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Fence and Wall Permit in Tucson, Arizona

All fences and walls in Tucson require a permit for zoning review of location, height, and distance from structures, regardless of height. Engineered structural plans are required for taller fences/walls or any wall functioning as a retaining wall. Fee is based on wall type, surface area, and linear footage. Falls under the Fast Lane (10-business-day) review track.

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

When you need this permit

  • ALL fences and walls require a permit for zoning review of location, height, and distance from structures, regardless of height (unlike jurisdictions that exempt short fences entirely)
  • Engineered plans are required if the fence or wall is over 6 feet tall, or if it functions as a retaining wall by holding back soil or changing ground level
  • Special District Review is required if the property is in a Historic Preservation Zone or Neighborhood Preservation Zone
  • Shorter fences/walls may not need a full building permit or inspection, but zoning review is always required
  • Masonry (block/brick) walls and wood/metal fences are billed under separate fee line items based on different unit measures (surface area vs. linear footage)
  • Falls under the Fast Lane (10-business-day performance goal) for Residential/Commercial Fence/Wall permits

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Masonry WallsCity of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.10.11)
$16.85 + $33.70 per 500 square feet of surface area, plus plan review fee at standard hourly rate (minimum 1/2 hour)
Wood and Metal FencesCity of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.10.12)
$28.08 + $5.62 per 100 linear feet, plus plan review fee at standard hourly rate (minimum 1/2 hour)
Neighborhood Preservation Zone (NPZ) fence/wall modifications and improvements, up to 400 sq ft gross floor area equivalentCity of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-03.6.4); applies to improvements such as fences that do not have square footage in the traditional sense
$33.44 staff review fee
Digital Filing FeeCity of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-01.5.1)
1% of the total fee, minimum $18.54

Review timeline

Plan reviewTucson’s published plan-review target
10–10 business days

How long did your Fence and Wall Permit permit actually take in Tucson?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing

    Required for engineered/retaining walls before backfill

  2. 2

    Final

    Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans and setback requirements

See the full Tucson inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Tucson requires a zoning-review permit for EVERY fence or wall regardless of height — there is no minimum-height exemption like the 3-foot or 6-foot thresholds used in some other Mountain West cities.
  • The 6-foot height threshold (and any wall functioning as a retaining wall) is what triggers the need for a licensed engineer's structural design, not just the base zoning permit.
  • Fee structure differs by material: masonry walls are billed per 500 sq ft of surface area, while wood/metal fences are billed per 100 linear feet.
  • Fence/wall work in a Historic Preservation Zone or Neighborhood Preservation Zone always triggers Special District Review on top of the base fence/wall permit.

Frequently asked questions

Yes — all fences and walls require a permit for zoning review of location, height, and setback distance, regardless of how tall the fence is. Engineered structural plans are additionally required if the fence/wall exceeds 6 feet in height or functions as a retaining wall. Source: City of Tucson PDSD Building Permit Exemptions (Do I Need a Permit?) page.

In Tucson, the published Masonry Walls is: $16.85 + $33.70 per 500 square feet of surface area, plus plan review fee at standard hourly rate (minimum 1/2 hour). Additional published fees: Wood and Metal Fences — $28.08 + $5.62 per 100 linear feet, plus plan review fee at standard hourly rate (minimum 1/2 hour); Neighborhood Preservation Zone (NPZ) fence/wall modifications and improvements, up to 400 sq ft gross floor area equivalent — $33.44 staff review fee; Digital Filing Fee — 1% of the total fee, minimum $18.54. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

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

You'll need: Fence/Wall Permit Application; Site Plan. Depending on your project, Tucson may also ask for: Engineer-Stamped Structural Design. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Tucson requires 2 inspection(s) for a fence and wall permit, in order: Footing, 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.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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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Fence and Wall Permit in other cities

Apache Junction, ArizonaBuckeye, ArizonaBullhead City, ArizonaEl Mirage, ArizonaFlagstaff, ArizonaFountain Hills, ArizonaGoodyear, ArizonaMarana, Arizona

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