Bisbee, AZ Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Bisbee Community Development handles building permits and code enforcement within the City of Bisbee.

Department

City of Bisbee Community Development

Address

118 Arizona Street, Bisbee, AZ 85603

Phone

520-432-6000

Website

https://bisbeeaz.gov/2153/Community-Development

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Complete the City of Bisbee building permit application in full at the time of submittal.
2. Do not start work until the permit has been fully processed, reviewed, approved, and fees have been paid. Bisbee states that filing an application does not itself create a valid permit.
3. Submit any project-specific zoning, floodplain, historic, or design-review materials when triggered by the site or project type.

Source: City of Bisbee Community Development

General Requirements

Bisbee's building permit application and city code materials show an active city permit program for building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and property-maintenance matters.

Permit validity

Bisbee's permit extension, expiration, and fee refund policy allows extensions not exceeding 180 days on written request showing circumstances beyond the applicant's control. After expiration, plans must be resubmitted and a new plan review fee paid.

Building code

Bisbee adopted the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Fire Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2017 National Electrical Code, all with City of Bisbee amendments.

Fees

Plan check fee

65% of the building permit fee

Reinspection fee

$75

Penalty (no permit)

Failure to obtain a permit is 2 times the original permit; failure to complete an application is 2 times the original application; contractor work without a permit escalates to higher minimums and multipliers.

Payment note

Published fee examples: residential electrical service upgrade or replacement $75; residential electrical or gas water heater $55; manufactured home installation permit $350; special request inspection fee $150.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025-08-01).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Bisbee Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 520-432-6000 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: The reviewed public Bisbee pages do not publish a separate inspection-scheduling page. Permit holders should coordinate required inspections through Community Development and the Building Inspector.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Bisbee adopted the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Fire Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2017 National Electrical Code, all with City of Bisbee amendments.
• Community Development
• Building Permits and Code Enforcement
• Building Codes
• City Code
• Permit Extension / Expiration / Refund Policy
• License lookup guide: Arizona Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Arizona Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Arizona hub: Arizona Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Cochise County