Fast and Easy Phoenix Building Permits

If you've decided to do some work on your home or property and live in Phoenix, you're likely on the hunt for information about how to access .

With plans to draw up, contractors to manage, supplies to price, and many other tasks angling for your attention, perhaps the last thing on your mind is learning about how to get a building permit. Because such permits are required in order to do a wide variety of work, however, it's to your advantage to read up on permits before you get too much farther along in your process.

When Is a Building Permit Necessary in Phoenix?

Fortunately, every single little change you make to your home, business, or property in Phoenix does not require a permit.

Simply moving ahead with your project and hoping you can get it done before no one notices is not the best plan of action, however. Even if your project seems minor to you, it's still important to check and see whether you need a before getting started.

No Permits Needed

For truly small repairs and projects, no permits are needed.

How do you judge whether a project is "small"?

Building permits are required for all structures with the exception of a structure that is less than 200 square feet with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical. ( Maricopa FAQ ).

This could include:

Small detached structures (such as sheds)
Fences under three-feet high
Moveable partitions
Retaining walls under three-feet high
Painting, papering, or other "finishing work"

When in doubt, please check the full list of permit exemptions.

Permits Needed

Other than the exemptions listed above (full list accessed via the link), you will need a building permit before you commence with your construction or repair work.

A building permit is required for most non-residential construction, new homes, and when existing homes are remodeled or additions are made. The permit is issued when structures are designed in accordance with the building codes and all other applicable codes and ordinances, to ensure the safety of the structure. (Phoenix.gov)

Though obtaining a building permit in Phoenix can be a time-consuming and detail-oriented process, it's one that simply cannot be overlooked.

Failure to obtain permits (or obtaining the wrong permits) before building in Phoenix could lead to disastrous consequences.

How to Get a Building Permit in Phoenix

Investigating how to get a building permit in Phoenix will quickly land you on a page managed by the Maricopa County government.

There, you will learn that there are two ways to submit plans for a building permit:

Paper Submissions	These can either be mailed or hand-delivered to the Planning and Development Office on Jefferson Street.
Electronic Submissions	These can be completed through a detailed online form found on the county's website.

Depending on whether your project is residential or commercial, you will pay varying levels of fees.

Whether you submit at the offices directly or apply online, you will still need to gather quite a bit of information first, including things like:

details regarding the property owner and contractor(s)
detailed site and construction plans
the duration of the project
and more!

Access Phoenix Building Permits With DoNotPay

Applying for building permits in Phoenix doesn't have to be a chore. Fortunately, with the help of DoNotPay, it isn't!

If you want to apply for a hassle-free building permit in Phoenix but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 6 easy steps:

Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
Choose one of the following options:
1. Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
2. Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
3. Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.
Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and the timeline for the project.
Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

And that's really all there is to it.

This fast, easy, and efficient method will have you with your permit in hand in no time.

DoNotPay Has You Covered

Not in Phoenix? You can still use DoNotPay's simple and efficient product to request a building permit.

DoNotPay can also help you with tasks such as reducing property taxes and filing insurance claims. Come check out our full array of easy-to-use products and services!