Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale Residential Design & Permit Information
This page is intended to help homeowners, builders, and property owners better understand how residential projects move forward in Scottsdale. It brings together the most useful starting points for permitting, current code references, 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 Scottsdale.
How This Page Helps
What to Know About Building in Scottsdale
Scottsdale residential projects often involve stricter zoning enforcement, HOA requirements, and higher expectations around design and aesthetics. Many properties, especially in planned communities, require coordination between city requirements and HOA approvals, which can affect timelines and design decisions. Projects may also be reviewed more closely for setbacks, height limits, drainage, natural area requirements, and architectural consistency depending on the property. Starting with a clear understanding of both city and HOA requirements, along with accurate site and existing-condition information, helps reduce revisions and keeps the project moving more efficiently through approval and plan review.
Common Project Types
- Custom homes
- Remodels and additions
- Detached garages, casitas, RV garages, and accessory structures
- Garage modifications and attached or detached accessory work
- Patio, pool, wall, and site-related improvements
- 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 scope description, site information, prior plans if available, and photos of existing conditions. Scottsdale’s residential construction guidance says new residential construction, or new construction to an existing residence, begins with understanding the development standards and codes applicable to the property and project. The city also notes that a pre-application meeting is optional but very beneficial because staff can identify likely issues, review property history, and point out code requirements before formal submittal.
- Property address and basic scope description
- Site information and prior plans if available
- Photos of existing conditions
- A realistic sense of where the project is in the process
Useful Scottsdale Links
City of Scottsdale
Official city website
Planning & Development
Planning, zoning, and development resources
Permit Services
Permit service information and access points
Home Improvement
Residential home-improvement guidance
New Residential Construction Process
New residential construction process overview
Pre-Application & Plan Submittal Process
Pre-application and plan-submittal guidance
Plan Submittal Requirements
Plan review submittal requirements
Planning and Permitting Portal
City portal and process overview
Scottsdale SPUR
Online portal for newer Scottsdale projects
Building Code Information
Current adopted code references and local criteria
Codes and Ordinances
City codes, ordinances, and related references
Building Permit Search
Lookup permits and related records
Current Code Adoption
Current City of Scottsdale code references
Scottsdale’s official Building Code Information page currently identifies the city’s 2021 City Amendments as effective January 1, 2023. The listed adopted references include the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code, along with city amendments. The same page also publishes local climatic and geographic design criteria, including listed wind-speed values and notes on wind exposure and allowable soil-bearing pressure.
- 2021 City of Scottsdale amendments effective January 1, 2023
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Plumbing Code
- 2021 International Mechanical Code
- 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
- 2020 National Electrical Code
Process Overview
How Scottsdale residential projects typically move through review
Scottsdale’s residential construction page explains that the purpose of plan review is to determine whether proposed construction conforms to the city’s adopted codes and ordinances, and that the construction documents must be clear enough to demonstrate compliance. The city also states that some projects may be eligible for over-the-counter review, while others go through traditional review. For single-family residential work, Scottsdale notes that many projects typically go straight to permit review and do not require anything more than administrative review and approval before permit issuance.
Online Portal Note
Scottsdale’s online project system changed on January 6, 2026. The city says projects initiated after that date are handled through the new Scottsdale SPUR portal, while projects initiated before that date may still use certain eServices/CDS links as they are completed or migrated. That is a useful note to include because it can prevent confusion when owners are trying to look up older permits versus starting a new project.
Related Services
Services that often connect to Scottsdale projects
Scottsdale projects often start in one of two ways: either a new-design path, such as a custom home, addition, or detached structure, or an existing-condition path where as-built drawings are needed before a remodel, permit correction, or scope decision can move forward. That is especially helpful on older homes, projects with prior undocumented modifications, and properties where zoning, setbacks, drainage, or neighborhood requirements may influence the design early. Scottsdale’s own process pages emphasize understanding development standards, code requirements, and property history before formal submittal.
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 Scottsdale?
Tell us about the property, the project type, and where you are in the process. Whether you are planning a custom home, remodel, addition, detached structure, or need existing-condition drawings, having a clear starting point makes it easier to move into design, permitting, and plan review with fewer surprises.