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What Approvals Do I Need to Build a Custom Home in Paradise Valley?

Learn how Paradise Valley building permits, grading/drainage, demolition, hillside review and HOA approvals fit into a custom-home project.
Architectural plans used to plan a luxury custom home in Scottsdale Arizona

A Paradise Valley custom home typically requires coordinated Town building-permit review, site/civil documentation and any applicable hillside process, plus private HOA approval where relevant. The Town now uses its Citizen Portal for building applications, and the exact submittal depends on the property and scope.

For luxury projects, the best approach is to map every required approval before design advances too far.

Building-permit application requirements

Paradise Valley’s current permit guidance states that a residential building-permit application requires a site plan and other supporting information.

Depending on the project, that can include:

  • dust-control documentation
  • wash/retention/drainage information
  • agent authorization
  • HOA acknowledgement
  • sewer/septic verification
  • grading and drainage plans
  • stormwater plan
  • native-plant preservation plan
  • demolition permit
  • hillside staging and assurance documents

The list expands based on property conditions.

Grading and drainage are major components

The Town’s guidance notes that a sealed grading and drainage plan can be required for single-family residences and for other projects meeting specified impervious-area or value thresholds.

For a new custom home, civil engineering should be treated as a core design discipline.

The architecture and grading plan should develop together.

Demolition can require its own approval

If an existing home is being removed, demolition permitting is separate.

That affects project sequencing because demolition, grading and new construction may need coordinated submissions and field work.

Hillside properties follow additional processes

Paradise Valley maintains specific Hillside Development Regulations and an application portal.

Depending on the property and scope, hillside work can involve pre-application, chair review, combined review, concept review or formal committee review.

The Town also lists additional requirements for hillside construction, such as construction staging, financial assurance, access/easement agreements and limits-of-disturbance documentation.

HOA approval is separate

Private communities may have their own design review.

Town approval does not automatically equal HOA approval, and HOA approval does not replace the Town permit.

The schedule should identify both tracks.

Plan the process before setting a construction start date

Owners often ask, “When can we break ground?”

That answer depends on:

  • design completion
  • engineering
  • HOA
  • hillside review if applicable
  • permit review
  • revisions
  • financing
  • contractor mobilization

A realistic schedule starts with approvals, not an arbitrary construction date.

Paradise Valley custom homes are often site-intensive projects.

Bella Legacy approaches approval planning as part of preconstruction so architect, civil engineer, structural engineer, landscape/pool teams and builder are working toward the same submittal path.

Questions to prepare for Paradise Valley approvals

Use these questions to prepare for a conversation about the property and your priorities.

Question 1: What best describes the property?

  • Flatland
  • Hillside
  • Existing teardown
  • I do not know

Question 2: Where is the design?

  • No architect yet
  • Concept
  • Design development
  • Permit-ready plans

Question 3: Is there an HOA?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Not sure

Result

“Your project needs a property-specific approval map that coordinates Town, civil, demolition, hillside and private review.”

Next Step

Map the approval path with Bella’s Paradise Valley Custom Home Builder guide and Preconstruction & Planning resource.

More ways to continue

  • Map My Paradise Valley Approval Path
  • Review My Plans Before Submittal

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Paradise Valley accept online applications?

Yes. The Town’s Citizen Portal is used for current permit applications.

Do all properties require hillside review?

No. Hillside review applies to designated properties and applicable scope.

Is grading and drainage required?

For new custom homes, civil/grading work is a major component; exact submittal requirements should be confirmed for the project.

How Bella organizes the Paradise Valley approval conversation

Bella can work with the architect and relevant consultants to clarify what information the project’s design, hillside status or existing property conditions may require before permitting. We can also coordinate the construction and procurement implications as plans move through review. The Town of Paradise Valley and any applicable private association make the formal approval decisions; the value of involving Bella early is having construction questions visible while the design can still respond.

Review a Paradise Valley project, or ask Bella directly using the short form below.

Have a question about your property or project?

Ask Bella directly. Share only the basics—we can talk through the details together. Or call (480) 780-0008 now.

A preliminary conversation is not an engineering, legal, financing or fixed-price commitment. We use your details only to respond to your inquiry.

About Bella Legacy

Bella Legacy Custom Homes creates thoughtfully designed luxury residences, custom homes and select luxury renovations throughout Scottsdale and surrounding Arizona communities.

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