We want to add a 200 sq ft room off the back of our house — extend the existing structure, not a detached structure. Contractor told us we don't need a permit but that doesn't sound right to me.
Your instinct is right — any structural addition in Tucson requires a permit, full stop. The City of Tucson Development Services requires permits for any work that adds square footage, affects the structure, or changes the roofline. 200 sq ft absolutely qualifies. A contractor telling you otherwise is either cutting corners or doesn't know the code, and either way that's your liability when you sell the house. Unpermitted additions get flagged on title searches and can kill a sale or require tear-down. The permit process in Tucson typically takes 2-6 weeks depending on complexity. You'll need site plans, construction drawings, and it'll go through zoning, building, and sometimes planning. It costs money and time upfront — but it protects you. Get a second opinion from a licensed GC who pulls their own permits. That's what a legitimate contractor does.
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