Do you need a permit for a deck in Phoenix?
Phoenix’s published wording does not name decks separately. The wording it does publish is quoted below1; ask the building department whether your deck needs a permit before you start.
On this page
General rule only
Phoenix's published wording“Interior and exterior platforms, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.”1
City of Phoenix, Planning & Development Department, [A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit, Building item 6, p.20
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Platforms over 30 inches above grade, or over a story below, or part of an accessible route | Interior and exterior platforms, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.1 |
| Building permit | Patio covers | Patio covers…2 |
Limits and conditions in Phoenix's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this height above grade (the wording covers platforms) | 30 inches | Interior and exterior platforms, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.1 |
What to submit
- Site plan with structures, setbacks, lot coverage, heights3
Deck permit fees in Phoenix
Fee lines as Phoenix's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Table A base fee, valuation $1 - $1,000 | Minimum fee | $1 - $1,000 $195 Base fee only*4 |
| Table A, valuation $1,001 - $10,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,001 - $10,000 $195 on first $1,000, plus $12 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $10,0004 |
| Table A, valuation $10,001 - $50,000 | Based on project valuation | $10,001 - $50,000 $303 on first $10,000 plus $10 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $50,0004 |
| Table A, valuation $50,001 - $200,000 | Based on project valuation | $50,001 - $200,000 $703 on first $50,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $200,0004 |
| Table A, valuation $200,001 - $1,000,000 | Based on project valuation | $200,001 - $1,000,000 $2,053 on first $200,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,0004 |
| Table A, valuation $1,000,001 - $10,000,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,000,001 - $10,000,000 $9,253 on first $1,000,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $10,000,0004 |
| Table A, valuation over $10,000,000 | Based on project valuation | Over $10,000,000 $54,253 on first $10,000,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, on the total amount of the project valuation4 |
All of Phoenix's fee lines are on the Phoenix permit page.
Arizona law that applies
- State rules on which work needs a permit in Arizona
- Homeowners doing their own work in Arizona
- Contractor licensing in Arizona
Who to ask
City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department7
Building permits
- Website
- phoenix.gov2
- Apply online
- shapephx.phoenix.gov5
- Phone
- (602) 261-80782
- [email protected]2
- Address
- 200 West Washington Street, Second Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 850036
- Hours
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except major holidays6
- Inspections
- Online via SHAPE PHX (residential) or phone 602-495-08007
Deck permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Phoenix with 18 other cities on the national deck permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- 2024 International Building Code Administrative Provisions (IBC Chapter 1), Phoenix amendmentsCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentEffective August 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential BuildingCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- How to Obtain a Residential Building Permit (Residential Single-Family Construction Permit Guide, TRT 00823)City of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentRevised February 2020Checked November 7, 2026
- PDD Fee Schedule, Phoenix City Code Chapter 9, Appendix A.2City of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentEffective January 20, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Help with My Home ProjectCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact Planning and DevelopmentCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Inspection Request/CancellationCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026