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Do I need a permit?

Construction of new buildings/structures, remodeling and manufactured building placement or relocation require a building permit unless exempt in below list of example projects.

Please note that this list provides some general examples and a permit may still be required based on the following examples.

  • Compliance with the Native Plant Preservation Ordinance (NPPO)
  • Requirements of a Buffer Overlay Zone Ordinance (BOZO).
  • If you're project is located in a floodplain.

Note: To determine if a property is in the Floodplain search here or contact Regional Flood Control District at (520) 724-4600.
 Item Work  Permit Required 
01 Addition of attic insulation without remodeling a space. No
02 Carpet, new. No
03 Deck (Greater than 30 inches above finished grade or floor level). Yes
04 Decks and non-structural flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and are not part of an accessible route. No 
05 Demolition of building or structure. Yes
06 Door, replacement. No 
07 Driveway. Yes 
08  Drywall. No (Unless shear or fire walls are affected)
09 Fireplace, new. Yes
10 Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, or other like finishes not affecting plumbing or electrical. No
11 Remodel improvements. Yes 
12 Rain gutters (New/Existing). No
13 Structural roof work. Yes
14 Re-roofing with like materials, tile, shingles, etc... No
15 Enclosing or porches, screens, windows, etc... Yes
16 Siding work, new. Yes
17 Skylight Yes
18 Slabs on approved, graded site. No
19 Non-retaining walls and fences no more than 7 feet in height.  No
20 Window Replacement. Yes
21 Window awnings on single family dwellings and accessory structures, supported by an exterior wall, that do not project more than 54 inches (1372mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. No
22 Wood burning stove. Yes
 Item Work  Permit Required 
01 Clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, fixtures, and the removal and installation of water closets. No (Provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.)
02 Fixtures including sinks, toilets, tubs, etc... Yes
03 Pipe work, new. Yes
04 Propane tank. Yes
05 Septic only. Yes
06 Sewer connections. Yes
07 Solar water heaters. Yes
08  Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment. No
09 Stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe. No (Unless any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and requires a permit.)
10 Water heater, new or replacement. Yes
11 Water tanks supported directly on grade. No (So long as the capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons, the height to diameter ratio does not exceed 2:1, and the zoning maximum height and setbacks are observed.)
12  Dishwasher, new. Yes
13  Water softener. Yes 
 Item Work  Permit Required 
01 Central air conditioner/furnace. Yes
02 Portable cooling unit. No
03 Portable evaporative cooler. No
04 Portable heating appliance. No
05 Portable ventilation equipment. No
06 Replace existing evaporative cooler with like unit. No
 07 Modifying or replacing duct work. Yes
 Item Work  Permit Required 
01 Decorative holiday lighting, temporary. No
02 Electric outlets or fixtures installation, new. Yes
03 Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 volt-amps of energy. No
04 Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contractor, control device, or overcurrent device of the required capacity in the same location. No
05 Repair or replacement of fixed motors and transformers of the same type and rating in the same location. No
06 Replace existing electric outlets or fixtures. Yes
 07 Photovoltaic systems or generators. Yes
 Item Work  Permit Required 
01 Agricultural buildings. Yes
02 Amusement devices or structures located on a site for no more than 30 calendar days. Yes
03 Any work performed under the auspices of and owned and controlled by the United States of America or the State of Arizona. Yes
04 Devices used in the manufacturing, processing, or fabricating normally considered as involved in industrial plants. No (Permit for building and use must be approved.)
05 Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753mm) in height. No
06 Oil derricks. Yes
07 Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. Yes
08  Swimming pools (Including pre-fabricated residential that exceed 18 inches in depth, exceed 5000 gallons, and are installed entirely above ground). Yes
09 Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two- family dwellings. No
10 Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery. Yes
11 Tents and membrane structures. Yes
 Item Work  Permit Required
01 Single dwelling on a single lot with 14,000 square feet or more of graded area. Yes
02 Excavation below grade for a basement, foundation, or swimming pool. No grading permit required, a building and or zoning permit may still be required.
03 Single dwelling on a non-hillside lot with less than 14,000 square feet or more of graded area. No Grading Permit Required, A Building Permit may still be required.
04 Non-residential development not requiring a plat or development plan. Yes
05 The clearing, brushing, or grubbing of an area less than 14,000 square feet on a non-hillside lot. No
06 Stockpiling of 100 - 50,000 cubic yards or materials. Yes
07 Resurfacing or maintenance of an existing paved surface. No
08 New pavement of less than 3,000 square feet. No
09 Grading for maintenance of existing private access road or driveway. No
10 Grading with cut or fill slope greater than 5 feet (1.5 meter) in height and steeper than 3:1 slop. Yes
11 Grading on a slope of 15% or greater. Yes
12 More than 3,000 square feet of new pavement. Yes

Note: For other grading permit requirements, such as Type 2, Fugitive Dust, etc... and other exemptions visit the Grading Requirements page.

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Tucson, AZ 85701

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Carla Blackwell
Director

Lauren A. Ortega, PE
Deputy Director

Chris Poirier
Deputy Director

Daniel Ice
Chief Building Official

Joseph Godoy
Principal Site Review Manager

Mark Masek
Assistant Building Official

Robin Freiman
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