How does Phoenix calculate a plumbing permit fee?

Section 109.2 of Phoenix's amended building code says permit and plan review fees are paid under the schedule in City Code Appendix A.2. That schedule, Ordinance G-7465, took effect January 20, 2026. Section 109.3 says the applicant's valuation must include "the total value of work, including materials and labor," naming plumbing among the systems, and that the valuation "is calculated using the International Code Council Building Valuation Data adjusted for the City of Phoenix." If the building official thinks the figure is too low, "the permit shall be denied" unless the applicant shows detailed estimates.

Table A, the Building Safety Valuation-Based Permit Fee:

Other lines that land on plumbing jobs, from the same schedule:

• Permits valued $1 to $1,000 "include a maximum of two inspections, including reinspections," and more are $195 each.
• General plan review, where valuation exceeds $5,000 and review is required: 100% of the permit fee at $50,000 or less, 80% above $50,000, minimum $195, for both residential and commercial.
• Valuation under $5,000 with a counter review of 15 minutes or less: no plan review fee.
• The first gas, electric or water meter is included; each additional meter per utility is $98.
• Phased, partial and deferred submittal permits: 200% of the permit fee.

• Valuation: the total value of the permitted work, materials and labor. Phoenix compares your number to its own and uses the higher.
• Or fraction thereof: a partial $1,000 counts as a full one. $4,200 over the first $1,000 is four steps, not 3.2.
• Counter review: a quick review at the counter, as opposed to formal plan review.

Anyone pulling a Phoenix building safety permit that includes plumbing or gas work, residential or commercial. The table does not set different rates for contractors and owner-builders.

This does not apply to the separate backflow inspection fee, to fire department permits, or to water and sewer impact fees, which have their own schedules. Work started without a permit pays twice the Table A fee plus other charges under Section 114.

Worked from Table A as published. Your valuation may be raised to the city's figure.

• A homeowner moves a laundry hookup. The work is valued at $3,200. That's $195 plus three $12 steps, $231, and if the counter review takes 15 minutes or less, no plan review fee.
• A café build-out. Plumbing, grease interceptor and gas piping total $48,000. The permit is $303 plus 38 steps of $10, $683, and plan review adds 100% because the valuation is $50,000 or less.
• The same café lists $20,000 to save fees. The answer flips: the code says the city uses the higher valuation, and an underestimate can get the permit denied until detailed estimates are shown.

1. 1Add up the real value of the work, materials and labor, for every system on the permit.
2. 2Find the Table A row and count the per-$1,000 steps, rounding any fraction up.
3. 3Add plan review if the valuation is over $5,000 and review is required.
4. 4Add any extra meter fees ($98 each per utility after the first) and budget for re-inspection fees.
5. 5Apply through the city's permit portal and keep the fee receipt with the permit.

• "I can write a low number." Phoenix uses "the higher of" its valuation and yours, and Section 109.3 lets the building official deny an underestimated permit.
• "Plan review is a flat fee." It's a percentage of the permit fee, 100% or 80%, minimum $195.
• "Every small permit includes unlimited inspections." Permits valued $1 to $1,000 include at most two, counting re-inspections.
• "Every Valley city prices it the same." Cave Creek and Chandler use their own valuation tables, with plan review at 65% of the permit fee instead of Phoenix's 80 or 100%.