Demolition permit in Scottsdale, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Scottsdale.
You need a demolition permit before you tear down a building or any part of one. Scottsdale's code says plainly that a demolition permit must be obtained from the building official before any demolition begins. If the building is a designated historic resource, you also need a Certificate of Demolition Approval, and the city can hold off on the demolition while it considers a historic designation.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a demolition permit before you tear down a build… |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Fees come from the City of Scottsdale fee schedule. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 3303.1.1 (Sec. 31-31); historic resources in Sec. 6.123-6.124 |
| Based on | IBC 2021 as adopted and amended by Scottsdale (Sec. 31-1); historic review under the Basic Zoning Ordinance, Art. VI |
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 | You need a demolition permit before you tear down a build… |
| Tempe | 21 mi | Yes | Tearing down a structure or part of one needs a permit. D… |
| Avondale | 37 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one requires a permit … |
| El Paso | 340 mi | Yes | Tearing down a building or structure, or any part of one,… |
| Amarillo | 581 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit from the building official b… |
| Abilene | 707 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Scottsdale
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Scottsdale?
The code does not print a dollar amount. Fees come from the City of Scottsdale fee schedule.. 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.