Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Apache Junction, Arizona

No, if the fence or block wall is 6 feet or less in height (measured 3 feet from the exterior side) and is not located in a federally patented easement, adjacent to public right-of-way, or across a natural drainage way. Fences taller than 6 feet, or built in those excluded locations, require a permit billed at $1.10 per linear foot ($100 minimum).

In Apache Junction, the published Walls — Retaining Wall over 48 inches (footer to wall top); Themed, Perimeter, and Privacy over 6 ft is: $1.60 per linear foot ($170 minimum). Additional published fees: Fences — Block, Wood, Wrought Iron, Chain-Link, Other Privacy, etc., over 6 ft in height — $1.10 per linear foot ($100 minimum). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Apache Junction's published plan-review target for a fence and retaining wall permit is 0–20 business days.

You'll need: Sign, Cellular, Utility, Commercial Demolition, Fence & Retaining Wall Guide; Residential Swimming Pool/Spa, Fence/Wall/Retaining and Demolition Guide. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apache Junction requires 2 inspection(s) for a fence and retaining wall permit, in order: Footing, Final. Schedule each through City of Apache Junction Development Services Department — Division of Building Safety and Inspection (480-474-5156).

Apply through City of Apache Junction Development Services Department — Division of Building Safety and Inspection at 300 E. Superstition Blvd. (Building D), Apache Junction, AZ 85119. Phone: 480-474-5156, email: buildingpermits@apachejunctionaz.gov. Office hours: Building and Safety Manager/Building Official: Adrian Alegria (buildingpermits@apachejunctionaz.gov, 480-474-5156). All building permit applications must be submitted electronically through the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) online permit system; a public kiosk with an 11x17 flat scanner is available in the Development Services Lobby at the city complex, 300 E. Superstition Blvd. Building D, for applicants who need accommodation. Division main line 480-982-8002; inspections may be scheduled by phone at 480-474-5101 or via the MGO customer portal. Source: City of Apache Junction Division of Building Safety and Inspection staff directory page; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024).. Official information: https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/622/Permits.

Apache Junction, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has NO statewide mandatory building code floor for general construction — code adoption is a per-city/county authority under state enabling statutes (e.g., A.R.S. Title 9 for municipalities). The City of Apache Junction independently adopts and administers its own construction codes through its Development Services Department / Division of Building Safety and Inspection. Source: City of Apache Junction Division of Building Safety and Inspection (apachejunctionaz.gov/85/Building-Safety-and-Inspection); Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 7 (Buildings).; 2018 International Building Code (IBC), formally adopted by the Apache Junction City Council on June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Article 7-2: Building Code, § 7-2-2 Amendments to the 2018 International Building Code). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice (Division of Building Safety and Inspection, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.).; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Article 7-4: Residential Code), including a City-completed Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria and amendments to R301.5 (Live Loads), R302.1(1), R302.2.6, and R303 (mandatory heating/cooling). Confirmed as the applicable code on the City's own 'New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide' coversheet requirement ('Applicable code 2018 IRC'). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Residential Code & Design Criteria' notice; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024), p.2.; 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association, adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019 — one edition behind the 2018 ICC set (the City has not since adopted the 2020 or 2023 NEC per the City's own currently-adopted-codes notice and FAQ page). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; City of Apache Junction Building Division FAQ (apachejunctionaz.gov/faq.aspx?TID=20).; 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, with City of Apache Junction amendments (Article 7-6: Plumbing Code, § 7-6-2 Amendments to the 2018 International Plumbing Code). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, governs energy-efficiency requirements for new residential and commercial construction (Manual J/D/S calculations required per the City's Residential Building Application Guide). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; New Residential Construction (and Additions) Building Application Guide (rev. 03/11/2024).; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019, governs residential and public/semi-public pool and spa construction. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), adopted as the City's uniform fire code (Article 7-1 references the 'Technical Codes' collectively); administered in coordination with the Building Safety and Inspection Division. Source: Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Article 7-1: Division of Building Safety and Inspection Administrative Code.; Accessibility: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (appendices B and D to 36 CFR 1191 (2009) and 28 CFR part 35.151 (2011) for public entities; 28 CFR 36.401-36.406 (2011) for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities), adopted June 18, 2019, effective July 18, 2019. Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice.; Fee schedules were revised in conjunction with the 2018/2019 code adoption, effective July 1, 2019, and the Development Services Fees (Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 4, Article 4-4) were most recently revised October 31, 2022. The ICC codes' own fee/valuation sections are superseded for practical billing purposes by Article 4-4, which is the City's operative fee authority (though commercial valuation itself is still calculated per the ICC Building Valuation Data table). Source: City of Apache Junction 'Currently Adopted Building Codes' notice; Apache Junction City Code, Vol. I, Chapter 4, Article 4-4: Development Services Fees (rev. 10/31/22).. Local amendments apply — see the Apache Junction overview page for the full list.

Retaining walls 4 feet or less (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) are exempt from a permit provided they do not support a surcharge, impound hazardous liquids, or sit on a public easement. Taller or more heavily loaded retaining walls require a permit, reviewed by Development Services Engineering Staff, billed at $1.60 per linear foot ($170 minimum).