Phoenix Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating site plans for building permits in Phoenix, including Development Services requirements and desert-specific regulations.

Phoenix Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Phoenix, Arizona requires meeting specific requirements set by the Planning and Development Department (PDD). Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States, governed by the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 6), with special considerations for desert landscaping, water conservation, and extreme heat mitigation.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Phoenix Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. PDD requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance and International Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at phoenix.gov/pdd.

Required Site Plan Elements for PDD

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per the Zoning Ordinance
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions and height
  • Lot coverage calculation
  • Parking spaces per Section 702 of the Zoning Ordinance
  • Landscape plan with native/desert-adapted plant species per Section 507
  • Shade requirements for parking areas and pedestrian pathways
  • Drainage and grading
  • North arrow and scale
  • Maricopa County Assessor parcel number

Phoenix Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R1-6 (Single-Family, 6,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 40%. Height max 30 feet.
  • R1-8 (Single-Family, 8,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 7 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 35%. Height max 30 feet.
  • R1-10 (Single-Family, 10,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 30%.
  • R-2 (Two-Family): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 45%.
  • R-3 through R-5 (Multi-Family): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 20 feet. Increasing density.
  • Corner lots: Street-side setback is 15 feet for most residential zones.

Desert Landscape Requirements

Phoenix's Desert Landscape Standards (Section 507) reflect the city's arid climate:

  • Native/desert-adapted plants: Required for all new landscaping — prohibited species list includes high-water plants like bermuda grass in front yards
  • Minimum landscape percentage: Varies by zone (typically 15-25% of lot area for residential)
  • Shade trees: Required in parking areas (1 tree per 4 parking spaces) and along pedestrian pathways
  • Water budget: Landscape water use must not exceed the maximum water allowance per the city's water conservation standards
  • Protected native plants: Saguaro cacti, ironwood trees, palo verde, and other protected species require permits for removal and relocation per the Arizona Native Plant Law

Drainage and Grading Requirements

Phoenix's desert environment creates unique drainage challenges:

  • Drainage studies: Required for all new development to manage monsoon storm runoff
  • Flood zones: FEMA AE and AO zones along washes and the Salt River; Maricopa County Flood Control District regulates additional areas
  • Retention basins: Required for most commercial and multi-family development to retain the 100-year, 2-hour storm on-site
  • Grading permits: Required for earth-moving activities that alter existing drainage patterns
  • Hillside development: Properties with slopes exceeding 10% are subject to the Hillside Ordinance with restricted disturbance and enhanced design standards

Heat Mitigation and Shade Requirements

Phoenix addresses its extreme urban heat through development standards:

  • Parking lot shade: Must provide shade coverage for 50% of parking area within 15 years (through trees or shade structures)
  • Pedestrian shade: Required along pedestrian pathways in commercial and multi-family developments
  • Cool roof standards: Reflective roofing materials encouraged/required for commercial buildings
  • Tree preservation: Existing mature shade trees are valued for urban heat island reduction

ADU Requirements in Phoenix

  • Phoenix legalized ADUs (called Guest Houses with Kitchens) in expanded areas
  • Size limit: Up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is less
  • Setbacks: Must meet base zoning district setbacks
  • Height: Limited to the height of the primary dwelling
  • Parking: One additional parking space required

How to Submit

ePlans Portal

Submit through Phoenix's ePlans portal at phoenix.gov/pdd for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 200 W. Washington Street, 2nd Floor.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per PDD fee schedule; includes development impact fees for water, sewer, parks, fire, police, library, and streets
  • Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Express residential available. Commercial 20-30 business days.

Creating Your Phoenix Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Phoenix property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for PDD submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Phoenix?
In R1-6 zones, front setbacks are 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet with 40% lot coverage and 30-foot height max. R1-8 zones require 25-foot front and 7-foot side setbacks with 35% coverage. R1-10 zones need 10-foot sides and 30% coverage. Corner lots require 15-foot street-side setbacks. Verify through phoenix.gov/pdd.
What desert landscaping is required?
Section 507 requires native/desert-adapted plants for all new landscaping. High-water species are prohibited. Shade trees are required in parking areas (1 per 4 spaces) and along pedestrian pathways. Landscape water use must meet conservation standards. Protected native plants (saguaros, ironwood, palo verde) need permits for removal.
What drainage and grading requirements apply?
Drainage studies are required for all new development due to monsoon risks. Retention basins for the 100-year, 2-hour storm are required for most commercial/multi-family. Grading permits needed for earth-moving. The Hillside Ordinance applies to slopes over 10%. Flood zones exist along washes and the Salt River.
What heat mitigation standards affect my site plan?
Parking lots must provide 50% shade coverage within 15 years through trees or structures. Pedestrian shade is required along walkways in commercial/multi-family. Cool roof materials are encouraged. These requirements affect landscape and site design significantly.
Can I build an ADU in Phoenix?
Yes, Phoenix allows ADUs (Guest Houses with Kitchens) up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling. Base zoning setbacks apply. Height is limited to the primary dwelling height. One additional parking space is required.
What impact fees does Phoenix charge?
Phoenix charges development impact fees for water, sewer, parks, fire, police, library, and streets for new construction. Fees vary by location and project type per the PDD fee schedule.
How do I submit plans to Phoenix?
Submit through the ePlans portal at phoenix.gov/pdd. Walk-in at 200 W. Washington Street, 2nd Floor. Residential permits take 10-15 business days. Express residential available.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 10-15 business days. Express residential available for qualifying projects. Commercial 20-30 business days. Desert landscape and drainage reviews are typically concurrent.

How to Create a Site Plan in Phoenix

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Phoenix's GIS portal to find zoning, flood zone, hillside overlay, and lot dimensions. Note your Maricopa County Assessor parcel number. Check for protected native plants on the property.
  2. Assess Desert Environment Constraints: Determine flood zone status, drainage requirements, hillside overlay applicability, protected native plants, and desert landscape requirements. These significantly affect site design.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Phoenix address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per the Zoning Ordinance.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, parking with shade plan, desert landscape with native plants, drainage features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare drainage studies, desert landscape plans with plant lists, shade calculations for parking areas, and native plant relocation permits if needed.
  6. Submit Through ePlans Portal: Upload plans through the ePlans portal. Pay fees including impact fees and track status.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to PDD reviewer comments. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.