Before any wall, garage, pool or house comes down inside Phoenix city limits, the City of Phoenix wants a demolition permit on file. The process is not complicated for most homeowners, but missing one step, such as the asbestos check or the final inspection, can hold up a sale, a rebuild or a refinance.
This guide covers when Phoenix requires a permit, what to submit, current fees, historic-property holds and how to close the permit out. It’s based on the city’s own handouts and code, linked throughout. If your property is in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa or another Valley city, the steps are similar but each city runs its own permit office.
When do you need a demolition permit in Phoenix?
According to the city’s Demolition Permit handout, a demolition permit is required for the total, partial or interior demolition of a structure. Key rules from that handout:
- Demolition may not start until the permit is issued.
- A separate permit application is required for each building or structure you’re tearing down (for example, a house and a detached garage).
- If the demolition is part of a separate building permit (say, a remodel that’s already permitted), you don’t need a separate demolition permit.
- Over-the-counter demolition permits don’t cover removing structural components. Total demolition, and interior demolition of non-bearing walls with associated utilities, are allowed over the counter. Taking out structural elements as part of a remodel requires complete structural plans.
Phoenix’s residential permit brochure also lists demolitions among the residential projects that need a permit.
Step 1: Check asbestos and air quality requirements first
The city’s handout tells applicants to contact the Maricopa County Air Quality Department’s NESHAP program about asbestos and demolition notification requirements *before* applying for the city permit. The county’s message line listed in the handout is 602-506-6708.
Whether federal asbestos rules (NESHAP) apply to your project depends on the building and the project. Maricopa County explains on its asbestos page that commercial buildings, apartment complexes, buildings with five or more units, and single-family homes that were ever used commercially are covered. Its Demolition and Renovation Handbook says demolishing a single residential building with four or fewer dwelling units is not subject to the asbestos NESHAP, unless more than one residential building is being demolished as part of the same project. We cover this in detail in our guide to asbestos rules for demolition in Maricopa County.
Even when NESHAP doesn’t apply, older homes can contain asbestos in flooring, popcorn ceilings, wall textures, duct wrap and roofing. If your house was built before the 1980s, ask about testing before demolition. Arizona Demolition Experts does not perform asbestos testing or abatement; we’ll tell you when a licensed asbestos professional should be brought in first.
Step 2: Prepare plans (or confirm you don’t need them)
Phoenix’s handout explains what drawings to bring. It calls for two sets (three if the property has historic preservation zoning, such as R1-6 HP):
| Your project | What Phoenix asks for |
|---|---|
| Tearing down every structure on the lot | No plans required |
| Tearing down some but not all structures on the lot | Site plan only |
| Partial or interior demolition | Site plan (lot dimensions, easements, building locations) plus a floor plan showing the scope of demolition |
Step 3: Check for historic-property holds
This is the step that surprises people. Under Phoenix’s Demolition Application Plan Review (DAPP) requirements, effective August 1, 2025, certain exterior demolitions must post public notice and wait before a permit is issued:
- 60-calendar-day hold: buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places or determined individually eligible for historic designation
- 30-calendar-day hold: commercial-use buildings 50 or more years old, commercial buildings whose age can’t be determined, and properties in the Downtown Code District that are 50 or more years old
These reviews carry a $390 review fee per parcel on top of the standard permit fee, and the hold applies to the whole parcel. The DAPP document also notes that the construction year on the Maricopa County Assessor’s website is not accepted on its own as proof of a building’s age. Properties with HP or HP-L zoning overlays go through the Historic Preservation Office.
Most single-family homes outside historic districts won’t hit this hold, but check before you schedule a crew or a closing date. The city’s My Community Map can show properties previously identified as historically eligible.
Step 4: Apply and pay the fee
Applications go to the city’s Planning and Development Department. Phoenix’s fee schedule (City Code Appendix A.2, Part 18, Section 200) lists:
| Demolition permit type | Fee listed in city code |
|---|---|
| Single-family residential structure (including single-family accessory buildings) | $75.00 |
| All structures other than single family | $300.00 plus $6.00 per 1,000 sq. ft. or fraction |
| Optional pre-move inspection | $150.00 per hour, $300.00 minimum |
Fees change, so confirm the current schedule when you apply. The permit fee is separate from any asbestos notification fee, dust control permit, utility charges or contractor costs.
Step 5: Disconnect utilities and call 811
Before demolition, electric, gas and water service need to be shut off and, in most teardowns, removed by the utility. Plan ahead: the utility sets the timeline, not your contractor. If any digging is involved, Arizona law requires contacting Arizona 811 at least two full working days before you dig (A.R.S. 40-360.22). Our house demolition preparation checklist walks through each utility.
Step 6: Keep an eye on the 60-day clock
The Phoenix handout says a demolition permit expires if the work isn’t completed within 60 days of issuance, and that includes clearing all debris from the site. Don’t pull the permit months before your crew is booked.
If your demolition disturbs 0.10 acre (4,356 square feet) or more of ground, including staging and access areas, you’ll also need a Maricopa County dust control permit before work starts. See our Rule 310 dust permit guide.
Step 7: Schedule the final inspection
When the work is done, you schedule the final inspection with the city. The handout lists the Automated Inspection Request System at (602) 495-0800, and Phoenix also takes inspection requests online. The handout is clear: demolition is not complete until final inspections have been performed. Keep the final sign-off with your property records. Lenders, buyers and builders often ask for it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Phoenix?
Yes. Phoenix requires a demolition permit for total, partial or interior demolition of a structure, and work can’t start until the permit is issued.
How much is a demolition permit in Phoenix?
Phoenix City Code lists $75 for a single-family residential structure (including single-family accessory buildings) and $300 plus $6 per 1,000 square feet for other structures. Historic reviews add a $390 fee per parcel. Confirm current fees with the city.
How long is a Phoenix demolition permit good for?
According to the city’s handout, it expires if the work, including debris cleanup, isn’t completed within 60 days of issuance.
Do I need a separate permit for my garage or shed?
Phoenix requires a separate demolition permit application for each building or structure being demolished.
Do I need a permit for interior demolition?
Yes, Phoenix’s permit requirement covers interior demolition too, unless the work is part of a separate building permit. Removing structural components needs structural plans.
Can my contractor pull the permit?
Yes, a licensed contractor can apply. Check the contractor’s license on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors site first. Arizona Demolition Experts’ written estimates state whether permits are included.
Talk to us about your Phoenix demolition
Arizona Demolition Experts (ROC# 349951) is based at 2402 N Central Ave, Suite 170, in Phoenix and has served the Valley since 2020. Call 480-674-8348, email info@arizonademolitionexperts.com or request an estimate. See our house demolition, interior demolition and commercial demolition services.
[…] Phoenix requires a demolition permit before any total, partial or interior demolition, and requires a separate permit for each building or structure (city handout). The city fee schedule (City Code A.2, Part 18) lists $75 for a single-family residential structure, including single-family accessory buildings. If the property is subject to a historic preservation review, Phoenix adds a $390 review fee per parcel and a 30- or 60-day hold (DAPP requirements). Details are in our Phoenix demolition permit guide. […]