What plans and documents are required to submit for a permit application?

It depends on what type of permit you are applying for. For example, a mobile home replacement will only require a site plan showing where the mobile home will be located on the property. New construction, such as a room addition, will need a site plan and construction detail drawings. Up to four sheets of plans can be submitted on two blue lines. Over four sheets should be submitted on reproducible paper such as sepia. No originals are accepted. If you have just recently purchased the property bring in your recorded deed as proof of ownership. If you are not the owner or a licensed contractor, we will need a letter of authorization from the owner to allow you to obtain the permits. If the property is a new lot split, bring in the recorded deed with the legal description. 

How much will a permit cost?

Permit costs vary significantly by the type of permit you are obtaining. For example, a gas line repair is usually under $30.00 but a permit for a new house can be in the range from $1500 to as high as $5500.00 for a large dwelling. Most permit fees are based on the type of occupancy, size, type of materials, whether it will be on septic or sewer, and how much electrical, mechanical, and plumbing is shown on the construction plans. There are also areas of the county that are accessed a Roadway Impact Fee when a new house is built or a new mobile home space is developed. This fee is added to the cost of the permit.

Do you have a copy of my construction plans?

Residential plans are only kept for two years after the final inspection. Commercial construction plans are usually available if the building was constructed after 1975.

How do I get an address assigned to my property?

Bring a copy of your recorded deed and legal description to the Addressing section. If you are located on the corner of two streets, determine where your driveway will be because that is the street you will be assigned an address from. If you are doing more than one living unit on a single lot, you will need to apply for the permits before being assigned unit numbers and a site plan will also be required. The Addressing section assigns addresses in the entire area of Pima County, except in South Tucson and on Indian reservation land.

Where do I get permits if I live in an incorporated city?

Residents who live inside the city limits of Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, South Tucson, or Sahuarita obtain building permits through them. If you are connecting to a sewer line you need to pay your sewer connection fees at Pima County Development Services before the other jurisdiction will issue your permit. If you are installing a septic system, Pima County will issue the septic permit for Oro Valley, Marana, and Sahuarita. For Tucson and South Tucson, the Environmental Quality section of Pima County Development Services will approve the proposed design of the system, but the actual permit will be issued by the other jurisdiction.

After I obtain a permit how do I get inspections?

When the permit was issued you received a “buff” colored card that lists the inspections your project requires. The telephone number for inspections (520-740-6970) is on the card. If you call one day before 3:30 p.m. your inspection will usually be done the following working day. The inspectors guarantee two working days in case they have a very heavy schedule.