City Building Permits

Tempe, AZ Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Tempe, Arizona. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Arizona Maricopa County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Tempe.

Department: City of Tempe Community Development, Building Safety Division
Website: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open Citizen Access Portal

Platform: Citizen Access • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

Submit building permit application and construction plans through Citizen Access portal.
Community Development reviews plans and permit application.
Address any comments and resubmit plans if required.
Pay permit fees.
Obtain permit issuance.
Request inspections through Building Safety system.

Source: City of Tempe Community Development, Building Safety Division

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Tempe.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Tempe Community Development, Building Safety Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Citizen Access portal (online)
24-hour IVR system (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Requests received before midnight are inspected the next business day.

Additional Resources

Verify contractor license: Arizona Registrar of Contractors
License lookup guide: Arizona Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Arizona Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Arizona hub: Arizona Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Tempe Community Development, Building Safety Division before applying.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.