You need to obtain a Building Permit when you construct, add to, or alter a building. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, we recommend that you first contact the Building Department before you trust the word of a friend or neighbor in regards to when a permit is required. A simple phone call can save a lot of time as well as expense.

Typically, for a single-family residential or duplex project, it takes 10 working days to obtain a permit after plans have been submitted to this department for review. The timeframes for commercial projects are typically longer as commercial projects are much more complicated to review and the plan requirements are more stringent. A commercial review will be completed and initial comments will be delivered to the customer within 20 working days.

Inspections are typically required to be requested by the owner or contractor prior to concealing any type of construction process from view, or just prior to putting a piece of equipment into use, such as an electrical panel. This process could be as simple as calling in the required footing inspection needed prior to the placement of concrete in a footing. In this inspection the footing depth, width, and reinforcement must be inspected before the concrete is place. Placing the concrete before the inspection would not allow the inspector to visually verify that all of the required components of this inspection have been installed as required. If you are uncertain whether an inspection is required please call in prior to covering anything up.

This depends on the type of project you are constructing. Please refer to the Residential Building Permit Plan Requirements document found in the Online Documents/Building Dept. portion of this web-site.

If your project includes a single or two family residential unit, or an addition or alteration to a single or two family residential unit, the answer is no. If your project is a commercial building and the building is at least 3000 square feet, or if the occupant load of the building is 20 or more, or if there is a structural member that is spanning at least 20' that is not part of an engineered system, a registered professional is required to design the building.

You do not need a Building Permit if the fence that you are planning to build is 6' or less in the rear of the property or 4' or less in the front of the property. We do, however, recommend that you consult with this department prior to constructing your fence to make sure that this fence will affect no Town Right of Way or easements. Retaining walls 4' or more in height, require that engineering be provided for the design of the wall and that a permit be issued prior to the start of construction.

Due to the complexities of commercial plan review, these are the only projects that typically receive a call when plans are ready for pick up. Residential projects are given a ten day, completion schedule and may be picked up at that time. If any problems arise on a residential plan review that could affect the turn around time a call is placed to the responsible party as soon as this is discovered.

A building permit fee is generally based on the valuation of the project. For additions, garages, & remodels, see the Permit Cost Estimate Sheet for Additions-Remodels-Detached Garages for figuring valuation and permit costs. Fees are calculated differently for a new single-family residence. See Single Family Residential Permit Cost Estimate sheet for those fees. These cost estimate forms can be found in the Online Documents/Building Dept. portion of this web-site. For commercial estimates or any other questions regarding fees, please contact the building department.

Town of Payson Ordinance #421 sets the construction start/stop times as follows: From June 1 to September 1, inclusive, all such construction or repair work shall not begin prior to 5:00 A.M. and must stop by 10:00 P.M. each day. From September 2 to May 31, inclusive, all such construction or repair work shall not begin prior to 6:00 A.M. and must stop by 10:00 P.M. each day. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herin, such construction, repair, industrial, and manufacturing work shall not being prior to 6:00 A.M. and must stop by 10:00 P.M. on any Saturday, Sunday or State or Federal Holiday.

Town of Payson Ordinance #450 requires toilet facilities for the maintenance of public health, all worksites and construction sites within the Town of Payson for all workers and patrons.

If you are conducting business in Payson Town limits, you are required to have a Business License. EXEMPTIONS: No Business License shall be required for the following: a) The practice, transaction or carrying on of any business, game or amusement, calling, profession or occupation which is solely engaged in delivery. b) Any agency or department of the United States Government or the State of Arizona not subject to municipal taxation. c) Hospitals, whether or not operated for profit. d) Physicians, surgeons or nurses not engaged in private practice. e) Residential rental units of three or less. f) Sellers of agricultural produce grown within the town by the seller. g) Religious, charitable or other non-profit organizations, institutions or associations. h) Any hobby or crafts sales in which the seller is the creator or a non-paid representative of the creator and for which the gross sales of each hobbyist and craftsman shall not exceed $3,000 in any 12-month period of time.

Please review the most recent Town of Payson Fee Schedule.

Out of Town Business Licenses can be issued over the counter once the application and payment are received. Commercial and Home Based Business Licenses will take 7-10 business days.

Business licenses are valid for 1 year with the exception of Temporary Business Licenses which are valid for 14 consecutive days.

Planning & Zoning, the Fire Department, Water and Building Departments all must approve Commercial and Home Base businesses.

Commercial buildings are inspected by both Fire and Water Departments. There are 3 levels of Home Based businesses, depending on the level, additional permits maybe required through Community Development.

If your business is selling any type of product, your business needs a TPT License. Please see website for the Arizona Department of Revenue at www.AZDOR.gov or call (602) 255-3381 for more information on rules & regulations.

No, the Business License is only good for the Town of Payson.

No, a Business License is NON-TRANSFERABLE. A new application must be submitted.

Each location requires and must post a separate Business License.

Yes, a separate sign permit is required for any signage for a business. Permits can be applied for at the Community Development Office.

For Corporation, LLC’s, and Partnerships a W9 is required.

Sole Proprietors must present one of the following documents to the Town of Payson indicating that the individual’s presence in the United States is authorized under federal law:

• An Arizona driver license issued after 1996 or an Arizona non-operating identification license.
• A driver license issued by a state that verifies lawful presence in the United States.
• A birth certificate or delayed birth certificate issued in any state, territory or possession of the U.S.
• A United States certificate of birth abroad.
• A United States passport.
• A foreign passport with a United States visa.
• An I-94 form with a photograph.
• A United States citizenship and immigration services employment authorization document or refugee travel document.
• A United States certificate of naturalization.
• A United States certificate of citizenship.
• A tribal certificate of Indian blood.
• A tribal or bureau of Indian affairs affidavit of birth.

A Town of Payson license is required on all dogs over four (4) months old that reside within the town limits.

Town of Payson dog tags are issued by the Humane Society of Central AZ at 605 W Wilson Court, Payson AZ, 928-474-5590.

A license will be issued for a period to run concurrently with the dog’s current rabies vaccination, for a period of one (1), two (2), or three (3) years, but in no event shall the licensing period exceed the period of time for the revaccination.

The Administrative Office and Fire Prevention hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. We are closed all major holidays. Emergency Services are open 24/7. If you have an emergency, please call 911.

The Blattner Pit is located on Hwy. 260 at M.P. 259.7. It is open on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Pine Pit is located seven tenths of a mile in on the Control Rd off of Hwy. 87, South of Pine. This pit is open on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The pits are closed over the winter. For updated information visit www.mvppofaz.org or call 928-978-8765.

We have a certified Safety Seat Inspector available by appointment at 400 W. Main Street. Call 928-474-5242 ext. 9 to make an appointment. An installation takes approximately one hour.

Firefighters live and work as a team. They may be called upon at any moment to respond to emergencies and need to stay together. They take the fire engine because it is their toolbox; it carries all the tools they may need to mitigate many different kinds of emergencies. Firefighters may be at the grocery store to buy healthy food to eat at the station, to mitigate an incident, or to do a preplan of the building before an emergency happens. Each fire engine requires a minimum of three firefighters to respond to an incident. So that means if the fire engine is called to an emergency and all three firefighters are not together, another fire engine must be called upon to assist, tying up the second engine if it becomes needed elsewhere.

No. Firefighters are just like most workers in the private sector, if they want to eat they must provide their own food. The only time the fire department buys food for firefighters is when they are working a long duration incident and the firefighters are unable to buy or prepare their own while on scene.

The Fire Department provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services by career firefighters who are also Arizona certified EMT’s and paramedics. The Department has a full complement of fire, medical, and rescue equipment. The Department also provides fire inspection and public education programs.

The Payson Fire Fire District offers tours of each of our three fire stations. To schedule a tour, complete the Event Request Form and mail it or bring it in to Station 11, 400 W. Main St., Payson, AZ 85541.

Yes. You must be at least 18 years of age. You may ride with the fire crew between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Contact the Administration Office at 928-472-5120 for scheduling.

The Gila County Attorney's Office is a county department headed by an elected County Attorney. It engages in criminal prosecution of all felony matters in Gila County (such as murder, robbery, sexual assault) and prosecution of all criminal misdemeanors outside of the four incorporated cities in the county. It also represents the county as its attorney in all civil matters.

The Town Attorney's Office has both civil representation functions and criminal prosecution functions. The office is headed by the Town Attorney who is appointed by the Town Council. The Town Attorney represents the Town of Payson as its attorney and advises the Mayor and Town Council, Town Manager, Department Heads and Town related Council Advisory Committees on all legal matters that may affect the Town's interest(s). The Town Attorney's Office also has a criminal prosecution division, overseen by the Town Attorney and managed by the Deputy Town Attorney/Prosecutor. The office prosecutes all State and Town Code misdemeanor offenses that occur within the Town limits and advises city enforcement personnel.

The Town's Code is now available on-line or you may contact the Town Clerk's Office at 928-474-5242 x5000.

No. The Town Attorney''s Office does not represent individuals in private legal matters. Attorneys in the office represent Town departments and agencies in the course of their "business" as Town entities, employees acting within the course of their employment, and the State of Arizona on criminal misdemeanor matters. Private legal matters must be handled by attorneys retained by the individual. For referral numbers, see the local phonebook for attorney ads or contact the State Bar of Arizona in Phoenix at (602)252-4804. You may also wish to check with Legal Aid at 1-800-852-9075.

Yes, you do. Failure to appear in court in response to a subpoena is a violation of a court order. The court may send a law enforcement officer to arrest you if you do not appear. However, if your subpoena indicates that you may be placed on call, contact the witness coordinator at the number provided on the subpoena and provide a means of contact on the trial date. If you are called on the trial date, you then must appear promptly. You must also appear if summoned for jury duty.

No. The Town Attorney's Office is not an investigative agency. Any violations of the law must be reported through the local law enforcement agency - usually the Payson Police Department at (928) 474-5177 or locally dial 911 for an emergency. If the complaint involves compliance with the Town's Unified Development Code, contact the Community Development Department at 928-472-5039.

The Town Attorney's Offices does not have supervisory authority over any other Town Departments or employees. All complaints about Town Departments should be directed to the Town Manager.

Under Arizona law, crime victims have rights. The Town Prosecutor's Office has a person who can explain victim rights, how to exercise those rights and how the criminal justice system works as it relates to a misdemeanor crime victim. For more information, please call Betty Emrick at (928) 472-5021 or email her at eemrick@paysonaz.gov.

Arizona Revised Statutes, as well as proposed State legislation can be found at www.azleg.gov.

You will need to come into the Parks and Recreation office and request a Head or Assistant Coaching Form. Please complete the form and return to us. Coaching is not guaranteed, as there are sometimes more coaches than teams available. Background checks will be conducted prior to approval to coach.

If you are unsure whether games will be held due to inclement weather, please call the Parks and Recreation Office at (928) 472-5110 before 5pm, or (928) 472-5110 after 5pm. After 5pm, there will be a recording announcing if games have been cancelled or rescheduled.

PATS stands for the Payson Area Trails System, which incorporates existing USFS roads and trails on the outskirts of Payson.

If the situation is life threatening or there is a crime in progress call 911. If you want to report a crime that already occurred, report suspicious activity, have a non-emergency situation or have a question, call (928) 474-5177.

303 N. Beeline Hwy. Payson, AZ 85541, 1/2 block East of Highway 87 on Malibu Drive.

Administration, Records, and Property divisions are open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. We are closed all major holidays. Emergency services are open 24/7. If you have an emergency, please dial 911.

Please refer to our Police Records webpage for information on how to obtain a police report.

The Payson Police Department does provide fingerprinting. Please go to our Fingerprinting page for instructions BEFORE scheduling an appointment with the Police Department.

A Guardian Angel Unit is a small heart shaped pendant that a person wears around the neck. It can be worn even in the shower. A unit is hooked up to a phone line. If you fall or need help, you can press the button on your pendant and it dials the preprogrammed phone number in it. That person can be anyone who can come to your house and help you. If you need medical help, they can call 911 for the Police Department to respond. You can get one installed by calling the Police Department at (928) 472-5065.

The Payson Police Department currently slated to have 34 certified full-time officers, but this number includes detectives and administrative personnel.

Contact Dispatch at 474-5177, if the cell phone was lost within town limits, and Dispatch will obtain your personal information, as well as the cell phone description, including serial number and cell phone number, make, model, etc., and will issue a departmental report number to you.

You can call the Payson Police Department at (928) 474-5177 and request the speed trailer, which will display the vehicle speeds and serves as a warning device.

Visit the Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Info Center at https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/offender. You will be able to search by zip code and/or name.

You can call the Payson Police Department at (928) 474-5177. 

Normal business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, and after hours for emergencies, contact Payson Police Dispatch at (928) 474-5177.

The police department is usually not notified of emergency power outages and must be reported to your power company, where they may be able to provide additional information.

Dial 511 from any landline or 888-411-7623 from your cell phone for ADOT information.

As of 05/01/24, Payson's sales tax rate is 10.48%, which includes 5.6% State Tax, 1% Gila County Tax, and 3.88% Town of Payson tax.

If you own less than 3 residential rental units, you are exempt from State tax. Please see Sec. 8A-445 of the Arizona State tax code document for this information.

The bed tax rate in Payson is 5%, effective August 1, 2010.

It is now legal to plant grass.

If you use a hose with a positive shut off nozzle and a bucket, it is OK to wash your vehicles.

All car washes for fund raising must be pre-approved by the Water Department.

Indoor & Outdoor pools are allowed; however, a water development fee will be required. Under certain Water Lever Restrictions, filling and/or refilling would be prohibited. For more information contact the Water Department.

Hot tubs are allowed; however, if they are over 500 gallons in size an additional water development fee may be required. Under certain Water Level Restrictions, filling and/or refilling would be prohibited. For more information contact the Water Department.

See Level I Water Restrictions or Resolution #2767 for more information about water waste, leaks, house washing, sidewalks and driveways, etc.

Non-essential services, Town Hall, Community Development, and Water Department hours are: Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 5:30pm.  Other departments hours may vary, and emergency services are available 24/7.  Please click the following link to view specific office hours and holiday closures.

https://www.paysonaz.gov/community/holiday-closures

• • Monthly Consumption 0-2,000 gallons = $53.58 (plus applicable taxes)
  • Monthly Consumption 2,001-5,000 gallons = $7.23 Per 1,000 Gallons
  • Monthly Consumption 5,001-10,000 gallons = $9.54 Per 1,000 Gallons
  • Monthly Consumption 10,001-20,000 gallons = $10.91 Per 1,000 Gallons
  • Monthly Consumption 20,001 + above = $13.64 Per 1,000 Gallons

Note: These figures do not include sales tax of 10.48%, & water tax of .0065 per thousand gallons

Water bills are mailed out the last business day of each month with payment due on or about the 15th of the following month.

A drop box (no stamps/envelopes needed) is located on Malibu Drive before entering the Town Hall complex. Paying with cash? Our office is located at 303A N. Beeline Highway in the southeast corner of the Town Hall Complex. Or, pay online by clicking on the water drop logo above. Our official website for immediate, real-time payments is https://www.twpay.net/paysonaz. Please be aware that doxo.com is NOT AFFILIATED with the Town of Payson Water Department and our utility does NOT receive immediate, real-time payments from doxo.com.

AutoPay, Cash, Check, Money Order and Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard.)

Never worry about being late or missing a payment. The total amount of your bill will be automatically, electronically deducted from your checking account on or about the 15th of each month. An application and voided check are required to set up this service. Download the AutoPay Authorization Application or pick one up at the Water Department office.

Yes, by calling our third-party provider at 928-267-9001. All major credit cards are accepted, including e-checks, however, there is a service fee of $3.25.

Yes, the Application for Water Service needs to be completed in full and brought to the Water Department office along with an appropriate photo ID.

Within twenty four (24) hours excluding weekends for properties with existing public water service. For properties without existing public water service it may take approximately two weeks.

You can sign up for AutoPay and have your payment automatically deducted or you can prepay your account, based on your average monthly bill before you leave.

If you have your own customer shutoff valve, turn your water off and call a plumber. If you do not have your own private shutoff valve call the Water Department at 472-5100 and we will dispatch a service person to turn your water off. Service Fees or After-Hours Fees may apply.

Per Resolution #235, homes constructed after 7/29/80 require a shutoff valve on the customer side of the Town’s meter. Location of customer valves may vary. Proper installation places them within 1-2 ft of the Town’s meter. These valves are for customers to shut off their water if a leak occurs. To prepare for home disasters, it is a good practice to locate your customer shutoff valve. If customer shutoff valve cannot be located, contact the Water Dept. to turn off the town’s meter. If these situations occur after hours, a fee may be assessed to your account. For your future protection and convenience, please consider having a customer shutoff valve installed.

No, the valve on the meter should only be used by Water Department personnel. Every home should be equipped with a customer shutoff valve, normally located on the customer’s property near the meter box. See Customer Shutoff Spec Sheet. If you do not have a customer shutoff valve we highly recommend that you have one installed.

• Toilet
• Irrigation systems or outdoor plumbing
• Leaky faucet or plumbing fixtures
• Cooler &/or cooler lines

See our helpful brochures How to Read your Water Meter and Stop Leaks Now.