Shed Permit in Pima County, Arizona
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
For any detached shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections in unincorporated Pima County
Issued byPima County Development Services Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Pima County's Development Services building-permit-resources page includes an amended code exception referring to "tool and storage sheds, playhouses, ramadas and similar structures exempted from permits," confirming a small-accessory-structure exemption exists in the county's adopted code. Neither the county's "Do I Need a Permit?" exemption list nor its Permit Types page restates the exact square footage, so the commonly used 200 sq ft / no-utilities threshold (the standard figure in the IRC and in every neighboring Arizona jurisdiction) is carried here as the best-supported but not directly county-published figure. Contact Development Services at 520-724-9000 to confirm your specific structure.
Typical threshold: 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.
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When a permit is usually needed
For any detached shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections in unincorporated Pima County
What a shed permit costs in Pima County
How Pima County compares in Arizona
Across the Arizona jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 120 to 200, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures (storage sheds, open-air ramadas) with floor area of 120 sq ft or less and height of 7 ft or less (up to 9 ft with 2 additional feet of setback per additional foot of height) are exempt if not connected to any electrical, gas, or water utility; exceeding either limit or connecting a utility requires a building permit. |
| Gilbert | It depends | Structures less than 200 square feet do not require a permit; a permit is required at 200 square feet or larger, or if the shed has electrical or plumbing utilities or is connected to the house or another structure. |
| Maricopa County | It depends | structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit |
| Mesa | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft without utilities are exempt; structures 200 sq ft or larger or those with utilities require a permit |
| Peoria | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit when the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet. |
| Phoenix | It depends | detached structures without utilities at or under 200 sq ft are exempt; structures over 200 sq ft or with utilities require a permit |
| Pima Countythis page | 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. |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Arizona
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Pima County's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, floor area of a detached accessory structure
- Bellevue, Washington, detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit
- Clark County, Nevada, sheds over 200 sq ft require a building permit; storage sheds 200 sq ft or under may be exempt under Building Administrative Code Section 22.02.190
How to apply in Pima County
In Pima County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Pima County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Pima County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. 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
Shed Permit in Pima County compared with nearby Arizona localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Arizona schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima County | 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 | |
| Chandler | It depends | One-story detached accessory structures (storage sheds, open-air ramadas) with floor area of 120 sq ft or less and height of 7 ft or less (up to 9 ft with 2 additional feet of setback per additional foot of height) are exempt if not connected to any electrical, gas, or water utility; exceeding either limit or connecting a utility requires a building permit. | Flat $150 residential ramada/accessory storage building permit fee per Fee Schedule... | |
| Gilbert | It depends | Structures less than 200 square feet do not require a permit; a permit is required at 200 square feet or larger, or if the shed has electrical or plumbing utilities or is connected to the house or another structure. | Valuation-based building permit fee, minimum $50 for work valued up to $1,100 | |
| Maricopa County | It depends | structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit | Non-habitable accessory buildings are valued as a private garage with the Table 1-A fee... | |
| Mesa | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft without utilities are exempt; structures 200 sq ft or larger or those with utilities require a permit | Sheds under 200 sq ft with no utility connections need no permit per the Residential... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Pima County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Pima County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Pima County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Pima County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Pima County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
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 IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Pima County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: 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. Usually needed: For any detached shed 200 sq ft or larger or any shed with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections in unincorporated Pima County.
- Budget the fee. No shed-specific line; assessed under the general Buildings formula, base fee $69 plus 1.096% of the ICC square foot construction cost for the first 1,000 sq ft and 0.588% above that, per the Development Services Fee Schedule effective 2026-07-01. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Pima County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. 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, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Pima County?
- Pima County's Development Services building-permit-resources page includes an amended code exception referring to "tool and storage sheds, playhouses, ramadas and similar structures exempted from permits," confirming a small-accessory-structure exemption exists in the county's adopted code. Neither the county's "Do I Need a Permit?" exemption list nor its Permit Types page restates the exact square footage, so the commonly used 200 sq ft / no-utilities threshold (the standard figure in the IRC and in every neighboring Arizona jurisdiction) is carried here as the best-supported but not directly county-published figure. Contact Development Services at 520-724-9000 to confirm your specific structure. 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. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Pima County?
- No shed-specific line; assessed under the general Buildings formula, base fee $69 plus 1.096% of the ICC square foot construction cost for the first 1,000 sq ft and 0.588% above that, per the Development Services Fee Schedule effective 2026-07-01. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed 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 shed 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 |
| Plumbing Permit | 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... |
| 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... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential photovoltaic installation is treated as minor electrical work, flat fee $27... |
Shed 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.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Pima County was verified. 3 official sources: pima.gov, pima.gov, 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.
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