Demolition Permit in Tucson, Arizona
VerifiedRequired for interior and/or exterior demolition of any building, structure, or exterior wall in Tucson, including removal of unpermitted structures and swimming pool demolition. Fee is based on square footage of area demolished. Falls under the Fast Lane (10-business-day) review track.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- 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
Required documents
- Required
Demolition Permit Application
City of Tucson PDSD demolition permit application submitted via Tucson Development Center Online
- Required
Demolition Confirmation Notice Statement
City of Tucson PDSD form confirming demolition scope and utility disconnection
- Optional
Site Plan (Pool Demolition only)
Shows the location of a buried/filled pool or spa for the permanent property record
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior and/or Exterior Demolition | $84.26 per 5,000 sq ft of area to be demolished, per floor | City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.11.2); additional Historic Review fees apply if the structure/site is 50+ years old and in/eligible for a historic register |
| Billboard Demolition | $185.38 | City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.11.1); covers structural review and inspections. Additional sign-review fees apply separately per the Sign Permit Fees section |
| Digital Filing Fee | 1% of the total fee, minimum $18.54 | City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-01.5.1) |
Review timeline
10–10 business days
Tucson’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Pre-Demolition Utility Disconnect Verification
Confirmation that affected utilities have been disconnected prior to demolition work beginning
- 2
Final
Site cleared and, for pool demolition, positive drainage/structural fill verified
Tips
- Demolition falls in the Fast Lane with a 10-business-day performance goal, faster than the 20-day Standard Lane used for most additions/alterations.
- The fee is a flat per-5,000-square-foot rate per floor ($84.26), not a valuation-based fee, making cost easy to estimate up front for known building sizes.
- Filling in or burying a pool still requires a full Demolition permit with a recorded site plan — it is not exempt just because no material leaves the site.
- If the structure is 50+ years old and in (or eligible for) a historic register, budget for a separate Historic Review fee in addition to the base demolition fee.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a demolition permit cost in Tucson?
- 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.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) — official building department
- FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (PDF) | City of Tucson
- Do I Need a Permit? (Exemptions) | City of Tucson PDSD
- Residential Permits | City of Tucson PDSD
- Permit Review Lanes | City of Tucson PDSD
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.
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