Tucson building inspections

Applies to: Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Permit (Fire Construction Permit)

1. 1

   Underground Pressure Test and Flush

   Required for underground fire line supply work. Schedule at Tucson Development Center and call at least one day prior to the inspection to confirm date, time and meeting place. (Tucson Fire Department, Get Fire Permits and Fire Code Info page)

2. 2

   Overhead Pressure Test

   Required for overhead fire sprinkler piping. Schedule at Tucson Development Center; call at least one day prior to confirm date, time and meeting place.

3. 3

   Commercial Kitchen Hood Final

   Final inspection of commercial kitchen hood and cooking suppression systems (Tucson Fire Department, Get Fire Permits and Fire Code Info page)

4. 4

   Fire Alarm Final

   Final acceptance inspection of the fire alarm system. Inspections and tests must be performed by qualified individuals who forward a report of inspection to the fire code official on completion, sent to TFD-System-Reports@tucsonaz.gov unless using the IROL reporting system (2018 TFC Section 901.6.3).

Applies to: Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

1. 1

   Foundation/Footing

   Before concrete pour — verify forms, rebar, and foundation depth per approved plans

2. 2

   Framing

   Structural framing, connections, and rough utility placement per approved plans and 2024 IRC

3. 3

   Rough Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing

   Rough-in of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems before concealment

4. 4

   Final

   All work complete per approved plans; required before Certificate of Occupancy issuance

Applies to: Sign Permit

1. 1

   Site Review Inspection

   Required on all permit applications except portable signs and temporary signs. The inspector verifies the site complies with the information in the sign permit application and informs the applicant of any discrepancy or violation found; the requested permit is not issued until the site is brought into compliance or the plans are modified to conform. For billboards, the site must be staked showing property lines, required zoning setback, type and size of billboard, and the leading edge location, with the site address on the billboard. (UDC Section 7A.4.4.D)

2. 2

   Footing Inspection

   Required on all detached signs that require an engineering plan (UDC Section 7A.4.4.D.3)

3. 3

   Special Inspection (large detached signs)

   All detached sign structures exceeding 100 square feet in area or 25 feet in overall height are subject to continuous inspection by special inspectors as provided in Chapter 1 of the International Building Code (UDC Section 7A.4.5)

4. 4

   Final Inspection

   The person erecting, altering or relocating a sign must request a final inspection upon completion of the work for which permits have been issued. Requests for inspection must be filed at least one working day before the inspection is desired, and no work may proceed beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the zoning administrator's approval. (UDC Sections 7A.4.4.B, 7A.4.4.C and 7A.4.4.F)

Applies to: Accessory Dwelling Unit (Casita) Permit

1. 1

   Foundation/Footing

   Before concrete pour

2. 2

   Framing

   Structural framing and connections for attached or detached units

3. 3

   Final

   All work complete per approved plans and ADU zoning standards

Applies to: Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy

1. 1

   Rough-in / Cover-up Inspections (if alteration work is performed)

   All permitted work must be inspected prior to being covered up. For a change of use involving construction, wall, ceiling and trade rough-in work must be inspected before drywall or ceiling closure.

2. 2

   Fire Inspection (Tucson Fire Department)

   TFD inspection of fire and life-safety work in commercial alterations, funded by the 2% fire inspection fee (FY27 Fee Schedule Section 4-06.3.3). Where the change of use triggers new or modified sprinkler or alarm systems, those are separately permitted and inspected by TFD as Fire Construction Permits.

3. 3

   Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

   PDSD issues the Certificate of Occupancy after all of the work specified on the City-approved construction documents has been completed. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy valid for 30 days is available while punch-list items are completed, and may be renewed for a further 30 days.

Applies to: Commercial Tenant Improvement (TI) Permit

1. 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. 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. 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)

Applies to: Plumbing Permit (Trade Permit)

1. 1

   Underground/Slab

   Before concrete pour — verify pipe slope, materials, and cleanouts

2. 2

   Rough-In

   After pipes installed, before walls closed

3. 3

   Final

   All fixtures connected, no leaks; may be completed via Remote Video Inspection for most residential work

Applies to: Residential Addition / Alteration Permit

1. 1

   Footing/Foundation

   Required before concrete pour for addition footings or new structural supports

2. 2

   Framing

   Structural framing and connections to the existing structure per approved plans

3. 3

   Final

   All work complete per approved plans

Applies to: Demolition Permit

1. 1

   Pre-Demolition Utility Disconnect Verification

   Confirmation that affected utilities have been disconnected prior to demolition work beginning

2. 2

   Final

   Site cleared and, for pool demolition, positive drainage/structural fill verified

Applies to: Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / Charging Station Permit

1. 1

   Rough-In

   Wiring, box placement, and circuit connections before walls are closed, per the same framework documented in the Electrical Permit entry.

2. 2

   Final

   Charger installed and connections verified per 2023 NEC; may be completed via Remote Video Inspection for most residential work.

Applies to: Electrical Permit (Trade Permit)

1. 1

   Rough-In

   Wiring, box placement, and circuit connections before walls are closed

2. 2

   Final

   Devices installed and panel labeled per 2023 NEC; may be completed via Remote Video Inspection for most residential work

Applies to: Fence and Wall Permit

1. 1

   Footing

   Required for engineered/retaining walls before backfill

2. 2

   Final

   Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans and setback requirements

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit (Trade Permit)

1. 1

   Rough-In

   Ductwork and equipment rough-in before walls closed; gas piping pressure test before concealment

2. 2

   Final

   Equipment operational and load/sizing calculations verified against installed unit; may be completed via Remote Video Inspection for most residential work

Applies to: Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

1. 1

   Rough Electrical

   Conduit runs, wire sizing, and disconnect placement before energizing

2. 2

   Final (Virtual)

   Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof-penetration sealing, and inverter/interconnection point verified; scheduled through TDC Online after permit issuance, typically as a virtual/remote inspection

Applies to: Roofing Permit (Structural Roof Work)

1. 1

   Sheathing/Deck

   Structural sheathing, decking, or truss/joist work inspected before roofing material is applied

2. 2

   Final

   Completed roof work verified against approved plans; penetrations verified as flashed and sealed