Deck permit in Tempe, AZ
It depends — some deck work in Tempe needs a permit, some doesn't.
A deck is exempt from a permit only if it meets every limit: 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and it does not serve a required exit door. A deck that is bigger, higher, attached to the house, or serves a required exit needs a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 105.2 Building item (r) |
| Based on | 2024 IRC as adopted and amended by City of Tempe (Sec. 8-105, Tempe Administrative Code) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Tempe 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
Tempe'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Avondale | 24 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Surprise | 36 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Buckeye | 41 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Cottonwood | 94 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Bullhead City | 192 mi | Depends | Over 30 |
Other work in Tempe
- Fence Depends
- Deck Depends
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Yes
- Roof Replacement Depends
- Water Heater Depends
- HVAC Replacement Depends
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition Yes
- Driveway —
- Tree Removal —
- Sign Yes
- Short-Term Rental Yes
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Yes
- Basement Yes
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
Questions people ask
My deck 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?
Tempe 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.