Surprise Building Codes

Adopted codes, residential permit requirements and fees, and zoning setbacks for building a custom home in the City of Surprise.

Maricopa County3 pages
City Building Codes
Adopted Codes

Surprise Adopted Building Codes: The 2024 I-Codes That Apply to Your Build

Surprise builds to the 2024 International Residential, Building, Energy, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire, and Existing Building codes plus the 2023 National Electrical Code, with local amendments. The City adopted them December 2, 2025, by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026.

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Permits

Surprise Residential Building Permit Requirements: What You File, Review Times and Fees

A new home in Surprise needs a city building permit. You apply online, then upload a complete plan set, soils report, structural calculations, and Manual J, S, and D to ProjectDox. A custom home's first review takes 15 working days, and administrative and plan review fees are due at submittal.

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Zoning & Setbacks

Surprise Residential Zoning and Setbacks: Where Your New Home Can Sit on the Lot

Surprise sorts R-1 single-family lots into six categories by size, from 4,950 square feet to an acre or more. A Category B lot needs a 12 foot front, 20 foot rear, and 5 and 10 foot side yards; a one-acre Category F or RR lot needs 30 foot front and rear and 20 foot sides.

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Build in Surprise

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We build on private lots and in communities under these rules.

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