Administrative overview · FIPS 04013
Maricopa County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Maricopa County Planning and Development Department (unincorporated county jurisdiction)
For a project in or near Maricopa County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
602-506-3301 (Planning and Development call center)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Maricopa County Planning and Development Department, 301 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; county holidays excluded.
Review expectation
Fast Track projects with no dominant zoning, environmental, drainage or floodplain concerns can be processed within two days after plan acceptance. The county’s general target is up to 20 business days for the first substantive review, with later cycles possible; non-technical minor permits are generally processed in 1-2 business days.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Maricopa County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Maricopa County Planning and Development Department (unincorporated county jurisdiction) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 602-506-3301 (Planning and Development call center).
How long might review take?
Fast Track projects with no dominant zoning, environmental, drainage or floodplain concerns can be processed within two days after plan acceptance. The county’s general target is up to 20 business days for the first substantive review, with later cycles possible; non-technical minor permits are generally processed in 1-2 business days.
How are inspections scheduled?
After an issued or reissued permit, sign into Permit Center to schedule a building or drainage inspection, use the county scheduling guide, or call 602-506-3301. Inspections scheduled online by 3:30 p.m. are normally performed the next business day, subject to workload limits; construction may begin after permit issuance and required inspections must occur before concealment.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
For unincorporated Maricopa County, the current published code page lists the 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Existing Building Codes, the 2017 National Electrical Code, and optional 2018 International Green Construction and Energy Conservation Codes, all with Maricopa County/AZBO/MAG amendments. Fire-code enforcement is generally handled by the applicable fire jurisdiction rather than a countywide county fire code. The county lists web-issued minor permits for HVAC/evaporative cooler work, equipment/water/sewer/gas-line repairs, gas clearances, irrigation, like-for-like mechanical or plumbing repairs, and certain solar water heaters. Replacing an existing water heater does not require a permit when performed to manufacturer specifications, although an inspection permit may be requested. Qualified Annual Facilities Permit participants may avoid individual permits for eligible work on existing facilities that does not increase floor area or change use/occupancy, but code and inspection requirements still apply.