How to Get a Building Permit in Phoenix, Arizona

Whether you're remodeling a kitchen, adding a room, finishing a commercial tenant space, or starting a new build from the ground up, you need a building permit before work starts in Phoenix. The city has been upgrading its permitting systems significantly — including a brand new portal that launched in 2026 — so if you've navigated Phoenix permits before, a few things may look different now. Here's what you need to know whether you're on the residential or commercial side.

Phoenix Permits Go Through SHAPE PHX

The City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department (PDD) manages all permits, plan reviews, and inspections. As of early 2026, Phoenix rolled out a new permitting portal called SHAPE PHX, which is now the primary system for submitting new applications. You can access it at shapephx.phoenix.gov. This portal is available 24/7 and handles permit applications, plan submittals, inspection requests, and project tracking all in one place.

If you have a project that was already in the system before April 27, 2026, it's still being processed through the legacy PDDOnline system. New projects go through SHAPE PHX.

Prefer to talk to someone in person? The PDD office is at 200 W. Washington St., 2nd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003, and they can be reached by phone at 602-262-7811.

Residential Permits in Phoenix

Do you need a permit?

Most residential work in Phoenix requires one. New construction, additions, remodels, patio covers, garage conversions, fences, walls, porch enclosures, pool construction, and demolition all require permits. Even some repairs and mechanical replacements can trigger a permit depending on the scope. If you're not sure, it's worth a quick call to PDD before you start — finding out after the fact that you needed a permit is a much bigger headache.

Over-the-counter vs. plan review

One thing Phoenix handles differently from some other Valley cities is that simpler residential projects — think re-roofs, water heater replacements, HVAC swaps — can often be permitted same-day, over the counter. You don't always have to wait through a full plan review for straightforward work.

For larger projects like additions, remodels, or new construction, you'll go through a formal plan review process. Plans need to be submitted through SHAPE PHX and will be reviewed by the city's plan examiners before a permit is issued.

What to submit

Plans should be drawn to scale and include everything relevant to the scope of work — site plan, architectural drawings, structural details, and MEP plans as applicable. A simple room addition won't require the same package as a full custom home build. The scope drives what's needed.

What does it cost?

Phoenix permit fees are valuation-based, calculated using the total estimated construction cost. There's both a building permit fee and a plan check fee — the plan check fee is collected at submittal, and the permit fee is collected when the permit is issued. The minimum fee starts at $150 for projects under $1,000 in value. Current fee schedules are posted on the PDD Fees, Valuations and Assurances page.

Commercial Permits in Phoenix

The process starts with understanding your project type

Commercial permits in Phoenix cover a wide range — new construction, tenant improvements, additions, remodels, and changes of use for any non-residential building, as well as multifamily projects of three or more units. The commercial permit process involves a more thorough plan review cycle than residential, and it's worth investing the time upfront to make sure your submittal is complete before you go in.

Plan review timeline

Commercial plan review in Phoenix typically runs 15 to 30 business days for the initial review, depending on the complexity of the project. Simpler tenant improvements on the lower end, larger new construction or complex mixed-use projects on the higher end. Each round of city comments and revisions adds time, so clean, complete plans at the start make a real difference.

Electronic plan review

Phoenix uses an electronic plan review (EPR) system as part of the SHAPE PHX rollout. All commercial plans are submitted digitally — no paper sets. Plans need to meet the city's digital submittal requirements, so it's worth reviewing the checklist on the Commercial Applications and Checklists page before you upload.

What codes is Phoenix using?

Like most Arizona cities, Phoenix has adopted the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) family of codes alongside the 2023 National Electrical Code. If your design team is working off older code editions, make sure everyone gets aligned before submittal — code conflicts are one of the most common sources of first-round comments.

What Slows Projects Down in Phoenix

The same issues that trip projects up in Mesa or Scottsdale show up in Phoenix too — incomplete submittals, unresolved zoning questions, and drawings that don't coordinate across disciplines. In Phoenix specifically, the transition to the new SHAPE PHX portal also means there can be a learning curve for teams that haven't used it before.

It's also worth knowing that permits don't stay active indefinitely. If work doesn't begin within the allowed window after the permit is issued, or if there are long gaps between inspections, a permit can lapse. Getting back into the system from a lapsed permit wastes time and money that nobody wants to spen

d.

Building in Phoenix? We Can Help.

At SOKO Designs, we put together permit-ready construction documents for residential and commercial projects across the Valley — including Phoenix. We know what the PDD plan examiners are looking for, and we build that into our documents from the start. When the plans are done right the first time, your project moves faster.

If you're ready to get started or just want to talk through your project, give us a call at

480-710-4866 or START A PROJECT now. We're happy to help.

For the most current requirements, always verify directly with the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department. Codes, fees, and processes are subject to change.