Why are Building Permits and Inspections Required?

• To protect you, your family, friends, neighbors, and neighborhood from work that does not meet minimum construction standards.

• To ensure that work performed on your property is safe, meets environmental standards, and complies with the City’s Zoning Ordinance,  construction codes, and other development related laws and ordinances.

• To protect your investment and minimize liability or problems during a future sale of your property.

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When is a Residential Permit needed?

A building permit is required for:

• New homes and buildings

• Demolitions

• Carports

• Room additions

• Garage or carport conversions

• Porch enclosures

• Patio covers

• Detached storage structures larger than 120 square feet

• All detached buildings other than storage

• Fences and walls greater than 3' in height

• Retaining walls

• Manufactured homes

• Group care homes

• Roof replacement or roofline extensions, including replacing wood or asphalt shingles with a tile roof

• Swimming pools and spas

• New driveways or alteration of existing driveway if work is being done in the right-of-way

• Alteration of hillside topography and/or hillside vegetation

• Change of drainage conditions on your lot

You may also need a permit when remodeling or making repairs. This may include:

• Air conditioners, evaporative coolers, or furnaces being added or relocated.

• Electrical circuits being added or relocated

• Gas line or gas-fired equipment installations or repairs

• Sewer and water line installations or repair

• Sinks, toilets, tubs, or showers to be added or relocated

• Wall removals or relocations

• Water softener installations or replacement

• Window or exterior doors in which sizes or locations are being changed

•  Connecting irrigation systems to a water supply

• Window replacement or relocation

• Water heater replacement or relocation

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When is a Residential Permit NOT needed?

A construction permit is not needed to:

• Build a detached structure without utilities less than 120 square feet. However, a six foot setback from other structures is required and minimum zoning setbacks for property lines must be maintained

• Build open patios or decks not over 30 inches above the ground

• Install insulation in existing buildings when the use is not changing

• Install low voltage landscape accent lighting

• Repair landscape irrigation piping

• Perform minor repairs or replacement of non-structural items, such as glass, doors, hardware, kitchen cabinets, carpeting, flooring, or trim work (not affecting a pool enclosure or garage)

• Paint

• Install or repair drywall, plasterboard, paneling, or stucco (insulated stucco systems require a permit)

• Repair or replace existing evaporative coolers or air conditioners without increasing the unit size, capacity, or location

• Repair or replace existing plumbing fixtures in the same location

• Re-shingle or retile a roof when the same material is used

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What information is required for a permit?

A construction permit requires:

• Owner’s name, legal address, and telephone number

• Property legal description—lot number, block number, and subdivision name; Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)

• Contractor's name, state license number, and city and state tax license numbers, if a contractor is performing the work

• Two copies of plans are needed for most construction projects before a building permit can be issued. An Arizona architect’s or engineer's seal on the plans may be required if the proposed structural work is not conventional construction

• Identification of any construction being done in the right of way

• Valuation of proposed work, which is the market value of the improvement

• A licensed contractor is required on rental properties

• The plans that are required for your project will depend upon the type of work being done. On the following pages you will find a brief description of the most common plans that may be required. Contact Development Services at 602-262-7884 in order to determine the types of plans that will be needed.

PLOT PLAN (Drawn to scale)

FLOOR PLAN (Drawn to scale)

The items that need to be shown for new construction, alterations, additions and remodels include:

• Room sizes and uses

• Location of walls

• Dimensions

The following must be shown if they are being built, altered, or obstructing the proposed work. Location and sizes of :

• Windows

• Doors and stairs

• Fixtures

• Outlets (electrical)

• Utility lines

• Heating ducts

• Built-in equipment or cabinets

• Smoke detectors 

ELEVATION VIEW (Drawn to scale)

The items that need to be shown include:

• All sides of the building being constructed or remodeled

• Height of the structure on all elevations

• Exterior materials being used

• Finished grade

• Size and location of doors and windows

CROSS-SECTION VIEW (Drawn to scale)

The items that need to be shown include:

• Foundation and footing details (depth, thickness, and width)

• Wall details (frame, masonry, stucco, veneer)

• Roof details, connection of framing to walls, wall to foundation

• Dimensions

Other items that may need to be shown on  plans include, but are not limited to:

• Water calculations

• Plumbing systems—Isometric diagram of gas piping

• Electrical systems—One line diagram. Panel schedule with number of circuits, size of current breakers, when panel size in excess of 200 amps

• Fire sprinklers are required if house is 5000 sq. ft or larger, inclusive of the attached garage

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 Quick Reference Phone Numbers        

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This publication can be made available in alternate formats (Braille, large print, computer diskette, or audio tape) upon request . Contact the Development Services Department.

© 2005 City of Phoenix
Development Services Department
200 W. Washington, 3rd Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85003