Permits

Font Size: + -

Print

Tempe requires permits for activities that impact public streets and right-of-way. Whether you're planning a neighborhood block party, need to transport oversized vehicles or construction materials, or require residential parking permits, this page provides information about the permits you may need and how to get them including application procedures, fees, timelines, and requirements for each permit type.

Barricading

Block Party (closing a portion of a neighborhood street)

Off Hours Work Application

Oversized Vehicles / Haul Permits

Residential Permit Parking

Barricading

Annual Barricading Permits are required to operate as a barricade company within the City of Tempe. Barricade companies may apply for an annual permit by completing an online application. The following items are required in the application:

A copy of ATSSA Certifications for designers, field supervisors, foremen, and operations managers
An active certificate of insurance with coverage levels in compliance with City of Tempe requirements
COI cancellation agreement letter on barricade company letterhead
Barricade company contact information
Payment of Annual Barricading Permit Fee ($259.36) Effective 7/1/2026

Annual permits are valid for the calendar year for which they are obtained; renewals occur in January of each year. Barricade companies may submit traffic control plan (TCP) permit applications after an annual barricading permit has been obtained.

Permits may be applied for through the online barricading portal.

Guidance Links:

If it is necessary to work after the typically allowed work hours, contractors are required to get an off-hours letter of authorization. Fill out the Off Hour Work Application and it will be reviewed and approved by the Neighborhood Services Office (480-350-8234).

Tempe Barricading Manual PDF

Block Party

To temporarily close your neighborhood street for a party, complete the steps below:

1. Print out the "Signature Collection Form" below and gather the signatures from each head of household of each home which abuts the street proposed for the block party closure. If any non-block resident is denied access because of the closure, their approval is also required. The City may require those organizing the party to hire Tempe police officers to direct and control traffic adjacent to the block party.

2. After you have gathered all the signatures:

A) Fill out a block party "Permit/Permission Form."

B)Email the Permit/Permission and Signature Collection forms to Travis_hollandjr@tempe.gov AND Maximilian_Porte@tempe.gov at least four business days in advance of your party.

3. Get the barricades and signs - The City will provide barricades and street closed signs. It's the responsibility of the party organizers to pick up and return the barricades and signs to the Traffic Operations Facility, 2090 W. Rio Salado Parkway from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. A refundable deposit of $50.00 (cash or check) is required. The barricades should be set by the party organizer at the place designated by the City.

Rules:

Block parties are restricted to residential areas.
No alterations are to be made to a street or sidewalk in preparation of or during a block party.
Any debris in the City right-of-way caused by the party should be removed by the party organizer immediately following the party.
The block party must be for non-profit purposes and may go until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and no later than 1 a.m. on holidays and weekends.
Entertainment such as a band, radio or any amplifying equipment should not disturb residences beyond the perimeters of the block.

Haul Permits

Haul permits allow for the legal transportation of construction waste fill or excavation material within City right-of-way. Special permit requests must be received by the City for at least five working days prior to the need for issuance of the permit. Apply for a haul permit by completing the haul permit application form and emailing the form, map of the route, and current certificate of insurance to permitcenter@tempe.gov. More information on the process is provided within the application form.

Permit Fees for Hauling Waste Material Effective 7/1/26:

Under 5,000 cubic yards or less than ten (10) days in duration .....No charge
Over ten (10) days in duration and less than 5,000 cubic yards .....$834.93
5,000 to 10,000 cubic yards .....$834.93
Greater than 10,000 cubic yards .....$3,339.64

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2009.41, the City Council approved annual fee adjustments based on the annual United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index—All Urban Consumers, West Region. Such fees will be adjusted each July 1.

Conditions

The applicant shall follow all conditions within the issued permit, which may include:

Designation of specific routes to be used;
Designation of specific haul hours or days;
Designation of specific locations of access to and from public right-of way;
Provision for safety precautions such as the use of barricades, warning or traffic signs, flagmen or police officers for traffic control; and
Assumption of responsibility to remove any spillage of waste fill or waste excavation material from streets or sidewalks or to pay the City twice the cost of removal.

Sec. 19-50 Hauling waste fill or waste excavation material

Oversized Vehicles

The oversize/overweight vehicle policy allows legal travel on City right-of-way for oversize/overweight (OS/OW) vehicle loads. Special permit requests must be received by the City at least five working days prior to the need for issuance of the permit.

Apply for an oversized vehicle permit

Oversize/Overweight Minimum Limits:

Weight over 80,000 lbs.
Length over 65 ft.
Width over 8 feet, 6 inches
Height over 13 feet, 6 inches
Any extension front
Any extension back

Fees/Special Permits for Overweight/Overheight Vehicles Effective 7/1/26

Application fee for excess size..................................................... $23.59
Plus, each 30-day permit issued for excess size............................ $45.98
Each permit issued for excess weight............................................$39.30
Plus, each 30-day permit issued for excess weight........................ $78.37

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2009.41, the City Council approved annual fee adjustments based on the annual United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index—All Urban Consumers, West Region. Such fees will be adjusted each July 1.

Restrictions

The applicant must follow all requirements including required escorts and hours of travel as required under the permit. No travel will occur unless permitted during the following hours:

6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. – Monday through Friday
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Monday through Friday
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Monday through Friday

In accordance with the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 28-1103 and A.R.S. 28-1104 and Tempe City Code, with respect to highways under Tempe's jurisdiction may issue a special permit in writing, authorizing an applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Sec. 19-44 Overweight/oversize vehicle regulations

Sec. 19-45. Special permits for overweight and overheight vehicles

Residential Permit Parking

For residents already living in a parking permit area:

In certain areas of Tempe, it's required for residents who live along a street to have a parking permit. Each household within the residential permit parking area is entitled to one free permit for their car each year and one free visitors pass for each property. Additional permits are $5 each per calendar year. The permit should be placed on the driver's side, rear bumper of the car OR on the driver's side, lower corner of the rear window.

Follow these steps to get, replace or renew a permit:

STEP 1:

Mail or send scanned copies of the documents listed below to rpp@tempe.gov. Our mailing address is 200 E Fifth Street, Mail Drop 04-1, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Proof of residency of the vehicle registration address (needed for new participants/vehicles only). Examples of proof of residency include a utility bill dated within the last 60 days. We accept driver’s licenses with the property address listed or utility bills from SRP, APS, Southwest Gas, City of Tempe, Cox Communications, Century Link, Direct TV, Dish Network, cell phone company, bank statement or a current statement from the Department of Economic Security (DES). Lease agreements are not acceptable forms of proof of residency.

Vehicle registration (needed for new participants/vehicles only)
A signed copy of the residential permit parking policy agreement PDF (needed for new participants only)

STEP 2:

After you receive an email from the City approving your permit, please pay online at https://epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx by selecting “Search Applications” and entering your permit number or by mailing a check for the amount indicated within the email from the City at Tempe Transportation Center, 200 E. 5^th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281.

STEP 3:

Once payment is received, your permit will be mailed to the property address within 5 business days.

If you need to get your permit immediately or would prefer to get your permit in person, visit the Tempe Transit Store, 200 E. Fifth St., First Floor, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
For questions about getting a permit, visitor’s pass, or large gathering waiver, please contact rpp@tempe.gov or call 480-858-2351.

To request your street have permit parking:

Requests may be made by representatives of the Neighborhood Association or by individual residents of the affected area. City staff will request petitions prior to consideration of an area request in order to ensure that public support exists in favor of the parking restrictions.

Area Which Might Be Considered:
Only single-family housing and small rental properties (four-plex or smaller) will be considered for permit parking. Multifamily housing complexes and apartment buildings larger than a four plex will not be considered for Residential Permit Parking. Those forms of housing are required by building code to provide sufficient off-street parking to handle their residents and guests. An area must be several continuous blocks which provide a logical shape with defined boundaries.

Method for Determining if an Area Should Have Residential Permit Parking:
A parking survey is conducted to determine if the area qualifies for the permit program. An area would qualify for the permit program if 75% or more of the total legal parking spaces are occupied and nonresident vehicles occupy more than 25% of the occupied spaces. A license plate survey would be used to determine the registered address of the vehicle owner in calculating percentage usage. With the existence of the Light Rail and Streetcar systems, neighborhoods/residences adjacent to LRT stations may contact Traffic Engineering to request Residential Permit Parking in their area. The area is not required prequalify to proceed with the program.

Implementation of a Residential Parking Area:
If a permit program is warranted by the survey data, a public meeting can be held to explain the program to the residents of the affected neighborhoods. Representatives of each department involved in the administration and enforcement of the permit program would explain their role and answer questions concerning their area of involvement. Following the meeting, City staff would prepare a questionnaire, which would be sent to each residential dwelling unit within the proposed area. Return of those questionnaires would determine the degree of neighborhood support. The City Council would not be forwarded any parking area for approval unless a substantial majority of the residents were in favor of the program. The specific parking regulations for an RPP area (hours and days of enforcement, special conditions, etc.) will be established to most clearly reflect the wishes of the residents who are being served. The parking restrictions chosen shall be consistent throughout the entire residential parking permit area. All other parking regulation signs presently in effect on blocks approved for residential parking will be removed except for those that are needed for safety reasons. Residents in a Residential Parking Permit area may decide to purchase annual parking permits which allow you to park on the street during restricted hours, or you may decide not to purchase permits and refrain from parking on the street during restricted hours. You may sign the petition in favor of the program even if you do not intend to purchase a permit.

Application for Permits:
For areas which approve the residential parking permit program, staff will mail applications to each residence in order to properly distribute the permits. Each household is entitled to a vehicle permit for each vehicle belonging to or operated by any person who lives at the residence. Proof of residency is required as is proof of ownership or responsibility (driver’s license with current address, telephone/utility bill) for the vehicle which is being permitted. Persons with vehicles registered to the permit address will be able to complete the application process through the mail by submitting a photocopy of the registration. Persons with vehicles not registered to a parking area address will have to show proof of residency and may have to complete the permit process in person at the Tempe Transit Store, 200 E. Fifth St., First Floor, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Some examples of proof of residency would be a driver's license with current address, cellular bill, or utility bill showing your name and the address of your residence within the parking permit area. A request for more than 3 permits for any address shall trigger a review by staff for occupancy requirements. No additional permits shall be granted until a review has taken place and confirmation is given that the residence satisfies the occupancy requirements as established by Tempe City Code**. Every household within the residential permit parking area is entitled to one free vehicle permit each year. For an annual fee of $5.00 per vehicle, residents may purchase 2 additional residential parking permits for the approved residential household.