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Mesa building permits

Building permits in Mesa are issued by the City of Mesa Development Services Department1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com1.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Building department contacts
  2. Building codes in force in Mesa
  3. Mesa building permit fees
  4. How to get a building permit in Mesa
  5. Permit expiration and extensions
  6. Inspections in Mesa
  7. Building without a permit in Mesa
  8. Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
  9. Arizona rules that also apply in Mesa
  10. Sources

Building department contacts

City of Mesa Development Services Department1

Building permits

Address
55 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201
2
Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday - Essential Service Call Center ONLY 8:00 am to 12:00 pm2
Inspections
Text, automated phone (480-644-2428, 24 hours) or online via DIMES3

City of Mesa Development Services Planning Division4

Zoning and planning

Address
55 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
4

To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: aca-prod.accela.com3.

Building codes in force in Mesa

These are the model codes Mesa enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Arizona building codes.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffectiveAdopted by
International Building Code (IBC)2024 International Building Code and its appendices C, E, I, and J as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 2 (Mesa Building Code))5202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 59805
International Residential Code (IRC)2024 International Residential Code and its appendices BB, BF, and NE as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 3 (Mesa Residential Code))8202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 5981 (adopted December 8, 2025)9
National Electrical Code (NEC)2023 National Electrical Code as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 4 (Mesa Lighting and Electrical Code))10202367Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598210
International Plumbing Code (IPC)2024 International Plumbing Code and its appendices C and E as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 5 (Mesa Plumbing Code))11202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598311
International Mechanical Code (IMC)2024 International Mechanical Code as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 6 (Mesa Mechanical Code))12202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598412
International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)2024 International Fuel Gas Code and its appendices A and B as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 7 (Mesa Fuel Gas Code))13202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598513
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)2024 International Existing Building Code as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 8 (Mesa Existing Building Code))14202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598614
Energy code, residential2024 International Energy Conservation Code and its appendix RE as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 9 (Mesa Energy Conservation Code))15202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598715
Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as amended (Mesa City Code Title 4, Chapter 10 (Mesa Swimming Pool and Spa Code))16202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 598816
International Fire Code (IFC)2024 International Fire Code and its appendices B, C, E, F, I, L, N, and O as amended (Mesa City Code Title 7)17202467Mesa City Council, Ordinance No. 597817

Transition rules. 2018-code standard plans valid 6 months after 2024 IRC adoption; commercial 2018-designed projects via fee-waived code modification for 90 days7.

Mesa building permit fees

Fees come from the Schedule of Fees and Charges - Development Services18, effective 18.

How valuation is set. Livable area x ICC Building Safety Journal construction cost per sq ft; non-livable at 50%; misc. residential work at applicant valuation verified by plans examiner18.

Each line is worded as in Mesa’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $0 toBased on project valuation$0 to $8,333 $220.0018
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $8,334 toBased on project valuation$8,334 to $16,667 $330.0018
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $16,668 toBased on project valuation$16,668 to $24,999 $440.0018
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $25,000 toBased on project valuation$25,000 to $200,000 $500.00 plus $6.00/each $1,000 or portion thereof OVER $25,00018
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $200,000.01 toBased on project valuation$200,000.01 to $500,000 $1,550.00 plus $9.00/each $1,000 or portion thereof OVER $200,00018
Residential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $500,000.01 toBased on project valuation$500,000.01 to $2,000,000 $4,250.00 plus $6.00/each $1,000 or portion thereof OVER $500,00018
Residential Rate Table - BPF for Valuations OVER $2,000,000.00Based on project valuationOVER $2,000,000.00 $13,250.00 plus $3.00/each $1,000 or portion thereof OVER $2,000,00018
Residential permit deposit - valuations less than $25,000Minimum feeLess than $25,000 $170.00 Permit18
Residential permit deposit - $25,000 to $200,000Minimum fee$25,000 to $200,000 $500.00 Permit18
Technology Improvement FeeTechnology surchargeEach and every permit fee and service fee of all types shall be assessed an additional technology improvement fee equal to four percent (4%) of the permit and/or service fee total to fund technology improvements.18
Residential Swimming Pools and in ground Spas (all inclusive)Flat feeResidential Swimming Pools and in ground Spas (all inclusive) $330.00 Each18
Above Ground Spas (all inclusive)Flat feeAbove Ground Spas (all inclusive) $300.00 Each18
DemolitionFlat feeDemolition (no fee required for condemnation) $120.00 Each18
Temporary Electrical ServiceFlat feeTemporary Electrical Service $200.00 Each18
Re-InspectionsRe-inspectionRe‐Inspections $120.00 Inspection Trip18
After-Hours Inspections at Night or WeekendsAfter-hours inspectionAfter‐Hours Inspections at Night or Weekends (2 hour minimum) $120.00 Hour18
Code ModificationFlat feeCode Modification (Includes 1 hour of review) $250.00 Each18
Desert Uplands Temporary Residential Fence PermitPer inspectionDesert Uplands Temporary Residential Fence Permit $120.00 Inspection18
Expedited PremiumExpedited reviewExpedited Premium 100% (1.00) of total permit fee18
Fourth and Subsequent Re-submittals of DrawingsPlan reviewApplicants submitting revisions to permit applications and drawings beyond the third submittal and prior to the issuance of a permit will be assessed an additional plan review fee calculated at the rate of $120.00 per staff hour, with a minimum of two hours.18
Expired Applications/Permits - time extensionFlat feeTime extensions for Applications that expired in accordance with Mesa City Code Section 4‐1‐4(H) and Permits that expired in accordance with Section 4‐1‐4(N) shall be $120.00 for each 180‐day extension, non‐prorated.18

To apply Mesa's valuation table to your own project value, use the permit fee calculator; it shows the schedule line it used.

How to get a building permit in Mesa

  1. Determine Required Planning Approvals4
  2. Understand Construction Permit Requirements4
  3. Determine If You Need a Licensed Contractor4
  4. Prepare Required Documents and Apply for a Permit4
  5. Permit Under Review4
  6. Pay Fees and Obtain Permit4
  7. Construction Inspections and Permit Completion4
Apply online
Yes4
Posting the permit
Printed copy of approved plans kept on site for inspector4

Permit expiration and extensions

Extensions
Call 480-644-4273 before expiration to renew/extend4

Inspections in Mesa

Mesa’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).

  1. Footing (code 105)19
  2. Framing (code 310)19
  3. Plumbing rough-in (code 315)19
  4. Electrical rough-in (code 320)19
  5. Energy insulation (code 360)19
  6. Building final (code 405)19
  7. Pool pre-gunite (code 705)19
  8. Pool barrier/final (code 710)19
  9. Certificate of Occupancy (code 430)19
  10. Certificate of Completion (code 445)19
How to schedule
Automated phone 480-644-2428 (24 hours), text, or DIMES online19
Re-inspection fee
Re‐Inspections $120.00 Inspection Trip18
After the final inspection
Certificate automatically generated when all inspections, conditions and holds are complete4

Building without a permit in Mesa

ConsequenceApplies toAs the city states itWay to fix it
Higher permit fee Mesa City Code § 4-1-8(T)Non-licensed homeowners doing work on their own property without contractor1850% of appropriate Building or Civil Engineering Permit Fee18Director may reduce the fee to 25% of the Building Permit Fee for a cooperative homeowner who resolves the violation within 30 days18
Higher permit fee Mesa City Code § 4-1-8(T)Non-Residential Building Owners, Licensed or Registered Professionals18100%18–
Investigation fee Mesa City Code § 4-1-8(T)Work commenced prior to obtaining the required permit18Unauthorized work within the Right of Way: 200% of appropriate Civil Engineering Permit or Non City Utility Permit Fees18–

For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.

Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)

Homeowner may pull a building permit
Conditional: owner-occupied projects may not require a licensed contractor4
Owner and occupancy requirement
Structures must be intended for occupancy solely by the owner, not for sale or rent20
Sale or rental limits
Sale/rent within one year after completion is prima facie evidence of a project for sale or rent20
Affidavit or declaration
Yes21

Arizona's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Arizona permit guide.

Arizona rules that also apply in Mesa

Sources

  1. Development ServicesCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Building Permit & Plan ReviewCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Construction InspectionsCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Residential ConstructionCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Legistar matter 25-1014City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  6. Development Codes, Ordinances, Regulations & StandardsCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
  7. Mesa Building CodeCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
  8. Legistar matter 25-1016City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  9. Ordinance No. 5981 (Mesa Residential Code)City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Adopted December 8, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  10. Legistar matter 25-1018City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  11. Legistar matter 25-1020City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  12. Legistar matter 25-1022City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  13. Legistar matter 25-1024City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  14. Legistar matter 25-1026City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  15. Legistar matter 25-1028City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  16. Legistar matter 25-1030City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  17. Legistar matter 25-1032City of Mesa, City Council (Legistar)Checked November 6, 2026
  18. Schedule of Fees and Charges - Development ServicesCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentRevised July 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  19. Inspection Codes For Automated SchedulingCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  20. Contractor Licensure Verification FormCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  21. Residential Construction Homeowners GuideCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentRevised March 2025Checked November 7, 2026