How to respond to Phoenix’s Reviewer's Notes
What the City of Phoenix calls its correction letter, how to resubmit, and what to include, from the city’s own pages. Each fact links to its source.
What the City of Phoenix calls it
The City of Phoenix calls its correction letter “Reviewer's Notes”.
Reviewer's Notes: LPRM-2107684
Source: apps-secure.phoenix.gov
How to resubmit after Phoenix plan check corrections
- Resubmitted file names must be consistent with the previous submittal and end with the next _V#: a file received with markups as Arch_Plans_V1.pdf is resubmitted as Arch_Plans_V2.pdf.
- Upload PDFs only, unlocked and unprotected so reviewers can place markups and stamps: no zip files, no digital signature certifications, layers merged or flattened.
- Keep each discipline's plan sheets in one multi-sheet PDF, and supporting documents (calculations, reports, certificates) in one PDF per content type.
- Files that don't meet these requirements are rejected at intake until uploaded correctly.
From the city’s instructions: phoenix.gov
What to include
- File names match the marked-up submittal, with the next version number (_V2, _V3...)
- File names use underscores, stay within 30 characters and have no special characters
- Unlocked, flattened PDFs with no digital signature certifications
- Sheets oriented top-up, drawn to scale, on 8 1/2x11, 11x17, 24x36 or 30x42
- One PDF per discipline for plans; one PDF per content type for supporting documents
From the city’s instructions: phoenix.gov
Codes its letters cite
Local code abbreviations you will see on the City of Phoenix letters: PBCC.
Building code named on the city’s pages: 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code.
Local amendments to the building code
Adopted local amendments.
Sections the City of Phoenix changes from the state code (summaries in our words; read the ordinance for the exact text):
- IBC 101.1: Retitles the code as the IBC as amended by the City of Phoenix Building Code.
- IBC 101.2: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.2.1: Appendix provisions do not apply unless specifically adopted.
- IBC 101.3: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.1: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.2: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.3: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.4: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.5: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.6: Amended; see the ordinance
- IBC 101.4.7: Amended; see the ordinance
The ordinance amends more sections than these.
Official links
- Resubmittal instructions
- Building department page
- Permit open data
- Planning and Development Department: 602-262-7811 (phoenix.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
- Address: 200 W. Washington St., 2nd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (phoenix.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
Links and facts checked on October 30, 2026.
Arizona rules every plan check here follows
These come from Arizona law and state agencies, so they apply in Phoenix as well. Each links to its source.
Permits are covered
These state rules on review times apply to city and town permits and approvals, not just business licenses.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-831, checked October 31, 2026
Posted review times
Each city or town must post its permit time frames online, showing the completeness check and the technical review as separate periods.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-835, checked October 31, 2026
One full set of corrections
During the technical review, the city or town may send you one comprehensive written list of corrections.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-835, checked October 31, 2026
A meeting about corrections
If you ask, the city or town must meet or talk with you about its corrections within ten working days and give you enough guidance to make them.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-835, checked October 31, 2026
Fee refund for missed deadlines
For residential building or land development permits, if the city or town goes beyond the allowed rounds of corrections or misses its overall time frame, it must refund all review fees without you having to ask.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-835, checked October 31, 2026
What a good response to Reviewer's Notes has
General guidance, not the City of Phoenix’s own rules. Check its page before you resubmit.
- Answer every comment, in the reviewer’s order and numbering, so nothing is missed.
- Say plainly what you changed for each comment, or why no change is needed.
- Name the sheet and detail where each change is, so the reviewer can find it fast.
- Mark changes on the drawings (clouds or deltas are common) and keep sheet numbers the same.
- Send the response letter, the revised drawings and any new calculations together.
Other Arizona city guides
How we help
Send us the whole Reviewer's Notes. We draft a response to every comment and list the drawing changes sheet by sheet. Your first letter is free. You review each response, then you sign and submit to the City of Phoenix yourself.
Cleared to Build is an independent service. We are not the City of Phoenix and are not affiliated with it.
Upload your correction letterOnly one comment to answer? Try the free one-comment tool.
Questions
What does the City of Phoenix call its correction letter?
The City of Phoenix calls it “Reviewer's Notes”.
How do I resubmit after the City of Phoenix sends corrections?
Match the resubmitted file name to the earlier submittal's name.
How do I respond to Phoenix’s Reviewer's Notes?
In short: Match the resubmitted file name to the earlier submittal's name. Answer every comment in a response letter that says what changed and on which sheet.
Where do I send my resubmittal to Phoenix?
The City of Phoenix’s online permit portal is SHAPE PHX Portal, linked on this page. Ask the building department how it wants resubmittals sent if its instructions don’t say.
How long does Phoenix take to review a resubmittal?
Each city or town must post its permit time frames online, showing the completeness check and the technical review as separate periods. Ask the City of Phoenix for its current review times.
Does Phoenix charge for another plan review?
This guide doesn’t list fees. Ask Planning and Development Department at 602-262-7811 before you resubmit.
How many rounds of corrections can Phoenix send?
During the technical review, the city or town may send you one comprehensive written list of corrections.
Is Cleared to Build part of the City of Phoenix?
No. Cleared to Build is an independent service, not affiliated with the City of Phoenix or any permitting agency. You submit to the city yourself.