Frequently asked questions, permit types, department breakdowns, Pima County-specific requirements, and process guides — all in one place.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work requires a permit in Arizona. Common projects that require permits include additions, ADUs, pools, covered patios, new HVAC systems, electrical panel upgrades, and plumbing modifications. Projects that generally don't require permits include painting, flooring, cabinet replacement, and minor cosmetic work. When in doubt, check with your county — or ask us. Starting work without a required permit can result in stop-work orders, fines, and required demolition.
Timelines vary by county, project type, and current review volume. In Pima County, the published turnaround goals are:
Building permits under 20,000 sq ft: 5 business days
Building permits over 20,000 sq ft: 10 business days
MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) permits: 1 business day
Correction responses: 3 business days
Site development: 5-day goal, 15-day guarantee
These are review timelines — the full process from submittal to permit issuance typically takes longer when you include correction rounds, resubmittals, and final approvals. Maricopa County and other jurisdictions have their own timelines.
Pima County uses an online portal at permits.pima.gov (Accela system) for most permit submissions. The process works as follows:
Administrative completeness check: Staff verify the application is complete before routing it for review.
Substantive review: Up to five departments review simultaneously — DSD (Development Services), RFCD (Regional Flood Control District), DOT (Transportation), NRPR (Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation), and OSC (Office of Sustainability and Conservation).
Corrections: If any department flags an issue, you'll receive a correction notice. You have 3 business days to respond under published guidelines.
Approval & issuance: Once all departments clear, the permit is issued.
Counter hours for in-person questions are 8am–4pm, Monday through Friday.
Yes — Pima County has several local requirements that go beyond state minimums:
Native Plant Preservation: Required for most projects. Properties platted before August 1, 1998 may be exempt.
Outdoor Lighting Code: Pima County's dark-sky ordinance limits light spillover and upward light — applies to all new construction and significant remodels.
Riparian Habitat: Projects disturbing more than 14,520 sq ft of riparian area require a mitigation plan.
Cultural Resource Clearance: May be required depending on project location and site history.
Building Codes in effect (as of January 1, 2026): 2024 International Building Codes + 2023 National Electrical Code.
Hillside Development Manual: Applies to projects on slopes 15% or steeper.
Airport Noise Design Standard: Applies to properties within airport influence zones.
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code: Applies to properties in designated fire-risk zones.
RWRD: Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department issues separate permits for sewer connections — required for most new construction and additions with plumbing.
Pima County issues several types of development permits:
Building Permit: Standard permit for construction, remodels, additions, and most projects.
Development Concept Plan: Required before construction begins for certain commercial and subdivision projects. Does not authorize construction.
Site Construction Permit: Required for projects involving more than one building, commercial expansions over 2,000 sq ft, new subdivisions, or grading/fill exceeding 50,000 cubic yards.
Plat Approvals: Required for subdivisions and lot splits.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Permits: Separate permit category with 1-business-day review target.
No. While Arizona adopts statewide model codes as a baseline, each jurisdiction — city, town, or county — adopts its own code version and local amendments. Pima County adopted the 2024 International Building Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, effective January 1, 2026. The City of Tucson, City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and other jurisdictions are on different cycles and may have different local amendments. Always verify the current adopted code with the jurisdiction where your project is located before starting design or construction.
In most Arizona jurisdictions, homeowners can pull permits for work on their primary residence as an Owner-Builder. This exempts you from ROC contractor licensing requirements — but it does not exempt you from code compliance, inspections, or liability. If you sell the property within a certain period after pulling an owner-builder permit, you may be required to disclose that the work was done owner-builder. For commercial projects or rental properties, the owner-builder exemption generally does not apply and a licensed contractor is required.
A correction notice means one or more reviewing departments found issues with your submittal that must be resolved before the permit can be approved. Common correction triggers include incomplete site plans, missing engineer stamps, code noncompliance, or unclear scope narratives. In Pima County, published response time is 3 business days. Correction notices must be addressed point-by-point — vague or partial responses typically trigger another round. We handle all corrections in-house and respond same-day for expedited projects.
It depends on project type and scope. Arizona requires a licensed architect or engineer to stamp drawings for commercial projects, multi-family buildings, and residential projects above certain thresholds. Structural work — including additions, load-bearing wall changes, foundations, and retaining walls — typically requires a structural engineer's stamp. We coordinate with licensed engineers and architects as part of our project management service when required.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licenses and regulates contractors in Arizona. For permitted projects, the contractor pulling the permit must hold a valid ROC license in the appropriate classification. Counties verify ROC license status during permit application. Unlicensed contractors cannot legally pull permits — and using an unlicensed contractor exposes the property owner to liability, code violations, and insurance issues. We verify ROC status as part of every project intake.
Change of use (converting residential to commercial)
Generally does not require a permit
Interior painting and wall finishes
Flooring replacement (non-structural)
Cabinet and countertop replacement
Fixture swaps (same location, like-for-like)
Landscaping, sod, and garden beds
Fencing under certain heights (varies by county)
Minor drywall patching and repair
Door and window replacement (same opening)
Detached sheds under 200 sq ft (typically)
Roof repairs covering less than a certain percentage
Minor grading and drainage improvements
Always verify with your specific county. Rules vary and thresholds change.
Pima County
Departments That Review Permits
Pima County permit applications are reviewed by up to five departments simultaneously. Each has a separate scope — a permit isn't approved until every applicable department clears it.
DSD
Development Services
Lead department. Zoning, land use, building code compliance, site plans, and construction documents.
RFCD
Regional Flood Control District
Floodplain review, drainage, stormwater, and projects near washes or flood-prone areas.
DOT
Dept. of Transportation
Driveway access, right-of-way impacts, traffic studies for larger developments.
Outdoor lighting code compliance, dark-sky requirements, energy efficiency standards.
RWRD
Regional Wastewater Reclamation
Separate permit required for sewer connections. Required for most projects with plumbing.
PCHD
Pima County Health Dept.
Septic systems, food service facilities, and projects with public health implications.
AZ DOT
Arizona Dept. of Transportation
State highway access, projects adjacent to state routes or ADOT right-of-way.
AZ DEQ
AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality
Air quality permits for commercial projects, contamination clearances, certain demolitions.
AZ ROC
Registrar of Contractors
Verifies contractor licensing on commercial and larger residential projects.
ADWR
AZ Dept. of Water Resources
Well permits, water rights, and projects affecting water supply or aquifers.
SHPO
State Historic Preservation Office
Cultural resource clearances, historic properties, and projects in sensitive archaeological areas.
Process
How the Permit Process Works
01
Scope & Permit Identification
Determine what permits are required for your project based on scope, location, and project type. Different projects in different counties require different permits — this step prevents costly surprises later.
02
Document Preparation
Assemble the complete application package: site plans, construction documents, scope narratives, ROC verification, engineer stamps (if required), and all supporting exhibits. Incomplete applications are rejected at intake and reset the clock.
03
Submittal & Administrative Review
Submit to the appropriate county portal or counter. In Pima County, this is permits.pima.gov. Staff first perform an administrative completeness check before routing to substantive review.
04
Substantive Review
Applicable departments review the application simultaneously. In Pima County, up to five departments review in parallel. Each department has its own checklist — all must clear before the permit can be approved.
05
Correction Responses
If any department flags issues, a correction notice is issued. Each comment must be addressed specifically and thoroughly. Vague responses or partial fixes trigger additional rounds. Pima County's published correction response window is 3 business days.
06
Permit Issuance
Once all departments clear, the permit is issued. Permit fees are due at issuance. Work may begin after permit issuance — not before.
07
Inspections & Final
Most permits require one or more inspections during and after construction. The permit stays open until all required inspections pass and a final is issued. An open permit without a final can affect property sales and refinancing.
Need help with a project?
We handle every part of the permit process — from document prep to final issuance. Reach out and we'll tell you exactly what your project needs.