Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Residential Design & Permit Information
This page is designed to help homeowners, builders, and property owners better understand how residential projects move forward in Phoenix. It brings together the most useful starting points for permitting, current code adoption, city process links, and the practical information that usually matters first when planning a custom home, remodel, addition, detached structure, or as-built project in the City of Phoenix.
How This Page Helps
What to Know About Building in Phoenix
Phoenix residential projects often involve a mix of older homes, prior additions, garage or carport conversions, and properties where original plans may be incomplete or unavailable. In many neighborhoods, existing conditions need to be documented carefully before planning a remodel, addition, or permit path. Projects can also be affected by zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, historic district requirements, drainage conditions, or floodplain considerations depending on the property. Confirming site constraints early and starting with accurate existing-condition drawings helps reduce plan review corrections and keeps the project moving more efficiently.
Common Project Types
- Custom homes
- Remodels and additions
- Detached garages, RV garages, casitas, and accessory structures
- Garage and carport construction or conversion
- Porch enclosures, patio covers, fences and walls
- As-built drawings for existing conditions before remodel or permit work
Before You Start
Information that helps move a project forward
Before design begins, it helps to have the property address, a basic description of the scope, and any prior plans, site information, surveys, or photos available. Phoenix's residential process materials also point applicants toward plan review applications, checklists, plot plans, and plan sets or calculations depending on the project type, so having existing information organized early can save time later.
- Property address and basic site information
- A general description of the project scope
- Any prior plans, site information, surveys, or photos that are available
- A realistic sense of where the project is in the process
Useful Phoenix Links
City of Phoenix Website
Official city website
Planning & Development Department
Planning, zoning, and development services
Construction Permits and Planning
City construction permit and planning overview
Residential Building
Residential building resources and guidance
Residential Projects
Residential project plan review information
Residential Applications and Checklists
Applications, checklists, and related forms
Residential Process Overview
Overview of the residential permit process
Building Construction Codes
City building construction codes and related references
SHAPE PHX Portal
Online city services portal
PDD Online
Permit search, inspections, and payments
Electronic Plan Review
Electronic plan review portal
My Community Map
Use the city’s My Community Map link from the Planning & Development Department page for zoning and permit activity
Current Code Adoption
Current City of Phoenix code references
The City of Phoenix is currently under the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code, approved June 18, 2025 and effective August 1, 2025. For residential projects, the most relevant published references typically include the 2024 International Residential Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 International Plumbing Code, 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 International Existing Building Code where applicable, and the 2023 National Electrical Code. Phoenix also publishes local amendments and an ICC-hosted digital code access point for the Phoenix amendments.
- 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code approved June 18, 2025 and effective August 1, 2025
- 2024 International Residential Code
- 2024 International Mechanical Code
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2024 International Plumbing Code
- 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code
- 2024 International Existing Building Code where applicable
- 2023 National Electrical Code
Process Overview
How Phoenix residential projects typically move through review
Phoenix residential projects typically move through city review using published applications, checklists, plot plans, and digital submittal tools depending on the project type. Clear documentation early in the process helps reduce review comments and keeps the permit path more efficient.
Online Portal
Phoenix uses multiple online systems for permit search, inspections, payments, electronic plan review, and broader city services. Understanding which system applies to the project can save time during submittal and follow-up.
Related Services
Services that often connect to Phoenix projects
Phoenix projects often start with one of two paths: either a new design path, such as a custom home, addition, or detached structure, or an existing-condition path where accurate as-built drawings are needed before a remodel, permit correction, or scope decision can move forward. That is especially true on older homes, converted spaces, and projects where prior work may not be fully documented.
Custom Homes
Permit-ready plans for new residential projects built around the lot and the way the home needs to function.
Remodels & Additions
Plans for additions, remodels, and changes to existing homes that need accurate existing-condition coordination.
Detached Structures
Design support for detached garages, RV garages, shops, casitas, and accessory structures.
As-Built Services
Useful when accurate existing-condition drawings are needed before planning a remodel, addition, or permit correction path.
Contact Residential Design
Planning a Project in Phoenix?
Tell us about the property, the type of project, and where you are in the process. Whether you are planning a custom home, remodel, addition, detached structure, or need existing-condition drawings, a clear starting point makes it easier to move into design, permitting, and plan review with fewer surprises.