Fence permit in Scottsdale, AZ
It depends — some fence work in Scottsdale needs a permit, some doesn't.
You do not need a building permit for a fence 3 feet tall or shorter. Once a fence is over 3 feet tall, you need a permit. That 3-foot cutoff is stricter than most Arizona cities, which let you go up to 6 feet without a permit, so do not assume Scottsdale matches its neighbors. Barbed wire, razor wire, razor ribbon, concertina wire, and electrified fencing are not allowed on a residential fence. Zoning rules on how tall a fence can be and where it can go still apply on top of the permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 3 ft tall |
| 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 | 105.2, Building item 2 (Sec. 31-5); barbed/razor/electrified wire prohibited per Sec. 18-14 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as adopted and amended by Scottsdale (Sec. 31-50); permit exemptions governed by the IBC 2021 Chapter 1 amendments per Sec. 31-51(b) |
Most building codes exempt a fence up to 7 ft tall. Scottsdale is stricter — the cutoff here is just 3 ft.
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. Emergency work is spared the penalty only if you get the permit by the start of the next business day.
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.
Other work in Scottsdale
Questions people ask
My fence is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
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.