Phoenix building department

The City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department (PDD) issues building permits, reviews plans, and inspects construction inside Phoenix city limits. Maricopa County does not permit work in the city. The Development Center (200 W. Washington St., 2nd floor) is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Walk-ins are accepted, but the city strongly encourages appointments.

SHAPE PHX

SHAPE PHX is the city’s online portal and is available 24/7. As of April 27, 2026 it handles residential and commercial plan review, permits, and inspections. It also covers solar, elevator, historic preservation, and most zoning applications.

• Accounts: Individuals create their own. Businesses with more than one employee should email [email protected] a list of staff who need access, and the city will set up a business account.
• Older projects: Some stay in the legacy systems: the PDD Online/EPR portal for applications and payments, and ProjectDox for plan uploads. Each needs its own login.
• Residential solar: Submit to [email protected].

When a residential permit is required

Permits are required for new homes, additions, garage or carport conversions, porch enclosures, patio covers, demolition, fences and walls, pools, and manufactured homes. The city’s residential permit guide (rev. 2/20) also lists:

• Detached structures over 200 sq ft
• Changing from shingles to a tile roof
• Adding or moving plumbing fixtures, circuits, or HVAC
• Gas line work
• Window replacement
• Changes to lot drainage

A homeowner replacing their own electric water heater needs a permit. A licensed contractor doing the same job does not.

Work exempt from permit

From the city’s “Work Exempt from Permit” document (PBCC 105.2, rev. 07/14). Exempt work must still meet code.

Work	Exempt when
Sheds, playhouses, gazebos	One story, detached, 200 sq ft or less in total, no utilities. Zoning setbacks still apply.
Fences at homes	3 ft or less. Fences over 3 ft and up to 6 ft need a permit for zoning and drainage review.
Retaining walls	3 ft or less, measured from the top of the footing, and not holding back extra load
Decks, patio slabs	No roof and no more than 30 in. above grade
Re-roofing	Same type of material, with no more than two layers of asphalt shingles
Replacements	A/C replaced at the same size and location. Plumbing fixtures replaced in the same location.

Submitting plans

A residential application needs the parcel number, owner contact details, the contractor’s license number (if a contractor is used), and the plan review fee. Plans must be drawn to scale and include:

• A site plan showing setbacks, lot coverage, and building heights
• A floor plan
• Plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings

When the state requires it, plans must be sealed by an Arizona-registered architect or engineer. Projects in historic districts need Historic Preservation Office approval first (602-261-8699).

You can book appointments online for custom homes, ADUs, additions, and remodels. For residential questions, call Residential Building at (602) 261-8078 or the Residential Code Information Line at (602) 262-7884.

ADUs: Under 2024 zoning changes, a lot with one detached house may have two ADUs. The city is preparing free pre-approved ADU plans, which must be used without changes.

Codes in effect

The 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397) took effect August 1, 2025. All plans submitted after December 31, 2025 must comply with it. It includes the 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, UPC, IECC, IEBC, and ISPSC, plus the 2023 NEC, each with Phoenix amendments. The city has postponed enforcing the GFCI requirement for HVAC equipment (NEC 210.8(F)) until March 1, 2027.

Fees

The PDD fee schedule (Ordinance G-7465) took effect January 20, 2026. Building permit fees are based on project valuation, which the city calculates from square footage using its Building Valuation Table.

Item	Fee
Valuation $1–$1,000	$195 base. The minimum is $98 for water heaters and fences. Includes up to two inspections.
$1,001–$10,000	$195 plus $12 per additional $1,000
$10,001–$50,000	$303 plus $10 per additional $1,000
$50,001–$200,000	$703 plus $9 per additional $1,000
Swimming pool	$234 minimum plus a $30 surcharge
Re-inspection	$195 each
Hourly review or inspection	$195 per hour

PDD does not accept mobile payment apps or e-checks. Refund requests must be made in writing within 180 days of payment.

Inspections

• Residential permits and pools: Schedule in SHAPE PHX or through the automated line at 602-495-0800.
• Commercial permits in PDD Online: Schedule at apps-secure.phoenix.gov/pdd/inspections using the web inspection key printed on your permit receipt.
• Remote video inspections: Available for minor electrical and plumbing work, service upgrades up to 200 amps, water heaters, repipes, and gas or sewer lines. Call 602-262-7811 to schedule.

Inspections are required before concrete is poured, after rough framing, and before drywall goes in. Keep the permit posted and the stamped plans on site. Work must start within six months of the permit being issued, or the permit expires. After the final inspection passes, the city issues a Certificate of Occupancy or a Certificate of Completion.

Licensing and related offices

Permitted plumbing and mechanical work must be done by a city-licensed journeyman (three-year license; requires an exam and four years of experience) or a supervised apprentice. For licensing, call 602-495-3668.

Other offices:

• Zoning: 602-262-7131
• Site Planning: 602-495-0302
• Fire Plan Review: 602-495-5091
• Civil Permits/Water Services: 602-262-6551