Arizona Building Code 2026: Adopted Codes & Official Resources

Arizona Building Codes Adopted by City and County

Arizona municipalities and counties can use different editions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and related model codes. Local amendments may change the requirements within those editions.

The following table shows code information published by selected jurisdictions for 2026.

NEC = National Electrical Code. I-Codes = International Code Council model codes. The table summarizes published adoption information; it does not replace local ordinances, amendments, or project-specific transition rules.

What Codes Are Included in Arizona Construction Requirements?

Depending on the jurisdiction and project, building regulations may include several separate code books.

Local amendments matter. A jurisdiction can modify provisions of a nationally published model code when adopting it. Review the adopted edition together with the applicable local amendment package, administrative requirements and referenced standards.

How to Find the Correct Arizona Building Code for Your Property

You can usually identify the applicable code through the local government’s official website without purchasing a code book first.

1. Identify your property’s jurisdiction. Use the property’s street address or parcel information to determine whether it is inside city limits or in an unincorporated county area. A mailing address alone may not establish jurisdiction.
2. Open the official building department website. Select the relevant city or county from the table above, or locate its official planning and development department.
3. Find the adopted building codes section. Look for a page or menu named Building Codes, Codes and Ordinances, Construction Codes, or Code Amendments.
4. Check the adopted edition, effective date and amendments. Open the ordinance or official amendment PDF. Confirm which code applies to your building type and permit application date.
5. Confirm additional approvals before applying. Ask the local building department about zoning, fire review, floodplain rules, utilities and other project-specific requirements.

Arizona Building Permit Requirements

Adopting a building code and requiring a permit are related but separate matters. The local department determines applicable permit requirements, subject to state law and adopted local rules.

Projects That Commonly Require Review

• Construction of a new house or commercial building.
• Room additions, structural alterations and garage conversions.
• Installation or significant alteration of electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fuel-gas systems.
• Demolition, major remodeling and changes in building occupancy.
• Swimming pools, detached structures, decks or other improvements when local thresholds are met.

Work That May Be Exempt

Routine cosmetic improvements, such as painting, replacing flooring or updating countertops, may not require a building permit when they do not involve regulated structural or building-system work.

Some jurisdictions also provide limited exemptions for small detached accessory structures or specific repairs. The size limits and conditions vary by location.

For example, Mesa’s published residential guidance identifies detached structures over 200 square feet among projects requiring a construction permit. That is a Mesa-specific rule, not a statewide Arizona exemption threshold.

Even permit-exempt work may need to comply with zoning, setback, electrical, fire or other applicable requirements.

Documents to Prepare for a Permit Application

After submission, the department may review the plans, request corrections, calculate permit fees, issue the permit and require inspections at specified construction stages. Do not begin permit-required work until the proper authorization has been issued.

Arizona State Fire Code and Energy Standards

Arizona State Fire Code

The Arizona Office of the State Fire Marshal, part of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, administers fire-code responsibilities for projects within its statutory jurisdiction.

Effective April 13, 2026, the office began using the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC).

State fire-code review can apply to state and county buildings, public, charter and private schools, and certain occupancies in areas without a locally adopted fire code. Residential dwellings containing fewer than five units are excluded from the State Fire Marshal’s stated review category for areas without a locally adopted fire code.

These review rules do not mean every private residential project needs a separate state fire permit. Local fire departments and districts may have their own adopted codes and enforcement responsibilities.

Arizona State Fire Code — Official Information

State Fire Marshal — Plan Review and Permitting

Arizona Energy Code Requirements

Arizona does not have a uniform mandatory statewide building energy code for ordinary residential and commercial construction. The U.S. Department of Energy identifies Arizona’s energy-code enforcement as jurisdictional.

For example, Phoenix has adopted the 2024 IECC with local amendments, while Scottsdale’s published list uses the 2021 IECC. Tucson’s 2024 IECC became effective July 1, 2026.

Energy requirements can address insulation, windows, air sealing, mechanical systems, lighting and other building features. The actual requirements depend on the local adopted code and applicable amendments.

U.S. Department of Energy — Arizona Energy Code Status

Unincorporated Areas and Special Buildings

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-861, counties have authority to adopt and enforce specified construction codes in qualifying unincorporated areas, subject to statutory limitations and exemptions.

State law also contains special provisions for public buildings. A.R.S. § 34-461 addresses the application of building and fire codes to public buildings, including circumstances where local codes have not been adopted.

Manufactured housing and certain factory-built structures can fall under separate Arizona Department of Housing oversight. Its Office of Manufactured Housing publishes program-specific adopted codes and standards. These should not be mistaken for a general statewide residential building code.

Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing — Official Standards

Local Amendments, Arizona Conditions and Common Mistakes

Arizona construction projects may face requirements beyond the primary building-code edition.

• Extreme heat: Check locally adopted energy and mechanical provisions affecting cooling systems and building envelopes.
• Flood-prone properties: Confirm floodplain development requirements before grading, additions or new construction.
• Wildfire exposure: Ask whether a wildland-urban interface code or local fire-safety rules apply.
• Soil and structural conditions: Follow the applicable foundation and structural requirements, including site-specific engineering where necessary.
• Water and wastewater: Verify local utility requirements and whether separate water, sewer or onsite wastewater approvals are necessary.
• Zoning and setbacks: Check allowable uses, building placement, heights and lot coverage separately from building safety codes.

Common mistake: Downloading the newest IBC or IRC edition and assuming it is automatically enforceable. A model code becomes applicable through the relevant adoption process, and the jurisdiction may have adopted a different edition or amendments.

Arizona Contractor Licensing and Building Code Compliance

Building-code compliance is not the same as contractor licensing. Depending on the work and statutory exemptions, contractors performing regulated construction must hold the appropriate Arizona Registrar of Contractors license.

Before hiring someone, verify the license status and classification for the work being performed.

1. Visit the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
2. Select the contractor license search option.
3. Search by contractor name or license number.
4. Confirm that the license is active and the classification covers your project.
5. Verify who is responsible for obtaining permits before signing the contract.

Official Arizona Contractor Hiring Guidance

Official Arizona Building Code Resources

Use these government sources to confirm adopted codes, legal requirements, amendments and permit procedures.

• Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-861 County building-code adoption authority and statutory limitations.
• Arizona Revised Statutes § 34-461 Building and fire-code applicability to public buildings.
• City of Phoenix — Building Construction Codes 2024 code documents, local amendments, adoption history and official PDFs.
• City of Tucson — Building Codes 2024 codes, amendments, implementation dates and additional building regulations.
• City of Mesa — Building Code 2024 I-Codes, 2023 NEC and 2026 transition requirements.
• City of Scottsdale — Building Codes 2021 code amendments and residential and commercial compliance resources.
• City of Tempe — Codes and Amendments 2024 adoption, 2023 NEC and 2026 transition procedures.
• Pima County — Building Permit Resources 2024 adopted building codes, 2023 NEC and downloadable local amendment PDFs.
• Maricopa County — Construction Codes County construction-code editions, zoning regulations and local amendments.
• Arizona Office of the State Fire Marshal State fire-code edition, statutory authority and plan-review information.
• U.S. Department of Energy — Arizona Energy-code adoption status and state-level energy-code information.
• Arizona Registrar of Contractors Contractor license verification and consumer guidance.

Arizona Building Code 2026: Frequently Asked Questions