Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Tucson, Arizona
VerifiedRequired for construction of new single-family homes, duplexes, and other one- and two-family dwellings in Tucson. Reviewed against the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2024 IECC (effective 7/1/2026) as adopted and amended by the City of Tucson. Applications are submitted through Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online, PDSD's self-service permitting portal.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Building permit required for any new dwelling unit (a dwelling unit is defined as having a place to sleep, a bathroom, and a kitchen, regardless of whether it is rented or used by family)
- Plans must comply with the 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC (effective 7/1/2026) as adopted by the City of Tucson, plus applicable zoning and utility review
- All plans must use a minimum of 3/32 inch type (per commercial plan standard) and be neat, legible, and well organized; PDSD reviews plans but does not design them
- Rental units are treated as commercial property and require a licensed contractor (A.R.S. Section 32-1121)
- Homeowners may self-perform work under the Owner/Builder exemption (A.R.S. Section 32-1121.A) by being listed as owner on the permit and submitting a notarized Owner/Builder Affidavit, except where the Handyman Exemption is barred (permit-required work or cost over $1,000)
- Application submitted online via Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online; the TDC Online Navigator decision-tree tool helps applicants select the correct permit type before applying
- Falls under the Standard Lane permit review track (20-business-day performance goal)
Required documents
- Required
Residential Building Permit Application (New Dwelling)
Submitted online through Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online
- Required
Residential Building Permit Application Checklist - New Dwelling
City of Tucson PDSD checklist of required submittal items for new residential dwelling construction
- Required
Construction Drawings
Site plan, floor plan, foundation plan, framing, elevations, and structural details consistent with the 2024 IRC as adopted by the City of Tucson
- Optional
Owner/Builder Affidavit
Required only if the homeowner elects to self-perform work under the A.R.S. Section 32-1121.A owner/builder exemption instead of using a licensed contractor
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $1 to $2,000 | $89.45 base fee | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4), effective 7/1/2026, per the ICC Building Valuation Table |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $2,000.01 to $25,000 | $89.45 base fee + $22.95 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $25,000.01 to $50,000 | $617.30 base fee + $16.83 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $1,038.05 base fee + $9.64 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $100,000.01 to $500,000 | $1,520.05 base fee + $8.25 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $500,000.01 to $1,000,000 | $4,800.05 base fee + $7.45 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Permit Fee, New Construction — valuation $1,000,000.01 and above | $8,525.05 base fee + $5.45 per additional $1,000 | City of Tucson FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.4) |
| Building Staff Review and Deferred Submittal, per IBC as amended — Residential | 50% of building permit fee | City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-02.2.1) |
| Digital Filing Fee | 1% of the total fee, minimum $18.54 | City of Tucson FY27 Fee Schedule (Section 4-01.5.1); applies to all development applications |
Review timeline
20–20 business days
Tucson’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation/Footing
Before concrete pour — verify forms, rebar, and foundation depth per approved plans
- 2
Framing
Structural framing, connections, and rough utility placement per approved plans and 2024 IRC
- 3
Rough Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Rough-in of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems before concealment
- 4
Final
All work complete per approved plans; required before Certificate of Occupancy issuance
Tips
- New Dwelling review falls in the Standard Lane with a 20-business-day performance goal; the clock starts when staff initializes the submittal, which can itself take up to 3 business days.
- Most residential inspections can be completed via Remote Video Inspection using a smartphone rather than requiring an in-person inspector visit.
- Rental single-family homes are treated as commercial property for permitting purposes and require a licensed contractor — the Owner/Builder exemption does not apply.
- The TDC Online Navigator decision-tree tool helps route applicants to the correct permit type before they apply, reducing wrong-permit rejections.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does new residential building permit review take in Tucson?
- New residential dwelling permits fall in PDSD's Standard Lane, with a 20-business-day review performance goal. The clock starts once staff initializes the submittal (which may itself take up to 3 business days). Source: City of Tucson PDSD Permit Review Lanes page.
- Where do I submit a building permit application in Tucson?
- Applications are submitted online via Tucson Development Center (TDC) Online, PDSD's self-service permitting portal. PDSD is located at the Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) — official building department
- Residential Permits | City of Tucson PDSD
- Fee Schedule | City of Tucson PDSD
- FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (PDF) | City of Tucson
- Permit Review Lanes | City of Tucson PDSD
- Building Codes | City of Tucson PDSD
- Permit FAQ | 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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