Pima County, AZ Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2024 International Building Code
- Citation
- Pima County Code § 15.04.020(A)
- Permits issued by
- Development Services, 201 N. Stone Ave
- Violation class
- Civil infraction, § 15.04.050
- Scope
- Unincorporated Pima County only
Summary
Unincorporated Pima County requires building permits under the locally adopted 2024 International Building Code; Development Services reviews plans and issues permits before construction, alteration or demolition begins.
The Pima County building code, codified in this chapter, adopts by reference the 2024 International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., Country Club Hills, IL, in 2023, as amended by the local amendments attached to and incorporated into Ordinance 2025-15 as Exhibit A together with the following national and international codes:
1. The 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, as amended by Exhibit H attached to Ordinance 2025-15;
2. The 2024 International Fuel Gas Code as amended by Exhibit F attached to Ordinance 2025-15 (See
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-64: Contains Supplement, with local legislation through Ordinance 2026-9, passed 7-28-2026, current through 7-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Pima County Code § 15.04.020(A) adopts the 2024 International Building Code, as amended by Exhibit A to Ordinance 2025-15, as the county's building code governing site preparation, construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, use and occupancy of buildings and structures in the unincorporated area. Section 15.04.010(B) states the chapter's purpose includes providing for 'the issuance of permits and collection of fees,' with a building codes board of appeals and code committee established elsewhere in the chapter. Building without required permits, or otherwise violating the adopted code, is a civil infraction under § 15.04.050.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Pima County building code, including building without a required permit, is a civil infraction under § 15.04.050, penalties capped per A.R.S. § 11-815, enforced via the county hearing officer procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building code does unincorporated Pima County use?
What happens if I build without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pima County
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