How to Apply for Pima County Building Permits

If you're planning a construction project in Pima County, there's a very good chance that you'll have to seek a . Jumping through all the hoops necessary for obtaining a building permit can certainly be a challenge, however. Without familiarity with building codes and legal requirements, determining how to get a building permit can take up more time and effort than many people feel equipped to handle.

When Is a Building Permit Necessary in Pima County?

There are several types of construction-related projects that require a . These include but are not limited to projects such as the following:

Decks (Greater than 30 inches above finished grade or floor level)
Demolition of a building or structure
New fireplaces
Remodeling improvements
Structural roof work
Plumbing work including new pipework, septic tanks, propane tanks, and solar water heaters
New electric outlets or fixtures

The above are only some examples of the types of projects that require a Pima County building permit. There are many others as well, and sorting through the requirements can sometimes feel overwhelming.

What Sorts of Projects Do Not Require a Building Permit in Pima County?

Just as there are many construction-related projects that require a building permit in Pima County, there are also many that do not. These include the following:

Addition of attic insulation without remodeling the space
New carpet
Door replacement
Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, or other like finishes not affecting plumbing or electrical
Rain gutters

How Do I Get a Building Permit in Pima County?

Getting a building permit in Pima County requires some legwork. If you aren't clear on what requirements you need to meet, navigating the bureaucracy can seem extremely challenging. But we're here to help you sort through the apparent obstacles in your way.

Who Do I Contact to Get a Building Permit?

For structures or uses in unincorporated Pima County, you can apply for a permit online. You can also visit the Building and Site Development Division at 201 N. Stone Ave.

Note that permits related to structures within city limits in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, South Tucson, or Sahuarita need to be processed through the appropriate jurisdiction.

What Does the Process Look Like for Getting a Permit?

To request a building permit in Pima County, you must electronically submit construction plans, including a site plan, to the Pima County Building and Site Development Division, preferably online. These plans must indicate:

The location of the proposed improvements.
The type of construction.
Any other information is required in the application.

Plans are reviewed by the appropriate office for compliance with all applicable code requirements. Once approved, it is expected that construction will take place following the approved plans. Changes to an approved plan require a revision application and a plan review approval by Building Safety and Sustainability.

Should you need help with your permit application, you can contact permitting staff at 724-6490 or BuildingPermit@pima.gov.

How Can I Obtain a Pima County Building Permit Using DoNotPay?

It's clear that sorting through the bureaucracy associated with getting a Pima County building permit can be a real hassle. If you don't feel that you're up to the challenge, you might consider farming the work out to a contractor. Contractors can come with a hefty price tag, however.

The good news is that now you have another resource in your corner: DoNotPay. If you want to apply for a building permit without hassle in Pima County but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered.

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.

Why Use DoNotPay for Building Permits?

DoNotPay takes the hassle out of dealing with government requirements. With DoNotPay, you can expect to get your building permit needs to be resolved much more smoothly than has previously been the case. DoNotPay is:

Quick	You don't have to spend hours trying to obtain a building permit.
Easy	You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in obtaining a permit.
Successful	You can rest assured knowing we'll make the best case for you.

What Else Can DoNotPay Help With?

DoNotPay isn't only available to assist with building permits in Pima County. It can also help assist you with obtaining building permits in a wide variety of other locations as well. Examples of the places where we can assist you with building permits include:

Give DoNotPay a try today and experience all the ways it can serve you.