ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Scottsdale, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Scottsdale.
Plan on a building permit plus zoning approval to build an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, or other ADU). An ADU is a full habitable dwelling unit, so it is not covered by the exemption for a small non-habitable accessory shed of 200 square feet or less. Scottsdale regulates ADUs directly in its zoning ordinance, with dedicated property development standards and an application-requirements section, and the new dwelling itself needs a building permit under the adopted residential code.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Plan on a building permit plus zoning approval to build a… |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Building permit fees come from the City of Scottsdale fee schedule; water/wastewater development fees (Ch. 49, Art. III) may also apply. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Zoning Sec. 7.900 Accessory Dwelling Units; Sec. 7.903 Application requirements; Sec. 7.904 Property Development Standards |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as adopted and amended by Scottsdale (Sec. 31-50) for the building permit; Basic Zoning Ordinance, Art. VII (Sec. 7.900) for ADU zoning |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Scottsdale 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.
If you skip it
If you start the work before you get the permit, the fee is doubled to twice what the permit would have cost.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | — | Yes | Plan on a building permit plus zoning approval to build a… |
| Tempe | 21 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Mesa | 21 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
| Glendale | 22 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Gilbert | 27 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit (plus electrical, plumbing, and… |
| Chandler | 28 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
See every Arizona city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Scottsdale
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Scottsdale?
The code does not print a dollar amount. Building permit fees come from the City of Scottsdale fee schedule; water/wastewater development fees (Ch. 49, Art. III) may also apply.. 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?
Scottsdale 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.