Tucson building permits
Building permits in Tucson are issued by the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD)1. You can apply and request inspections online through tdc-online.tucsonaz.gov2.
On this page
Building department contacts
Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD)1
Building permits
- Website
- tucsonaz.gov3
- Apply online
- tdc-online.tucsonaz.gov2
- Phone
- (520) 791-55502
- [email protected]2
- Address
- Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor, Tucson2
- Inspections
- Request in TDC Online; on-site inspections requested before 3:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri) are performed the next business day4
Code Enforcement Division (PDSD)5
Code enforcement
- Website
- tucsonaz.gov5
- Phone
- (520) 791-58435
- [email protected]5
- Address
- P.O. Box 27210, Tucson, AZ 85726 (mailing)5
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.5
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: tucsonaz.gov6.
Building codes in force in Tucson
These are the model codes Tucson 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.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code7 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance 12171 and Ordinance 122107 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Building Code9 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance 12171 and Ordinance 122109 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Existing Building Code10 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| Energy code, residential | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code11 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| Energy code, commercial | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code11 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Plumbing Code12 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Mechanical Code13 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code14 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2023 National Electric Code15 | 20238 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code16 | 20248 | 8 | Ordinance #12171 (authorizes local amendments)8 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2024 TUCSON FIRE CODE17 | 20248 | – | – |
Transition rules. Applications received before July 1, 2026 continue under the code editions in effect at submittal unless the Building Official approves otherwise8.
Tucson building permit fees
Fees come from the Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (FY27), adopted by Mayor and Council May 19, 202618, effective 18.
How valuation is set. ICC Building Valuation Data (August 2025 ICC table, City Construction Valuation Table effective July 1, 2026)19.
Each line is worded as in Tucson’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $1 to $2,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $89.45 + $0.00 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 1–2000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $2,000.01 to $25,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $89.45 + $22.95 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 2000.01–25000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $25,000.01 to $50,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $617.30 + $16.83 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 25000.01–50000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $50,000.01 to $100,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $1,038.05 + $9.64 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 50000.01–100000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $100,000.01 to $500,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $1,520.05 + $8.25 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 100000.01–500000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $500,000.01 to $1,000,000 | Based on project valuation | Base fee $4,800.05 + $7.45 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 500000.01–1000000)20 |
| Building Permit Fees for New Construction: $1,000,000.01 and above | Based on project valuation | Base fee $8,525.05 + $5.45 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 1000000.01–and above)20 |
| Building Staff Review and Deferred Submittal - Residential | Plan review | 50% of building permit fee20 |
| Residential - Level 1 Alteration | Based on project valuation | 5% of standard valuation (removal and replacement of existing materials and equipment, or fixtures)20 |
| Residential – Level 2 Alteration | Based on project valuation | 15% of standard valuation20 |
| Residential – Level 3 Alteration | Based on project valuation | 30% of standard valuation (work area exceeds 50% of building area)20 |
| Trade Permits (single item, incl. water heater, HVAC, panel, sewer line) | Flat fee | $150.0020 |
| Trade Permits – 2 or more items | – | $150.00 for first item + $50.00 for each additional item20 |
| Solar Permits – Photovoltaic Electrical Systems – 1 to 30 PV panels | Flat fee | $122.4620 |
| Private Swimming Pool | Flat fee | $730.28 + plan review fee at standard hourly rate, minimum 1 hour20 |
| Spa | Flat fee | $337.05 + plan review fee at standard hourly rate, minimum ½ hour20 |
| Masonry Walls | Per square foot | $16.85 + $33.70 per 500 square feet of surface area + plan review fee at standard hourly rate, minimum ½ hour20 |
| Wood and Metal Fences | Flat fee | $28.08 + $5.62 per 100 linear feet + plan review fee at standard hourly rate, minimum ½ hour20 |
| Interior and/or Exterior Demolition | Per square foot | $84.26 per 5,000 sq ft of area to be demolished, per floor20 |
| Pre-application conference - Residential | Flat fee | $150.0020 |
| Digital Filing Fee | Technology surcharge | 1% of the total fee, minimum $18.5420 |
| Standard Hourly Rate | Flat fee | $100.0020 |
| Inspections After Regular Business Hours, Sameday, Weekend and Holidays | After-hours inspection | Overtime hourly rate, minimum 2 hours20 |
| Expedited Staff Review | Expedited review | 100% of original staff review fee (in addition to the original staff review fee)20 |
| CofO for address without permit issued in prior 360 days | Flat fee | $150.0020 |
| Re-Inspection of a single item, beyond the first two inspections | Re-inspection | Per hour, minimum 1 hour20 |
How to get a building permit in Tucson
- Check whether the project needs a permit22
- Apply, upload plans and pay fees in TDC Online22
- Plan review by building, zoning, floodplain, fire and other reviewers23
- Permit issued and fees paid before inspections can be scheduled24
- Post the permit on the job site1
- Call for inspection before covering or concealing work1
- Final inspection (serves as the certificate of occupancy for IRC and Group U structures)9
- Apply online
- Yes2
- Over-the-counter permits
- No over-the-counter plan review; Express Lane (24-hour target) for SolarAPP+ solar, residential electrical and plumbing (trade) projects and electrical reconnections21
- Posting the permit
- Yes1
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- 365 days25
- Extensions
- No administrative extensions; extension or reactivation only through a Building Code Appeal (fee applies), and not more than once25
Inspections in Tucson
Tucson’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Inspection before work is covered (e.g. foundation before concrete pour)4
- Remote Video Inspection4
- Job Card listing common required inspections1
- Certificate of Occupancy / Letter of Completion26
- How to schedule
- Request in TDC Online (permit must be Issued and fees paid); inspections are typically scheduled the night before and confirmed by email24
- Re-inspection fee
- Re-Inspection of a single item, beyond the first two inspections: Per hour, minimum 1 hour20
- After the final inspection
- Approved final inspection constitutes the CofO for IRC and Group U structures9
Building without a permit in Tucson
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee 2024 IBC § 109.4 as amended by the City of Tucson (Ord. 12171/12210); FY27 Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule 4‐01.5.12 | Work started without required permit20 | 100% of permit fee (penalty in addition to the permit fee)20 | After-the-fact permit: full construction drawings and completed inspections still required; stop work until permitted23 |
| Criminal penalty A.R.S. § 13-2704 | Owner/Builder Affidavit completed to evade state contractor licensing laws23 | Class 2 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-2704)23 | – |
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
- Yes1
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner/builder exemption is for residential homeowners on their homes; rental units are commercial and require a licensed contractor23
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes23
Arizona's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Arizona permit guide.
Arizona rules that also apply in Tucson
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Arizona
- Contractor licensing in Arizona
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Arizona
- Private plan review and inspections in Arizona
Sources
- Permit FAQ City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Planning & Development Services City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Permits City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Building Inspections City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Code Enforcement City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- Records City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Residential CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- Building Codes City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Building CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Existing Building CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Energy Conservation CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Plumbing CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Mechanical CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Fuel Gas CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2023 National Electric CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- 2024 Tucson Fire Code AmendmentsCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 6, 2026
- Fee Schedule City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Adopted May 19, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Building Valuation Tables City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Adopted Year 1 Fee Schedule, FY27)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Remote Video Inspection City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Tucson Development Center Online Instructions City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Permits City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- TDC Online: Inspections (Schedule and track an inspection)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
- Administrative Policy 2026.01-IE: Building Permit Application, Plan Review and Permit Extension/Reactivation PolicyCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Occupancy Certificates City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026