Section 2 – Types of Building Permits issued

New Construction and Tenant Improvement Building Permit 

A Building Permit Application is required for new construction and tenant improvements of existing buildings that enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure; or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system in an existing building.

Demolition Permit

A Demolition Permit is required before demolition of an entire building or demolition of a portion of a building. Demolition plans shall be submitted for plan review. During the plan-review process, an Asbestos Review will take place to ascertain the presence of asbestos-containing materials prior to the start of any operations that disturb building materials.

Under the following conditions, the contractor is required to obtain a Dust Control Permit and a 10-day NESHAP Notification from Maricopa County Air Quality Department at least 10 days prior to the commencement of the demolition activity:

  • Demolition projects requiring asbestos removal.
  • Demolition, regardless of building age or size of area to be demolished, if the demolition consists of wrecking any load-supporting structural member of a facility.

ASU’s Demolition Permit will not be issued prior to NESHAP Notification issuance – renovation for asbestos removal, if applicable, and demolition. This document specifies start date and completion date for these activities.

Visit the Maricopa County website for additional NESHAP information.

Drywell Installation-Repair Permit 

A Drywell Permit is required for new drywell installation and repair on ASU campuses. Installers meeting the licensing requirements of the State Registrar of Contractors and the Arizona Department of Water Resources must perform drywell installation. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Installation Guidelines shall be followed. Drywells are not to be installed in a location where hazardous or toxic materials are used, handled, stored, loaded, treated or where a spill of such materials could drain into a drywell system. An investigation by ADEQ may be initiated if pollutants are added to a drywell and may result in penalties and requirement of an Aquifer Protection Program Permit. For additional details, visit the ADWR and ADEQ websites.

After drywell installation is complete, the contractor and project manager shall deliver a cover letter to Construction Support Services and include a facility site and grading plan showing drywell locations and drainage details; the latitude and longitude of each drywell in decimal format, the drilling log with soil description, total depth and soil moisture. Construction Support Services will register the drywell with ADEQ. Drywells used in conjunction with golf-course maintenance do not need to be registered.

Drywell Closure Permit 

An ASU Drywell Closure Permit Application is required for closure of typical drywells. A typical drywell is one that receives only stormwater discharges and has never drained areas where hazardous materials have been managed. Some drywells may require a soil test before closure. It is recommended that drywells scheduled for closure are closed prior to new construction development. Drywell closure work must be performed by a contractor that meets the licensing requirements of the State Registrar of Contractors and Arizona Department of Water Resources.

After the drywell closure is complete, the contractor and project manager shall provide a letter to Construction Support Services with details about the drywell closure in order for Construction Support Services to have the drywell removed from the ADEQ Registry. Email inquiries and information for drywell installation and closures on ASU campuses.

Electrical Permit  

An Electrical Permit Application is required for all electrical work. All electrical work shall include updated panel schedules.  
Listed below are various types of electrical work permits and documents required for review:

When electrical work requires electrical design plans sealed by an Arizona registered electrical engineer:

  • Installation or changing out Service Entrance Sections with detailed project scope.
  • New branch circuits to an existing panel or a heavy load addition with detailed project scope.
  • New electrical panels with detailed project scope. 

When electrical work does NOT require electrical engineered plans:

  • Decrease of electrical loads – project scope and detailed drawing.
  • New electrical loads not requiring new branch circuits – detailed project scope and drawings, panel schedule and panel load readings with date and time. Load readings should be administered at a time when the building is in full use.
  • Relocation of an outlet with installation of a new outlet with no load change – project scope and detailed drawing verifying the new location.

Exception: The ASU Building Official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance.

Hot Work Permit  

A Hot Work Permit Application submitted with welder’s certification and photo identification is required when performing hot work involving welding, cutting, use of an open torch, brazing or other similar operations on campus. These documents are required from all contractors including campus facilities departments. A Hot Work Permit Application is also required for soldering. Before beginning any cutting and welding, review information provided by the ASU Campus Fire Marshal’s office.

Additional Hot Work Permit requirements for Pipe Welding:

  • Comply with ASME code on major renovation and new construction for building service piping, welding on main steam, condensate and chilled water.
  • Notify Asbestos Review if any pipe insulation is to be removed for welding activity.
  • Provide a second spotter and fire extinguisher on site.
  • Special Inspector must verify welder’s certification and special inspection procedures.
  • Special Inspector to inspect pipe welding.

Additional Hot Work Permit requirements for Structural Welding:

  • Comply with ANSI/AWS Structural Welding Code.
  • Provide a second spotter and fire extinguisher on site.
  • Special Inspector must verify welder’s certification and special inspection procedures.
  • Special Inspector to inspect structural weld quality and profile.

Insurance Claim and Emergency Repair Work Permit 

At the time emergency work is identified, an asbestos review and action to minimize damage to a structure must take place. Once the emergency work is stabilized, the Building Permit process must be initiated the next business day. After asbestos clearance is received, Building Permit issuance for emergency repair work may take less than 24 hours barring any additional requests for information during plan review.

Manufactured Housing Permit 

An ASU Permit Application must be submitted for installation of temporary single-wide trailers and double-wide manufactured housing. Hook up and grounding will be inspected by ASU’s Construction Inspectors. Guidelines for a Temporary Power Permit for a temporary generator must be followed.

If the Manufactured Housing installation is a double wide, a copy of the Installation Plan Approval Application and Permit approved by the State of Arizona must be received by Construction Support Services. Once the ASU permit is issued, the manufactured housing is set up, all systems are in place and the electrical inspection has been completed, contact the following departments for a Final Inspection:

  • ASU Construction Inspections 480-965-7739.
  • ASU Fire Marshal's Office at 480-965-1823.

If the generator providing temporary power is removed from the site, a new Temporary Power Permit Application shall be submitted and an inspection requested each time it is reinstalled.

Temporary Power Permit 

An ASU Permit Application must be submitted for installation of temporary power generators. Attach a copy of the specification sheet and provide the following information on the Permit Application:

  • Description of the unit.
  • Serial number and date of manufacture.

Hook up and grounding will be inspected by ASU’s Construction Inspectors. Generator oil must be contained and prevention and minimization of the discharge of hazardous substances must be prevented. Contact ASU’s Environmental Health and Safety at 480-965-1823 or via email for additional information about ASU’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan secondary requirements for oil-spill prevention, oil containers of 55 gallons or more require secondary containment. If the generator is removed from the site, a new Temporary Power Permit Application must be submitted and an inspection requested for each installation.