Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit in Somerton, Arizona

Somerton requires a commercial tenant improvement permit for: Building permit required for tenant improvements/alterations to existing commercial space; reviewed against the 2018 IBC and 2018 International Existing Building Code as adopted and amended by the City (Ordinance No. 2019-002); Plot Plan: fully dimensioned site plan with existing lot lines, all existing improvements, existing use of all adjacent structures on and off site, existing/proposed utilities, and existing disabled-access conditions with proposed site changes; Floor Plan: fully dimensioned, identifying all existing occupied spaces; existing exiting system (number, width, distance, direction, hardware) including corridors; all occupancy separations clearly identified with the fire-resistive rating of each; proposed construction shown; existing and new T-bar ceiling details; Wall Section: typical wall section indicating stud size, height, spacing, insulation, wall finish, and structural connections; Plumbing Plan: isometric and schematic of water, gas, and drain-waste-vent systems with line sizes and materials; cross-sections at existing firewalls and ceilings; Mechanical Plan: isometric/schematic of existing and new duct locations and sizes, return air, fire dampers, combustion air method and amount, existing and new HVAC unit locations, and complete details of any new kitchen hood systems; Electrical Plan: single-line diagram of existing and new systems (service location, feeder sizes, panel locations, conductor sizes, disconnect size, overcurrent protection, grounding), panel schedule with circuit identification, all outlet/fixture/equipment locations, hazardous electrical locations as applicable, and complete electrical load calculations; State Energy Conservation Information: energy calculations are required for all new AND existing structures with conditioned space, with all requirements shown on the plans; Building Application Form (Remodel) with the Non-Residential checkbox, plus the Licensed Contractors list (general, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring, and other trade line items) or Owner-Builder exemption under A.R.S. §32-1121A.5/A.6. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Somerton Community Development Department — Building Safety and Code Enforcement at 928-722-7399 before starting work.

In Somerton, the published Remodel/Alteration Fee — Job Cost / Per-Trade Unit Fees is: Calculated from job cost (material and labor) per the Permit Fees Sheet; Resolution No. 2026-004's 'Remodels and Alterations to an Existing Building or Structure' section directs that remodel/alteration work be calculated using the per-trade unit fee schedules (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas), while new construction/additional square footage added to an existing building is charged per-foot per the ICC Valuation Table. Additional published fees: Two or More Trades Involved in Remodel/Alteration — $100; Plan Check Fee — 65% of the building permit fee; Change of Use Permit / Certificate of Occupancy Update — $50 base fee + required Remodel and Alteration fees; Deferred Submittals for Separate Construction Plans Components (Commercial) — $300; Expedited Plan Review (Commercial: 10 business days) — Double the plan review fee; Temporary Certificate of Occupancy — $100. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Per the City's A.R.S. § 9-835 Building Permit Processing Time Frames document, 'Commercial Building – Addition or Alteration' has an overall review time of 27 business days (2 days administrative completeness, 15 days first review, 10 days second review if needed). Expedited commercial review in 10 business days is available for double the plan review fee.

You'll need: Building Application Form (Remodel — Non-Residential); Tenant Improvement Plan Set; Building Contractor's Information / Licensed Contractors List. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Somerton requires 2 inspection(s) for a commercial tenant improvement permit, in order: Rough-In (Trades), Final / Certificate of Occupancy. Schedule each through City of Somerton Community Development Department — Building Safety and Code Enforcement (928-722-7399).

Apply through City of Somerton Community Development Department — Building Safety and Code Enforcement at 143 N. State Ave. (2nd Floor), P.O. Box 638, Somerton, AZ 85350. Phone: 928-722-7399, email: MariaYbarra@Somertonaz.gov. Office hours: City Hall hours as of August 12, 2024: closed every other Friday (contact 928-722-7400 for the current schedule); Building Inspector observes modified Summer Hours during peak heat months. To schedule a building inspection, call (928) 722-7399 before 3:00 PM Monday-Friday, or email Maria Ybarra (Permit Technician), at least one business day in advance. Plans/applications may be submitted via the On-line Permit Portal, by email, or in person at 143 N. State Ave.. Official information: https://www.somertonaz.gov/departments/community_development_services/building_safety_and_code_enforcement.php.

Yes, functionally. Somerton publishes a dedicated Drawing Submittal Requirements guideline for Tenant Improvement Plans, applies the 'Commercial Building – Addition or Alteration' row of its A.R.S. § 9-835 timeframes document, and prices TI work under its Remodels and Alterations fee structure (per-trade unit fees/job cost plus $100 when two or more trades are involved) rather than the square-footage valuation method used for new commercial buildings. The application itself is the general Remodel form with the Non-Residential box checked.

Yes — Resolution No. 2026-004 requires a Change of Use Permit / Certificate of Occupancy Update for all new businesses in existing buildings: a $50 base fee plus the required Remodel and Alteration fees.