Prescott Valley, AZ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 7-01-140(A) of the Prescott Valley Town Code opens with a flat rule: a separate appropriate permit for each building, structure or building service equipment must be obtained from the building official before the work begins. The list of covered actions is long: erected, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished. The Town adds that the requirement is expressly not limited to buildings, and names fences, retaining walls, fireplaces, wood stoves and other gas, electric or solid fuel burning appliances. It is also in addition to any zoning, subdivision or engineering approvals required elsewhere in the Town Code.

Subsection (C) lists work that needs no building permit. One-story detached accessory buildings used with one and two family dwellings as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt when the projected roof area does not exceed 144 square feet and the building meets the zoning requirements. Retaining walls not over 32 inches in height, measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt unless they support a surcharge or impound flammable liquids. Platforms, decks, walks, driveways and flat work not exceeding 200 square feet and not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt, as are residential shade cloth structures not exceeding 200 square feet and repairs that do not total over $500.00 in any twelve month period and do not affect electrical, plumbing or mechanical installations. Subsection (B) closes the loophole: an exemption from the building permit is not an exemption from zoning or engineering permits, and separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits are still required where applicable. Even an exempt shed stays subject to inspection by the building official.

Before issuing a permit the building official can require engineering from the applicant, including off-site engineering, and must first review and approve a Sewer Connection Plan. For a new building or a mobile, manufactured or modular home, the applicant must show the proposed location of culverts at every driveway access across roadside bar ditches, and the Town Engineer issues the culvert installation permit. Section 7-01-150 then governs the written application. An application is deemed abandoned 180 days after filing unless it is pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued, and the building official can grant one extension not exceeding 180 days.