Development Services

• Certificate of Occupancy

  Certification of Occupancy is generated in one of (3) manners.
  1. The tenant obtains a tenant improvement permit that would result in a Certification of Occupancy.  Inspections are performed after the issuance of the permit. After final inspection, the Certification of Occupancy is generated.
  2. If a tenant changes a use or occupancy classification, they need to obtain a tenant improvement permit (even if no work is being done to the space). Inspection will be done after the issuance of the permit and a Certification of Occupancy will be generated.
  3. If a tenant maintains the same use and occupancy, yet wants a prior Certification of Occupancy in their name, then they would apply for a duplicate Certification of Occupancy. There must be a permit record to duplicate an occupancy.
  If there is no substantiated evidence of the established use in the space, a tenant improvement permit would be required. If there is no construction work done in the space, then the tenant improvement permit will be in the form of a verification of occupancy. The construction document submitted needs to demonstrate that the space meets the requirement of the current governing codes.

• Code Compliance

  File a complaint:
  Navigate to Mesaaz.gov/DIMES and log into your registered account. Once logged in you can submit a code complaint.
  When a complaint is received, a Code Officer will complete an initial inspection of the property within 3 business days. Please keep in mind this is contingent on the Code Officer's scheduled days off or holidays.
  

  Most Common Violations:

  https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/code-compliance/most-common-violations

   
  Who is the Code Officer in my area?

   https://gis.mesaaz.gov/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=ExploreMesa

• Contractors Licensure Verification

  This document is required for any commercial or multifamily permit that is issued. Link to form: https://www.mesaaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=32684

• DIMES Submittals

  PDF Formatting Requirements  (The City of Mesa only accepts Portable Document Format (PDF) files for plan review).

  PDF files must be properly formatted as follows:

  A. All drawing sheets must be consolidated into one plan set
  B. Each supporting document must be uploaded independently
  C. Layers: Remove all layers, multiple layers are not accepted
  D. Orientation: Landscape orientation only 
  
  Please remove or flatten AutoCAD text comments from all documents and re-upload the plans.
  Please be sure to RENAME THE FILE(S).  Do not reuse the names of previously submitted files.  The names of newly flattened files must be unique or errors and delays may occur. 

• Do I need a permit for a detached accessory structure or shed at my home?

  If the shed or detached structure falls within the following exception, a permit is not required, however all applicable Planning requirements would still be applicable.
  Mesa Administrative Code Section 4-1-4-B(1)a
  One- (1-) story detached accessory structures ancillary to R-3, R-4 and R-5 occupancies used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed two hundred (200) square feet (18.60m 2 ) and the property is not subject to the Desert Uplands Development Standards, is not located in a Historic Preservation Overlay District or on a site designated as a historic landmark. (4242, 4579, 4807)
  https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT4BURE_CH1MEADCO_4-1-4PE

• Do I need a permit for solar panel (photovoltaic power system)?

  Maybe, if your solar panel project requires any electrical work, an electrical permit would be required, however, commercial and residential solar projects on an existing permitted structure are exempt from a building permit. An electrical permit would be required if work is needed to the electrical service panel (i.e. upgrade, derate, line-side tap, load-side tap), new electrical panel/s is added, or if the project includes battery storage.

  https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT4BURE_CH1MEADCO_4-1-4PE  Section 4-1-4 B(2)r.

  Photovoltaic power systems installed under an incentive program sponsored by a serving utility or government entity.  The City of Mesa provides more information here:  https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/energy/electric/solar-power

• Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?

  For residential uses, replacement of gas and electric water heating appliances of equal or less Btu/cfh rating do not require a permit.
  Section4-1-4 B(3)g
  Replacement of gas air-conditioning units, direct-vented appliances, furnaces, and log lighters, of equal or less Btu/cfh, and minor modification to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical connections necessary to serve the appliance in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 occupancies, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles where the appliance serves an individual dwelling unit, provided the serving Gas Utility is notified prior to the appliance being energized. (4242, 4579)
  Section 4-1-4B(5)d
  Replacement of electric water heating appliances of equal or less amperage rating, and minor modification to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical connections to serve the appliance in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 occupancies, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles where the appliance serves an individual dwelling unit. (4242, 4579)

• Document Retrieval Request

  Document Retrieval Request
  Submitted to retrieve Development Services and Engineering documents from archive. This includes anything that is not in the DIMES system. All requests are submitted through the DIMES portal.
  How to Submit Document Retrieval Request:
  Navigate to Mesaaz.gov/DIMES and log into your account. 
  1. After creating and logging into your account, go to the top of the page where it says “Create” and in the drop down select “Apply for a Permit.”
  2. When filling in the address of the location the records are for, enter the project address, (enter the street number, direction, and street name) then select it. Accela will fill in the parcel and property owner information for you.
  3. For Project Name, just enter a brief description/title of what you are looking for. For Description of Work, again, just a brief description of what you are looking for.
  5. Under General Info > Request Description, THIS is where you should indicate exactly what you are looking for Ex.) Copies of Permits, Site Plans, Quarter Section maps, etc. plus any additional reference information you have that will help us fulfill your search/request.
  6. When you get to Attachments, just click ‘Continue Application,’ and again when you get to the Review page.
  
  Document retrieval requests take 10-15 business days to process.

  
  

• Expedited Services Options and Fees

  Submittals may be Expedited (10-working day review) or Super Expedited (5-working day review).  This is an option that may be selected in the online permitting system when the plans are submitted.
  The premiums for expediting are listed below:
  The premium is based on the permit fee, not the deposit.
  Regular Review ' 18 working days (M-Th) = regular permit fee
  Expedited Review ' 10 working days (M-Th) = 2 X regular permit fee
  Super Expedite Review ' 5 Working days (M-Th) = 3 X regular permit fee
  The permit fee schedule is online at https://www.mesaaz.gov/government/office-of-management-budget/fees-charges

• How soon can I expect a call back from Staff?

  Staff makes every effort to respond within 24 business hours

• How to get a copy of a permit

  Navigate to Mesaaz.gov/DIMES
  Search for permit number
  Click Record, then Attachments
  Permit Document can be downloaded

• Inspections

  To schedule an inspection:
  Inspection call in number: 480-644-2428
  To schedule online: Mesaaz.gov/DIMES (you must be logged into your account to schedule an inspection).
  Calls received after 12:00am will be scheduled for the next business day. Regular inspection hours are 6:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday.
  Who is my building inspector and what is their phone number?
  Building Inspections Area Map: https://www.mesaaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=4462

• Permit Issuance

  Once a permit has been paid for and all conditions have been met, please email permitservices@mesaaz.gov to have the permit issued.

• Water Meter

  Blue Card
  Once a water meter is paid for, the permit is issued and a clearance is sent to the utility.  A water meter/blue card is attached to the permit record. This is used to identify the location where the water meter is to be set.
  Set Process
  Once a water meter is paid for, the permit is issued, and a clearance is sent to the utility. It is the customer's responsibility to contact City of Mesa Utility at 480-644-2221 (Utility Contact Center)  to request the water meter to be set.  Deposit and utility agreements may be required by the Utility before a meter set can be approved.