Tenant Improvement Permit in Sedona, Arizona

Sedona requires a tenant improvement permit for: Tenant Improvement Permit required for remodeling the interior of an existing commercial building; this permit does not authorize any exterior modifications to the existing structure (exterior work requires the Commercial Building Permit's Alteration/Addition scope instead); Applied for on the same Commercial Building Permit Application used for new construction, with the 'Tenant Improvement' box checked rather than 'New Construction'; Fire sprinklers are required if the valuation of the proposed improvements exceeds 10% of the valuation of the existing structure; Per ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines), at least 20% of the cost of the alterations must be used to remove existing accessibility barriers; Professional (architect/designer) design and construction drawings required for any structure exceeding 3,000 sq ft or with an occupant load of more than 20; professional engineering required for electrical services greater than 600 amps (single phase) or 225 amps, 120/208 volts (three phase); 3 sets of plans plus electronic link, minimum sheet size 18" x 24", drawn to scale and dimensioned; floor, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plans required; A Color and Material Sample Sheet is required only if exterior painting occurs; an Outdoor Lighting Application and/or Sign Permit Application are required only if those scopes apply; A final inspection must be requested and passed, with Certificate of Occupancy issued (Building Department and Sedona Fire District sign-off), before opening for business or occupying the space; operating without a valid Certificate of Occupancy is illegal; Progress inspections must occur at least every 180 days to keep the permit active; the permit expires 180 days after issuance unless work has commenced and is being diligently pursued to completion. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Sedona Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 928-282-1154 before starting work.

The City of Sedona Consolidated Fee Schedule lists 'Tenant Improvements: $50.00 per sq. ft. or actual construction cost estimate, as determined by the Building Official' -- the packet does not clarify whether this figure is the fee itself or an assumed valuation-per-square-foot used to calculate the standard percentage-of-valuation building permit fee. A separate $50.00 fee applies for a permit extension. Confirm the exact calculation with Community Development (928-282-1154) before budgeting.

Sedona's published plan-review target for a tenant improvement permit is 42–42 business days.

You'll need: Commercial Building Permit Application; Commercial Preliminary Questionnaire; Construction / Floor, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing Plans. Depending on your project, Sedona may also ask for: Color and Material Sample Sheet; Outdoor Lighting Application (Commercial); Sign Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Sedona requires 3 inspection(s) for a tenant improvement permit, in order: Rough-In (Structural/Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical), Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm, Final / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through City of Sedona Community Development Department — Building Safety Division (928-282-1154).

Apply through City of Sedona Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 102 Roadrunner Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336-3710 (Community Development front counter address also published as 104 Roadrunner Drive in some permit packets). Phone: 928-282-1154, email: Permittechs@sedonaaz.gov. Office hours: Community Development Department phone hours Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (4-day, 10-hour City workweek); lobby/front counter hours Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Construction Inspection Hotline: 928-282-3268 (call by 3:00 p.m. the business day before to request a next-day inspection). Staff: Steve Mertes, Chief Building Official/Community Development Director, 928-203-5097, smertes@sedonaaz.gov; Becky Oium, Plans Examiner, 928-203-5093; Patty Lewis, Permit Technician, 928-203-5118; Andrew Vaughn, Building Inspector, 928-204-7115, avaughn@sedonaaz.gov.. Official information: https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/community-development/permits.

Yes. Sedona publishes a distinct Tenant Improvement Permit packet, separately linked from the Commercial Building Permit Packet on the City's Permits page. It uses the same underlying Commercial Building Permit Application (with 'Tenant Improvement' checked instead of 'New Construction') but is scoped to interior-only remodel work, does not authorize exterior modifications, and carries its own flat 42-business-day review timeline rather than the size-tiered timeline used for new commercial construction.

A Tenant Occupancy Permit covers only minor work when opening or relocating a business (relocating a register/counter or display case with minor electrical, or installing/relocating up to 3 light fixtures with no ceiling/wall rewiring). Any construction beyond that narrow scope -- remodeling walls, plumbing, mechanical systems, or more extensive electrical work -- requires a Tenant Improvement Permit instead, per the City's own Tenant Occupancy Permit packet.