City of Scottsdale fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Scottsdale? Yes. The City of Scottsdale requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Scottsdale (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- Charged per hour of plan review (first hour collected at submittal) plus a charge per linear foot of retaining wall; see City fee page source
- How to apply
- In person source
Still being confirmed with Scottsdale: What are the maximum front, side and rear wall/fence heights under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.104 for your zoning district?
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Scottsdale
Steps based on scottsdaleaz.gov — walls fences
- Prepare a site plan of your property showing all improvements, including the proposed wall or fence.
- Take the site plan to the One Stop Shop (One Civic Center, 7447 E. Indian School Road, first floor) for approval from a Planner and a Stormwater Engineer.
- For masonry walls, follow the Masonry Wall/Fence Submittal Packet; retaining walls need engineered plans approved by the City.
- Pay the plan review fee (first hour at submittal; additional hours charged with the permit fee).
- Schedule inspections at 480-312-5750; a permitted wall is finaled after inspection.
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
- Paying
- Per-hour plan review plus per-linear-foot charge for retaining walls; first hour collected at submittal
- Inspections
- Inspection required before the permit is finaled; schedule at 480-312-5750
Who to contact
One Stop Shop
City of Scottsdale Planning and Development
- Phone
- 480-312-3111
- Address
- One Stop Shop, One Civic Center, 7447 E. Indian School Road, first floor, Scottsdale, AZ
Contact from scottsdaleaz.gov — walls fences
What to submit
- Site plan showing the proposed wall or fence
- Masonry Wall/Fence Submittal Packet for masonry walls
- Engineered plans for retaining walls
- Written approval letters from all utility companies if the wall is in a Public Utility Easement
Other rules to know
- Permits are required for a fence taller than 3 feet, for adding height to an existing fence over 3 feet, for retaining walls, for dry stack stone or interlocking block walls over 30 inches, and for replacing a fence.
- Under 3 feet in most residential districts no building permit is needed, but courtesy site plan approval is required to confirm zoning and stormwater rules and that no easement or watercourse is affected.
- Applies to single-family homes only; multi-family and commercial follow the Development Review Minor Applications page.
- Height limits are in Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.104 (Height limitation on walls and fences); the text was not retrievable, so heights are left blank.
- To raise an existing masonry wall or legalize an unpermitted wall, a sealed assessment by an Arizona licensed engineer or architect is required.
Before you dig
Call Arizona 811 before digging post holes (dial 811). Utilities have two full working days to mark their lines, so call at least two working days ahead. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of Scottsdale, AZ?
Yes. The City of Scottsdale requires a permit before you build a fence. Under 3 feet in most residential districts no building permit is needed, but courtesy site plan approval is required to confirm zoning and stormwater rules and that no easement or watercourse is affected.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Scottsdale?
Charged per hour of plan review (first hour collected at submittal) plus a charge per linear foot of retaining wall; see City fee page.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Scottsdale?
Prepare a site plan of your property showing all improvements, including the proposed wall or fence. Take the site plan to the One Stop Shop (One Civic Center, 7447 E. Indian School Road, first floor) for approval from a Planner and a Stormwater Engineer. For masonry walls, follow the Masonry Wall/Fence Submittal Packet; retaining walls need engineered plans approved by the City. Pay the plan review fee (first hour at submittal; additional hours charged with the permit fee). Schedule inspections at 480-312-5750; a permitted wall is finaled after inspection. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Scottsdale (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Scottsdale?
One Stop Shop, City of Scottsdale Planning and Development. Phone 480-312-3111.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Scottsdale's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.104 Height limitation on walls and fences
Work for the City of Scottsdale? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.