Pinal County, AZ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All buildings, unincorporated Pinal County
- Adopted codes
- IBC 2018, IRC 2018
- Pre-permit step
- Compliance review number, § 6.05.060
- Administering agency
- Dept. of Building Safety
- Criminal penalty
- Class 2 misdemeanor, up to $750
- Civil penalty cap
- $750 individual / $10,000 enterprise
Summary
Pinal County requires a building permit for construction of buildings and appurtenant structures in the unincorporated area, under the county building code adopting the 2018 International Building and Residential Codes, administered by the Department of Building Safety.
This chapter shall apply to the construction of all buildings and installation of structures appurtenant thereto within the unincorporated areas of Pinal County, except as otherwise provided by statute, regulation or ordinance.
Full Breakdown
020(A) applies the county building code to the construction of all buildings and installation of structures appurtenant thereto within the unincorporated areas of Pinal County, except as otherwise provided by statute, regulation, or ordinance. 030(A)(1)-(2) adopts the International Building Code, 2018 Edition, and the International Residential Code, 2018 Edition, both published by the International Code Council, as Attachments No. 1 and No. 2, with county amendments in Exhibits A and B, and these adopted codes set the permit requirements for new construction, additions, and alterations.
060 requires that a compliance review number first be obtained from the Department of Planning and Development Services, with a narrower exception for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, building, and remodeling permits that involve no change of use or additional area affecting required setbacks. 050(C) requires the building official to keep records of every permit application, issuance, inspection, and revenue received.
Violations & Fines
PCDSC § 6.05.080(A) makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to build or install a structure without the required permit or otherwise violate the adopted building code, punishable by up to four months in county jail and a fine of up to $750.00, and each failure to obtain a required permit clearance, compliance review approval, or inspection is a separate violation. As an alternative, § 6.05.080(B) authorizes a civil penalty capped at $750.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an enterprise, with a right to an administrative hearing before the county hearing officer and review by the Board of Supervisors under A.R.S. § 11-815(G).
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a building permit in unincorporated Pinal County?
Do I need a compliance review before my building permit?
What is the penalty for building without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinal County
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