HVAC Replacement permit in Tempe, AZ
It depends — some hvac replacement work in Tempe needs a permit, some doesn't.
You can skip a permit to replace an air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, or evaporative cooler in the same location with a unit of equal or lower BTU, airflow, and amperage rating at a single home, including minor changes to the connections that serve it. You need a permit if the new unit is larger, if you move it, or if it is a brand-new system.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You can skip a permit to replace an air conditioner, furn… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 105.2 Mechanical exempt item 9 |
| 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 | You can skip a permit to replace an air conditioner, furn… |
| Mesa | 12 mi | Depends | You do not need a permit to replace a home's air conditio… |
| Avondale | 24 mi | Yes | Replacing an air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump requi… |
| Buckeye | 41 mi | Depends | Over 5 |
| Bullhead City | 192 mi | Yes | Replacing an air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump needs… |
| El Paso | 337 mi | Yes | Swapping out an air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump ne… |
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 hvac replacement 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.