Building permits in the City of Phoenix are issued by the Planning & Development Department (PDD), enforcing the Phoenix Building Construction Code. The city recently moved to SHAPE PHX, a single 24/7 portal that consolidates residential and commercial plan review, permitting, inspections, solar (PV), planning & zoning, and historic preservation.
This Phoenix building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the SHAPE PHX submission process, trade permits, and inspections — so your Phoenix project starts clean.
This guide covers the City of Phoenix. PDD permits only work within city limits; unincorporated Maricopa County and other Valley cities (Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler and more) run their own building departments with separate portals and fees.
What requires a building permit in Phoenix?
Under the Phoenix Building Construction Code (based on the International Codes), a permit from PDD is required before most construction. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and tenant improvements
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Swimming pools, walls, and shade structures
- Solar PV systems (dedicated SHAPE PHX category)
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Certain low non-structural walls/fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Phoenix charges an investigation fee for work done without a permit, on top of the normal permit fee. Apply through SHAPE PHX first.
Who handles permitting in Phoenix?
Permitting is administered by the Planning & Development Department through the SHAPE PHX portal and the PDD Development Center. The fee schedule is reviewed by the Development Advisory Board and approved by City Council.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Development Center | 200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 |
| Phone | 602-262-7811 |
| Online portal | SHAPE PHX (shapephx.phoenix.gov) — residential, commercial, PV, inspections |
| Fee authority | Phoenix City Code Appendix A.2 (PDD Fee Schedule) |
| Contractor license | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) |
| Enforced code | Phoenix Building Construction Code (International Codes with local amendments) |
Apply, submit plans, pay fees, and request inspections in SHAPE PHX. The portal is available 24/7 and now supports commercial plan review and inspections (Release 3); create a personal account, or have the SHAPE PHX team set up a business account for firms with multiple staff.
Phoenix building permit cost
Phoenix building permit fees are set by the PDD Fee Schedule (Phoenix City Code Appendix A.2) and are based on building valuation, plan review, and the specific permit type, with separate fees for each trade. SHAPE PHX calculates fees during the application.
Additional fees apply for re-inspections, alternative methods/materials, and certain miscellaneous services. Confirm current amounts in SHAPE PHX or the fee schedule before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on building valuation and permit type (City Code Appendix A.2) |
| Plan review fee | Assessed for projects requiring review |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade unless rolled into a combination permit |
| Residential solar PV | Dedicated permit category in SHAPE PHX |
| Re-inspection fee | Assessed for failed inspections on construction permits |
| Work-without-permit | Investigation fee plus the normal permit fee |
Want a precise number for a specific Phoenix project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Phoenix trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and an ROC-licensed contractor, each filed against the building permit in SHAPE PHX.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations. Phoenix enforces the electrical provisions of its adopted construction code.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping. Fees follow the PDD fee schedule with a per-permit minimum.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration — heavily used given Phoenix's climate. Specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools, freestanding walls, and shade structures are permitted separately, and residential solar PV has its own SHAPE PHX category. Desert design considerations (heat, dust, monsoon drainage) factor into many Phoenix projects.
Verify your contractor's license. Confirm the contractor is licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — verify at (602) 542-1525 — before signing. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Phoenix
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and confirm the parcel is inside City of Phoenix limits — not unincorporated Maricopa County or a neighboring Valley city.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, signed plans, energy compliance, and any drainage/grading documentation; create a SHAPE PHX account (business account for firms).
Submit in SHAPE PHX
Start a plan review or permit application in SHAPE PHX and upload your documents. Residential solar uses the dedicated PV category.
Plan review & corrections
PDD reviews for code compliance and issues corrections; respond and resubmit in SHAPE PHX. Communicate with staff through the portal.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the SHAPE PHX-calculated fees and pull the permit. Post the permit and approved plans at the job site.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections in SHAPE PHX. Clear all required inspections to obtain final approval or a Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Phoenix
Request inspections in SHAPE PHX using your permit number. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans at the job site.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before final approval or a Certificate of Occupancy.
Official Phoenix permitting resources
- 🏛️ Phoenix Planning & Development Department
- 💻 SHAPE PHX portal
- 💵 PDD Fee Schedule (Appendix A.2)
- 📋 Construction permits & planning
- 🪪 Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
- 📘 Codes, ordinances & resources
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More Arizona permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department before filing. This is not legal advice.