Home Improvement

Permits safeguard the health, property, safety and welfare of citizens as they ensure that construction complies with building codes and that structural, fire safety, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical system standards are met.

Generally, home improvement projects that are cosmetic, do not involve structural changes, and do not require skilled trades, such as plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work, do not require a permit.

The following are examples of work that can be done by the homeowner, or their contracted professional, without a permit or approval by the city.

Repairing or replacing:

• Existing landscape irrigation piping
• Non-structural items such as glass panes inside doors or windows, interior doors, hardware, carpeting, flooring or trim work (not affecting a pool enclosure or garage)
• Cabinets, countertops and similar millwork
• Drywall, plasterboard, paneling or stucco (insulated stucco systems require a permit)
• Re-roofing when the same roofing material is used
• Interior painting

The following projects do not require a permit but still require Planning & Development Services’ review and approval to verify the proposed work meets code, design standards and is not located in a setback or easement.

• Detached, non-habitable structures smaller than 200 square feet in floor area with no water, gas, sewer, or electrical connections (a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review)
• Patio slabs or sidewalks/drives (not over 30 inches above grade)
• Walls, three feet or less, except retaining walls (a site plan is required for a courtesy plan review)
• Low-voltage landscape accent lighting
• Planting new trees, shrubs, or ground cover (removing and relocating native plants requires a permit)
• Building masonry outdoor fireplaces; fire pits and barbeques
• Exterior painting in Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Historic Property zoning districts.

Visit the planning counter in the One Stop Shop to discuss these proposals with a Planning and Development Services representative.

Subdivision covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) may govern some of these items even though they are not regulated by the city. Check with your homeowners association before proceeding.

Work that involves a single trade (plumbing, electric, mechanical, demo) may only require a Minimum Permit to ensure correct installation per building code.

The following are examples of projects that require a Minimum Permit:

• Replacing air conditioner/air handler in same location, like for like only (Minimum Mechanical Permit)
• Demolishing or removing an in-ground pool/spa (Demo Permit)
• Adding or replacing windows, except for replacing the glass in an existing frame (Minimum Window/Door Permit)
• Electrical
  • Ceiling fan (new installation)
  • Adding a new or altering an existing electrical circuit
  • Relocate panel box
  • Raise electrical mast
  • Service upgrade or change out (400 AMP max.)
  • Electrical re-wire
  • Temporary power pole
  • Replace main breaker
  • Residential load controller
• Water/Sewer (Minimum Plumbing Permit)
  • Repair or replacement of existing plumbing fixtures in the same location
  • Water heater (gas or electric) replacement
  • Replace water lines for single family residence
  • Repair broken water lines
  • Plumbing for a water softener
  • Plumbing for hot water re-circulator
  • Sewer line repair
  • Connect a new irrigation system to your waterline
• Gas Piping (Plumbing Permit)
  • Exterior appliance natural gas or propane gas line (BBQ, pool heater, fire pit/fireplace, torches, gaslights, patio heater)
  • Repair natural gas or propane line
  • Existing natural gas line meter clearance

These projects do not require a plan review, only a Minimum Permit application. See the “Applying for permits” section below for instructions on applying for a Minimum Permit.

Projects that require construction, structural improvements, demolition, or adding or relocating mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems require a permit. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Building Permits

Required for all construction work such as:

• Swimming pools or spas
• Walls/Fences
• Corrals
• Patio covers
• Patio/garage enclosures
• Carports
• Ramadas
• Accessory buildings
• Guest homes
• Solar heater installation
• Repair of sewer
• Tenant improvements
• Alteration of building exterior
• Remodels and Additions – please see single-family residential for additional details on remodels and additions

Electrical Permit
Required to install, alter, reconstruct or repair electrical wiring on any building, structure, swimming pool, or mechanical equipment.

Plumbing Permit
Required to install, alter, reconstruct, or repair any plumbing system, gas system, or lawn sprinkler supply.

Mechanical Permit
Required to install, alter, reconstruct or repair any furnace, refrigeration or other air conditioning equipment or system, except portable or window units.

Work completed without a permit will be fined an amount equal to double the permit fee.

Subdivision covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) may govern some of these items even though they are not regulated by the city. Check with your homeowner's association before proceeding.

All permit requests require a completed application to be submitted through the planning and permitting portal, Scottsdale SPUR. Create a SPUR account to apply, monitor progress, schedule inspections, and pay applicable fees.

To apply for any of these permits click “Apply” in the SPUR portal and enter the permit type or keywords in the search field.

Projects requiring a permit (with the exception of Minimum Permits) begin with plan review to ensure that the submitted construction documents comply with the City of Scottsdale’s adopted codes and ordinances prior to permit issuance.

Residential Plan Review

A permit is issued once plans are approved and permit fees are paid.

Inspections are requested and completed in phases. Projects may require multiple inspections depending on their scope. Once a project passes the final inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy or final acceptance letter is issued.

Inspection Services

For administrative questions related to your permit application, contact Planning and Development Services’ One Stop Shop at 480-312-7725.

Review fees are to be paid following administrative review and may be paid within the Scottsdale SPUR portal. Applications will not be processed until payment is received. Additional fees will be due prior to permit issuance.

View the fee schedule to see estimated fees pertaining to your project.

In residential projects:

• Fees apply for both the air-conditioned and the non-air-conditioned square footage of the house
• Fees apply to grading and drainage, per sheet, based on landform.
• Fences and retaining walls are charged per linear foot.

Payment options:

Credit card payments may be made securely through the Scottsdale SPUR portal. We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.

Check and cash payments are accepted at the One Stop Shop counter at 7447 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Scottsdale reminds customers to be aware of phishing scams. For your protection, do not share banking or payment information via email, even if the email appears to come from city staff or the Planning and Development Services department.

Following permit issuance, the first inspection must be completed within 180 days or the permit will expire.

Each proceeding inspection must occur within 180 days of the latest inspection.

The Building Official is authorized to grant one or more building permit extensions for additional periods not exceeding 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Any person holding an expired building permit may request the reactivation of the permit. Permit reactivation requests made up to 90 days after the permit expiration may be granted at no charge by the Building Official due to justifiable cause. Permit reactivation requests made 91 or more days from the permit expiration shall be charged as set forth in the city fee schedule.

When you move into a neighborhood with Codes, Covenants and Regulations (CC&R's) you agree to comply with the regulations as adopted. CC&R's represent a civil contract between the property owner and the property owner's association and are legally binding on the participants. Violation of CC&R's can be penalized and fined as set out in the legal section of the regulations. It is the responsibility of the property owner, not the city, to be aware of any CC&R's as part of any proposed building modification or new construction. CC&R's are civil in nature and as such are not enforced by the City of Scottsdale; as an example, even in an area with public streets the city of Scottsdale will not enforce the parking restrictions from the Codes and Covenants.

The city does not maintain or monitor CC&R's.