ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Glendale, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Glendale.
Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, or other ADU) is new residential construction and requires a building permit. The ADU is regulated as an accessory use: it must be secondary to, and cannot be constructed before, the single-family dwelling it is accessory to.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Fee | The code prints no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by City Council resolution (IBC Sec. 109.2 as amended) and published in Appendix B (City Code Sec. 2-3); development impact fees are collected at permit issuance (Sec. 28-134). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | UDC 35.3.204 (Accessory Use Conditions); IRC 2024 as adopted (Sec. 9-18) |
| Based on | Glendale Unified Development Code 35.3.204 (Accessory Use Conditions) with 2024 IRC as adopted and amended (Sec. 9-18, which defines ADU) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Glendale 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
Any person violating the provisions of the adopted codes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (City Code Sec. 9-16(b)).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | — | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Avondale | 17 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (casita, garage apart… |
| Surprise | 18 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (casita, garage apart… |
| Tempe | 18 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Scottsdale | 22 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit plus zoning approval to build a… |
| Chandler | 26 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
See every Arizona city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Glendale
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Glendale?
The code prints no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by City Council resolution (IBC Sec. 109.2 as amended) and published in Appendix B (City Code Sec. 2-3); development impact fees are collected at permit issuance (Sec. 28-134).. 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?
Glendale 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.