Building Plan Review Process

Building plans are reviewed in the order they are received. Building plans are expected to have all necessary and required information for a complete plan review. Any portion missing will be requested and will delay processing your permit application. Please review the criteria for submittal requirements for residential and commercial projects. If your plans cannot be approved as submitted, an email with a correction letter will be sent to the applicant. If you have questions about your review, please contact the plans examiner listed on the correction letter. The corrected plans will be uploaded through the portal by the applicant to the original permit application.

Residential Submittals

Residential plans must comply with the following codes, as amended and adopted by Yavapai County:

  • 2024 International Residential Code
  • Yavapai County Grading Ordinance 

The Yavapai County Ordinances 2025-3 through 2025-13 adopting these codes may be accessed here. Please also review the Policy PB-9 Submittal Requirements for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, Additions, and Renovations, and Common Omissions and Mistakes on Residential Plans.

Issues to be aware of when submitting residential plans:

  • Plans not meeting the prescriptive code in the 2024 IRC (for example: post and beam construction, steel structures) will require a design meeting the requirements of the 2024 IBC which may require your plans to be sealed by an Arizona registrant.
  • Homes which have a manufactured floor system (I-Joists/Floor Trusses) will be required to have engineering and a floor layout from the manufacturer for the floor system.
  • Where a development permit is required by the flood department, the requirements of that permit must be reflected on your residential plans.
  • Where plans are required to be sealed by an Arizona registrant, the calculations justifying the design must also be submitted.

Commercial Submittals

Commercial plans must comply with the following codes, as amended and adopted by Yavapai County:

  • 2024 International Building Code  
  • 2024 International Plumbing Code
  • 2024 International Mechanical Code
  • 2023 National Electric Code  
  • 2024 International Fuel Gas Code
  • Yavapai County Grading Ordinance

The Yavapai County Ordinances 2025-3 through 2025-13 adopting these codes may be accessed here. Please also review Policy PB-10 Submittal Requirements for Commercial/Multi-Family Structures.

Issues to be aware of when submitting commercial plans:

  • A site-specific soils report done by an Arizona Licensed Registrant for the foundation design and soils conditions must be provided. A soils report per the 2024 IBC section 1803 shall contain the following minimum information – soils classification(s), allowable foundation pressure, lateral pressure or lateral sliding resistance values, recommendations for foundation type and depth below finished grade.

  • A building size of over 3,000 square feet or with an occupant load of 20 or more will require that all plans submitted be stamped/sealed by an Arizona Licensed Registrant as per the Arizona State Board of Technical Review.

  • A separate grading permit will be required for each parcel for any proposed grading to be done on site. Grading plans must comply with Ordinance 2025-10 Yavapai County Grading Ordinance.
  • Plumbing fixtures as required per the 2024 IPC table 403.1 shall be provided. Table 403.1 does require a minimum of one (1) drinking fountain to be provided along with specific numbers of restrooms based on the occupant load as determined by Table 1004.5 of the 2024 IBC. Each building shall be provided with the required plumbing fixtures.
  • Under the requirements of the ICC A117.1-2017, with the exception of government or federal projects, all structures and accessible routes shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAG). Specific information (details) for accessible parking, accessible route into the building and through the building, along with restrooms and drinking fountain shall be included on the plans. This includes the slopes and cross slopes for that accessible route, ramps and parking space(s) along with the material surfaces to be of a hard type which can be traveled by a person in a wheelchair.
  • When any special inspection is called for by the structural engineer and/or required per chapter 17 of the 2024 IBC, a Special Inspections Certificate shall be completed and submitted with the applications and plans for a building permit.
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