Plumbing Permit in Pima County, Arizona
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
For new pipe work, water heater replacement, or new plumbing connections in unincorporated Pima County
Issued byPima County Development Services Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Pima County's official "Do I Need a Permit?" list requires a plumbing permit for new pipe work, propane tank installation, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, new or replacement water heaters, new dishwashers, and water softeners. It exempts clearing of stoppages or repairing leaks that do not require replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, straightforward fixture replacement (sinks, toilets, tubs), and water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons capacity. Applications are submitted through the county's online permitting portal.
Typical threshold: New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Sponsored
Plumbing permits are usually pulled by the plumber doing the job. If you are still choosing one, compare a few quotes first.
Compare plumber quotes on Angi
Sponsored link. PermitNotebook may earn a fee if you request quotes through it. Partners never influence our permit data.
When a permit is usually needed
For new pipe work, water heater replacement, or new plumbing connections in unincorporated Pima County
What a plumbing permit costs in Pima County
How Pima County compares in Arizona
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler | It depends | Like-for-like replacement of water conditioning/treatment equipment, solar pool or spa heating equipment, or electric water heating equipment is exempt when the replacement has equal or lesser capacity/amperage and is installed in the same location; new pipe work or system alterations require a permit. |
| Gilbert | Permit required | Water softeners and like-for-like replacements of gas or electric water heating appliances (not tankless) installed by an Arizona licensed contractor are exempt from permit. |
| Maricopa County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Mesa | Permit required | Not specified |
| Peoria | It depends | Leak repairs, clearing stoppages and in-kind replacement of water closets, valves or fixtures are exempt, and a like-for-like water heater replacement in a one- or two-family dwelling is exempt only when performed by a licensed contractor; relocating or replacing concealed piping, valves or fixtures requires a permit. |
| Phoenix | Permit required | Not specified |
| Pima Countythis page | It depends | New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not. |
How to apply in Pima County
In Pima County, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit.
What most plumbing permit applications include:
- For Pima County, a permit is required before any owner or authorized agent constructs, alters, repairs, removes, converts, or replaces a plumbing system regulated by the code (IRC R105.1).
- For Pima County, the application must identify and describe the work, describe the site, state the intended use and occupancy, and be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
- Two or more sets of construction documents must accompany the application, drawn with enough clarity to show the location, nature, and extent of the proposed plumbing work and how it will conform to code (IRC R106.1, R106.1.1).
- Minor plumbing repairs, such as clearing a stoppage or removing and resetting a water closet without rearranging pipes or fixtures, are exempt from permit (IRC R105.2).
- Once issued, a permit is only valid for a limited window, commonly 180 days, and becomes invalid if the work is not started or is abandoned within that time, though extensions can be requested (IRC R105.3.2, R105.5).
General submittal guidance from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, Sections R105 Permits and R106 Construction Documents. Source. Pima County Development Services Department sets the exact checklist for Pima County.
Where to apply in Pima County:
Pima County Development Services Department
- 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
- Phone: 520-724-9000
Plumbing Permit in Pima County compared with nearby Arizona localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Arizona schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima County | It depends | New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a water heater or a gas, water, or drain... | |
| Chandler | It depends | Like-for-like replacement of water conditioning/treatment equipment, solar pool or spa heating equipment, or electric water heating equipment is exempt when the replacement has equal or lesser capacity/amperage and is installed in the same location; new pipe work or system alterations require a permit. | No stand-alone plumbing fee line, minor combined work of 1-6 plumbing openings with... | |
| Gilbert | Permit required | Water softeners and like-for-like replacements of gas or electric water heating appliances (not tankless) installed by an Arizona licensed contractor are exempt from permit. | Individual Plumbing Permit, residential: $150 (fee schedule revised 7/1/2026). | |
| Maricopa County | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee of $50 to install or replace plumbing equipment, fixtures, or devices under... | |
| Mesa | Permit required | Not specified | A stand-alone plumbing permit is valuation based via the Residential Rate Table, $220... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Pima County, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
- In Pima County: piping and equipment placed under a slab or floor must be in place and inspected before any concrete is poured or floor sheathing is installed over it (IRC R109.1.1.1).
- In Pima County: rough plumbing, along with the mechanical, gas, and electrical rough-in, must be inspected prior to covering or concealment and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
- In Pima County: rough drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping is tested with water, air, or (for plastic piping) a vacuum, and must show no evidence of leakage before it is closed in (IRC P2503.5.1).
- In Pima County: the water-distribution piping is tested and must hold tight under the system's working pressure, or under a 50 psi air test for non-plastic piping, before it is concealed (IRC P2503.7).
- In Pima County: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing rough inspection, along with the mechanical and electrical rough inspections, has been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Pima County: at the final drainage test, each fixture is filled and then drained, and its traps and fixture connections must prove watertight by visual inspection (IRC P2503.5.2).
- In Pima County: final inspection is made after all work required by the permit is complete, and includes confirming backflow protection, such as vacuum breakers on hose bibbs, is installed (IRC R109.1.6, P2902.4.3).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Pima County permit portal or by phone at 520-724-9000.
Inspection sequence from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109 Inspections and Section P2503 Inspection and Tests. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Plumbing Permit checklist for Pima County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not. Usually needed: For new pipe work, water heater replacement, or new plumbing connections in unincorporated Pima County.
- Budget the fee. Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a water heater or a gas, water, or drain line replacement is $27, moderate work such as re-piping a single family dwelling is $198, per the Development Services Fee Schedule effective 2026-07-01. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Pima County, you apply for a residential plumbing permit at your local building department by filing an application that describes the scope of work and site, along with construction documents, before any regulated plumbing installation, alteration, or repair begins. Minor repairs that do not touch piping or fixtures are generally exempt, and once issued the permit only stays valid if work is started within its time limit. Start at the Pima County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Pima County Development Services Department. Phone: 520-724-9000. Address: 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.
- Plan for inspections. In Pima County, plumbing inspections are timed to whatever is about to hide the pipe: underground and under-slab piping is checked before concrete covers it, rough-in piping is pressure or water tested before walls close up, and a final inspection checks every fixture and backflow protection once the work is complete.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a plumbing permit in Pima County?
- Pima County's official "Do I Need a Permit?" list requires a plumbing permit for new pipe work, propane tank installation, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, new or replacement water heaters, new dishwashers, and water softeners. It exempts clearing of stoppages or repairing leaks that do not require replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, straightforward fixture replacement (sinks, toilets, tubs), and water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons capacity. Applications are submitted through the county's online permitting portal. New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a plumbing permit cost in Pima County?
- Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a water heater or a gas, water, or drain line replacement is $27, moderate work such as re-piping a single family dwelling is $198, per the Development Services Fee Schedule effective 2026-07-01. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a plumbing permit in Pima County?
- You can apply through the Pima County permit portal or contact the Pima County Development Services Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a plumbing permit themselves in Pima County?
- Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5), (A)(9), (A)(14)(a); 32-1164(A)(2), (B)): Arizona addresses owner-builders through its contractor licensing law rather than through the building code itself. A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5) exempts property owners who build or improve structures on their own land and do the work themselves, with their own employees, or with duly licensed contractors, as long as the finished structure is for the owner's own occupancy and is not intended for sale or rent. Selling or renting within one year of completion or of the certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence the project was really undertaken for sale or rent, which defeats the exemption, a rule that functions much like Florida's one-year restriction. The exemption does not waive the underlying permit requirement: several of the chapter's small-job licensing exemptions, including the $1,000 casual-work exemption in A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(14), expressly do not apply whenever the work requires a local building permit, so once a job needs a permit, anyone doing that work for someone else generally must hold an Arizona contractor's license regardless of dollar amount. Acting as a contractor without a license, on permit-required work or otherwise, is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 32-1164, carrying a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a repeat offense. Confirm how Pima County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Pima County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Decks and non-structural flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route do not require a permit; a deck greater than 30 inches above finished grade or floor level requires a permit. | Assessed as a building permit: base fee $69 plus 1.096% of the ICC square foot... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | New electric outlet/fixture installations and photovoltaic systems or generators require a permit; wiring/devices operating under 25 volts and not exceeding 50 volt-amps, and like-for-like repair or replacement of switches, controls, overcurrent devices, fixed motors, transformers, or outlets/fixtures in the same location, do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a service upgrade, reconnect, or up to five... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Non-retaining walls and fences no more than 7 feet in height do not require a permit; fences taller than 7 feet require a building permit. | Fee is $0.25 per lineal foot plus the standard $69 base permit fee, per the Development... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | New or replacement central air conditioners/furnaces, mini-split systems, and modifying or replacing duct work require a permit; portable cooling, heating, or ventilation units, and replacing an existing evaporative cooler with a like unit, do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a residential air conditioner unit is $27... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | An open, ground-level patio slab counts as non-structural flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and does not require a permit; enclosing a porch or patio (adding walls, screens, or a roof enclosure) requires a permit. | No patio-specific line |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Pre-fabricated residential pools installed entirely above ground require a building permit once they exceed 18 inches in depth and 5,000 gallons; any in-ground or custom-built residential pool or spa requires a building permit through Administrative Review regardless of size. | Not published |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Re-roofing with like materials (tile, shingles, etc.) does not require a permit; structural roof work requires a permit. | No fee for re-roofing with like materials since no permit is required per the county's... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar non-habitable accessory structures are the category Pima County's own adopted code amendments refer to as "structures exempted from permits"; the standard exemption size carried in the adopted IRC for this category is 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections, though Pima's own published guidance pages do not restate that figure directly. | No shed-specific line |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential photovoltaic installation is treated as minor electrical work, flat fee $27... |
Plumbing Permit in other Arizona localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Pima County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this plumbing permit page for Pima County was verified. 1 official source: pima.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Pima County Development Services Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Plumbing Permit requirements across Arizona localities