-for-like panel replacement, water heater swaps, fixture replacements) can go as a Commercial Trade permit instead of a full TI — Express Lane with a 24-hour goal, $150.00 for the first item plus $50.00 for each additional item (FY27 Fee Schedule Sections 4-02.9.1 and 4-02.9.2).
- First-generation TIs in shell buildings must reference the approved shell permit number in the plan set, and the shell's Letter of Completion/CofO status affects occupancy — phased shell projects only receive a Certificate of Occupancy at the final phase.
- Restaurant TIs have a dedicated published process: see PDSD's 'Commercial Restaurant Permitting Process' guide and kitchen hood requirements, with hood suppression and related fire permits through Tucson Fire Department (520-791-3234).
- Special inspections apply to some TI work — medical gas piping installations require a special inspection certificate before permit issuance (relevant for medical/dental TIs).
- If you are only changing occupancy/tenancy with no construction, a Certificate of Occupancy application (rather than a TI permit) may suffice — $150.00 where no permit has been issued for the address in the prior 360 days, with staff review at the hourly rate as necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Tucson requires a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit for: A commercial permit is required for tenant improvements (City of Tucson Commercial Permits page); all commercial structural permits require plans prepared by a licensed architect or engineer sealed and signed by an Arizona registrant, with a minimum of 3/32-inch type; A licensed contractor must perform all commercial construction work (A.R.S. Section 32-1121); Application submitted online through Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online; only complete submittals are accepted into building review; For a first tenant improvement in a shell building, the approved shell building permit number must be referenced in the plan set (Commercial Submittal Requirements checklist); A copy of the contract signed by both contractor and client identifying the value of all work must be provided as the basis for the permit fee valuation (FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8.1); without it, valuation is assigned as a percentage of total building valuation by IEBC alteration level; Plans must show the full scope per the Commercial Submittal Requirements checklist, including a cover-sheet code analysis (construction type, occupancy classifications, occupant loads, exiting, sprinklers/alarms), fully dimensioned floor plan with means of egress and fire-resistant construction, and accessibility compliance details (ICC A117.1-2017 as currently adopted); Energy compliance certificates (COMcheck) for envelope, mechanical, and interior lighting where systems are altered, plus electrical/mechanical/plumbing plans and schedules for the altered systems; Tucson Fire Department plan review applies to commercial alterations (charged at 2.5% of the building permit fee); separate TFD permits are required for fire alarm and fire sprinkler work; Review lane depends on scope: 'Commercial TI Limited Scope' is in the Fast Lane (10-business-day goal); larger TIs fall under Commercial Addition/Alteration in the Standard Lane (20-business-day goal); review begins when staff initializes the submittal (up to 3 business days); Electronic drawing standards apply: PDF format, black and white, flattened, constant title block, reserved 3" x 5" stamp space, separate PDF per document type. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) at (520) 791-5550 before starting work.
From the FY27 Construction Valuation Table applied to your project valuation, plus a plan review (building staff review) fee of 65% of the building permit fee and Tucson Fire Department fees of 2.5% (review) and 2% (inspections) of the building permit fee. Your valuation is the value of all work in the contract signed by contractor and client; if that documentation is not provided, PDSD assigns a valuation as a percentage of the total building valuation based on the International Existing Building Code alteration level (Level 1: 5%, Level 2: 20%, Level 3: 35%). Source: City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule, Sections 4-02.2, 4-02.4, 4-02.8, and 4-06.3, effective 7/1/2026.
Tucson's published plan-review target for a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit is 10–20 business days.
You'll need: Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit Application; Commercial Plan Submittal Requirements & Checklist; Complete Set of Sealed Plans; Signed Construction Contract. Depending on your project, Tucson may also ask for: Reference to Approved Shell Plans; Energy Compliance Certificates (COMcheck); Contractor Bond Exemption Certificate. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.
Tucson requires 3 inspection(s) for a commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit, in order: Rough-in / Cover-up Inspections, Fire Inspections (Tucson Fire Department), Final Inspection / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) ((520) 791-5550).
Apply through City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) at Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: (520) 791-5550, email: PDSDinquiries@tucsonaz.gov. Office hours: Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor: Mon.-Thur. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Fridays). Staff available by email/phone Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. Official information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services.
Tucson, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has no mandatory statewide building code — code adoption is entirely a local (city/county) decision. The City of Tucson adopts its own model building codes, published by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), on a six-year cycle, with local amendments authorized by Ordinance #12171. Source: City of Tucson Planning & Development Services, Building Codes page (tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Codes/Building-Codes).; 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — effective January 1, 2026, as adopted by the City of Tucson with local amendments; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — effective January 1, 2026, as adopted by the City of Tucson with local amendments; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — effective January 1, 2026 (Tucson/Pima County use the International Plumbing Code, not the Uniform Plumbing Code); 2024 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective July 1, 2026 (the energy code follows the other 2024 model codes on a delayed effective date); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — current adopted edition per City of Tucson Building Codes page; All permit applications and related submittals received on or after July 1, 2026 must comply with the 2024 International Codes and amendments as adopted by the City of Tucson and in effect as of that date, including the 2023 NEC where applicable. Applications submitted before July 1, 2026 continue to be reviewed under the code editions in effect at the time of submittal, unless approved by the Building Official. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Other adopted building regulations (updated less frequently than the six-year model code cycle): Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 5 (Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools); 2012 City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code; ICC A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (effective 1/1/26); Inclusive Home Design Ordinance. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Previously adopted (superseded) editions include the 2018 International Building/Residential/Mechanical/Plumbing/Fuel Gas/Existing Building/Swimming Pool & Spa Codes, 2017 NEC, and 2012-cycle International Codes with 2011 NEC. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Sustainability and related codes: City of Tucson Riparian Vegetation Preservation; Commercial Rainwater Harvesting (Engineering Code); EV Charging - Commercial and Multifamily (Zoning Code); Landfill Development Ordinance (Engineering Code); Native Plant Preservation Ordinance (Landscaping Code); Prohibition on Ornamental Turf (Zoning Code, UDC 7.6.4.D); WaterSense Plumbing Fixtures (Building Code). Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.. Local amendments apply — see the Tucson overview page for the full list.
Yes. Tenant improvements are their own commercial permit category. They are fee-classified as Commercial Alterations under FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-02.8 (valued by signed contract, or by IEBC alteration level at 5%, 20%, or 35% of building valuation), draw a lower Tucson Fire Department review rate (2.5% of the permit fee versus 3% for new buildings and additions), and limited-scope TIs get a faster 10-business-day Fast Lane review target versus the 20-business-day Standard Lane for new commercial buildings. Sources: City of Tucson Commercial Permits page, FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule, and PDSD Permit Review Lanes page.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-08-01.
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 Tucson building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
This one’s complicated · Get an expediter
Tell us about your project and we’ll connect you with a permit expediter who works in Tucson.
PermitBase may receive a referral fee from the expediter. This is a service introduction, not verified permit data or legal advice.
Other permits in Tucson
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Alteration PermitElectrical Permit (Trade Permit)Plumbing Permit (Trade Permit)Mechanical / HVAC Permit (Trade Permit)Roofing Permit (Structural Roof Work)Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) PermitElectric Vehicle (EV) Charger / Charging Station PermitDemolition PermitFence and Wall PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (Casita) PermitCommercial Building Permit (New Construction & Additions)
Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit in other cities
Compare commercial tenant improvement (ti) permit fees across Arizona →
Look up this fee in a different city →
Now live
Build your Tucson project checklist
Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Tucson — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.
Get started →