ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Chandler, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Chandler.
Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apartment, or other detached or attached second dwelling) needs both zoning approval and a building permit. Chandler regulates ADUs directly in its zoning code (sec. 35-2202.2), and because an ADU is a habitable dwelling unit it does not fall under the permit exemption for small non-habitable detached accessory structures (120 sq ft, 7 to 9 ft tall) in the adopted IRC. Expect zoning standards on size, setbacks, and occupancy to apply on top of the building permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Chandler sets permit fees by City Council resolution, not in the code. System development fees (Ch. 38) may also apply to a new dwelling unit. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 35-2202.2 (Accessory dwelling units); permit basis IRC R105.2 (29-6.5, 29-6.7) |
| Based on | City of Chandler Land Use and Zoning Code (Ch. 35, Art. XXII) with the 2024 IRC as adopted and amended (Ch. 29, Art. VI) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Chandler building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Chandler's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | — | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
| Gilbert | 7 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit (plus electrical, plumbing, and… |
| Tempe | 9 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Mesa | 11 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
| Glendale | 26 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Avondale | 28 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (casita, garage apart… |
See every Arizona city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Chandler
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Chandler?
The code does not print a dollar amount. Chandler sets permit fees by City Council resolution, not in the code. System development fees (Ch. 38) may also apply to a new dwelling unit.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Chandler can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.