Building permits in Unincorporated Maricopa County, AZ
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Unincorporated Maricopa County adopts its own building code editions — Arizona has no statewide building code — and runs its own permit intake, forms, fees, and inspections. Here's what we've verified and where to confirm the specifics.
Maricopa County's Planning & Development Department permits work in unincorporated areas through its online Permit Center, under the 2018 International Codes and 2017 NEC with local amendments; an update to the 2024 codes and 2023 NEC has a Board of Supervisors hearing tentatively set for October 21, 2026. The County exempts in-kind outdoor AC units of 5 tons or less, water heater replacements, and same-material re-roofs, issues A/C and HVAC permits automatically online, and accepts SolarAPP+ for residential rooftop solar.
Verified local data — Unincorporated Maricopa County
Every fact below is sourced from a public Maricopa County document or portal page. Each carries the source URL and the date we last verified it. Full dataset last re-verified .
- Permit portal
- Permit Center
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Launched June 2024, replacing the County's Accela system; permit fees are paid only through the Permit Center
- Submission methods
Online
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Nearly all Planning and Development applications must be submitted online
- Adopted code edition
2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and IEBC, and the 2017 NEC, with AZBO/MAG amendments; the 2018 IECC is voluntary
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on August 17, 2022; the County's Local Additions and Addenda list the 2018 IECC as voluntary — https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5808/Local-Additions-and-Addenda-PDF. An update to the 2024 International Codes and 2023 NEC (TA2026001) has a Board of Supervisors hearing tentatively set for October 21, 2026 — https://www.maricopa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/10420?fileID=101961
- Fee schedule
- Summary of the Fee Schedule (June 2024)
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · The summary is dated June 2024 and states no effective date
Other local notes
In-kind replacement of an outdoor refrigeration unit of 5 tons or less, in the same location and weighing no more than the original, is exempt from a permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Local Additions and Addenda §105.2
A/C, evaporative cooler, and HVAC permits are Web-Issued — fully automated online permits.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Permits are no longer required to replace an existing water heater when the work follows the manufacturer's specifications.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Local Additions and Addenda §105.2 limits the exemption to in-kind storage tank replacement by a licensed contractor and excludes instant-hot on-demand water heaters — https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5808/Local-Additions-and-Addenda-PDF
Replacing a roof with the same type of material as the original roofing is exempt from a permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Local Additions and Addenda §105.2
Electrical upgrades of 0 to 200 amps are Non-Technical permits; services over 200 amps go to technical/standard review with a site plan.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Residential rooftop solar can be permitted through SolarAPP+ by licensed photovoltaic contractors.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Buried gas piping must be at least 12 inches deep, or 18 inches for plastic pipe, under the County's fuel gas code amendments.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Local Additions and Addenda, IFGC §404.12
Septic system alterations go through the County's Environmental Services Department, which releases building permits for unincorporated areas once the on-site wastewater system is approved.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Written documentation of an Arizona licensed contractor or owner-builder classification is required for all building permits.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
A County permit is needed only for work in unincorporated Maricopa County; projects inside a city or town start with that city or town.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Official building department
Maricopa County Planning & Development DepartmentVerified Unincorporated Maricopa County specifics are shown above. For project-specific fees, timelines, and counter staff, this department is the authority.
Common jobs in Unincorporated Maricopa County
The general Arizona guide for each job. Unincorporated Maricopa County's verified local data, including job-by-job permit notes, is shown above.
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