Standard Plans, Residential

Guidelines

This guideline explains and outlines the process for the submittal, review, approval, and use of
residential standard plans within the city of Phoenix. For further information, contact the
Planning & Development Department (P&D) at (602) 262-7811.
Purpose:
The purpose of the standard plan review process is to allow homebuilders the ability to
process new residential plan designs by reducing plan review time and costs. This can be
done when the intent is to use a single buildable plan for nearly identical homes with or without
variations creating a standard design for use on multiple lots within a particular subdivision, or
for infill lots throughout the city of Phoenix.
Benefits of Standard Plan Use:
Once the city has approved a standard plan, the owner of record has the ability to use the
standard plan in the following ways:
• Construct the approved standard anywhere within the city of Phoenix, subject to obtaining
required site/design review, and civil approvals prior to obtaining a building permit.
The owner of record is generally the architect or professional engineer who sealed the plans,
or the homebuilder who has authorized development of the house plan for future construction
purposes.

General Requirements:
In some cases, the city may require new subdivisions and individual single-family homes and
duplexes to undergo a single-family/duplex design review process. This process, outlined in
Section 507 of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance, ensures a variety of house styles, elevations,
and colors applicable residential subdivision developments.

New standard building plan reviews for subdivision developments will not be initiated until
single-family design review approval has been obtained from the Development Review
Administrator. Standard plans may be “certified” for Design Review approval for use city-wide.
For further information about the Single-Family/Duplex Design Review Process, please contact
the Development Review Administrator at (602) 534-7094. (Verify contact # with zoning staff)
Standard Plan Review & Permit Process:
Planning & Development Residential Plan Review staff performs the standard plan reviews.
Once reviewed, staff will notify the customer if the plans are either ready for corrections or
approved for future use.
Once standard plans have been approved, permits for new home construction may be
submitted by email at plotplan.submittals@phoenix.gov

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For more information or for a copy of this publication in an alternate format, contact Planning & Development at
602-262-7811 voice or TTY use 7-1-1.
P:\ Standard Plans, Residential Guidelines TRT/DOC/00020
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A separate construction permit application must be submitted for each home site
including the following:
• Completed permit application with site address, standard plan # to be built, chosen plan
options, selected elevation, and any other pertinent information for that site.
• A plot plan showing the location of the home on the proposed parcel, setbacks, lot
coverage, DR information if applicable, and any other pertinent information for that site.
Required supplemental documentation (IE. Special inspection certificates for structural &
geotechnical), and any other pertinent information for that site.
New Standard Plan Submittals:
New submittals are submitted at 200 W. Washington St. 2nd floor, Residential by appointment.
To schedule your submittal appointment, please email residential.appointments@phoenix.gov
NOTE: A submittal appointment for residential standard plans is required for both in office
submittals or EPR submittals online.
Alternate Plan Submittals:
Electronic plan review (EPR) is available for plan submittal and payment. For further
information visit the city of Phoenix Planning and Development Department website at
https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/onlineservices/electronic-plan-review
Corrections:
When a standard plan submittal requires further information or corrections before the city can
approve them, you will need to resubmit two complete corrected sets, along with the first
review red-line/mark up set, for additional review by the city.
Note: If the redlines are not returned, additional plan review fees shall be assessed equal to
the original plan review fee or on an hourly basis per the City of Phoenix fee schedule.
Revisions:
What qualifies as a revision:
(Per PBCC 108.3.3) – When approved plans are changed or revised so as to require additional
plan review, an additional plan review fee shall be assessed per Appendix A (fee schedule).
Changes or revisions to approved plans which add to the scope of work included in the original
plan submittal shall require a new standard plan submittal requiring a new permit application,
and new plan review fee. Residential Plan Review supervisor to determine on a case by case
basis.
It is the reviewer’s discretion to determine based on the complexity of
the project if plan revisions will be logged in or reviewed over the counter.

Requirement for submittal of a revision:

Two copies of only revised sheets are to be submitted and shall have all changes shown with a
cloud and delta indicating any proposed change to the building design.

NOTE: Revision submittals shall not include sheets with no changes or changes that do not
relate to building code requirements.
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Standard Plan Submittal Requirements:

The following information is required for all standard plan submittals:
Completed application. Square footage and 90 mph
valuation shall be provided by builder. Special Inspection Certificates, two copies
Complete plans, two copies. each.
Note: If submitting through the Electronic Structural
Plan Review system, multiple copies of Geotechnical
submittal documents are not required.
Architectural
The suggested minimum size is 24” x 36”. No Soil Report, One copy.
loose sheets shall be attached with the
exception of truss calculations, structural Foundation Plan
calculations, energy code reports, mechanical Floor Plan
calculations and manufacturers cut
List the square footage separately in a table
sheets/literature.
for the livable area per floor, garage, porch,
Provide owner of plan, contact information (if patio, bays etc.
different), address, phone number in title
Cross Sections, details referenced
block.
All plans shall be legible. A suggested scale Electrical Plans
of ¼” = 1’0 shall be used for all foundation One line diagram; panel schedule; load
plans, floor plans, framing plans, and front calculations
elevations. Details shall be no smaller than ½” 300/400 Amp Service (plans shall be done by
= 1’. electrical contractor, architect, or electrical
Details, data, and information provided to engineer per city Electrical Code Regulation)
Planning & Development staff shall not be
Exterior Elevations
included by reference or attachment only. The
data must be delineated into the drawings by If there are different elevation options, reflect
notes or graphics as part of the original any changes to the foundation plan, floor
tracings or masters. plan, and framing plan for each, and provide
All professional engineers and architects additional details as needed for the
involved in the design of the structure are to clarification of each elevation.
seal the related sheets and details. This is in Floor Framing Plan
accordance with the Rules of the State Board
of Technical Registration. Roof Framing Plan
All options that may be used shall be shown Basement, Design required.
and listed in a simplified diagram on the cover
sheet with an index showing where they are Plumbing Schematic
detailed in the drawings. (See example – Water meter calculation; fixture units, water
Exhibit A) meter size, supply line size, developed length.
A separate 8 ½” x 11” version of the simplified Gas Isometric (if applicable)
diagram with all options and the table of
options from the cover sheet (Exhibit A) shall Mechanical Plan
be submitted with the standard plan submittal. Mechanical cooling system sizing calculations
Structural Calculations, two copies each. Energy Code Calculations
See Energy Conservation Code, Residential
Design Criteria
Compliance Certificate
Seismic Zone B
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Detail Sheet(s) Architectural and Plan review fee is 80% of calculated

Structural permit fee.
Options are: See Planning &
Permit Fee:
Development Fee Schedule for fees.
See Planning & Development Fee
Schedule for fees.
All plans submitted for standard plan review should address the following guidelines:
1. All options that may be used shall be shown and listed in a simplified diagram on the cover
sheet with an index indicating where each option detailed on the drawings. (See example
Exhibit A on page 5)
a) An 8 ½ by 11-inch version of the simplified diagram with all options and the table of
Options that matches the version on the cover sheet shall be
submitted with the standard plan review submittal.
b) List the square footages separately by area as indicated in the table of options per the
example Exhibit A on page 5 (IE. Livable area per floor, garage, porch, patio, bays etc.).
NOTE: Please do not include areas for architectural pop outs or other non-habitable/usable
space
2. Options that change exterior architectural features (including doors, windows, covered
entries, patios, garage options and roof options) shall be shown as different elevations.
Each different style of elevation, including associated details, must be provided and clearly
cross-referenced.
3. All changes in framing, foundation, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing shall be shown on
separate plan views, details, and sections and be clearly cross-referenced on the cover
sheet.
4. If a standard plan is to be used in a subsequent subdivision, the plan shall be revised to
indicate the soil conditions. Applicant shall submit two copies of revised foundation plans,
detail, structural calculations and soils report. A revision fee will be charged.
5. Design changes that will not be charged plan review fees as options:
a. Building elevations, front porches, fireplaces, bay windows, entertainment centers, and
extensions 30 square feet or less.
b. Interior non-bearing wall changes.
c. Mechanical/electrical/plumbing changes when no change in the size of the electrical
service is made.
d. Covered patios of any size.
6. Design changes that will be charged plan review fees as options:
a. Except as noted in #5 above, changes that result in an increase, decrease, and/or
reconfiguration of the building footprint. This includes but is not limited to:
• Building elevation changes, front porches, fireplaces, bay windows, entertainment
centers, and extensions over 30 square feet.
• Room/garage additions and extensions.
• Walk decks.
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b. Additional basements.
c. Changes to foundation (conventional reinforcement, post-tension, etc.).
d. Structural framing changes without changing materials.
e. Changes which increase the space to be air-conditioned.
f. Roof orientation changes
7. Design changes that will require a separate standard plan:
a. Wood-framed, steel-framed, and masonry construction options.
b. Conventional floor/roof framing versus trussed floor/roof framing systems options.
c. Revisions to approved standard plans that add square footage or change the footprint
unless approved by the residential plan review supervisor. To be determined on a case
by case basis.
8. Plan review fees for residential standard plans:
a. Valuation based on largest square footage including all options.
b. Option fee*.
c. Revision(s) to standard plan fee*.
9. Turnaround times for review will be updated weekly.
10. A data entry fee will be charged on permit applications based on an approved standard
plan, if the combination of options to be built under that permit has not been used before for
a permit. The fee covers the cost to create the electronic combination for use in the
current permit and any future permits for exactly the same combination of options.

Combinations will NOT be created unless required for a permit.

11. A plot plan must be submitted with each permit application showing the exact footprint, with
all options listed for the house to be built.
12. A plot plan review fee* is charged for each permit to assure that the house footprint on the
specific lot meets all applicable code(s) and/or stipulation(s).
* See Fee Schedule/Appendix A.2 of the City Code for basis of charged fees.

Obtaining Copies of Approved Standard Plans:

The standard plan owner of record, and if applicable, the registrant of record may obtain
copies of the approved standard plan by contacting the Planning & Development Department
Record Center. A Public Records Request form must be completed and submitted to the
records center. The Public Records Request form can be found online at
https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/dsd_trt_pdf_00680.pdf

Once confirmed, the P&D Record Center staff will forward the plans for reproduction and notify
the applicant when they are ready for pick-up and payment of appropriate photocopy charges
that apply.
The P&D Record Center is located in City Hall, 200 W. Washington, Phoenix, 3rd floor. For
further information please call (602) 262-7800
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