Concrete and masonry permits in Phoenix
Updated July 2026
Permit rules differ depending on whether you are pouring a ground-level slab or building a wall, since walls carry a structural safety concern that flat concrete generally does not.
When concrete or masonry work typically needs a permit
Per City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department (PDD) code, platforms, sidewalks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or lower story, and not part of an accessible route are exempt from a permit; the department's own commentary extends this specifically to decks, patios, and similar uncovered pours. A ground-level, uncovered concrete patio or slab falls squarely into this exemption. Masonry and block walls follow the fence rule: exempt up to 3 feet high, a permit required above that, with 6 to 7 feet being the point the city's guidance treats as needing full structural engineering (see our fencing guide's permits section for the exact figures and the two PDD documents' minor disagreement on that upper threshold). A masonry wall that also retains soil is additionally subject to the separate retaining-wall rule: exempt only at 3 feet or less measured from the footing, and only without a surcharge load.
Who is the local authority
For a Phoenix-proper address, the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department (PDD), formerly known as the Development Services Department, is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Note that the Valley is many incorporated cities, each with its own building department, so a business outside Phoenix proper answers to a different AHJ.
What happens if you skip a required permit
Unpermitted work that should have had a permit can complicate a home sale, may not be covered by insurance if it causes damage, and skips the inspection that confirms the work, especially a wall's structural footing, was built to code. A licensed contractor pulling any required permit is part of what you are paying for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a concrete patio in Phoenix?
Generally no. City of Phoenix code exempts platforms, patios, and slabs that sit no more than 30 inches above grade, are not over a basement or lower story, and are not part of an accessible route, which covers a typical ground-level, uncovered patio pour. A covered patio, one built over living space, or one tied into an accessible route may fall outside this exemption, so confirm with PDD if your project is not a simple uncovered slab.
Do I need a permit for a block wall in Phoenix?
A block or masonry wall counts as a fence under Phoenix code: exempt up to 3 feet high, a permit required above that, with 6 to 7 feet being the threshold the city's guidance treats as needing full structural engineering. See our fencing guide's permits section for the exact figures. A wall that also retains soil is additionally subject to the separate retaining-wall rule (3 feet from the footing, no surcharge).