Maricopa County Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Maricopa County Planning and Development is the permit issuer for unincorporated Maricopa County. It regulates land use, reviews building permits, performs inspections, and handles code compliance in county areas that are not inside an incorporated city or town. Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, and other municipalities issue their own building permits inside their respective boundaries.

Maricopa County permit process

Before applying, verify that the parcel is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and identify the required zoning clearance, building, grading, drainage, floodplain, septic, dust, fire, or other approvals. The county says its Permit Center is used for online registration, applications, permit searches, payments, and document workflows. Applications may be web-issued, non-technical, or technical/standard review depending on the work.

The county’s plan-review directive explains that a zoning clearance is required before approval of a building permit for applicable new construction, alterations, or additions. Site-plan approval by itself is not a building permit, so applicants should wait for the correct permit issuance before starting regulated work.

Inspections, compliance, and occupancy

Once an issued or reissued permit is available, the applicant can schedule drainage or building inspections through Permit Center or by calling (602) 506-3301. Inspections must occur before work is concealed, and construction must remain accessible and exposed until approved. The county also provides a compliance-inspection process for certain expired permits, final inspections, and special circumstances.

For residential occupancy, use the county’s current Permit Center and inspection guidance to confirm final-inspection and certificate-of-occupancy or completion requirements. A compliance inspection does not authorize new construction; it provides a defined inspection path for an existing permit or completion issue.

Official contact information

Maricopa County lists Planning and Development at 301 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85003, with the department’s permit and inspection call center at (602) 506-3301. Do not use this county guide for a property inside an incorporated city without first confirming the city’s authority.