Do I Need a Permit for a Block Wall in the Phoenix Valley?
Last updated: November 2026
Most Phoenix Valley homeowners want a 6-foot block wall in the back yard. Whether that needs a permit depends on which city you live in. Some cities require a permit for anything over 3 feet, while others don't step in until 6 or 7 feet. Retaining walls follow their own, stricter rules. This guide sums up each city's rules and links to the official source so you can confirm before you build.
Short version: a standard 6-foot back-yard wall needs a permit in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Queen Creek and probably Gilbert, but generally not in Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Surprise or Tempe. Your contractor usually handles the permit.
Permit rules by city
Most cities give two numbers: one for freestanding walls and fences, and one for retaining walls. Check how each city measures height. Some measure from the top of the footing, others from the bottom.
| City | Fence / block wall needs a permit | Retaining wall needs a permit | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Over 3 ft (structural calcs over 7 ft) | Over 3 ft from top of footing, or any height with a surcharge | City of Phoenix |
| Scottsdale | Over 3 ft; also adding height to walls over 3 ft | All retaining walls (engineered plans) | City of Scottsdale |
| Mesa | 6 ft and up | Check with the city | City of Mesa |
| Chandler | Over 7 ft (zoning clearance needed at any height) | Over 4 ft from bottom of footing, any surcharge, or any fence on top | City of Chandler |
| Gilbert | Reportedly over 3 ft. Confirm with the Town | Reportedly over 4 ft or any surcharge. Confirm | Town of Gilbert (480-503-6700) |
| Tempe | Over 6 ft | Check with the city | City of Tempe |
| Glendale | Over 7 ft; pool barriers and subdivision perimeter fences always | Check with the city | City of Glendale code amendments |
| Goodyear | Over 6 ft | All retaining walls | City of Goodyear |
| Surprise | Over 6 ft; pool barriers always | Over 4 ft from bottom of footing, or any surcharge | City of Surprise 2026 code amendments |
| Queen Creek | Fences and walls are on the Town's permit-required list; masonry walls need a Town standard detail or engineered drawings | Check with the Town | Town of Queen Creek |
| Peoria | Check with the city; it publishes a Residential Fence or Block Wall checklist (503) | Check with the city | City of Peoria |
| Buckeye | Check with the city; it publishes a Residential Fence and Block Wall checklist | Check with the city; it has a Retaining Walls checklist | City of Buckeye |
| Avondale | Check with the city | Check with the city | City of Avondale |
| Cave Creek | Building permit required for any permanent structure | Permit required; height limits depend on lot slope | Town of Cave Creek |
Checked against each city's published documents in November 2026. Rules change, so call your city's building department to confirm.
Permits aren't the only rule: height limits
Even if you don't need a permit, zoning still caps how tall a wall can be. Common limits:
- Phoenix: 3 ft in the required front yard and 6 ft in side and rear yards (City of Phoenix)
- Mesa: 3.5 ft in front and 6 ft in side and rear yards (City of Mesa masonry wall handout)
- Chandler: 3 ft in front and 7 ft in side and rear yards (City of Chandler)
- Tempe: 4 ft in the front setback without a use permit, and 8 ft maximum for single-family side and rear yards (City of Tempe)
Corner lots also have sight-visibility triangles near driveways and intersections where walls must stay low.
Retaining walls follow stricter rules
A retaining wall holds back soil, so it's treated as a structure, not just a fence. A wall that supports a surcharge, such as a house, driveway, pool or a fence on top, usually needs a permit and engineering even when it's short. In Phoenix, a fence on top of a retaining wall always needs structural calculations (City of Phoenix). For costs, materials and drainage, see our retaining walls guide.
HOA approval is separate
If you're in an HOA, you'll probably need its architectural approval in addition to any city permit. The HOA may dictate block type, stucco, paint color, cap style and height. Goodyear notes that knowing your CC&Rs is the homeowner's responsibility, not the city's (City of Goodyear). Get HOA approval in writing before you sign with a contractor.
Call Arizona 811 before anyone digs
Arizona requires you to contact Arizona 811 (Blue Stake) at least two working days before digging so buried utility lines get marked (City of Chandler). Gas, water, power and cable lines often run along back walls. Chandler also requires fences to stay at least 3 feet from fire hydrants and utilities. Your contractor will usually make the 811 request. Confirm they did before the footing trench goes in.
Property lines, surveys and shared walls
- Know where the line is. Chandler makes the homeowner responsible for locating property lines (City of Chandler). Mesa may require a property line survey from a licensed surveyor or civil engineer (City of Mesa masonry wall guide). If you aren't sure where the line is, a survey costs far less than tearing out a wall that was built on the wrong side.
- Shared walls need agreement. A wall on the property line is shared. Mesa notes that walls on a common property line may need written approval from the HOA and the neighbor. Arizona has no law forcing a neighbor to split the cost, so put any agreement in writing. Our cost guide covers cost-sharing.
- Easements. Walls in a public utility easement may need written approval from each utility.
Pool barriers
If a wall is part of a pool enclosure, pool barrier rules apply, and they're stricter:
- Peoria requires pools, spas and hot tubs more than 18 inches deep to be fully enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches tall (City of Peoria).
- Queen Creek requires a barrier for every pool, such as 5-foot fencing on all sides or on three sides plus a qualifying door or cover (Town of Queen Creek).
- Glendale and Surprise exclude pool barriers from their fence permit exemptions, so a pool wall needs a permit even if it's short (Glendale, Surprise).
If you're replacing a wall that's part of a pool enclosure, keep the pool secured while the work is underway.
Your contractor usually pulls the permit, so ask them
On most block wall jobs, the licensed contractor pulls the permit, submits any site plan or engineering, and schedules inspections. Before you sign, ask:
- Does this wall need a permit in my city, and will you pull it?
- Is the permit fee in your bid?
- Will you use the city's standard wall detail, or does this need an engineer?
- Who calls Arizona 811, and when?
- What's your Arizona ROC license number?
Arizona requires a licensed contractor for any job that needs a permit or costs more than $1,000. You can check a license with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot block wall in Phoenix?
Yes. The City of Phoenix requires a building permit for fences and walls over 3 feet. A 6-foot wall in a side or rear yard is allowed with a permit. Walls over 7 feet also need structural calculations.
Which Valley cities don't require a permit for a 6-foot wall?
Based on each city's own published rules, Mesa (under 6 feet), Chandler (7 feet or less), Glendale (7 feet or less), Goodyear (6 feet or less), Surprise (6 feet or less) and Tempe (6 feet or less) don't require a building permit for a standard fence wall. Zoning height limits, HOA rules and pool barrier rules still apply.
Do retaining walls need a permit?
Usually, once they're tall enough. Phoenix requires one over 3 feet; Chandler and Surprise over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing. Scottsdale and Goodyear require a permit for every retaining wall. Any wall holding up a pool, driveway or building typically needs one at any height.
Who gets the permit, me or the contractor?
Usually the contractor. Most licensed block wall contractors pull the permit and schedule inspections as part of the job. Ask in writing who is responsible and whether the permit fee is in the bid.
Does HOA approval replace a city permit?
No. HOA approval and city permits are separate. You may need both, and HOA approval is often needed even when the city doesn't require a permit.
Do I need to call 811 before building a block wall?
Yes. Contact Arizona 811 (Blue Stake) at least two working days before anyone digs a footing. Utility lines often run along property lines and walls.
What happens if I build a wall without a required permit?
The city can require you to bring it into compliance. In Scottsdale, for example, an unpermitted wall stays in violation until an Arizona-licensed engineer or architect assesses it, the city reviews it, and it passes inspection.
Find a contractor who handles permits
Browse Valley Block Walls for local block wall contractors by city: Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Queen Creek, Goodyear, Buckeye, Avondale and Cave Creek. Before you collect bids, check our block wall cost guide.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current rules with your city and HOA before you build.