_1781464136662-DVw5IPjt.png)
Arizona
Permit Expediting
Arizona's rapid commercial growth means active permitting across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and surrounding cities — each with its own codes, review processes, and timelines.
Ocean Permits & Development manages commercial and residential permits across Arizona's major markets. For multi-location rollout clients, Arizona is frequently part of the same expansion program as California, Texas, and Florida — and we coordinate all markets from a single point of contact.
Arizona jurisdictions generally adopt the International Building Code with local amendments, but how those amendments apply — and how each city's development services department processes submittals — varies significantly from city to city. We research current code adoption and local requirements before the first drawing is submitted.
Markets We Cover in Arizona
Phoenix
Arizona's largest city has its own Development Services Department and online permit portal. Commercial projects often require concurrent review by the Planning, Engineering, and Fire departments. Phoenix adopted the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code, effective August 1, 2025; new submittals after December 31, 2025 must comply with the 2024 code. Other Arizona cities adopt on their own schedules.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale's Development Review Board and strict design standards make commercial and residential permits more involved than many Arizona cities. The city's supplemental design guidelines affect exterior materials, color, and landscaping for most commercial projects.
Tempe
A dense urban market with active commercial permitting for restaurant, retail, and office TIs. Tempe processes permits through its own Community Development department and has adopted local amendments to the IBC and IFC.
Mesa
Mesa's Development Services manages residential and commercial permits for the state's third-largest city. Mesa uses an online permit portal and has its own fire marshal review process for commercial projects.
Chandler & Gilbert
Fast-growing East Valley cities with active commercial development. Each has its own permitting process and local code amendments. Franchise and retail rollout programs frequently include these markets.
Tucson & Pima County
Southern Arizona's major market, with distinct code adoption and review processes from the Phoenix metro. Projects in unincorporated Pima County go through a separate county process from City of Tucson permits.
What We Handle in Arizona
- Commercial tenant improvements — retail, restaurant, and office build-outs
- Residential permits — new construction, additions, and ADUs
- Multi-location rollout programs across Arizona markets
- Sign permits under each city's sign ordinance
- Grading and site development permits for commercial projects
- Code violation resolution and retroactive permits
- Pre-submittal feasibility research for zoning and code compliance
- Plan check correction responses and resubmittals
Arizona-Specific Permitting Challenges
Desert Climate & Energy Code
Arizona's extreme heat creates specific energy code requirements for mechanical systems, insulation, and fenestration. Arizona has no single statewide building or energy code for local projects; each city or county adopts its own IECC edition and amendments, so the energy edition must be confirmed per jurisdiction.
Multi-Jurisdiction Complexity
The Phoenix metro alone includes Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Glendale, and Maricopa County unincorporated areas — each with its own process. What works in Scottsdale's DRB submittal won't work in Mesa's online portal without adjustment.
Design Review in Scottsdale & Surprise
Scottsdale's Design Review Board adds a layer of review for commercial projects that many applicants don't anticipate. Projects that don't meet design standards face redesign requirements, not just code corrections.
Maricopa County vs. City Jurisdiction
Projects in unincorporated Maricopa County are processed through the county — not any city department. Many commercially-zoned parcels on the urban fringe fall in this category, and submitting to the wrong jurisdiction is a costly mistake.
Phoenix Commercial Permit Fees: Official Example
Fees are set by each jurisdiction. The figures below come from the City of Phoenix Planning and Development fee schedule effective January 20, 2026 under Ordinance G-7465 (pages 31 and 35). They apply only to incorporated Phoenix. Unincorporated Maricopa County, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Tucson and others publish their own schedules, so Phoenix rates should not be reused statewide.
| Item | Phoenix rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Valuation band $10,001 to $50,000 | $303 for the first $10,000 plus $10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Table A building permit fee |
| Valuation band $50,001 to $200,000 | $703 for the first $50,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Table A building permit fee |
| General commercial plan review, valuation $50,000 or less | 100% of the permit fee | Minimum $195 when plan review is required |
| General commercial plan review, valuation over $50,000 | 80% of the permit fee | Minimum $195 when plan review is required |
Source: City of Phoenix fee schedule, Table A and general commercial plan review.
| Example | Building permit | General commercial plan review | Illustrative subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 valuation | $703.00 | $703.00 (100%) | $1,406.00 |
| $100,000 valuation | $1,153.00 | $922.40 (80%) | $2,075.40 |
Illustrative subtotals include only the Table A building permit and general commercial plan review. They exclude fire, site, civil, trade (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), sign, impact and other fees, plus design and expediting costs.
Phoenix adopted the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code effective August 1, 2025, and all new submittals after December 31, 2025 must comply with it. That is a Phoenix adoption, not a universal Arizona one; we confirm the edition and amendments for every jurisdiction before submittal.
Common Questions
Why are commercial projects challenging in Arizona?
Arizona has many cities and counties — each with its own building codes, zoning requirements, and permitting processes. What works in Phoenix may not work in Scottsdale or Tucson. Commercial projects must comply with local zoning, land use, parking, landscaping, and signage regulations, often involving multiple departments, public hearings, and sometimes design review.
What types of projects do you support in Arizona?
We assist with commercial tenant improvements (retail, restaurant, office), residential new construction and additions, multi-location rollout programs, sign permits, and code violation resolution across Arizona's major markets. We work alongside your architect and GC to manage the permitting track so construction can start on schedule.
Which Arizona cities and counties do you serve?
Our primary Arizona markets are Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Glendale, Tucson, and unincorporated Maricopa and Pima County. For rollout programs covering multiple Arizona markets simultaneously, we provide centralized coordination across all locations.
Does Arizona use the IBC?
Yes. Most Arizona jurisdictions have adopted the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — with local amendments. Arizona does not impose one statewide edition on local building permits; each city and county adopts its own cycle. Phoenix, for example, moved to the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code effective August 1, 2025, while other jurisdictions may remain on earlier editions. Local amendments create the differences that matter in practice — we research current adoption and amendments for each jurisdiction before submittal.
How long do Arizona permits typically take?
Simple interior TI permits in Phoenix or Tempe can be approved in 2–4 weeks over the counter. More complex commercial projects, projects requiring design review (Scottsdale), or projects with grading and site development components can take 6–12 weeks. We pre-submittal review every package to minimize correction cycles and compress total review time.
Do you handle Arizona rollout programs?
Yes. Many of our multi-location clients include Arizona markets in their expansion plans. We coordinate Arizona locations as part of broader rollout programs — managing local code research, submittal preparation, and permit tracking for each city alongside locations in California, Texas, and Florida.
Official references
Reviewed October 13, 2026. Ocean Permits & Development is a women-owned permit expediting firm; call 213-277-8777 to confirm requirements for your city.
City of Phoenix Planning and Development fee schedule (effective January 20, 2026, Ordinance G-7465)
Project in Arizona?
Tell us the city and project type — we'll confirm the local requirements and timeline.
Schedule a ConsultationOr call +1 (213) 277-8777