Demolition Permit in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson requires a demolition permit for: A permit is required to partially or fully demolish a building, structure, or exterior wall, including removal of previously unpermitted structures; A permit is required for interior demolition affecting structural elements, load-bearing walls, or fire-rated assemblies (cosmetic removal of cabinets/flooring does not require a permit); A permit is required to demolish, fill in (bury), or otherwise remove an existing swimming pool or spa; a site plan showing the location of the buried structure is required for the permanent record, and any pool fill must include structural modification for positive drainage; Any building, structure, site, or object 50+ years old located within a local or national register historic district, or individually listed/eligible as historic, requires a Historic Review in addition to the demolition permit; Special District Review is required for exterior or pool demolition if the property is in a Historic Preservation Zone or Neighborhood Preservation Zone; Billboard demolition is billed separately from general interior/exterior demolition; Falls under the Fast Lane (10-business-day performance goal) for Residential Demolition, Residential/Commercial Interior-Only Demo, Commercial Demo, and Swimming Pool Demolition. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) at (520) 791-5550 before starting work.

Interior and/or exterior demolition is charged at $84.26 per 5,000 square feet of area to be demolished, per floor. Billboard demolition is a flat $185.38 for structural review and inspections. Source: City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule, Section 4-02.11.

Tucson's published plan-review target for a demolition permit is 10–10 business days.

You'll need: Demolition Permit Application; Demolition Confirmation Notice Statement. Depending on your project, Tucson may also ask for: Site Plan (Pool Demolition only). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Tucson requires 2 inspection(s) for a demolition permit, in order: Pre-Demolition Utility Disconnect Verification, Final. 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.